Duration :14 Days / 13 Nights
Destinations : Ahmedabad - Posina - Ambaji - Patan - Modhera
- Dasada - Zainabad - Bhuj - Gondal - Gir - Somnath - Diu - Palitana - Vadodara
Day 1: Ahmedabad
In the morning arrive in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the second largest city and
cosmopolitan capital city of Gujarat. This city nurtures in its fold pages of
history, a breath of harmony and a show-case of exquisite architecture. Upon
arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Ahmedabad. In the afternoon
we go for the sightseeing in Ahmedabad. We visit the Gandhi ashram. Gandhi ashram
is situated in Sabarmati which is about 6 kms from the Ahmedabad. This ashram
is one of the beautiful ashram and the important tourist attraction in Ahmedabad.
This ashram was the Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during their struggle for
India's independence and now houses some of the records of the major events
in his life, a memorial centre and a library. After visiting the Gandhi ashram
we visit the Hathee Singh Jain Temple. This temple is dedicated to Dharamanath,
the 15th Jina or Jain apposite. This temple is one of the best ornated Jain
temples in Ahmedabad and is built of pure white marble and decorated with rich
carvings.
Day 2: Ahmedabad - Posina (about 200 kms)
In the morning we visit the Jama Masjid. Jama Masjid was built in 1423 by
Ahmad Shah and described by some as the most beautiful mosque in India. This
mosque is believed to have been constructed from the items salvaged from the
demolished Hindu and Jain temples. After visiting the mosque we visit the
Calico museum of textiles. This museum is widely regarded as one of the finest
textiles museums in the world, started in Calico Textile Mill. This museum
of textiles has excellent exhibits of antique and modern textiles including
rare tapestries, wall hangings, costumes and old weaving machines. Later we
drive to Posina. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Posina - Ambaji (about 40 kms)
Today we drive to Ambaji. On Arasur mountain, the famous temple of the goddess
Ambaji is located. Folk artists, farmers and the rural tribes have immense
faith in Ambaji. In the afternoon we visit the ambaji temple.
Day 4: Ambaji - Patan - Modhera - Dasada
In the morning we drive for Patan. Patan is an ancient fortified town, situated
on the banks of the sacred Saraswati river. Patan enjoyed a privileged status
of capital of Gujarat, for about 600 years from 746 AD to 1411 AD. In the
afternoon reach Patan and visit the Rani ki Vav and Sahastralinga Talav. Rani
ki Vav is an excellent example of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. This
vav was constructed by Udaymati, the queen of Bhimdev (1022-63 AD) and represents
the finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture. Sahastralinga Talav
is among the many artificial tanks built in different parts of Gujarat. The
architecture of this tank integrated the great sense of water management and
sanctity of water in Hindu religion. Later we drive to Modhera. Modhera is
situated on the banks of the River Pushpavati and is about 50 kms from Patan.
This place is known for the world famous Sun temple and is the best example
of the Solanki temple architecture in the state. After visiting the sun temple
we drive to Dasada.
Day 5: Dasada - Zainabad
In the morning we drive to Zainabad to visit the Indian Wild Ass wildlife
sanctuary and enjoy the safari in the Little Rann of Kutch. An ancient seabed
turned by geological forces into saline desert plains, the Rann has grassy
patches that offer good bird-watching. Besides various birds various animals
can also be seen in the Rann which are the wild ass, nilgai, chinkara, gazelle,
white-footed desert, Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat or desert cat, pale
and long-eared hedgehogs and hare.
Day 6: Zainabad - Bhuj (about 350 kms)
Today we drive to Bhuj. The old walled city of Bhuj presents a picture of
contrasts with its narrow streets and ancient monuments in the vicinity of
the planned township of Gandhidham and the modern port of Kandla. In the evening
arrive in Bhuj and drive to the hotel.
Day 7: Bhuj
Today we go for the sightseeing in Bhuj. We visit the Aina Mahal Palace. This
complex is the 18th century creation of Rao Lakhpatji, who specially sent
a local craftsman to Europe to perfect his skills in glassmaking and iron
founding and constructed the Aina Mahal with its hall of mirror of Venetian
glass. The hall of Mirror has white marble walls covered with mirrors and
glided ornaments and the floor is lined with tiles, with a platform above
it surrounded by a series of fountains. After visiting this complex we visit
the Cenotaphs Complex. This complex is a popular site built out of red stones
which served as memorial grounds for the royal family. The tomb built for
Rao Lakha in 1770, is the largest and finest.
