DETAILED ITY 13N/14D = AMD 2/BAJANA2/WANKANER1/GONDAL1/SASANGIR1/DIU 1/BHAVNAGAR 2/VADODARA1/JAMBHUGODHA2 DEP VADODARA

DETAILED ITY 13N/14D =  AMD 2/BAJANA2/WANKANER1/GONDAL1/SASANGIR1/DIU 1/BHAVNAGAR 2/VADODARA1/JAMBHUGODHA2 DEP VADODARA

Day 01 Arrive Ahmedabad   by International flight

Meeting, greetings and assistance at the airport  upon arrival and transfer to HOTEL

HOTEL CHECK-IN TIME 1400 HOURS.

Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 AD is located on the banks of river Sabarmati and 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 and is also India's Textile City. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhi Nagar it is still the second largest industrial city in western India.

The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called 'polls'. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and haveli are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan.

Afternoon  proceed for city tour of Ahmedabad visiting 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. Gandhi Ashram, Siddhi SayiedJali, and Dada hari Step well, or Adalaj Step well and walk through the market area.

OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL.

Day 02 Ahmedabad Sightseeing

Morning  - Visit the Calico museum of textiles ( Subject to prior permission -  Wednesday and National Holidays are closed) . 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 afternoon Visit of Ahmedabad

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.

The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, built in 1573, is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad. The mosque was built by Sidi Saiyyed, who was a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat.

The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, built in 1573, is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad. The mosque was built by Sidi Saiyyed, who was a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat.

Then Afternoon visit

Shreyas Folk Museum (Monday and bank holidays are 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.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

Day 03 Ahmedabad - Modhera – Patan – Little Rann of Kutch

After early breakfast, drive to Bajana,Little Rann of Kutch  , enroute visiting Sidhpur, Patan & Modhera (230kms/6 hours)

Sidhpur : Situated on the banks of river Saraswati, is famous for two things - havelis of the Vohra community of Muslims and as a Hindu pilgrim center. A guided walk to see the havelis along the narrow streets is rather interesting; wherein marvelous carvings and glass paintings could be seen. Some friendly families might take you inside a Haveli.

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 entra.

Evening arrival at Little rann of Kutch, Bajana.  Check in at hotel and Overnight.

Day 04 Little Rann of Kutch – Bajana

Enjoy morning safari at Little Rann Of Kutch viewing rarest wild asses in the region followed by village Safari in the evening.

Wild Ass Sanctuary

The sanctuary is well known for its group of the stale joke brown Asiatic (Wild ass), which does not live elsewhere in Indian lowlands. We can see with Little Rann of Kutch blackbuck (Indian antelope), nilgai or blue bull (India’s largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals. The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas; also we can see during the visits flamingoes, Pelicans, ducks, Cranes and storks.

Village safari

Village safari of pastoral settlements and villages along the Rann of Kutch. The tours visit the rural Vadiara and KharapatRabaris of Dasada, known for their embroideries, the silk-weavers colony at Dasada, and Ambala village of the Bharward shepherds and goatherds. The weaving cooperative at Bajana and other artisans’ workshops can also be included in the tours. Other societies near Dasada are Padhars (primarily fishing people), the Siddis and the semi-nomadic Mirs, Jaths (Muslim herders), Bajanias.

OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL.

Day 05 Bajana – Wankaner (190kms/5 hours)

After breakfast proceed to Wankaner, a former Rajput fief, and settlement in the palace of the late nineteenth century where the maharaja still remains. You can discover the stud farm of the famous kathiawari horses, a collection of vintage cars and a very nice step shaft.

Later Visit Wankaner Palace former princely state of Wankaner is located 53 km from Rajkot. Nestled round a bend on the River Machchhu hence its nomenclature ‘Wanka’ meaning bend, ‘Ner’ a river, Wankaner formed part of an area in Saurashtra caller Jhalawar due to the predominance of the Jhala Rajputs ruling there. The Wankaner Royal Family known for their patronage of the arts had a personal interest in engineering and architecture, exemplified in the Ranjit Vilas Palace designed by His Highness Amarsinghji in the year 1907. The palace is occupied by the present royal family though sections have been converted into a museum showcasing a grand collection of armaments, stuffed animals, portraits and paintings, royal silver ware and exotic furniture.

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 06 Wankaner – Gondal via Rajkot ( 90kms/2 hours)

Morning after breakfast drive to Rajkot -  visit Watson Museum which has good examples of Gujarat's craftsmanship skills. Later proceed to Jetpur, known for its screen and block printing workshops, and a yam-dyeing centre.

Later arrival at Gondal the most important princely states of Saurashtra, a small, leafy and picturesque town, bisected by a river. Gondal has wide roads, arch gates, and colonial period buildings in the Gothic style, walled gardens, chowks, palaces and statuary. Once the capital of a princely state, it was run by the JadejaRajputs, later overtaken by the Mughals and again recovered by the original rulers. It is a fortified town located on the river Gondali after which it was named.

The most attractive tourist spot in Gondal is the 17th century, Navlakha Palace complex, which is one of the oldest and most beautiful of Gondal’s monuments. It was built on the riverbank, rising to at least 30 meters above the riverbed. It is known for its stone carvings with exquisite jharokhas or balconies, a pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral staircase among many other attractions.

