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
============================================
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
CIN.N0- U63040GJ2009PTC056540
