Gujarat History & Nature

After breakfast, head out for sightseeing. Visit Sabarmati Ashram, Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram). This was one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived there for about twelve years along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi. Every day, the Bhagavad Gita was recited here.

Afterwards, visit the Hutheesing Jain Temple. The construction of the temple was initiated originally by Shet Hathisinh Kesarisinh, a wealthy Ahmedabad trader who died at 49.

Then visit the Swaminarayan Temple (also known as Akshardham Temple), a shrine dedicated to Narayan Dev. This splendid temple was built in the year 1822 on the instructions of Swaminarayan, who was the founder of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

In the evening, visit Manek Chowk, a bustling city square located in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. It is surrounded by historic structures and is considered a part of Old Ahmedabad. If you have a bigger appetite for shopping, this is the place to be, because Manek Chowk plays three different roles in a day.

Return to the hotel by late evening. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Ahmedabad.

After breakfast, head out for sightseeing. Start your visit with the ISKCON Temple, which is the best place to experience spirituality and mental bliss. Also referred to as the 'Hare Krishna Temple', this temple, with its calm and peaceful atmosphere, offers the perfect spot for meditation.

Then visit Adalaj Stepwell, a magnificent structure built brilliantly to curb the water crisis in and around Adalaj Village. The Adalaj Stepwell was built in 1498 and is one of the many step wells built in India to provide access to groundwater. Afterwards, visit the Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum, which is a museum and a memorial dedicated to the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India- Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

Then visit Dada Hari Wav. Built by a woman of Sultan Begara's harem in 1499AD, these step-wells were made as a retreat during hot summers. Waiting to be filled with rain water, no matter what the weather is, it is always cooler within the Step-wells.

Then visit the World Vintage Car Museum. A connoisseur of vintage cars converted his private collection of vintage cars into a museum. Afterwards, visit Kankaria Lake. The second largest lake of Ahmedabad, formerly known as Hauz-e-Qutub, Kankaria Lake was built in the 15th century and was later revamped in 2008.

Return to the hotel by late evening. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Ahmedabad.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Vadodara. On the way, take a detour to Champaner sightseeing. Visit the Fort of Pavagadh and the ruined Hindu and Jain Temples. As the name suggests, this fort is situated atop the Pavagadh hill and is an integral part of the Pavagadh hill landscape. Inside this outstanding fort, lay many religious structures, and one of them was the very famous Lakulish Temple in the Mauliya plateau.

Then visit Kevada mosque, Kevada Masjid was constructed amid a lot of greenery and open spaces, which is not the most common thing in Islam. Then continue to Vadodara. 

Reach Vadodara by afternoon. Check in at the hotel. Then head out to visit Laxmi Vilas Palace. The term Maharaja Palace actually refers to a series of palaces in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, constructed since the Gaekwad a prominent Maratha family started ruling the Baroda State. The first one was a building known as the Sarkar Wada. Reach the hotel by evening and relax. 

Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Vadodara.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Bhavnagar. On the way, take a detour to Lothal. The 4,500-year-old city of Lothal was discovered in 1954. Dating back to the second millennium b.c, Lothal was an important port on the Indian subcontinent during the Harappan era. Lothal is an important archaeological site due to its scientific layout and a massive dockyard that facilitated trade with other civilisations of the time. In the background of the valley, at 12,900 feet, is the Lari Bank glacier. Beyond lie perennial snowfields. The sparkling, snow-fed Pushpawati Ganga (River of Flowers) which runs through the entire length of the six-mile long, one and a half mile wide valley. Then continue to Bhavnagar. Reach Bhavnagar by evening. Check in at the hotel and relax.

Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Bhavnagar.

After breakfast, set out for some local sightseeing. Start the visit with the GauriShankar lake. A beautiful lake flows amidst the hills, and the view of this place is soothing. Sit by the lakeside with your feet dipped in water, as the clear water of the lake flows through under your feet, the coldness of its touch makes you forget all your worries and surrender to the beauty of nature.

Afterwards, visit Victoria Park. On the edges of the Gaurishankar Lake, a few minutes from Bhavnagar, is a 2-sq-km protected forest, Victoria Park. One can spot vibrant flora, various species of birds, butterflies and a large fox population. Then visit Nilambag Palace. Built in 1859, this palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

Then visit Bhavnagar Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar is located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India. This national park is known to provide a magical experience to its visitors.

Afterwards, visit Palitana, which is noted as a popular pilgrimage site among the Jains. Another famous thing about Palitana is that the town strictly follows vegetarianism, which makes it the first city in the world to abide by the vegetarian diet legally. Return to the hotel by evening. 

Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Bhavnagar.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Sasan Gir. Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India is situated approximately 65 km southeast of the Junagarh District. The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September, 1965, in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers a total area of 1412 square kilometres, of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park. Indiscriminate hunting by the people of Junagarh led to a drastic decrease in their population, while they were completely wiped out from the other parts of Asia.

