16 DAYS ~ FROM £2,198
Explore vibrant Gujarat for its heritage, flamboyant textiles and fragile wildlife sanctuaries. Visit Lothal with its significant Indus Valley civilisation discoveries, see the stunning Jain temple complex at Palitana and watch Tribal people creating beautiful fabrics. Visit Little Rann of Kutch to see Wild Ass and Gir National Park– the sole home of the Asiatic Lion. Finally relax on the beach at Mandvi.
Mumbai • Ahmeddabad • Dasada • Palitana • Sasan Gir • Gondal • Bhuj • Mandvi • Mumbai
 Day 1. To Delhi
Fly in the evening from Heathrow on Jet Airways direct flight to Mumbai.
Day 2. To Ahmedabad
Arrive Mumbai in the morning. Connect to the flight to Ahmedabad. Two nights stay at House of MG. Day
3. Ahmedabad
Full day sightseeing of Ahmedabad once known as ‘The Manchester of the East’, due to its importance as a textile town. Highlights of the visit include: the Calico textile museum, with its rare collection of tapestries, Gandhi’s Ashram, Hattising Jain temple and the Jama Mosque. Evening dinner at a traditional Vishala village restaurant, with its unique Utensil museum.
Day 4. To Dasada via Patan and Modhera
Morning drive to Dasada via Patan andModhera. Patan is still famous for its clay toys, superb textile work and numerous Temples. AtModhera visit the Sun Temple designed so the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at each equinox, Two nights stay at Rann Riders.
Day 5. Visit Little Rann of Kutch
Morning and afternoon jeep safaris to visit this amazing eco system. The area is a birdwatchers paradise. The marshes in the Rann and nearby lakes attract huge flocks including – flamingos, pelicans, cranes and storks. Eagles and harriers soar overhead looking for prey. Also look out for brown Asiatic wild ass living in the sanctuary.
Day 6. To Palitana via Lothal
Morning drive to Palitana via Lothal – both prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization. At Lothal explore the remains of the township, dock and marketplace. Discover more at the fascinating archaeological museum. Two nights at stay Vijay Vilas.
Day 7. Palitana
Palitana is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites. The exquisite marble Temples are adorned with delicate carved pillars, bejewelled statues and amazing frieze. A rope chair or 3500 steps leads up to the Shetrunjaya Hill enveloped with 863 Temples built over a 900 year period.
Day 8. Sasan Gir
Monring drive to Sasan Gir. Afternoon at leisure. Two nights stay at the Lion Safari Camp.
Day 9. Sasan Gir
Morning and late afternoon jeep drives at Sasan Gir, the last bastion of the endangered Asiatic lion. Gir is also home to one of the largest leopard populations in India. Other wildlife to look out for are the four–horned antelope, wolf, hyena, jungle cat, chinkara, blue bull and marsh muggers. There is also a wonderful variety of bird species.
Day 10. To Gondal via Junagadh
Morning drive to Gondal en–route visit the imposing Fort at Junagadh. Overnight stay at the Orchard Palace.
Day 11. To Bhuj via Wankaner
Drive to Bhuj via Wankaner Palace and the unique stepwell. Two nights at the Hotel I Lark.
Day 12. Full day Village excursion
Full day excursion to nearby villages. The local Banni tribes, excel at intricate mirror work and throughout the area fine kutchi embroidery is made.
Day 13. To Mandvi
Morning drive to Mandvi. Stay at the Colonial style tented camp on a private beach. Two nights stay at Mandvi Beach Camp.
Day 14. Mandvi
The beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand fringed by blue waters. Camel and horse rides on the dunes of the beach can be arranged.
Day 15. To Mumbai
Morning at leisure then transfer to Bhuj airport for flight to Mumbai.
Day 16. To Heathrow
Connect to early morning Jet Airways flight to Heathrow.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates. |
