TRADITIONAL GUJARAT (6NIGHTS/7DAYS) VADODARA-CHAMPANER-JAMBHUGODHA-CHOTTADAIPUR-BHAVNAGAR-PALITANA-LOTHAL-AHMEDBAD

TRADITIONAL GUJARAT (6NIGHTS/7DAYS) VADODARA-CHAMPANER-JAMBHUGODHA-CHOTTADAIPUR-BHAVNAGAR-PALITANA-LOTHAL-AHMEDBAD

Detailed Itinerary :

Day 01 - Morning flight from Mumbai Vadodara – Jambhugodha via Champaner. (110 kms/ 3-3 Hours)

Arrival at Vadodara airport and drive to Jambughoda enroute visit Champaner,

Champaner (55 Kms / 1 Hour) is an ancient fortified city, which is located at the foothills Champaner. The town has a rich  historical culture and was a major trade center dealing in fine silk, woven and dyed textile, and sword manufacturing. But its decline started after attacks by the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1535 AD. The entire landscape of Champaner has many ruins of fort walls, tombs, gardens, arches, pillars and wells. It has been named the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pavagarh Fort - 4 kms south east of Champaner, another well known and ancient fort of Gujarat dominates the skyline and can be seen from miles away. Spread over a large area, the fort rises in three stages: first, the rained part, second, the palace and middle fort and, finally, the upper fort with Jain and Hindu temples (important places of pilgrimage). The temple at the summit had its spire replaced by a shrine to the Muslim saint, Sadan Shah. Jami Masjid - This large, ornate mosque built in 1523 is a typical example of Gujarati architecture.

Later proceed to Jambughoda upon arrival check in hotel.

Jambogodha, a beautiful belt of lush green forest Arrive and at Jambugodha, check into the Home for Nature Lovers, the princely home of H.H. Maharana Vikramsinhji and his family, whose ancestors came down from Central India along the Narmada River and established their kingdom here. The Jambughoda family have looked after their kingdom with benevolence and a deep sense of concern for their subjects who were chiefly the tribal communities living in the jungles around. A spirited defense for the protection of the ancestral forests against unplanned development and urbanization of the area has left Jambughoda as one of the few green and beautiful forest corridors in the state of Gujarat.

On arrival check in at HOTEL A HOUSE OF NATURE LOVERS. {{Please note that this is a home-stay away from the city and in the wilderness and is  free from pollution. Rooms are not luxurious, yet comfortable. These are very different  from the ones that you find in the city. They have had guests from all over India and   overseas and they have appreciated the place a lot. They have enjoyed re-bonding with  nature and have always wanted to come back for more. We do not have intercoms, televisions and refrigerators in our rooms, as is the case elsewhere, because our concept  is very different. }}

  

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 02 – Gujarat –  Jambhugodha visit traibal villages cotta udapur.

After breakfast Visit most of the tribals living in and around Jambughoda are ‘Rathwas’ & ‘Nayaks’. They are superstitious and God-fearing people. The entrance to their home is through a richly carved wooden door with figurines and tribal icons. The front is usually decorated with Pithora paintings for which the ‘Rathwas are known for. The tribals do not live in hamlets. Their dwellings are separated from each other by considerable distance. The tribal museum of Chhota Udaipur has a large collection of tribal artifacts. 

Overnight stay at hotel.

Full day excursion to  Chotaudaipur (60 Kms / 1.5 hrs) is it proximity to various hamlets of bhils, rathwas, Bhilalas and other tribes. A tour of the tribal village and hamlets offer An insight into traditional architecture, lifestyle & handicrafts of each Aboriginal community in the tirbal villages. Rathwas who can be seen & sporting colorful attires And chunky jewellery, pithora painting, pottery, terracotta figures, Langoti wearing and bamboo basket weaving and important handicrafts.

One of India's most picturesque tribal regions, Chotta Udaipur has a number of hamlets of the Bhils, Ratwas and other tribals, and handicrafts like pottery, arrow crafting, bow making, pithora wall paintings etc.

Evening return to Jambhugoda and overnight

Day 03  – Gujarat – Jambhugodha – Bhavnagar. (310 Kms/7 Hours) 

After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar upon arrival check in Hotel.

Evening visit Takhtehwar Temple Erected over a petite mound looking out on the city, this Takheteshwar Temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva.

And the Barton Library one of the most ancient libraries in Gujarat. Among the oldest monuments in Bhavnagar, this library is a popular among men of all age group.

