Gujarat Heritage Tour 15N & 16D
Duration:
Mumbai - Ahmadabad - Dasada - Bhuj - Gondal - Sasan Gir - Diu - Bhavnagar - Palitana - Bhavnagar - Mumbai
Tour Highlights:
Mumbai: Arrive and explore Elephanta Island’s rock-cut temples, the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, and drive past Marine Drive and Dhobi Ghat.
Ahmedabad: Fly in and tour significant sites, including the Sabarmati Ashram and Akshardham Temple, before heading to Dasada via Patan’s Rani Ki Vav and Modhera’s Surya Temple.
Dasada: Enjoy a jeep safari in the Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary and visit nearby tribal villages.
Bhuj: Discover Bhuj’s architectural gems like Aina Mahal and Kutch Museum, and shop for Bandhani textiles and local crafts, with a free day to explore.
Gondal: Visit Rajkot’s Watson Museum, then head to Gondal to see Naulakha Palace and Swami Narayan Temple.
Sasan Gir: Drive to Sasan Gir, enjoy an evening game drive in Gir National Park, home to Asiatic lions.
Diu: Visit Diu’s Fort, churches, and museums reflecting Portuguese influence, followed by leisure time at the beach.
Bhavnagar: Drive to Bhavnagar, explore Palitana Jain Temples, one of Jainism’s sacred sites, and enjoy free time.
Mumbai: Fly back from Bhavnagar to Mumbai for onward travel.
Destinations:
MUMBAI - AHMEDABAD - DASADA - BHUJ - GONDAL - SASAN GIR - DIU - BHAVNAGAR - PALITANA - BHAVNAGAR - MUMBAI
Itinerary:
DAY 01: ARRIVE MUMBAI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Upon arrival after clearing customs and collecting your luggage you will meet our travel executive, who will assist you with your transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
DAY 02: MUMBAI
After a delicious breakfast you will be departed for excursion to Elephanta Island by a motor launch. These 7th century rock cut cave temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here, Indian Art is most beautifully expressed. Next, you will visit the Gateway of India, colossal structure constructed in 1924. Later in the afternoon you will visit Prince of Wales Museum – a legacy of the British Empire, showcasing several collections of ancient artworks and sculptors. Next, you will visit Mani Bhawan – a small museum depicting scenes from Mahatama Gandhi’s life. Also drive past Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghat (laundry place), Victoria Terminus, Crawford Market and the Parsee towers of Silence. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
DAY 03: MUMBAI/AHMEDABAD BY FLIGHT (1.5HRS)
Morning transfer to Mumbai Domestic Airport for a flight to Ahmedabad, the most populous city in the state of Gujarat home to many buildings and monuments of historical and religious importance. Later afternoon short tour of Ahmedabad. Overnight in Ahmedabad.
DAY 04: AHMEDABAD/DASADA BY ROAD (208KMS/06HRS)
After a scrumptious breakfast, depart for your next destination Dasada and enroute visit Patan, Rani Ki Vav and Modhera. Patan is a small dusty visited town, its narrow streets are lined by the faded and wooden houses and it has more than 100 Jain temples, which are worth exploring. The largest of the Jain temple is Panchasara Parasvanath. The major tourist attractions in Patan are Sahastralinga Talav, Rani ki Vav and Khan Sarovar. Later visit Modera an almost deserted hamlet off the beaten track 100km northwest of Ahmedabad. Modera is famous for its Surya Temple, beautifully balanced and intricately carved. On arrival in Dasada check-in at your camp. Overnight in Dasada.
DAY 05: DASADA
Morning set on a jeep safari to explore the Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sancturary. The Rann of Kutch is one of the largest white salt deserts in the world. The Rann of Kutch region is also home to a range of ecologically rich wildlife such as the wild ass and the flamingos. It is also a part of a few sanctuaries such as the Indian wild ass sanctuary, Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary etc. Rann is a paradise for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Later in the afternoon go on an excursion to nearby villages to see tribal settlements. Overnight stay in Dasada.
DAY 06: DASADA/BHUJ BY ROAD (309KMS/07HRS)
This morning you will drive to your next destination Bhuj – known as the Jaisalmer of Gujarat. The city is a fine examples of Gujarati architecture that can be found in the form of houses and temples. Afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bhuj exploring Aina Mahal, bell tower in Prag Mahal, Kshtrapa inscriptions in the Kutch museum, which is believed to be the oldest museum in the region. Engage in some shopping of Bandhani (tie & dye), hand-printed saris, embroidery, needlework and ornaments that are exquisite to this region. Overnight stay in Bhuj.
DAY 07: BHUJ
After breakfast you are free to explore the area on your own. Overnight in Bhuj.
DAY 08: BHUJ/GONDAL BY ROAD (270KMS/5-6HRS)
After breakfast depart for Gondal enroute visiting Rajkot - the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life. Visit Watson museum established in 1888. Continue your drive to Gondal and visit the Naulakha Palace & Swami Narayan Temple. Overnight in Gondal.
DAY 09: GONDAL/SASAN GIR BY ROAD (150KMS/04HRS)
Enjoy an appetizing breakfast in hotel. Later drive to Sasan Gir en-route visiting Jetpur screen-printing, Uparkot Fort and Museum at Junagadh. Continue your drive to Sasan Gir famous for The Asiatic Lion. Evening enjoy the game drive at the Gir National Park by shared jeep in search of the elusive lion. Gir forest is the only place in the world, where you can see Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. Also, one will come across a host of other herbivores like Nilgai - Blue Bull, Chital and rare four horned antelopes. Overnight stay in Sansan Gir.
DAY 10: SASAN GIR/ DIU BY ROAD (80KMS/02HRS)
After a tasteful breakfast, Get excited for an early morning game drive at the Gir National Park. After The game drive you will be depart for Diu, a fishing town once ruled by the Sultan of Oman. Overnight in Diu.
DAY 11: DIU
In the morning you are to visit the places of interest in Diu mainly the Fort, the church, the Museum -all giving a touch of Portuguese influence. Rest of the day is free to relax.
DAY 12: DIU
After a delectable breakfast, your day is free to relax on the beach. Afternoon at leisure for independent activity or explore the city on your own.
DAY 13: DIU/BHAVNAGAR BY ROAD (210KMS/05HRS)
Drive to Bhavnagar, a coastal city and once the princely state, which was founded in 1743. Bhavnagar is the base for Palitana. Overnight in Bhavnagar.
DAY 14: BHAVNAGAR/PALITANA/BHAVNAGAR
This morning drive to explore the magnificent Palitana Jain Temples - one of the most sacred sites of Jainism. (there are approximately 3700 steps to the Shrine, palanquins can be requested if required) Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 15: BHAVNAGAR/MUMBAI BY DOMESTIC FLIGHT
Depart Mumbai by International
You will be transferred to Bhavnagar airport in time to connect your flight to next destination
Hotel Costs:
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
1. ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE - such as laundry, table drinks, telephone bills, tips to room boys, drivers, guides, personal clothing including sleeping bags etc.
2. Any Air fare.
3. Visa fee for India to be arranged and paid for directly by the clients. Check VISA rules carefully from your nearest Indian Embassy/ Mission before applying for Indian VISA.
4. Travel & Health Insurance to be arranged and paid for directly by the clients.
5. Airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change without notice. Any meals (other than breakfast), drinks, tips, expenses of personal nature.
6. Anything not mentioned in the “Cost Includes” column.