Gujarat Incredible Culture Tour

01 Day: Arrival Ahmedabad

Welcome at Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel Airport assistance on arrival, our representative escorts you by a/c car and transfer to the pre-booked hotel. After your check in, you will be given all the required documents related to your tour plan and explain all your queries about the entire tour plan. In the evening, if time permits visit to Akashardham temple, dedicated to Lord Swati Narayan, Akshardham Temple is located in Gandhinagar. It features the architectural skills of more than 900 artisans. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 AD is located on the banks of river Sabarmati. Ahmedabad has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who was primarily responsible for building it. Today, this city is known as the 'Manchester of the East'. One of the highly industrialized cities in India, Ahmedabad is also India's Textile City. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called 'pols'. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan.

02 Day: Ahmedabad

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad visiting the magnificent Mosque of Siddi Saiyad with its exquisite stone carvings, the beautiful Jama Masjid, you can opt to Someshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient temple, one of the most important of the 12 Jyotirlingas temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, The Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel National Memorial is a museum and exhibition centre dedicated to Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel, The Nehru Bridge is a major bridge over the river Sabarmati, later visit to Shaking Minarets, Calico Textile Museum, Utensils museum, and Sabarmati Ashram started by Mahatma Gandhi, Teen Darwaza is a historical gateway on the east of Bhadra Fort, built in 1415, it is associated with historical as well as legendary events. Nagina Wadi is a garden themed entertainment ground in the center of the circular Kankaria Lake – The circular lake having an island garden in the middle. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

03 Day: Ahmedabad – Gondal (255 kms: 6 hrs)

Today morning after breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Gondal, on arrival transfer to the hotel, after refreshment visit The Royal Garages in Gondal are known for a wide collection of classic and vintage cars, belonging to the period extending between 1910 and 1955. The Huzoor Palace, situated along the Arabian Sea near Porbanbar, was constructed by Natwar Shah. The Riverside Palace was constructed in 1875 by Maharaja Bhagwat Singhji for his son Yuvraj Bhojraji. This palace is now a heritage hotel that is owned and run by the descendants of the Maharaja. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located on the main Yogiji Maharaj Road in Gondal. Veri Lake, one of the prominent lakes in Gondal, is an ideal place for watching birds like pelican, flamingo, spoonbill, crane and black, glossy and white ibis. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Gondal, a city state mere 35 km away from Rajkot ruled by a family of car enthusiasts whose royal passion resulted in a fine collection of automobiles which are now part of a museum in the palace premises. Such was the royal passion that Gondal had the best planned and well designed road system in preindependent Gujarat. Gondal like its neighbors has some visually exciting palaces and living spaces; some like the Riverside Palace commissioned in 1875 by Bhagwatsinghji is now a Heritage Hotel.

Note: Here the overnight stay will be at Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace, both of which are decorated with textiles from the former Maharanis' collections.

04 Day: Gondal – Jetpur – Junagadh – Gondal (70 kms: one way)

After breakfast, take an excursion to Jetpur famous for the workshops of block and screen printings and a centre of yarn-dyeing. Afterwards, proceed to Junagadh to visit the carpets of gem-encrusted, the Nawab’s tapestry in the museum and wardrobes. Historical Junagadh is known for its 03rd of century (BC) Buddhist ruins, medieval palace, complexes of tomb and the forts. After visit, return back to Gondal for overnight stay.

05 Day: Gondal – Rajkot (40 kms: 1 hr)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive Rajkot. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, take a sightseeing tour of the Rajkot City: The main tourist attractions in Rajkot are the Mahatma Gandhi House (The Karba Gandhi No Delo) is the house of the Mahatma Gandhi where he lived from the age of six. The Mahatma Gandhi House has a good collection of things related to the Mahatma Gandhi's life.The Watson Museum and Library commemorates the work of Colonel John Watson, political agent from 1886 to 1889. Also visit, Aji Dam, Jagat Mandir, Rajkumar College, Lang Library, Lal Pari Lake and Randerda. Evening is free for shopping in the local markets which is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patch work, bead work and silk embroidery. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Rajkot was founded in the year 1610 A.D. by Chief VibhajiJadeja& Raju Sandhi. Rajkot is the fourth largest city in the state of Gujarat, has a long history and had a significant part in the Indian independence movement. Rajkot was home for many personalities like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Rajkot is in a transition period of growing cultural, industrial and economical activities. Rajkot is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patchwork, beadwork and silk embroidery.

