Highlights of Gujarat

On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance and transfer to hotel (Hotels check in time 1200hrs afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability, confirm early check in can be pre-booked at additional cost) Later guided city tour of Mumbai one of the world’s great cities. Bollywood, beach, finance and a great nightlife are the highlights of Mumbai. Exquisite food joints, malls and buildings also define its character.

Visit Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911 and the excellent Prince of Wales Museum. From here stroll through the historic Colaba district to admire the impressive Gothic Victorian architecture before continuing to Malabar Hill for far-reaching views over the city. End the day at the colourful Dhobi ghats where traditional laundryman collect, wash and return the city’s linen.

Breakfast at hoel transfer to airport to board flight for Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad is a city of development; its architecture, food and warm people define it. One will see majestic 15th and 16th century mosques and mausoleum complexes, 11th century step-wells, fine havelis and historic Hindu and Jain temples to 18th and 19th century buildings with their European colonial influences, the city is also home to modern masterpieces designed by Charles Correa and Le Corbusier.

Breakfast at hotel, explore Ahmedabad with a guide. Places of interest include the excellent Calico Museum of Textiles with its wide range of exhibits and the Sabarmati Ashram which was founded, in his home city, by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 and was the starting point of his famous 385km Salt March to Dandi in 1930. Also visit the monumental complex of Sarkhej with its 15th century mausoleum and explore the city’s old quarter, with its beautiful havelis, on foot.

Breakfast at hotel, proceed towards the 15th century Adalaj Stepwell, before continuing to the 11th century Surya ‘Sun’ Temple at Modhera. One of the finest Hindu temples in Gujarat, Modhera has a special setting and has an atmosphere of tranquillity and serenity.

Further drive to Patan, which was once the capital of Gujarat before the founding of Ahmedabad. Patan is also the home of the famous Patola silk weavers. Once in Dasada stay for two nights at the Rann Riders Camp located on the edge of the glorious Rann of Kutch. Dinner & overnight in camp.

Breakfast at Camp, drive to the Little Rann of Kutch. A paradise for a bird enthusiast, you will find plovers and chats to flamingos and storks. The best birding months are between October to March. Also visit some of the local areas around Dasada including pastoral Vadiara and the goat-herders of Ambala. Lunch, dinner & overnight in camp.

Breakfast at hotel, explore the Little Rann of Kutch again to keep its memories in hearts forever. Afterwards leave Dasada and continue by road to Bhuj stopping en-route to visit the lakeside palace at Halvad. The atmospheric old walled city of Bhuj is the capital of the Kutch region and later wander among the narrow alleyways of the citadel.

Breakfast at hotel drive north from Bhuj to the small rural hamlet of Hodka for a two nights stay at the Shaam-e-Sarhad Rural Resort. Handicrafts are a living tradition of Kutch region and over the next two days visit the neighbouring Banni villages. These settlements are home to the Hindu tribes of the Ahir and Rabari as well as the Muslim villages of the Muthwas and Jaths. Lunch, dinner & overnight in resort.

Breakfast at resort, explore the villages around Hodka having a rich artistic tradition and are renowned for their embroidery, block painting, pottery, leather and silver work. Over the years little has changed in the lives of these semi-nomadic people with trade in sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes and other livestock constituting their other main source of income. Lunch, dinner & overnight in resort.

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Gondal where you will stay for two nights at the Gondal Orchard Palace Hotel, which is the guesthouse of the Huzoor Palace where the owners – scions of the former rulers – still reside. Surrounded by wheat and cotton fields, Gondal is a fascinating town and was one of the most progressive and affluent states during the period of British rule.

Breakfast at hotel, explore Gondal. The Naulakha Palace with its stone carvings and museum of princely memorabilia is particularly interesting whilst for those interested in Ayurveda; Gondal’s Bhuvaneshwari Pharmacy has been making fine traditional herbal medicines for decades. The current ruling family in Gondal also keeps its collection of vintage and classic cars in the Huzoor Palace estate and it is possible to see around thirty of these vehicles, which form arguably one of the finest collections in India.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Sasan Gir, enroute visit Junagadh. This is one of India’s most historic cities – ancient artefacts were found on the hilltop citadel and Emperor Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on rock here during the 3rd century BC. Visit the Uparkot Citadel, Jama Masjid and 11th century Adi Chadi Vav step-well before continuing to Sasan Gir, the last remaining home of the Asiatic lion. Dinner & overnight at resort/ Camp.

Breakfast at resort. Today explore the unique Sasan Gir with an early morning and evening jeep safaris. An attractive sanctuary, Sasan Gir is not only home to the rare Asiatic lion but also has good populations of nilgai, sambar and chital. It is also a very popular reserve for birding and has a rich variety of birdlife. Lunch, dinner & overnight in resort/ camp.

Breakfast at resort, drive to an astonishing Jain temple complex at Palitana. The hills of Palitana are known as the ‘Abode of the Gods’ and are covered with 863 Jain temples spanning a period of over 900 years. Their finely carved spires and towers glisten in the sunlight as pilgrims make the uphill journey on foot.

Breakfast at hotel. A special morning you may wish to join the pilgrims and climb the 4,000 steps to the Palitana temples. Later drive to Vadodara calling in on the way to see the archaeological site of Lothal, which is home to some of the most important Harappan archaeological remains of the subcontinent.

After Lothal continue to Vadodara, once the capital of the affluent Baroda Princely State and home to some magnificent 19th century palaces and public buildings.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Visit the Pavagadh-Champaner archaeological zone, which was Gujarat’s first UNESCO, approved World Heritage Site. The site encompasses forts, temples, mosques, mausoleum complexes, pavilions, wells and tanks and Champaner’s Jami Masjid, built around 1523, is considered the high water mark of 16th century Indo-Saracenic architecture. Later proceed to Sardar Sarovar Dam, Kevadia via visiting the historic citadel of Dabhoi, which has a majestic gateway, built in the 12th century.

Arrive Narmada Tent City check in. Later visit Sardar Sarovar Dam World’s 2nd biggest dam - known as the Gravity Dam and Selfie Point to capture beautiful pictures with Statue of Unity. Enjoy the Cultural & entertainment activities at the camp resort in evening. Dinner and overnight in Camp.

Breakfast at camp, visit to The Statute of Unity (closed on monday). The Statue of Unity is viewed as the world tallest statue (182 meters) and is double the extent of the Statue of Liberty. After sightseeing drive to Vadodara airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrival transfer from airport to hotel in Mumbai.

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Airport to catch flight for onward destination.