AHMEDABAD (2 NIGHTS) VILAVADAR (2 NIGHTS) GIR (3 NIGHTS) BAJANA (1) AHMEDABAD (1 NIGHT) DEPARTURE
DAY 01 : ARRIVAL AT AHMEDABAD
TRANSFER TO HOTEL.
Today morning, post breakfast transfer to airport for
flight to Ahmedabad.
Arrival at Ahmedabad
and transfer to hotel. Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of
Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma
(Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The city offers the
traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic
styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). The monuments of Ahmedabad
mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry
since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often
referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'. Rest of day leisure.
Overnight stay at
Ahmedabad.
Day 02 – Ahmedabad
Sight Seeing
Sightseeing of Ahmedabad is one of India’s fastest growing
cities and the landscape is changing continuously with modern glass and chrome
building replacing traditional ones. To experience the rich cultural heritage
of the city, it is necessary to visit the old quarter where the local
government has set up a delightful heritage walk. An early start from the hotel
brings you to the starting of point for this two hour walk that is guided by
volunteers. Prior to the walk, there is a half hour slide show of the city's
history, unfolding back its birth from a 10th century AD ancient site known as
Ashaval to the present walled city re-founded during the period of Ahmedshah
and onwards. The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in
Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies of the Jumma
Masjid, covering in between the numerous pols (Lanes), havelis (villas),
ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and
Jain temples.
Later visit, Sabarmati Ashram that played home to
Mahatma Gandhi from 1915 to 1933. Though disbanded many years back, this Ashram
has been brought back to life as a tribute to the great man and his teachings.
The Museum houses a large number of photos, letters and documents of Mahatma
Gandhi’s life.
Later evening visit the Adalaj step-well situated 11 miles
north of Ahmedabad. 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. It was made for the travelers and caravans that frequented this trade route
and acted not only as a well, but also as a stopover. The bas relief on its
walls and pillars include leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking
ornamental designs.
Returned to hotel for overnight
Day 03 - Ahmedabad
to Velavadar (180Kms/04Hrs)
Morning Our driver will drive you to Velavadar.
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the African savannah,
but haven’t quite managed to make the trip, a journey through Saurashtra may
help quench your wanderlust. You find lions to the southwest in the peninsula
in Gir, and here, at the Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary and National
Park, you'll find a land of wide-spreading golden grasslands under a deep
blue sky, where spiral-horned antelope or the Black Bucks can be seen bounding
up out of the grasses.
The population of the park mainly includes Blackbucks,
Wolves, Houbara bustard and Lesser Floricans, with foxes, jackals and Jungle
Cats as the main carnivore’s species. Other species include wild pigs, hares
and rodents Known for its large blackbuck antelope population, Velavadar is
also one of the few places where the wolf is proliferating in India though they
are rarely seen in the daylight.
Close to the coast there are wetlands full of birds, and in
the evenings, sea-breezes blow up into the savannah and cools things off after
a hot day in the sun. At night, wolves and jackals roam the fields, and the
flat country offers a tremendous view of a starry sky.
Arrival Velavadar National Park & Day at leisure.
Overnight at Vilavadar
Day 04 - Velavadar
Enjoy morning game drives at the national park.
Velavadar National Park accommodates over 187 species of
birds including residents and migratory birds like Partridge, Duck, Harrier,
Pelican, Crane, Sand Grouse, Stork, Lark, Eagle and Lesser Floricans.
Afternoon at leisure or optional for a game drive.
Overnight at Vilavadar
Day 05 - Velavadar
to Gir (290Kms/06-7Hrs)
After a early Breakfast Drive to Palitana - 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. (
PHOTOGRAPHY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED)
Later depart for Gir national park. - Gir is the sole home
of the pure Asiatic Lions (Pantheraleopersica) and is considered to be one of
the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The
ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of
the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs.
The bird population has more than 300 species of birds, most of which are
resident. The scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of Vultures.
Other species include the Indian eagle owl, .crested serpent eagle, Bonellis
eagle etc.
Arrive Gir - Gir National park &
Overnight at Sasangir.
Day 06 & 07
– Gir
A tapestry of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub and
grassland, fed by rivers and reservoirs, also keep a look out
forshaheenperegrene falcon, laggar falcon, shikra, painted sandgrouse, quails
etc., and has a thriving population of panther (leopard), sambar, chital
(spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull antelope) and wild boar. Gir is also one of
the major habitats of chousingha (the world's only four-horned antelope) and
chinkara (Indian gazelle) that are hard to spot in the teak forests along the
game drive trails.
Enjoy the morning and evening game drives in Gir National
Park. ( OPTIONAL)
Overnight at Sasangir.
