Vibrant Gujarat

Ziua 1 · Arrival in Ahmedabad And Sightseeing

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   2 ore

   Arrive in Ahmedabad, complete the customs formalities, and meet our representative waiting outside the airport with a placard displaying your name. You will then be escorted to your hotel for check-in.

   Please note: Hotel check-in will be available after 2:00 PM.

2. 2

   Manek Chowk

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Begin your city tour with a visit to the Swaminarayan Temple, the first temple of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Built with intricate Burma-teak carvings and rich sculptural art, it stands as a significant cultural and religious heritage of Gujarat and India.

3. 3

   Sidi Saiyyed Mosque

   3 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Continue to the Jama Masjid, built in 1423 by Sultan Ahmed Shah I. This yellow sandstone mosque, with its Indo-Saracenic style, features intricately carved walls, 260 columns, and 15 domes, offering a serene escape from the city’s bustle. Also visit the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, renowned for its exquisite stone latticework and celebrated as a symbol of the rich architectural legacy of the African community in Gujarat.

4. 4

   Ahmedabad

   o oră

   Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

3*- Le Grande Residency / Similar 4*- Lemon Tree / Similar 5*- The Ummed / Similar

Ziua 2 · Ahmedabad - Patan - Modhera - Dasada (208 Km,5 Hours)

1. 1

   Gandhi Ashram

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   After breakfast at the hotel, begin your day with a visit to Sabarmati Ashram, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, the ashram served as a center for India’s freedom movement and remains a place of historic and spiritual significance.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   o oră Intrarea inclusă

   Proceed to Patan, the former capital of Gujarat, known for its Hindu and Jain temples, mosques, and the magnificent stepwell.

3. 3

   Sun Temple

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Drive to Modhera, a serene village near Mehsana, home to the famed Sun Temple dedicated to the Sun God. Set by the River Pushpavati and surrounded by gardens, the temple is renowned for its intricate sculptures and stands as a reminder of Gujarat’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

4. 4

   Dasada

   7 ore

   On arrival in Dasada, transfer to an eco-resort set amid wetlands and fields, featuring traditionally designed cottages that blend with the rural landscape. The resort serves as an ideal base to explore the culture, crafts, and heritage of Surendranagar district. Overnight stay at the resort.

3*- Bhavna Resort & Farm / Similar 4*- Rann Riders / Similar 5*- Rann Riders / Similar

Ziua 3 · Dasada - Bhuj (280 Km,7 Hours)

1. 1

   Bhuj

   2 ore

   After breakfast, drive to Bhuj, a historic city founded in 1510, known for its centuries-old architecture, some affected by the 2001 earthquake. Explore its heritage sites and visit nearby villages to experience the vibrant local culture and lifestyle.

2. 2

   Prag Mahal Palace

   o oră Intrarea inclusă

   In the afternoon, visit Prag Mahal Palace, an Italian-Gothic style palace built in 1838. Though partly damaged by an earthquake, it still fascinates with its bell tower overlooking the city and a courtyard with a Hindu temple.

3. 3

   Kutch Museum

   o oră Intrarea inclusă

   Next, visit the Kutch Museum, Gujarat’s oldest museum (1877), located near Lake Hamirsar. Built in Italian style, it houses ancient inscriptions, archaeological finds, arms, and traditional crafts of the Kutch region.

   (Closed on Wednesdays and 2nd & 4th Saturdays).

4. 4

   Bhuj

   o oră

   After a full day of sightseeing in Bhuj, return to the hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

3*- Hotel I Lark / Similar 4*- Kutch Safari Lodge / Similar 5*- Times Square Club Resort & Spa / Similar

Ziua 4 · Bhuj

1. 1

   Aina Mahal

   o oră Intrarea inclusă

   Begin your day with a visit to Aina Mahal Palace, built in 1750 in an Indo-European style by a craftsman trained in Europe. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, royal suites, fountains, glasswork, gold- and ivory-inlaid doors, and a unique clock aligned with the Hindu calendar. (Closed on Thursdays).

2. 2

   Dhordo

   2 ore

   Next, proceed to Dhordo village to witness traditional crafts such as Bandhani tie-dye, block printing, intricate embroidery, and mirror work that reflect the rich folk culture of Gujarat.

