GUJARAT INTENSIVE TOUR

Places Covered

AHMEDABAD – POSINA – AMBAJI – PATAN – MODHERA – DASADA – ZAINABAD – BHUJ – GONDAL – GIR – SOMNATH – DIU – PALITANA – VADODARA

Duration

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS

Note

Suggested tour itinerary is a flexible tour proposal and can be change as per the guest requirement. We provide tailor made itinerary as per the need of the guest if you want to add or remove any of the destination please advise us for modification so that you can enjoy best of your holidays in India.

Day 01: ARRIVE AHMEDABAD

Arrive at Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, in western India, is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. The Sabarmati River runs through its center. On the western bank is the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, which displays the spiritual leader’s living quarters and artifacts. Across the river, the Calico Museum of Textiles, once a cloth merchant’s mansion, has a significant collection of antique and modern fabrics.

On arrival, meet and greet by ITM representative and transfer to hotel. Where our representative will assist you to check in at hotel and later explain the tour scheduled in detail and handover all the tour related documents to you. After freshen uP proceed for Ahmedamad sightseeing 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 02: AHMEDABAD – POSINA

After breakfast 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 Posina.

Day 03: POSINA – AMBAJI

After breakfast 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 04: AMBAJI – PATAN – MODHERA – DASADA

Day 05: DASADA – ZAINABAD

After breakfast 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. Overnight Zainabad.

Day 06: ZAINABAD – BHUJ

Post breakfast 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. Overnight Bhuj.

Day 07: BHUJ

After breakfast proceed for the full day sightseeing visit 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.
Overnight Bhuj.

Day 08: BHUJ – GONDAL

Post breakfast drive to Gondal. Gondal was once the centre of a former prosperous princely state. Overnight stay at the hotel in Gondal.

Day 09: GONDAL – GIR NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast 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. Overnight Gir.

Day 10: GIR NATIONAL PARK

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 NATIONAL PARK – SOMNATH – DIU

After breakfast drive to 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. Overnight Diu.

Day 12: DIU

Post breakfast 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

After healthy breakfast 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. Overnight Palintana.

Day 14: PALITANA – VADODARA / DEPARTURE

After breakfast drive 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 for onwards destination with the happy memories of your tour and our services.