Gujarat - The Rustic Land (Historical Tour)
Duration : 11 Days Tour
Destination : Mumbai - Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar - Diu - Sasan Gir - Gondal - Bhuj - Mumbai
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai. Met by our representative and transfer to airport hotel (Rooms held from noon of this day).
Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Mumbai / Ahmedabad (By Flight)
Morning : Half day guided city tour of Mumbai. Afternoon: assistance and transfer to the airport to board the flight for Ahmedabad by 9W 323 at 1850hrs. On arrival in Ahmedabad at 1950hrs. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Morning proceed on a City tour of Mumbai visiting the 19th century Jain Temple with its silver doors, the Kamala Nehru Park and the Ferozshah Mehta Gardens known as the Hanging Gardens of Bombay and the Towers of Silence where the Parsis dispose their dead.
Visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi spent 17 years of his life working for the freedom of India. Also visit the Prince of Wales Museum, which has an excellent collection of miniatures (closed on Mondays).
Overnight in Ahmedabad.

Day 03 : In Ahmedabad
Morning proceed on a full day sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad visiting Siddhi Sayad Masjid (mosque) built by an Abyssinian who rose from the ranks of a Slave to Governor in the 15th century is famous for its exquisite twin windows of pierced stone, worked in a design of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils. Calico Museum housed in one of the exclusive and magnificent residence of the well-known Sarabhai family. In the gardens of this exquisite building, Gujarat's famous carved wooden havelis has been reconstructed to display an exquisite collection of rare textiles that date back to the 17th century. Adalaj Stepwell built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai. The step well 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. Sabarmati Ashram built by Father on the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the Sabarmathi River in 1915. This was the nerve centre of India's freedom movement. In 1930 Gandhiji began his famous Dandi March from here.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Ahmedabad / Bhavnagar
Morning drive to Bhavnagar (250kms approx) stopping by en route at Lothal on of the sites of Indus Valley Civilization. About 80 kms from Ahmedabad lays the excavated Harappan site of Lothal dating as far back as the second millennium BC. In 1954, archaeologists discovered a well-planned city here, 1.75 km long and 400 metres wide, sub-divided into blocks with rows of houses. Each house had its own bathroom and the water outlet from the baths was connected to city's channel of underground drainage system. A unique discovery in Lothal is a dockyard - 216 metres long and 35 metres wide, with a 5-metre high wall.
Arrive Bhavnagar and check in at hotel followed by afternoon tour of Bhavnagar. Once the capital of a princely state, Bhavnagar was founded in 1743. It is now a flourishing port on the Gulf of Khambhat. The Bhavnagar lock gate keeps ships afloat in the city's port at low tide. The Takhteswar temple dedicated to Shiva is built on the highest hillock in Bhavnagar.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 : Bhavnagar / Diu
Early morning depart Bhavnagar stopping by en route at Palitana to visit Jain Temples (60 km from Bhavnagar). In the Peninsular Saurashtra region of the Gujarat exists a colossus of 863 Jain shrines atop 1,977 ft. Shentrunjaya hills. A Jain aspires to visit these hills at least once in his lifetime. Shentrunjaya is said to be a veritable city of temples of exquisite beauty of architectural wonder of the world near to the Taj Mahal in grandeur. Spanning 900 years, some of theses marble and stone shrines belong to the 11th century. The river Shetrunji flowing to the south of the hill adds to the scenic charm of the place. The approach to these temples is by means of a flight of steps, which takes about an hour and a half to climb and about an hour to descend.
Arrive Diu and check in at your beach resort with rest of the at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : In Diu
Full day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 : Diu / Sasan Gir
After a leisurely morning, depart Diu for Sasan Gir (120kms). Arrive Sasan Gir and check in at your jungle lodge/ camp.
Afternoon proceed on an evening game viewing drive in Gir forest. Gir is the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The last remaining bastion of the Asiatic Lion, Gir is also home to one of the largest leopard populations in any park in India, making it an excellent place to see big cats of a different kind.
The lion sanctuary project was initiated in 1972 to create a balance between the endangered lions and the indigenous Maldhari tribe. With over 800 guards patrolling the entire park, Gir has become one of the best-protected sanctuaries in India. No wonder that from 20 lions at the turn of the century there are now over 300 lions at Gir. This makes your chances of sighting a lion very high.
Apart from spotting a colourful array of birds, Gir is also a great place to interact with local tribes. The main tribe is a nomadic pastoral community called Maldhari, who live in scattered settlements called 'nesses'. Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati. The park is open from mid October and a Lion Safari by jeep showcases the diverse habitat of Gir.
Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 08 : Sasan Gir / Gondal
Morning depart Gir for Gondal (125kms) stopping by en route to visit Junagarh to see the Uparkot Fort & Buddhist cave-sites, Ashoka's rock inscriptions (3rd century BC), palace museum, 18th & 19th century royal mausoleum complexes, Nawabi buildings and museums.
Arrive Gondal and check in at hotel. Afternoon explore Gondal to see the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, the Vintage and Classic Car museum, the Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy and the Swaminarayan Temple.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 : Gondal / Bhuj
Morning depart Gondal for Bhuj (280kms. Approx). Arrive Bhuj and check in at hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 : In Bhuj
Morning proceed on a full day excursion to Bani villages. Bani area bordering the Rann of Kutch is inhabited by two Muslim tribes, the Jath and Mutwali. While the women do exquisite embroidery on garments, the men tend their cows and buffaloes. The people are hospitable and friendly and their houses are decorated and painted in a most fashion. The area beyond is covered with salt for miles; some places as much as a foot deep. This gives of snow to the unsuspecting traveler, and is a spectacular sight.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Bhuj / Mumbai (By Flight) / Depart
Day at leisure or free for optional activities. Afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight for Mumbai by 9W 348 at 1520hrs. Arrive Mumbai at 1635hrs. Assistance on arrival and transfer to an airport hotel for dinner followed by transfer to international airport to board the flight for onward destination.

(End of Tour)