3. 3

   Bhuj

   3 ore

   Next, visit Ludia, one of India’s most picturesque villages, known for its colorful houses, vibrant embroidery, and traditional attire that reflect the local culture. Return to Bhuj by evening.

3*- Hotel I Lark / Similar 4*- Kutch Safari Lodge / Similar 5*- Times Square Club Resort & Spa / Similar

Ziua 5 · Bhuj - Rajkot (160 Km, 4 Hours)

1. 1

   Naulakha Palace

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   After breakfast, drive to Rajkot with a stop at Naulakha Palace in Gondal. Built in the 18th century as part of the Darbargadh Fort, this historic palace, named ‘Naulakha’ for its original construction cost of nine lakhs rupees, is renowned for its beautifully sculpted facade.

2. 2

   Watson Museum

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   On arrival in Rajkot, visit Watson Museum, established in 1888 in Jubilee Garden. It houses colonial-era artifacts, tribal costumes, silverware, old coins, temple statues, and 13th-century carvings, showcasing the cultural heritage of Saurashtra.

3. 3

   Rajkot

   o oră

   After sightseeing, proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

3*- Hotel Patria Suites / Similar 4*- The Fern Residency / Similar 5*- Fortune Park JPS Grand / Similar

Ziua 6 · Rajkot - Junagadh – Sasangir (160 km, 4 Hours)

1. 1

   Junagarh Fort (Bikaner Fort)

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   After breakfast, drive to Sasangir with a stop at Junagarh Fort in Bikaner. Originally called Chintamani, this ‘Old Fort’ is unique among Rajasthan forts as it is built on flat land rather than a hill, with the city of Bikaner developing around it.

2. 2

   Khapra Kodiya Caves

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Next, visit the Khapra Kodiya Buddhist Caves in Junagadh, the oldest in the group, dating back to the 3rd–4th century BCE during Emperor Ashoka’s rule. These caves are simple in design, with ancient inscriptions on the walls.

3. 3

   Sasan Gir

   2 ore

   Arrive at Sasan Gir, Gujarat, the only place in the world to see Asiatic lions in the wild. Located about 65 km southeast of Junagadh, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September 1965 to protect the lions. Proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

3*- Hotel Daksh Resort / Similar 4*- Gir Lion Safari Camp / Similar 5*- Gir Serai By IHCL Seleqtions / Similar

Ziua 7 · Sasangir - Somnath - Diu (150 Km,3 Hours)

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   3 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Start the day with a shared jeep safari in Gir National Park. The dry deciduous forest provides the perfect habitat for Asiatic lions, leopards, jackals, striped hyenas, and Indian foxes.

2. 2

   Somnath Mahadev Mandir

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Next, drive to Diu with a stop at Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan, Veraval. This historic temple is considered the first of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva.

3. 3

   Diu

   3 ore

   Arrive in Diu and explore the former Portuguese colony, including its colorful markets, St. Paul’s Church, and the old Portuguese fort. Proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

3*- Krishna Beach Resort / Similar 4*- Radhika Beach Resort / Similar 5*- Radhika Beach Resort / Similar

Ziua 8 · Diu - Bhavnagar (200 Km,5 Hours)

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   2 ore

   Start the day with a visit to the vibrant fish market in Vanakbara village—an unforgettable local experience.

2. 2

   Bhavnagar

   3 ore

   On arrival in Bhavnagar, the cultural hub of southern Gujarat, proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

3*- Top3 Lords Resort / Similar 4*- Efcee Sarovar Portico / Similar 5*- Nilambag Palace / Similar

Ziua 9 · Bhavnagar- Palitana - Bhavnagar

1. 1

   Palitana

   2 ore

   Full-day excursion to Palitana, a major Jain pilgrimage site featuring 800 temples on the sacred Satrunjaya Hill at 2,000 meters elevation.

2. 2

   Bhavnagar

   2 ore

   Return to Bhavnagar in the evening and enjoy some free time for relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.

3*- Top3 Lords Resort / Similar 4*- Efcee Sarovar Portico / Similar 5*- Nilambag Palace / Similar

Ziua 10 · Bhavnagar - Lothal - Ahmedabad

1. 1

   Lothal

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Depart for Bhavnagar with a stop at Lothal, an important archaeological site of the Harappan civilization that once served as a prominent ancient port.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   3 ore

   Proceed to Ahmedabad. Spend the afternoon at leisure for shopping, then transfer to the airport for international departures.