06 Day: Rajkot – Bhuj (230 kms: 5 hrs)

After early breakfast check out the hotel drive to Bhuj, enroute visit Murbi, situated at the banks of the River Machhu, Morbi provides a marvelous example of the fusion of traditional and the European style of architecture. After visit proceed to Bhuj on arrival visit the District Collector’s office to procure several permissions to visit the prohibited area in Kutch sector. Later check in to the resort. After refreshment visit Hall of Mirrors at the Aina Mahal; climb the bell tower of the Prag Mahal next door; stroll through the produce market; examine the 2000-year-old Kshatrapa inscriptions in the Kutch Museum; admire the sculptures of Ramayana characters at the Rama kund step well; walk around Hamirsar Lake and watch children jumping into it from the lake walls as the hot afternoon sun subsides; and catch the sunset among the chhatardis of the Kutch royal family in a peaceful field outside the center of town. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel .

Bhuj, a city in Gujarat, excites tourists by offering a range of attractions that vary from old forts and palaces to local haats ( local market) and shopping bazaars. Bhuj is a city and also a municipality in the Kutch district in Gujarat. Bhuj lies at the heart of Kutch. Bhuj is very well connected and very well linked by many roads to the rest of the peninsula. The historical and picturesque city of Bhuj was established by Rao Hamirji in the year 1510. Later on after a few years Bhuj was made the state capital by Rao Khengari. The city was made the state capital in the year 1549.

07 Day: Bhuj (Full day Excursion to Banni Villages)

After breakfast, full day excursion to Banni Villages (North Bhuj) (you are suggested to carry packed lunch). Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. These are the last villages on the India-Pakistan border. Here you will come across master craft people' exposing their traditional art, turning our master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use - will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound. Also visit Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch; here you can meet weavers, tie-dye artists and block printers, most of who belong to the Vankar community. Return to Bhuj, Dinner & overnight stay.

Note: Optionally you can visit Kanch museum is the oldest in Gujrat. It has the largest collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, and diplays textiles, armoury, gold and silver ornaments and other exhibits belonging to the region.

08 Day: Bhuj (Full day excursion to Banni villages East & South Bhuj)

After breakfast, take a full day excursion to Banni villages (East & South Bhuj) (you are suggested to carry Packed lunch). Excursion includes: Anjar (old architecture), popularly known for the shrine of Jesal and Toral, the folklore duo wherein the tough outlaw Jesal was chastised by Toral, a Kachchhi woman; is also a centre of fairs. Also the bungalow of James Macmurdo contains remarkable examples of the art of Kutch. The visitors who want to carry home the Kachchhi souvenirs should visit Anjar for its famous block-printing works, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives. Banni (‘Bhunga’ mud houses,Kutchi handicrafts), Kera (11th century Shiva Temple). Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Bhuj.

09 Day: Bhuj – Mandvi (60 kms: 1 hr)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Mandvi, which is a tie-and-dye centre, and stay in a/c tented comfort of the royal resort by the private beach in the palace estate. After lunch, Visit the dhow-building yard to see ocean-worthy vessels being hand-built. Overnight stay at the resort.

Mandvi: Located on the banks of the Rukmavati River, about a kilometer away from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch, Mandvi was summer retreat of the Kutch Maharajas and was an important port town from early times. Mandvi was originally a fortified town having a huge fort wall and is said to have been settled around the 16th century. Mandvi is also known as a 400 year old shipbuilding centre and one can see the small boats being constructed in the traditional techniques by master carpenters even today. In fact it played a crucial role in the development of trade during the sea faring times, earning great revenues.

10 Day: Mandvi

After breakfast visit the Rabari villages around Mandvi, famous for the charming houses known as Rabari and Bhungas embroidery, including some of the most picturesque in Gujarat, and a Samma village at Pragsar. The main attraction at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, with beautiful gardens, water channels and marble fountains. It was constructed in the 1920’s and has all the elements of Rajput architecture with intricate carving on stone decorating the façade. This palace is often used as a setting for film shoots. Mandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with stone carving and plaster decorations. Their unique architectural style reflects the fusion of Indian and European styles of architecture. Overnight stay at the resort.

