Gujarat Culture, and Festival 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 – Lothal – Bhavnagar (180 kms: 4 hrs)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Bhavnagar. Enroute you can opt to visit Lothal excavated site is located between the Sabarmati River and its tributary Bhogavo, the place is known for Harappan archeological site. Later continue drive to Bhavnagar, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Afterwards take short sightseeing tour of the city Takhteshwar Temple, Gaurishankar Lake- a beautiful picnic spot and the Lock Gate. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Bhavnagar: An 18th century city, Bhavnagar is a premier cotton-exporting sea-port on the south-eastern Saurashtra coast. Today, Bhavnagar is known for Gandhi Smriti, an institution built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the Barton Museum, the Central Salt and Marine Research Institute, Takhteswar temple and Gauri - Shankar Lake.

04 Day: Bhavnagar – Palitana – Sasan Gir (220 kms: 5 hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Sasan Gir. Enroute visit Palitana– the Place of Victory, visit the exclusive Jain temples considered to be the most sacred. The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and Girnar. After visit, drive to Sasan Gir, on arrival, transfer to the jungle resort. Evening is free for individual activities at the jungle resort. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. It is also one of the greatest tourist attractions in Gujarat for foreign tourists.

Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary, which lies on the south western fringes of the Saurashtra Peninsula (west-central India), is the last home of some 300 Asiatic lions. It was created in 1913 to protect the largest surviving groups of the Asiatic lions. It was given a sanctuary status in 1965. The vegetation in the area consists of teak with a mixture of deciduous trees, including sal (Shorea), dhak (Butea frondosa), and thorn forests. A few springs also exist, but their flow is rather eccentric depending upon the season.

05 Day: Sasan Gir Forest

After breakfast, take a jungle safari to explore Gir National Park and the Wild Life Sanctuary, the last stronghold of the Lion population, Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat It also plays home to a large number of Panthers, Hyenas, Deer, the world's only 4-horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Wild Boar and the dangerous Marsh Crocodile. Later return to the resort for dinner and overnight stay.

06 Day: Sasan Gir – Somnath (70 kms: 2 hrs)

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Somnath. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Somnath is one of the India’s major fishing ports. After relaxation, visit Bhalkeshwar temple and Bhid Bhanjan Mandir. In Somnath visit the seat of the twelve most sacred "Jyotirlingas” of Lord Shiva. Rest of the evening is free for relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Somnath is about 5kms from Veraval. It is believed that the Somnath temple here was originally built by Somraj, the Moon God himself, out of gold, and then rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in Wood, then by Bhimdev in stone. The shore temple of Somnath was believed to have been built in 4 phases - in gold by Lord Soma, in silver by Ravana, in wood by lord Krishna and in stone by Bhimdev. Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of lord Shiva. Somnath is also known as Prabhas Patan.

07 Day: Somnath – Dwarka (255 kms: 6 hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Dwarka. The city of Dwarka, renowned in myth and legend, was once the capital of Lord Krishna's empire. He is believed to have settled there after leaving Mathura, thousands of years ago. On arrival transfer to the hotel, after refreshment visit Dwarkadhish Temple, Gopi Talav, Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomati Ghat Temples, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple and Bet Dwarka. Evening visit Okha Madhi beach at the time of sunset. After visit return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Dwarka, renowned in myth and legend, was once the capital of Lord Krishna's empire. He is believed to have settled here, after leaving Mathura thousands of years ago. The site is undoubtedly ancient but its association with Lord Krishna gives it a sanctity that draws millions of pilgrims even today. It is one of the seven sacred cities or 'Sapta Puris' as well as one of the four 'dhams' - supreme pilgrim centers for the Hindus.

08 Day: Dwarka – Virpur – Rajkot (225 kms: 5 hrs)

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and drive to Rajkot. Enroute stop over at Virpur, is the birth place of Saint Jalram Bapa. The Jalram temple is the high point of this village. After Darshan proceed to Rajkot. Rajkot was once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. Today it is best known as the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life when his father was a Diwan or Prime Minister to the king of Saurashtra. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. 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.

