Duration : 06 Days / 05 Nights
Destinations : Bhavnagar - Palitana - Gondal - Junagadh - Gir
National Park - Rajkot
Day 1: Bhavnagar
In the morning arrive at the Bhavnagar airport. Upon arrival you will be transferred
to the hotel in Bhavnagar. Bhavnagar lies in the southeast corner of the Kathiawar
peninsula in the Saurashtra plains. Once the capital of a princely state, Bhavnagar
is home to several lakes and temples. In the afternoon we visit the Takhteshwar
Temple and Gandhi Smriti Museum. Takhteshwar temple is located on a small hillock
and provide good views over the city and out into the Gulf of Cambay. Gandhi
Smriti Museum is located northeast, by the clock tower and has a good collection
of Gandhi memorabilia. In the evening we visit the bazaar in Bhavnagar.
Day 2: Bhavnagar - Palitana (50 km) - Gondal (about 280
kms)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Palitana. Palitana is located
about 50 kms from the Bhavnagar. 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 up 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. Later we drive to Gondal. Gondal was
once the centre of a former prosperous princely state. Overnight stay at the
hotel in Gondal.
Day 3: Gondal - Junagadh (about 80 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 visiting these places we drive to Junagadh. Junagadh is situated
in the Saurashtra region at the foot of the temple-studded Mount Girnar, on
the northern fringes of the Gir forest. The city takes its name from the Fort
that enclosed the medieval town.
Day 4: Junagadh - Gir National Park (about 40 kms)
In the morning we visit the Mount Girnar Hill. Mount Girnar is one of the
hills which is most sacred to the Jain community. Various Jain temples and
Hindu temples are located on the Girnar hill which is more than 60 m in height.
One of the largest and the oldest, 12th century temple dedicated to Neminath
is situated on this hill. Besides this, the Bhavnath temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva and the temple of Amba Mata are also situated on this hill. After visiting
these temples we visit the Mahabat Maqbara. This mosque is a stunning mausoleum
of one of the Nawabs of Junagadh, built in 1892. It is resplendent with silver
doors and intricate architecture, including minarets encircled by spiraling
stairways. Later we drive to Gir National Park. Gir is the last abode of the
Asiatic lion and has a thriving population of various wildlife animals and
birds. In the evening arrive in Gir National Park and drive to the hotel.
Day 5: Gir National Park
In the early morning we have jungle safari in the Gir National Park and watch
the 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 6: Gir National Park - Rajkot (about 150 kms)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to the Rajkot airport for the
flight to the onwards journey.