11 Day: Mandvi – Wadhwan (300 kms: 7 - 8 hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Wadhwan. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Wadhwan is a famous place for tie and dye work of Bandhani, metal crafts & weaving and is also a historical town surrounded by walls. Overnight at the hotel.

Wadhawan, the centre of an Indian Princely state of the same name. It was formerly known as Wardhmanpuri, the name given after jain tirthankar bhagwan Vardhman (i.e. Lord Mahavir) It was ruled by the Jhala Rajputs, who also ruled neighboring princely states of Limbdi, Lakhtar, Sayla, Chuda, and Wankaner. There is a large community of Khatris [a community of people involved in coloring clothes] in the city these days. The business of bandhani [a type of colouring and designing clothes] is one of the major businesses in the city.

12 Day: Wadhwan – Dasada (80 kms: 1 - 2 hrs)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Dasada – a home of endangered Asiatic wild ass. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Afterwards visit a place to see the women of Rabari working on distinctive embroideries. Here you will use locally prepared materials and handicrafts which make you, feel like a village. Overnight stay at the hotel.

13 Day: Dasada

Today opt for a morning safari in the Little Rann of Kutch, a sanctuary for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. The wild ass is the distinctive variety found duly in Gujarat and nowhere else in the world. Enjoy a safari & watch these animals & migratory birds in their natural habitat. Later visit the pastoral Vadiara and Kharapat Rabaris of Dasada, known for their embroideries, the silk-weavers colony at Dasada, and Ambala village of the Bharward shepherds and goatherds. During this tour, guests can shop for embroidery directly from the Bharwad women of Ambala and the Rabari women of Dasada. The weaving cooperative at Bajana and other artisans’ workshops can also be included in the tours. Other communities near Dasada are Padhars (primarily fishing people), the semi-nomadic Bajanias and Mirs, Jaths (Muslim herders), and the Siddis. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Dasada is located on the edge of little Rann of Kutch, which is an extension of the Rann of Kutch onto Saurashtra. Dasada is a major bird watching destination; there are several bird watching sites around the area. Lesser Flamingos are found here in winter in large numbers. Besides bird watching tribal heritage of the area, this is only place in India where wild ass can be found. There are craft villages and rural character is an attraction for guests looking for an authentic rural India experience. One of the unique destinations of Gujarat for unique experience.

14 Day: Dasada – Modhera – Patan – Pethapur – Ahmedabad (220 kms: 7 hrs)

After breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Ahmedabad, enroute visit Modhera Sun Temple & Patan The Patola Work, Patan is famous for Mashru Mashru means “permitted” in Arabic and it is believed that this textile got this name when Muslim men, who were not allowed to wear silk, started wearing this fabric, and Patola Saree weavers. (Optional Lunch at Patola House). Visit Patan to see the working Salvis on Patola. Patola is considered as one of the finest silk textiles. Also watch the woven with the use of technique double-ikat. Also visit, Pethapur for Wooden Blocks which are used in Block Printing. In the village of Pethapur, the Craftsmen’s Village is home to craftsmen of mostly the Gujjar Suthar cast. The Village was accredited with the name Craftsmen’s Village because of the presence of residences of a large number of craftsmen. After visit drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Patan is famous for its hand woven sarees and is a must-visit destination for all the people visiting Gujarat, especially women. Apart from this, it is also a sought after tourist destination, as the Solanki architecture can be seen at its best here. The sightseeing tours of Patan reveal the majesty of these monuments to the visitors. Some of the foreign tourists come here especially to view the enthralling architecture of the temples of Patan.

Modhera, the 11th century Sun temple of Modhera is easily one of the finest examples of devotional in western India. Built by the Solanki Rajput kings, the aid of donations from the people, the temple features carved torana arches mounted on kirti stambhas (pillars of victory) as the entrances, a large rectangular stepped with 108 smaller shrines, an exquisite 52 pillared portico, beautiful domed central portion and a sanctum sanctoruim designed so that the sun light fell on the bejewelled statue of the God, specially at sunrise during the equinox.

15 Day: Ahmedabad – Hometown (By Air)

Today after breakfast check out the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight for Onwards journey. On departure, tour concludes here with happy memories.