Reach Sasan Gir by Afternoon. Check in at the hotel and relax. 

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Sasan Gir.

Early in the morning, head out for a jungle safari tour at 6:00 am. Sasan Gir National Park. A ride in the wild jungle is such an adventurous idea for every visitor. While you are on A Jeep Safari, you can spot the Lions in their natural habitat when they are on the prowl. Watching the Lions from an open-roof jeep is altogether a wonderful experience. During your Jeep Safari tour, you can also click some pictures of the Lions. Check back at the hotel and have breakfast.

In the afternoon, head out again for a jungle safari around 3:00 pm. Heart pumping and full of adventure, Gir Safari Tour offers a pretty clear glance at the unmatched wilderness amid the home of so many rare wild animals like Asiatic lions and Ass and ensures a distinctive combination of unparalleled joy, action and fun to each visitor. The evening is at your leisure. 

Overnight stay & Dinner will be at the hotel in Sasan Gir.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Rajkot. On the way, take a detour to Gondal. Reach Gondal by afternoon. Visit the Swami Narayan Temple, which has a temple in Gondal called Akshar Mandir—the samadhi sthal (resting place) of Gunatitanand Swami. Then visit the Riverside Palace, which was built by him for his son Yuvraj Bhojraji, and is presently a heritage hotel.

Afterwards, visit the Navlakha Palace, a seventeenth-century structure that got its name due to the nine lakhs spent on its construction, which has wonderful stone carvings, balconies or jharokhas, carved arches and spiral staircases. Then continue to Rajkot. Reach Rajkot by evening. Check in at the hotel and relax. 

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Rajkot.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Bhuj. Bhuj is famous for its centuries-old buildings, many of which were damaged in the 2001 earthquake. This city has a long history of kings and empires, hence many places to visit. After arrival, check into the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit Aaina Mahal Palace, which was built in 1761 by Rao Lakpatiji. Then visit the Italian Gothic–style Prag Mahal palace. Many Italian artisans were involved in its construction. Evening at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Bhuj.

After breakfast, set out for the sightseeing of the famous 72 Jinalaya Temple, which is close to Mandvi. It was built in memory of Gun Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj back in the year 1982. It has an octagonal shape and is believed to be a milestone for future generations. The construction of this tirth (pilgrimage) began in 1982 and took around 19 years to complete.

Later, take a visit to Vijay Vilas Palace. The palace was built during the reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III. Built in 1929 by Rao Vijayrajji, this palace is very well-maintained and is often the scene of filming for Bollywood productions. It was built of red sandstone in the Rajput style, with a main central dome, Bengal domes at the sides, bastions at the corners, and colored glass windows. The balcony at the top affords a superb view of the surrounding area, and the king's tomb can also be seen. By evening, return to the hotel in Bhuj.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Bhuj.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Dhordo. Dhordo is a village that lies in the white desert of Kutch. It is set on the edge of the Indo-Pak border, north of Bhuj and is renowned for its White Desert, bird watching and craft villages.

Check in at the hotel on arrival and relax. Have lunch at the resort. Evening at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the resort in Dhordo/ Hodka.

After breakfast, head out for a day tour to Kalo Dungar, the highest point in Kutch at 462 m. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the Great Rann, the desert and sky often becoming indistinguishable. On the route visit to Handicraft Village 'Gandhi nu Gaam'. Afterwards, visit "Flamingo City", located 10 km from Kalo Dungar, in the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. Reach the resort by evening. 

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the resort in Dhordo.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head towards Bajana, a princely state famous for its royal safari camps, to the Little Rann of Kutch to watch the wild asses in the Wildlife sanctuary. Reach Bajana by evening.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the resort in Bajana.

After breakfast, head out for a Modhera and Patan day tour. Modhera is about 2.5 hours northwest of Ahmedabad. It is famous for its spectacular Sun Temple, built in the early 11th century by the Solanki dynasty. Solanki rule is said to be the golden period of Gujarati architecture, during which several masterpieces were constructed. The Sun Temple is unique in that it has three separate but integrated elements. 

Patan is much older than Modhera, having been founded in 746 AD. Three major Hindu clans ruled from here. Prosperity peaked under Solanki rule (10th to 13th century), during which it became a centre of the famous patola weaving. Return to the hotel by evening.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the resort in Bajana.

Early in the morning, head out for a jungle safari tour at 6:00 am. Banjana Wildlife Sanctuary. This is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4953 sq. km in area. The sanctuary is the only home of chestnut brown Asiatic Wild Ass or Ghudkhar, which is the last of India’s wild horse family, and one of the most endangered species in the world. Check back at the hotel and have breakfast. 

At noon, check out from the hotel and head towards Ahmedabad. Reach Ahmedabad by afternoon. Check in atthe  hotel and relax. Evening at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Ahmedabad.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel. The car will drop you at Ahmedabad Airport. 

Bid farewell with the memories of this amazing, fun-filled 17-day trip through the Best of Gujarat, worth remembering for a lifetime!