Temples & Wildlife Tour of Gujarat

Day 1 · Arrive Ahmedabad

1. 1

   Ahmedabad

   2 hours

   On arrival at Ahmedabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel check in. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 · Ahmedabad

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour

   Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Ahmedabad. Visit Hatheesing Jain Temple established in 1850 by Seth Hatheesing, who was a rich Jain merchant. This temple is dedicated to the 15th 'Jain Tirthankar', known as Dharamnath.

2. 2

   Bhadra Fort

   one hour Admission included

   Bhadra fort a beautiful monument that is famous for its intricate carvings, pattern works and beautiful frescos suits. Arches at the entry gate, has some inscriptions that represents the history of the fort. Jama Mosque there are different entrances to the mosque. Near the eastern entrance, stands the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, which houses the graveyard of three great rulers, namely Ahmed Shah, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah.

3. 3

   Kite Museum

   one hour Admission included

   Kite Museum the city of Ahmedabad is popular for the Kite Festival so it doesn’t come as a surprise if you find an entire museum dedicated to kites. The popular Kite Museum that houses some of the rarest kites in the world is a first of its kind in India and second in the world. Sabarmati Ashram on his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: he wanted to do some experiments in living eg farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities. Shaking Minarets one of the most unique monuments in Ahmedabad, located in Siddi Bashir's Mosque near the Sarangpur gate.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 · Ahmedabad - Modhera - Patan - Little Rann Of Kutch (260kms/ 5hrs approx)

1. 1

   Sun Temple

   one hour

   Breakfast at hotel, drive to Little Rann Of Kutch-Wild Ass Sanctuary. Enroute stop to visit Modhera Sun Temple, Rani ki Vav & Panchasara Jain Temple at Patan.

   Modhera Sun Temple - a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. No worship is offered now and is protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.

2. 2

   Rani Ki vav

   one hour Admission included

   Rani ki Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) - Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Saraswati River. The world famous 11th century Solanki era step well was built by the Queen in memory of her husband. Designed as an inverted temple, it is highlighting the sanctity of water and is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels; more than 500 principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often referencing literary works.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour

   Panchasara Jain Temple - The king Vanraj Chavada built this jain temple around VS 802. There are 51 mini temples around the temple. It was said that main idol of lord parshwanath much older than Vikram Samvat 802- hindu calendar(around 8th century). There are around 10 parashwanath temples among 108 are situated in the patan city in different pole. All this temples are century old and marvelous example of carving in marbles.

4. 4

   Little Rann of Kutch

   2 hours Admission not included

   Continue drive to and check in at resort/ camp for dinner

overnight at resort/ camp

Day 4 · Little Rann Of Kutch - Rajkot (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

1. 1

   Dholavira

   2 hours

   Early morning Jeep Safari in Little Rann of Kutch to spot the Asiatic Wild Ass and other mammals, this area is also good for spotting migratory Birds. You can also do a village safari to see communities like Mir, Bharwad, Rabari, and Bajanias.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   Return to camp for breakfast and drive to Rajkot check in at hotel.

   Later visit Jubilee Garden a large and open park area in Rajkot. It features many monuments of colonial time. The centre of the city garden is the Connaught Hall and other notable places of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum, Lang Library, and Rotary Midtown Library. Watson Museum has a great collection of precious objects of colonial period and is considered to be one the finest in Gujarat. It was made to commemorate the works of the then administrator Colonel James Watson in 1888. The museum also houses a varied collection of old artefacts from the ancient city of Mohenjodaro.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 · Rajkot - Dwarka (225kms/ 4hrs approx)

1. 1

   Dwarkadhish Temple

   one hour

   Day 5: Rajkot - Dwarka (225kms/ 4hrs approx)

   Breakfast at hotel drive to Dwarka check in at hotel.

   Later visit the Dwarkadhish temple dedicated to the god Krishna. The main shrine of the five storied building, supported by 72 pillars, is known as Jagat Mandir, archaeological findings suggest it to be 2,000 - 2,200 years old. The temple was enlarged in the 15th- 16th century. The Dwarkadhish Temple is a Pushtimarg temple, hence it follows the guidelines and rituals created by Vallabhacharya and Vitheleshnath. According to tradition, the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, over the hari-griha.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   one hour

   Nageshwar Temple Located on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island, it enshrined one of the 12 swayambhu (self-existent) jyothirlingas in the world, in an underground sanctum. A 25 m tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are major attractions of this rather serene place. Some archaeological excavations claim five earlier cities at the site. Nageshwar was believed to be known as 'Darukavana', which is an ancient epic name of a forest in India.

   Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 · Dwarka - Porbandar - Somnath (230kms/ 5hrs approx)

1. 1

   Porbandar

   one hour

   Breakfast at hotel drive to Somnath, enroute visit Porbandar the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. The Haveli where Gandhi was born on Oct 2, 1869. The room where he was born has been preserved as it is, and has a stark look. A part of the house has now been converted into a museum and called the Kirti Mandir. Open from 9am to 12pm and again from 3pm to 6pm.

2. 2

   Somnath

   2 hours

   Continue drive to Somnath and check in at hotel. Later visit Somnath Temple (Jyotirlinga). The principal temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in gold by the moon god Soma, in silver by the sun god Ravi, in wood by Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple, built in 1951, is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. Also visit Paanch Pandav Caves & Suraj Mandir in Somnath.

   Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach and own activities.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 · Somnath - Sasan Gir National Park (45kms/ 1hrs approx)

1. 1

   Gir National Park

   4 hours

   Breakfast at hotel drive to Sasan Gir National Park and check in at resort. Later Jeep safari in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Sprawling in an area of 1424 sq. kms, Gir with its dry deciduous forest is a luxuriantly rich ecosystem endowed with floral and faunal plentitude. Thirty species of mammals, twenty species of reptiles, several species of insects and birds are found here. The forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The forest also harbors a number of smaller birds and animals. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The largest Indian deer, Sambhar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the unique Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur.

   (SAFARI IN SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK REMAIN SUSPENDED DURING MONSOON FROM JUNE TILL SEPTEMBER)

overnight at resort.

Day 8 · Sasan Gir National Park - Junagarh - Gondal - Rajkot (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

1. 1

   Gir National Park

   one hour

   Breakfast at hotel. Morning Jeep safari in Sasan Gir National Park.

2. 2

   Rajkot

   2 hours

   After lunch drive to Rajkot, enroute visit Junagarh an ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend. Junagadh lies at the foot of the temple-studded Girnar Hill. It derives its name from the 'old fort', which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills that landscape Junagadh are a holy sanctuary to the Jains. The history of Mount Girnar dates back to the awesome empire of Ashoka, one of India's greatest emperors. Ashoka inscribed 14 edicts on a huge boulder en-route to Mt. Girnar peak. Junagadh's main feature is the Uperkot fort (upper fort), a somber and inaccessible fortress.

3. 3

   Gondal

   one hour

   Further drive and visit Gondal the former princely state ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan till the independence of India. Visit Navlakha Palace one of the oldest and most beautiful palaces situated on a riverbank, on a grand masonry base, rising to the monumental scale of at least 30 meters, above the riverbed.

4. 4

   Rajkot

   2 hours

   Continue drive to Rajkot and check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 · Rajkot/ Ahmedabad - Departure (flight)

1. 1

   Rajkot

   2 hours

   Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

   Optionaly drive to Ahmedabad and drop off at airport to board flight for onward destination