The Best Of Gujarat

• Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, our team will take you to the hotel to check into the hotel. In the afternoon, we go on half-day sightseeing around Ahmedabad. Our destination for the day starts from Gandhi Ashram, located in the Sabarmati suburb of the city, one of the known residences of Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in Sabarmati and Sevagram. The Kochrab Ashram, built in 1915, was set up by Mahatma Gandhi, a place that witnesses many important moments of the Indian Independence movement.
• Then we move to Adalaj Stepwell, an octagonal-shaped sandstone with a prominent Solanki architectural style. The five-story deep structure brags strong pillars that date back to 1499 when it was used as a refuge for the people, where spiritual sustenance was provided along with water.
• We’ll visit the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, a large Hindu temple complex and campus, where visitors can marvel at the intricately carved stone structure and architecture that were the result of hard work by 900 artisans.
• Before returning to the hotel, you don’t want to miss the Laser Show. We’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel and spend overnight in Ahmedabad.

• After breakfast in Ahmedabad, we check out to head for the Sun Temple in Modhera. It is an ancient structure dedicated to Surya the solar deity, built after the 1027 CE. The grandeur structure of this complex features Surya Kund, the rectangular-shaped stepwell, and intricate stone carvings on every corner that are still largely preserved made this such a popular place to visit.
• Not far from there is another archeologically and historically priceless stepwell, Rani Ki Vav of Patan. Also known “The Queen’s Stepwell,” it has been known as one of the most elaborate stepwells during the peak of stepwell construction in the 11th century. The inverted temple has over seven levels of stairs with each level depicting incredibly intricate artwork.
• Upon reaching Bhuj, we’ll take you to the hotel to check in and rest from the long journey. Dinner is provided.

• After breakfast in Bhuj, we head for Rann of Kutch. Around one and a half hour later, we’ll check into the resort and serve you lunch.
• Karo Dungar is Kutch’s highest point in India, standing at 462m above sea level. Also known as the Black Hill, it’s about half an hour away from the India Bridge. Rann of Kutch has been dubbed as a place that miraculously enchants visitors, getting its name from the seasonal salt desert that turns the shore into pristine white. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities here, from camel riding, paragliding, to camel cart ride around the area. It is also a perfect place for sunset viewing, a once-in-a-lifetime view you don’t want to miss!
• We’ll return to the resort for a cultural program and dinner and spend the night in Rann of Kutch.

• We start the day early before the crack of dawn because you can’t miss just equally gorgeous view of sunrise at Rann of Kutch. Then we return to the resort for breakfast to fill up your energy.
• Today, we’ll visit Kutch Kalo Dungar, a gorgeous hill that serves as the only spot to get the best panoramic view of Rann of Kutch. Then we’ll go to the India Bridge’s last station designated for tourists and the general public.
• We’ll return to the resort for lunch and after this, head for three villages to experience the local lives as Kutch people. Hodka is believed to be started by cattle herders and is renowned for their traditional leather craft. Ludiya village has become a popular tourist location which preserves its thick Meghawal culture by passing down the knowledge within the community, including embroidery of intricate patterns and woodworking. Bhirandiyara is dubbed “the embroidery village of Kutch” and has anything from cushions to fancy handbags! All of the villages have something to show and sell, so make sure to pick something to bring home as memories from the trip.
• On our way home, we can catch another view of the sunset at Rann of Kutch before returning back to the resort for cultural program and dinner. We’ll spend overnight in Rann of Kutch.

• We can take another early morning walk to watch the sunrise at Rann of Kutch before going back to the resort for breakfast. We’ll check out and leave this gorgeous city for our next location, Mandvi.
• The sea-beach of Mandvi brags many a ton of must-see spots, such as the Vijaya Vilas Palace. This is the summer palace of Jadeja Maharao of Kutch where they used to spend their summers back in the 40s. It brags 20th century architecture and now has a resort situated within the complex as well. And not to be missed is the Kranti Guru Smarak.
• Ambe Dham Temple is another site to visit in Mandvi. It’s located in the small village of Godhara and is dedicated to Ambe Maa. Then return to enjoy a nice walk on the shore of Mandvi Beach and watch the sunset before heading to Gandidham. We’ll have dinner at the hotel in Gandhidham and spend overnight there.

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and leave Gandhidham for Dwarka. We’ll spend overnight in Dwarka after having dinner.

• Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel before we visit the Dwarkadhish Temple and visit the Gomti River. Visitors can take a holy dip in the river, which flows water believed to absolve humans of their sins. Then we head to one of twelve Jyotirlingas, the Nageshwar Jyotirling, where a massive 80-feet tall statue of Lord Shiva can be found.
• Then we head to Bet Dwarka, but not without stopping at Gopi Talav, which is a mid-size lake with religious importance to the locals where Shree Krishna was said to play with his childhood friends and Gopi, the milkmaid. Then we ride the boat to head for the small island of Bet Dwarka, indulging in the beautiful panoramic style along the way.
• Not to be missed is the Shivrajpur Beach, a pristine coast with gorgeous views perfect for family spending some quality, quiet time with the kids. On our way back, we’ll stop at the Rukmini Devi Temple which is 15 minutes away from the beach, where the Hindu goddess Rukmini is revered to. The architecturally rich structure contains fervor towards the deity worshipped and is said to have stood for more than 2,500 years, albeit it may have gone through several major reconstructions. Even so, its latest outer and inner exterior possibly belonged to the work of artisans from the 12th century.
• We return to the hotel for dinner and let you rest for the night in Dwarka.

• After breakfast, we set off to Somnath, which is a 5-hour drive, 250-km long journey. Enroute, we make a quick stop in Porbandar, which is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. We’ll be graced by the first house of the social activist, Kirti Mandir, which is now open as a museum dedicated to the man, filled with the man’s presence.
• In Somnath, we directly go to Sandhya Arti Darshan at Somnath Mahadev Temple before checking into the hotel. We spend overnight in Somnath.

• Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before we check out and drive to Sasan Gir. Upon arrive, we’ll check into the hotel. After you’ve had your lunch, we’ll take you to Devaliya Park Safari, the Sasan Jungle Safari where you can meet lions, leopards and hop on a jeep tour around the park. Safari charges on direct payment basis.
• We’ll drive you back to the resort just in time for you to find dinner before we spend overnight in Sasan Gir.

• We head for Sasan Jungle Safari at the crack of dawn for a unique experience where lions roam freely around the protected wildlife habitat of the giant cats. The National Park has also become the only place outside Africa where visitors can view lions in their natural habitat, alongside other flora and fauna that live within the area, at Rs 4700 per Jeep. After the safari trip, we return to the hotel for breakfast and check out and head for Diu.
• We check into the hotel upon arrival and go on half-day sightseeing around the city. We head first to St. Paul Church, a historic church built in 1610 that made it one of the oldest baroque-style churches in India. Diu Fortress is the next location, which is located not far from the church. The Portuguese fortification that was built in the 16th century is now a tourist attraction that is well-maintained, with much of the original construction still intact.
• We’ll also visit the INS Khukri Memorial, a Type 14 frigate of the Indian Navy, sunk on December 9 1971 during the Indo-Pak War. And not far from there is the Diu Museum, which is set up inside St. Thomas Church that was built in 1598. Not to be missed as well is the Shell Museum, where sea shells from all over the world, which are part of a personal collection, are displayed in this museum that overlooks Nagoa Beach.
• We’ll take you for dinner before taking you back to the hotel to spend overnight at the hotel.

• From Diu, we head to Bhavnagar after you fill yourself with breakfast. We check into the hotel before visiting Gandhi Smriti, an institution built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The museum was also the very house where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life and recalled the man’s collection of books in his library. It is also a gallery of pictures of the prolific writer Bapu’s Life.
• In the evening, we will visit Takhteshwar Temple, one of the oldest temples in Gujarat that was entirely built in marble. Perched atop the hillock, it overlooks the city of Bhavnagar under it. After dinner, we will take you back to the hotel and stay overnight in Bhavnagar.

• After breakfast, we will check out and head to Kevadia, which is around 4 hours away by land. We’ll check in the hotel and have lunch.
• The “Statue of Unity” is the world’s tallest statue that stands at an impressive height of 182 meters, a sight to behold you can see up close at an extra cost. And not far from here is the Sardar Patel Zoological Park, which has a Jungle Safari and is home to over 170 species of animals, including those from America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, in their natural habitat. All entry and excursions tickets on direct payment basis.
• We take you back to the hotel in the evening to rest for the night in Kevadia after dinner.

After breakfast in Kevadia, we’ll take you to Ahmedabad or Vadodara for your flight or train schedule to leave for home.