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 04 – Gujarat – Bhavnagar – Palitana – Bhavnagar. ( 55 kms /1.5 hrs oneway)

After Breakfast Begin climb to the Palitana temples located atop Shatrunjaya Hills and crowned with 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its beauty and magnificence. This is one of the most awe inspiring sights to devotees and visitors alike. The peak is a 3 km climb of over 3500 steps from the town, while on each temple one can see detailed carvings, beautiful idols and images, jeweled statues and intricate torans. The climb takes approximately 2-2.5 hours. Later Proceed The Vijay Vilas Palace for a sumptuous home cooked meal hosted by the present owners Nitya and Yashpal Singh. The Vijay Vilas palace was build in 1906 AD by Yashpal’s ancestor, Yuvraj Vijay Sinhji of Palitana, a member of the same Gohil Rajput clan as the Maharajahs of Bhavnagar. The palace was used as a country retreat, being splendidly located in the hills with great views of the Shetrunjaya hill and historic Palitana temples. ( PHOTOGRAPHY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED)

Return back to Bhavnagar.

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 05  – Gujarat  -  Bhavnagar – Ahmedabad via Lothal.

After breakfast drive to Lothal (Friday Closed) : One of the well known cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization. The origin and history of Lothal can be dated back to 2400 BC. Lothal in Gujarat is one of the primary sites of archaeology. Though, it was discovered in the year 1954, but its excavation work began on the February 13, 1955, which continued till May 19, 1960. It was done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Read on to know more about Lothal in India.

Later drive to Ahmedabad upon arrival check in Hotel.

Afternoon visit Gandhi Ashram : Also known as Sabarmati Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram, is located in the Ahmedabad suburb of Sabarmati adjoining to famous Ashram Road, at the bank of River Sabarmati. The ashram was originally established at the Kocharab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati.

Evening visit Law Garden :- Law Garden is a public garden in the city of Ahmedabad, India. The market outside the garden is very famous for the handicraft goods sold by local people. The road at the side of the garden is filled with street hawkers selling all kinds of food items.

The Law Garden eatery market would be regularized. The standing committee has asked the municipal commissioner to get the design and policy prepared. The regularization will help generate employment and will help the civic body to keep a close watch on the quality of food served there.

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 06   Gujarat – Ahmedabad. + s/s.

Early morning: After breakfast, the Heritage Walk through the Old City starts at 7.30am

The Heritage Walk is a great way to understand the breadth of Ahmedabad’s architecture and its local charms, from the walled city’s fine Indo-Islamic architecture and its tranquil Jain Temples to its colorful bird feeders and fascinating ‘pols’. The tour starts at Swaminarayan Temple and ends at Jama Masjid at 10.30am, and visits Rani Rupmati Masjid  mosque was established by Sultan Mehmud Beghara. Named after Rani Rupmati, the wife of Sultan, the mosque was constructed during 1430-1440 AD. Some of the features that best describe the Rani Roopmati mosque of Ahmedabad, Gujarat are impressive domes, carved galleries and tall minarets later visit Sidi Saiyed Masjid, with its lovely, free-form ‘Tree of Life’ motif.

Afternoon visit Hutheesing Jain Temple : Constructed in the year 1850 AD is a very famous Jain temple. It has been named after its founder Seth Hathee Singh, a prosperous Jain merchant. Hathee Singh Jain temple of Ahmedabad was built in the dedication of the 15th Jain Trithanakara named Dharmnath. The temple is known for its fabulous architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings.

Shreyas Folk Museum (Monday closed) - one of the informative and educational museums located close to the suburbs of Ambavadi near Sabarmati. This museum displays the colorful and traditional folk arts of Gujarat. From textile and clothing to the decorative collectibles, the Shreyas Folk Museum brings out the traditional rustic flavor and cultural heritage of Gujarat.

Adalaj Step Well : The Adalaj step-well is a popular tourist attraction of the city and is situated 18 km. north of Ahmedabad. The well was built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai. The step well or Vav, as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is several stories in depth. The designs on its walls and pillars include, leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking ornamental designs. In the past, these step wells were frequented by travellers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 07 – Direct flight from Ahmedabad to Guwahati (0715/1210).

Morning drive to Ahmedabad airport to board a flight to your home town from where you board a flight to your onward destination.

END OF TOUR

With Best Regards

LIJU MATHEW

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JEL Tours Private Ltd

203, Crystal Arcade, C.G Road

Nr. Navrangpura Tel. Exchange

Navrangpura, Ahmedabad – 380 009 , Gujarat (INDIA)

Tel :  0091 79 26405607 / 40075607 / 40025607
Fax : 0091 79 26405608

Mobile : 0091 9712970354 / 9426070354
Email : tours@jelgroup.in or jel.tours@gmail.com
Website : https://jel-tours-pvt-ltd.business.site/

CIN.N0- U63040GJ2009PTC056540