Best of Gujarat

Today morning, after having your breakfast, set out for an amazing sightseeing tour of one of the most fascinating cities in Gujarat, Ahmedabad. An excursion of the 'Smart City' Ahmedabad not only offers you the great views of architectural marvels but other major attractions also that will surely captivate you. Firstly, you will visit the Calico Museum, one of the main and exquisite textile museums in the world. Calico Museum houses beautiful textiles, dating back to 15th-century. Here, you won't only observe the different types of textile used for creating the regional Indian costumes but the techniques ranging from weaving to dyeing clothes can be seen here.

After this visit the memorable Sabarmati Ashram. Known as Gandhi Ashram/Satyagraha Ashram, Sabarmati Ashram is situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River. No doubt, it is one of the best places to find the information and details about Gandhi Ji. Besides, there are many other features such as Magan Niwas, Upasana Mandir and Hriday Kunj that surely entice you.

Then have lunch and later visit to the Adalaj Step Well, a five storey deep step well with three entrance stairs boasting of Indo-Islamic architecture. Villagers visit the well to collect water, offer their prayers to deities carved on the walls and rest for some time. Besides, a unique feature of this step well is that, very little sunlight reaches on the lower level of the step well (also called as Vav), so the temperature inside the step well is probably six degrees cooler than the outside.

Last but not the least; fill your travel diary with the amazing pictures of the Akshardham Temple. Dedicated to Lord Swami Narayan, this temple is spread across 23 acres of land and constructed by using 6000 tons of pink sandstone. In addition to the architectural structure, this temple is a perfect fusion of art, culture, education, devotion and exhibition.

After an extensive sightseeing tour, it's time to get back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Today morning, after breakfast, proceed to enjoy an approx.3.5 hour road journey to Bhavnagar. On your way, you will visit the Lothal. Situated 80 km far from Ahmedabad, Lothal is one of the prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley. Here you learn about the archaeology, history and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization. Several ruins of Indus Valley Civilization will surely captivate you. After visiting Lothal, resumes your drive to Bhavnagar. Upon reaching, check-in at the hotel, get freshened up and relax for a couple hours.

Then get ready for a sightseeing tour of Bhavnagar which includes attractions like Victoria Park (one of the oldest man made forest in India) and Takhteshwar Temple. Located on the hill top, the charm of this temple is beyond words. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is constructed of white marble and offers an amazing view of the entire city.

Later return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

On the fourth day of your Best of Gujarat with Wildlife tour, enjoy early morning breakfast at Bhavnagar. Thereafter, you will drive to beach town, Diu. En-route visit Palitana. One of the most religious Jain pilgrimage places, Palitana houses 3000 ornately carved temples within its complex. These temples were built between the 11th and 12th-century AD on the Shatrunjaya hills and are dedicated to Svetambara Jains. No doubt, for a deep spiritual experience, thousands of devotees climb 3,950 stone steps every year to reach the complex.

Post this, resume your drive to Diu. Upon reaching in the evening, check-in at the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today after breakfast, get ready for a great sightseeing tour of Diu. During the first half of the day, you will visit Gangeshwar Temple. Located amidst tranquility and scenic beauty, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main highlight of this temple is five Shiva Lingas (rocks in the shape of Lord Shiva) which were established by the Pandavas during their exile.

Later, visit the Diu Fort. Encircled by the sea on all the three sides, Diu Fort is one of the main attractions as it holds century's old history with it. In addition to the historical feature, here you can also witness the white-colored huge Panikota Fort structure and a Lighthouse in the vicinity.

After watching the enticing Gangeshwar Temple and Diu Fort, it's time to have lunch. This is followed by a visit to the lovely horseshoe-shaped Nagoa Beach. Encircled by wonderful palm trees, Nagoa Beach features cool breeze and an alluring environment to laze around or relax one's mind. Besides, here you can indulge in plenty of the exhilarating water sports activities like parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing and swimming.

In evening, get back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

This morning, after having an appetizing breakfast, you will leave for Sasan Gir. Upon arrival, you will embark on an enthralling tour to the Gir National Park. Extended over 1412 sq. km of land, the Gir National Park is dotted with deciduous forests with rocky terrains of evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs and herbs. Enjoy a jeep safaris within the park to cherish great views of the natural habitat of many endangered species from Asiatic Lions, leopards, sambar deer, spotted deer, Nilgai, wild boars to Indian gazelles.

After the jeep safari, return to the hotel and have lunch. Post lunch, you will proceed to explore one more city in Gujarat, Rajkot. On the way, you will discover some prominent attractions of Junagarh like Uparkot Fort. Built by Chandragupta Maurya, this imposing and massive Fort has five major sites within its premises namely Buddhist Caves, Baba Pyara Caves, Adi-Kadi Step well, Navghan Kuvo and Jama Masjid. Then you will visit Ashoka Rock Edicts. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Girnar Hills, this site offers you glimpses of around 14 edicts of Ashoka. Next, you will visit Junagadh Museum. An exquisite collection of prehistoric stones and bone implements, 9th-century stone carvings and many bronzes, manuscripts, silverwork, glass crafts, woodcarvings, textiles and other items will surely entice you.

