Gujarat which lies on the western coast of India is not a comparatively busier tourist destination to Rajathan, which shares the border with Gujarat State. In itself, Gujarat has some fascinating and distinctive architectural variety of scenery ranging from desert to super beaches. One of the most vivid historical association with Gujarat is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi at Porbandhar. Gujarat also offers some interesting wild life such as the Asiatic Lion in Sasangir, Wild Ass in Rann of Kuch. Multi-coloured glass works clothing and bed sheets etc. are well known as the tribal work of Gujarat.

BOMBAY
Arrival and sightseeing

BOMBAY / BHUJ
Flight to Bhuj. The most important area in the place is the walled town of Bhuj, picturesquely placed between two sreams. Kachchh is famous the world over for its sturdy horses and cows as also for wide variety of its handicrafts. Bandhini (tie-and- dyes) and hand-printed saris, embroidery and needle work, exquisite gold and silver ornaments known as Kachchhi work, gilding and enamelling are some of its traditional crafts, Nutcrackers, scissors and penknives are metal ware specialities of Kachchh.

Afternoon visit Aina Mahal which now serves as a museum was built during the rule of Rao Lakhpatji. It now stands as a repository of the culture and history of Kachchh. Also visit Pragmal Palace which is opposite to Aina Mahal. Also visit Kachchh Museum, the oldest Museum in Gujarat established in 1877

BHUJ
After breakfast drive 150 kms / 4 hrs for a full day visit to the villages of Herona, Bhrindiara, Hodka & Ludia in the Banni area. In and around the town of Bhuj, within a radius of 50 kms, traditional crafts people of different communities inhabit villages of Dardo, Birindiara, Hadka and many others. Today you will visit the crafts people of these villages to see the interesting and colorful folk, embroidery, leather shoes, appliqué, mirror work,, block printed fabrics and painted pottery

BHUJ
After breakfast, full day excursion to Tribal villages like Tunda Vandha which is a unique Rabari village. In this village most of the male population is generally away from the village. Also visit Anjar which is famous for the shrine of Jesal and Toral, the folklore duo wherein the tough outlaw Jesal was chastised by oral, a Kachchhi woman; is also a center of fairs.

BHUJ / GONDAL
After breakfast, drive 90 kms / 2 hrs to Dhamadka on way Gondal which is 210 kms /7 hrs drive from Bhuj.

05

GONDAL
Gondal, the capital of the former princely State of Gondal, was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan till the Independence of India. It is a fortified town located on the river Gondali. Present day Gondal is a testimony to the great visionary ruler. Sir Bhagwatsinhiji, who introduced social reforms, planned the development of Gondal town and created a model state of Saurashtra in late 19th and early 20th century. Drive back to Orchard Palace at Gondal for O/N.

After breakfast we will proceed to places around Gondal like the Ayurvedic medicine factory, cattle breeding and stud farm, Udyog Bharti and spinning & weaving center at Khadi fabric, Nalakha Palace built of 17th century by Bhakumbhaji the founder of Gondal vintage classic cars collection of the Maharaja of Gondal.

06

GONDAL / SASANGIR
After breakfast drive 65 kms / 1½ hr to Sasangir enroute visiting Junagarh. Junagadh was the capital of the Junagadh State under the Muslim rulers of Babi Nawabs in Gujarat. Junagadh literally means anancient fort. The Junagadh town is located at the foothills of the sacred hill of Girnar and occupies a special place in the history of Gujarat. Later drive to Sasangir.

07

SASANGIR
Next morning, we proceed to Gir Forest which is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. He forest also harbours a variety of smaller animals and birds. Other predators are the Panther and the Hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur. Later drive to Sasangir, and check in at hotel Taj Gir Lodge O/N.