Day 8: Bhuj - Gondal (about 375 kms)
Today we drive to Gondal. Gondal was once the centre of a former prosperous
princely state. Overnight stay at the hotel in Gondal.
Day 9: Gondal - Gir (about 100 kms)
In the morning after having breakfast we visit Naulakha Palace, Orchard Palace
and the royal garages in Gondal. Naulakha palace was built during the 17th
century, and is the oldest palace in Gondal. This palace was constructed in
nine lakhs and thus named so. There are stone carvings with exquisite balconies,
a fabulous pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral
staircase in the palace. The Orchard Palace is located in a huge complex of
fruit orchards, lawns and gardens, and is a wing of the Huzoor Palace (the
present royal residence) where the ruling family of Gondal entertained guests.
The Royal Garages have an extensive collection of vintage and classic cars,
sports cars, numerous imposing American cars from the World War II and post
war period. After having sightseeing we drive to the Gir National Park. In
the evening arrive in Gir and drive to the hotel.
Day 10: Gir
In the early morning we have jungle safari in the Gir National Park. Gir is
the last abode of the Asiatic lion and has a thriving population of various
wildlife animals and birds like Leopard, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai
and Wild boar. Gir is also one of the major habitats of chousingha (the world’s
only four-horned antelope) and chinkara (Indian gazelle).
Day 11: Gir - Somnath (about 60 kms) - Diu (about 90 kms)
In the morning we drive further to visit the legendary shore temple of Somnath.
This temple is one of the twelve most sacred shrines dedicated to the Lord
Shiva and a jyotirlinga. According to the legend, Somnath temple was built
originally in gold by Somraj, the moon god. This Somnath temple was rebuilt
and destroyed seven times till 1706 when it was raided by the Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb. After that it was finally rebuilt in 1950 with the support of Sardar
Vallabhabhai Patel. The current temple was built to traditional designs on
the original site by the sea. After visiting the Somnath temple we drive to
Diu. Diu is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea which is situated near the port
of Veraval in Gujarat and is separated from the southern extremity of the
Saurashtra peninsula by a narrow channel running through the swamp. Diu is
a sensuous blend of sun, sand and deep blue sea.
Day 12: Diu
Today we start with our sightseeing in Diu and visit the Diu Fort. Diu Fort
is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island.
It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD and offers a magnificent view
of the sea. After visiting the fort we visit the St. Paul's Church. St. Paul's
Church is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. This church was
built during the 17th century and adorned with curiously treated volutes and
shell-like motifs. Later we visit the Diu museum. Diu museum houses wooden
carvings, statues, idols, shadow clocks and other important artifacts collected
from various sites. In the evening we visit the Nagoa beach. This beach stretches
about 2 km from one end to the other and is very beautiful and quiet and is
in the shape of a horse shoe.
Day 13: Diu - Palitana (about 215 kms)
Today we will drive to Palitana. Palitana is the gateway to the Shatrunjaya
hill and one of the Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites. There are about 863
temples on the top of the hill, exquisitely carved in marble and built over
a span of 900 years. To visit the temples on the Shatrunjaya hill one has
to climb 600 m 9up the hill. After reaching the top of the hill we will visit
the Jain temple. The temple which is dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the first
Jain Tirthankara (apostle) is one of the most magnificent temples and the
most sacred temple on Shatrunjaya hill. After visiting the temple we will
visit the Chaumukha or the four faced temple. It has an image of Adinath facing
out in the four cardinal directions.
Day 14: Palitana - Vadodara (about 250 kms)
Today we drive to Vadodara or Baroda. Vadodara is the former capital of the
erstwhile Baroda State ruled by the Maratha Maharaja Gaekwad. This city is a
beautiful city of sprawling parks, lakes, palaces, museums and is also a major
university town. In Buddhist texts, Vadodara has been described as a town “
in
the heart of the Banyan Trees”. In the night transfer to the
airport or railway station.