Later resume your drive to Rajkot. Upon reaching check-in at the hotel for dinner and night stay.

Today, after breakfast you will be driving towards the most exciting desert city Bhuj. It offers the charming beauty of the salt desert on one side and the unique arts and crafts and glimpse of the life in the quaint villages on the other. Upon reaching the historical town, check in at the hotel and relax for a while.

If you are not in the mood of reclining, you can take up a sightseeing tour of Bhuj which include attractions like Aina Mahal. The Aina Mahal or 'Hall of Mirrors' is a heaven for all the history buffs and art lovers. Constructed in the traditional Kutch style, Aina Mahal has a dynamic collection of art and antiquated pieces. Besides, a huge number of glass displays on the walls, ceilings, pillars and even windows increase the overall charm of the gleaming Mahal. Later, visit to the Prag Mahal. Built mostly out of red sandstone, Prag Mahal is famous for Gothic style windows and Corinthian pillars. In addition to the intricate carvings on the walls and dazzling art on the jharokhas, this luxurious Mahal has the second tallest clock tower in the country which offers an amazing view from the top.

After an enticing sightseeing tour come back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Today you will head out for a full day excursion of the Banni villages or the tribal villages. Banni which is a largest area of Khavda tehsil (block) of Kutch district of Gujarat has approx. 40 villages. In addition to the beautiful villages, here you can explore the traditional art and culture and famous Banni handicrafts. Besides, don't forget to spend some pleasant time by interacting with the traditional tribal groups (Hodka, Ludiya and Dhordo) to know more about their lives and cultures. Come evening, explore the local market before you retire for the day in Bhuj.

Note: Permits are required for Bhuj sightseeing, especially to visit the Banni villages and the white desert etc. But don't worry, we take care of all the necessary formalities.

Today after breakfast, set out for another journey, as you will be driving from Bhuj to Jamnagar. Upon reaching the 'Industrial City of Gujarat', Jamnagar, check-in at the hotel, get freshened up and relax for a couple of hours. Then, start the city tour which includes attractions like Bala Hanuman Temple. Situated on the south-eastern side of the Ranmal Lake, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Shri Ram. The main highlight of this temple is the nonstop chanting of Ram-dhun (Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram) since 1st August, 1964 which has helped it to register its name in the Guinness Book of World Records. Later visit to the Kotha Bastion. Housing an astonishing collection of copper plates, sculptures, inscriptions and the coins, the Kotha Bastion Museum is famous for an old well from which water can be drawn out by simply blowing air in a hole.

Later in the noon, have lunch and continue your tour to the Ranmal Lake, a natural water body. It is one of the beautiful spots for bird watching, especially during migration season. Thereafter you will visit Lakhota Palace. Nestled in the middle of the Lakhota Lake, this wonderful palace was built by the king of Navanagar, Jan Ranmal II. Besides beautiful ambience, this Palace features a Lakhota Museum. The museum displays sculptures and artifacts spanning from 9th to 18th-century A.D. and rich collection of artwork and pottery. Furthermore, this amazing royal museum comprises of galleries that mainly showcase musket, swords, powder flasks and other armory collections used by the erstwhile rulers of the region. And last but not least, the main highlight of this museum is a huge skeleton figure of a whale.

Spend the evening by walking and exploring the bustling markets of Jamnagar which are famous for handicrafts, tie and dye fabrics, jewelry and antiques.

Later, come back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

This day will be dedicated for a trip to one of the religious and sacred pilgrimage sites in Gujarat, Dwarka. We suggest you some of the most famous attraction in Dwarka. Visit the Rukmini Temple which is just 2 km away from Dwarka. It is an important shrine dedicated to Krishna's beloved consort, Rukmini Devi. In addition to the shrine, the intricate carving and rich paintings (depicting Rukmini and Krishna) on the wall spellbind the visitors. Next, you can visit the Dwarkadhish Temple. Also known as the Jagat Mandir (universal shrine) or Trilok Sundar, the temple is devoted to Lord Krishna. This 2500 year old temple features the Chalukya style of architecture and also has shrines dedicated to Subhadra, Balarama and Revathy, Vasudeva, Rukmini and others.

After witnessing the prominent sites of this holy city, it's time to have lunch and then continue your excursion to Bet Dwarka, a small island which is ideal for marine excursions and camping. Thereafter, you can visit the Kachoriyu Temple dedicated to Shri Rama. In this temple, you will be able to witness the sculptures of Garuda (eagle), Shankha (conch shell), Chakra (sharp circular weapon) and the idol of Lord Hanuman at the entrance. Besides, the temple has a small pond also called as Kachoriyu Talav within its premises.

Later, head back to the hotel and retire for the night.

Bid farewell to the beautiful cities of Gujarat and get dropped at the Jamnagar railway station or airport for your onward journey.