Day 08 – Sasangir –
Gondal ( 130kms/4 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gondal on way
visit of Junagadh and visit 250 BC Ashokan Rock Edicts and the
Museam at the Jnagadh
Afternoon arrival at Gondal, Which was the fortified
capital of one of the most progressive and affluent princely states during the
British Raj and was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs. It is also set by a river, the
Gondali, on the banks of which lies the beautiful 17th-Century Navlakha palace
complex. Two other royal residences, the 19th-Century Riverside Palace and
Orchard Palace, have now become heritage hotels. The rulers of Gondal were
tremendous car lovers, so the royal garage houses some rare vintage vehicles
(the first of which has the registration plate ‘Gondal 1’). The Sangramsinhji
High School, modelled on England’s Eton, is also worth a visit.
Overnight at the Orchard palace. This was originally a
state guesthouse, built in colonial style with an arcade of Romanesque arches
in striking terracotta and cream, and star of several Bollywood movies. It is
more a mansion than a palace, with simple, spacious rooms, helpful staff and
good food. Do look for the Maharaja’s private train carriage in the garden –
and another vintage car collection
Overnight at Gondal
Day 09 – Gondal to
Little Rann of Kachchh (220 kms/5-6 hours)
Drive down to Bajana near the edge of the Little Rann of
Kutch passing wetlands like the Viramgam where threatened bird species like the
Sociable Lapwing and Saras Crane have been seen recently.
Some places in the world are known for lush greenery,
others for steep cliffs and snowy glaciers and others still for refreshing
water lapping against hot beaches. But of all the landscapes in the
world, harsh deserts are perhaps the one that fewest people have experienced.
Believing it to be not as pleasant as other landscapes, many people miss out on
the tremendous beauty found in deserts. Precisely because there are very few
people, visiting deserts like the Little Rann of Kutch which gives a traveler
the chance to ponder a world before there were so many of us around & enjoy
following day visit through the little Rann to catch glimpse of the Great Indian
Wild Ass.
Day at Leisure or opt for a Evening Safari ( if time
permit) ## Evening safari timing are from 1500 hrs to 1800 hrs.
Overnight at Bajana – The Royal Safari Camp
Day 10 - Bajana to
Ahmedabad (190 Kms / 5 hours) enroute visit patan & modhera
Enjoy morning Safaris in the Little Rann of Kutch.
Patan : Patan has over 100 beautifully carved Jain temples
& many attractive traditional carved wooden houses. Rani Ki Vav is the
oldest and the grandest stepwell in the state of Gujarat. It is situated at
Patan and is believed to have been built during 1022 to 1063 AD. The
construction was completed by the widowed queen Udayamati. It is the centre for
fine textiles particularly silk patola sarees produced by the characteristic
'ikat' technique.
Modhera : The sun Temple of Modera is one of
the finest example of Indian temple architecture of its period. Built in
1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun Goa, Surya and stands high on a
plinth overlooking a deep stone- steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both
inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds,
beasts and flower, the sun temple at Modhera is magnificent. The first view of
the sun temple is breathtaking, with the pillared portico of the sabhamandap reflected
in the massive tank. The weathered golden brown stone of the edifice has an
overpowering grandeur. There is no worship offered here now. There is no
shikhara either. The temple has a sanctum, a pradakshina patha and a sabha
mandap in front. The exterior of the sanctum has many carved images of the Sun
God, portrayed as wearing a belt and long shoes. The mandapa in front of the
sanctum has beautifully carved pillars with exquisite toranas adorning the
entrance.
Evening arrival at Ahmedabad - In the 15th century
Sultan Ahmed Shah made Ahmedabad the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate. A
provincial Indo-Saracenic style of architecture was developed, which can be
seen in the minarets, domes and latticework in the mosques in the city. In the
17th century, prosperity that followed trade with the affluent western
countries in reflected in the havelis and courtyard houses of the merchants.
Pre independence, Mahatma Gandhi made it a base of his struggle for freedom and
post independence it has grown to be a hub for the textile industry.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 - depart
Ahmedabad to Udaipur (260kms/6 hours)
Today leave for Ahmedabad for next onward destination with
sweet memory.
LIJU MATHEW
Managing Director
============================================
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
Fax : 0091 79 26405608
Mobile : 0091 9712970354 / 9426070354
Skype = jeltours
Email : tours@jelgroup.in or jel.tours@gmail.com
Website : https://jel-tours-pvt-ltd.business.site/
Email : tours@jelgroup.in or jel.tours@gmail.com
Website : https://jel-tours-pvt-ltd.business.site/
Pan No = AACCJ1603P
CIN.N0- U63040GJ2009PTC056540
GSTIN –No = 24AACCJ1603P1ZN