The Riverside Palace is set in lawns and gardens beside the river Gondali and was built in 1875 AD by Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji for his son. It showcases a mix of styles. There is also the Orchard Palace that is located in a huge complex of fruit orchards and is known for its miniature room. An interesting museum is the car museum, which contains the royal fleet or around 50 impressive vintage vehicles.

Also visit the two royal rail saloons also on display exhibits a western kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and bedroom, the Riverside Palace now a heritage hotel, the Swaminarayan temple, the Bhuvaneshwari temple.

Overnight at Gondal

Day 07 – Gondal – Sasangir via Junagadh

After breakfast you will be driven to Sasangir (160 km/ 04 hours) enroute visiting Junagadh.

Junagadh that a Millennium, a small Islamic state was governed, after the independence of its Wanted to explain accession to Pakistan. We will visit the Citadel, the city's history impressively reflected. 

Visit Fourteen Rock Edicts of the Emperor Ashoka can be seen inscribed on a great boulder. These ancient inscriptions date back to 250 BC and carry Brahmi script in Pali language. .

Mohabat Maqbara - Maqbars - the older complex offers some remarkable 18th century architecture with vertical columns, delicate carved columns, arches, cornices & domes. Darbar Hall Museum dating back to 1870 a.d. offers an insight into the period of Nawabi rule in Junagadh with silver plated thrones, fine carpets, huge chandeliers & a red silk carpet with diamonds like stars of a crimson sky & some carpets lavishly embroidered with gold thread, huge chandeliers, royal armoury, portraits & paintings. Uparkot Fort an ancient citadel located on the higher level of the town, was a stronghold of Mauryans and Gupta Empire and is said to have survived 16 sieges in the last 1000 years due to its strategic location and difficult access. The entrance of Uparkot has a fine specimen of Hindu Toran, leading of flat land dotted with archeological sites. The major sites are Buddhist caves, Baba Pyara Caves (2nd century), Adi-KadiVav, NavghanKuvo and Jami Masjid.

Evening arrival at Sasangir & Day at Leisure.

Overnight at Sasangir

Day 08 – Sasangir  - Diu (120kms/3.5 hours)

Early Morning game view at Sasangir ( Timing 06.30 to 0900 – Booking 90 days in advance – first come first basis)

After Breakfast proceed to Somnath temple The legendary shore temple of Somnath is located near Veraval. The Somnath temple is one of the twelve most sacred shrines dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The temple contains the jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.

Continue drive to Diu upon arrival check in & overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 09 – Diu

Morning visit Diu was a Portuguese colony until it was taken over by India in 1961 and was made a Union Territory rather than as part of Gujarat. The former colony includes the island of Diu itself, about 13km long and three km wide, separated from the coast by a narrow channel. There are also two tiny mainland enclaves. One of these, on which the village of Ghoghla stands, is the entry point to Diu if you arrive through the town of Una. Diu Town has three churches, although only one is fulfilling its original function. St Paul’s, this wonderful old church is suffering serious neglect, with beautiful old paintings slowly disintegrating, but it is still a peaceful place. Nearby is St Thomas' Church, which houses the Diu Museum. There's an interesting collection of Catholic statues of the island from the Portuguese. Portuguese Fort (DIU FORT) Completed in 1541, the massive Portuguese Fort with its double moat (one tidal) must once have been virtually impregnable, but sea erosion and neglect are leading to a slow but inevitable collapse. Beaches Diu as the country finest beaches, one can relax at Ahmedpur Mandvi beach and Nagao beach; both the beaches are good for swimming.

Afternoon leisure at the Beach and Overnight at Diu.

Day 10 – Diu – Bhavnagar

After breakfast proceed to Bhavnagar(210kms/5hours), Check in Hotel.

Evening 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 at Bhavnagar.

Day 11 – Bhavnagar – Palitana - Lothal – Vadodara.

After breakfast, drive from Bhavnagar to Vadodara  (280 km / 07hours)enroute visiting Palitana& Lothal.

Palitana is the gateway to the Shatrunjaya hill and one of the Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites (Photography is strictly prohibited) . 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.

Lothal (Friday closed) - one of the oldest civilizations of the world in touch. About 4000 years ago Lothal was an important port of the Indus (Harrappakultur). Lothal is the most important site this period on Indian territory.

After visit we arrival at  the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Baroda, which boasts one of the two have the largest alaces in India, and until the 20th Century. One of the richest Maharajastaaten India was.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 12 – Vadodara – Jambhugodha via Champaner

After Breakfast drive to Jambhugodha (150kms/4 hours)  enroute visiting Champaner is an ancient fortified city,  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.

Upon arrival check in  "A Home For Nature Lovers" (Jambughoda Palace) - A Heritage Home! A gentle note : The guests must be explained that our place is not a hotel. It is a heritage home!  

Overnight at Jambhugodha.

Day 13 – Jambhugodha – Chotta Udaipur ( 90kms/2 hours oneway)

After breakfast drive to jambugodha 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

Overnight at Jambhugodha.

Day 14 – Departure transfer

In time proceed to Vadodara ( 90kms/2.5 hours) or Ahmedabad Airport (210kms/5 hours) for onward destination with sweet memory.

END OF THE 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