08

SASANGIR / DIU
After breakfast we drive 80 kms/ 2 hrs to Diu enroute visiting Somnath. Diu, a beautiful blend of Sun, sand and sea, is a God’s gift to those in quest of a blessed turf where the wary weight of the unintelligible world can, for a while, be lightened and the waking soul can hear the music of the spheres. It is an island retreat gently rocked by the wind and the wave from the Arabian Sea. It offers you undisturbed peace and an unusual holiday. Diu a former Portuguese enclave, and now a Union Territory, is steeped in history. It was a seaport and naval base of considerable strategic importance from the 14th to 16th Centuries.

09

DIU
Full day sightseeing tours around Diu. Diu offers various sightseeing options, which includes Nagoa Beach The beach is exceptionally beautiful and quiet. In the exceptionally beautiful horse-shoe (semi circular) shaped beach, various water sports facilities are available. Jallandhar Shrine - It is located on a hillock close to the beach. This small shrine crowned with a dome St. Pauls Church – The construction of the church was started in 1601 and was completed in the year 1610. Diu Museum – which houses rarely found miniature and paintings. Diu Fort it is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island.

10

DIU / PALITANA
After breakfast we drive 220 kms / 7 hrs to Palitana, one of most sacred sites of Jainism. The Palitana temple dedicated to Shri. Adishwara, the First Jain Apostle, is the most sacred. The four faced temple enshrines a quadruple image of Adinath. A fantastic collection of Temple jewels can be seen during deity adorning ceremonies at Shri. Adishwara temple. The 600-meter climb to Shatrunjay is made on foot. Overnight in Hotel.

11

PALITANA / AHMEDABAD
We visit the Palitana temple in the early morning by walk which is located 600 m high on a hill. Back to the hotel and drive to Ahemedabad which is 185 kms / 5 hrs from Palitana Ahmedabad was founded in the 15th century by Ahmed Shah, the independent Sultan of Gujarat. It is now the capital of the State of Gujarat and a graceful blend of old and new. Enroute visit to Adalaj Vav, one of the finest of the Gujarati step-wells, with carvings depicting intricate motifs of flowers and birds. It was built by Queen Rudabai in 1499 and it provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months.

12

AHMEDABAD
After break fast we proceed for a city tour of The Old City of Ahmedabad which is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called ‘ polls’. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and Havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan. We walk through these narrow and fascinating lanes to see the local housing colonies including visit to Swaminarayan Temple, the Hateesing Jain Temple, Juma Masjid, Rani Rupmati Masjid, Sidi Saiyed Masjid. Later. We visit (sharp 10.15 A.M. – Textile Part Wednesday & Public Holidays are Closed) the Calico Textile Museum, the finest in India. The museum exhibits antique and modern textiles including rare tapestries wall hangings and costumes. Also on display are old weaving machines. On display in one part of the museum on the outside is the façade of an ancient and intricately carved haveli.

Afternoon we proceed to visit Gandhi Ashram (Museum & proceed to Sarkhej which is south-west of Ahmedabad & is noted for its elegant group of buildings, including the Mausoleum of Azam & Mu assam built in 1457 by the brothers responsible for Sarikhej’s architecture. The architecture is interesting because the style is almost purely Hindu, with little of the Saracenic influence so evident in Ahmedabad. We also visit the Tomb of Ahmad Khattu Ganj Buksh, a renowned Muslim saint & spiritual adviser to Ahmed Shah.

13

AHMEDABAD / MODHERA / AHMEDABAD
After breakfast, we drive 110 kms / 3 hrs to Modhera We take a look at the beautiful and partially ruined Sun Temple of Modhera which was built by King Bhimdev 1 (1026 – 27) and bears some resemblance to the later, far better known Sun Temple of Konark, Orissa. It was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God at the time of the equinoxes. Enroute we visit Patan an ancient Hindu Capital before Mahmud of Ghazni sacked it in 1024. Now a pale shadow of its former self, it still has more than 100 Jain temples and is famous for its beautifully designed patola silk saris. There is also the renovated Rani-ki-Vav, a step well which boasts of some of Gujarat’s finest carvings. Drive back to Ahmedabad.

AHMEDABAD/MUMBAI/DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai / Delhi.