09 Day: Rajkot – Bhuj (230 kms: 5 - 6 hrs)

After early breakfast 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. Later 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. Later 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 for 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

10 Day: Bhuj – Rann of Kutch (105 kms: 2 hrs)

After early breakfast take sightseeing tour of the Bhujcityvisiting, The Swaminarayan Temple here has brightly coloured woodcarvings around the building, mostly depicting stories of Lord Krishna and Radha. The Kutch Museum, formerly known as the Fergusson Museum, was founded by Maharao Khengarji III in 1877 AD. This museum was built by the state engineer Sir Ferguson, Aina Mahal Palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji in 1750 AD. Aina Mahal is a part of a large palace complex. It is a two storey building with Darbar Hall, hall of mirrors, and suites for royal family. Kerais mainly known due to the 10th century old temple of Lord Shiva. Later check out the hotel and drive to Kutch one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse district of the state is a celebratory land of art, crafts, music, dance, people and nature. The Great Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, on arrival transfer to the Swiss tent for overnight stay.

The Rann of Kutch is the only large flooded grasslands zone in the whole Indo-Malayan region of the planet. The name "Rann" comes from the Hindi word ran meaning "desert". This area has been inhabited by the Kutchi people. Gujarat never fails to amaze and its amazement lies in a celebration at the largest tent city situated in the heart of the Kutch District-The Rann Of Kutch. This celebration is rightly called the “Rann Utsav”. The Spectacular site of a glistening White Rann under the full moon along with various glimpses of Kutchi Culture, Handicrafts and outdoor activities make this desert carnival.Kutch or Rannutsav, a unique manifestation of varied cultural ethos of the region is known for the ethnic flavor and celebrative zest. This festival provides an exclusive opportunity to witness the creative ingenuity of the artisans and craftspeople, assorted array of folk music and performances, mixed representation of culture and communities, along with a vast diversity in ecology. All this and much more describe and define Kutch and the people.

11 Day: Rann of Kutch

After breakfast, enjoy the Rannutsav, Kutch takes one around the natural grandiose while introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnical flavor of the people. Semi parched Grasslands of the Banni hosts the most magnificent display of vernacular architecture as the exhibition platform for the varied range of arts and crafts of the region. Evening folk music and dance performances organized in the shimmering moonlit landscape provides the most enchanting experience. The colorful fairs held near the beach or the banks of a lake swings one with the spirit of festivity, fervor and flamboyancy while the organized tour around Kutch is an ideal occasion to be part of the region and experience the zeal and uniqueness of the people through a celebration of life! Dinner and overnight at the tent.

12 Day: Rann of Kutch

After breakfast, enjoy this Utsav under the tutelage of Vibrant Gujarat has been a unique opportunity for people around the world to visit Kutch and experience the true flavor of the region. The fair is like a mirror to the traditional art forms and culture of India. Dinner and overnight at the tent.

13 Day: Rann of Kutch – Little Rann of Kutch (Dasada) (190 kms: 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast the tour starts with a drive to Dasada. The home to tribal heritage area that is rich in local craft. Little Rann of Kutch. On arrival check in to the resort. In the evening you may opt to visit crafts shops and cottages, Rabaris tribal of Dasada, known for their embroideries, the silk-weavers colony at Dasada. Evening is free for leisure. Dinner and overnight at Dasada.

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 – Ahmedabad (95 kms: 2 - 3 hrs)

After breakfast explore the desert by open jeep in the Little Rann of Kutch, where one can sight animals like Wild-Ass, Desert Fox, Blue Bull, Blackbuck, Wolf, Jackal and few species of snakes & many species of birds also one can visit the home of Rabari and Banjara are the two important tribes of the region. Dasada is known for bird watching and only place in India where wild ass can be found. Afterwards check out of the resort and drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the evening is free for shopping at the local markets. Overnight at the hotel.

15 Day: Ahmedabad – Hometown (By Air)

Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to airport. If time permits you can do the shopping. The ‘Manchester of the East’, Ahmedabad has long been associated with textiles and fabrics in India and one of the finest cities in Gujarat for handicrafts, hand loom clothes, wooden toys and decoration, ethnic wears of the best handwork of the skilled professionals, block printed fabrics to contemporary art to Bandhej fabric, later transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown/onwards journey. On departure tour concludes with happy memories.