India Tours: Exotic Gujarat Tour Itinerary

This is a very special and exciting itinerary that includes cities and villages, tribal people, architecture, nature and animals, textiles and crafts.

India Tour Length: 18 days

Day 1: Mumbai
After clearing immigration and customs, step into the receiving area where you will be met and assisted by our representative and driven to the hotel. On arrival check-in to the hotel

Mumbai, the commercial and entertainment capital of India, is a group of seven islands in the Arabian Sea. Previously known as Bombay, it is a major metropolitan city of India housing the third largest Stock Exchange in the world. Mumbai city is also known as the business capital of India, as it is the country's principal financial and communications centre. The city has a deep natural harbor and the port handles over half of India's passenger traffic and a significant amount of cargo.

Day 2: Mumbai
Today after breakfast set off toward the Gateway of India from where you embark on a boat to sail towards the Elephanta Caves (about an hour's cruise). These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE. These rock cut temples dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva are rich in sculptural content. Return back to city and enjoy the remaining sights.

Visit the Gate way of India. Every visitor to Mumbai comes to look at the exaggerated colonial marker known as the Gateway of India, a yellow basalt arch of triumph officially 'opened' in 1924 and then swiftly made redundant just 24 years later when the last British regiment ceremoniously departed India from here. Drive past the Victoria Terminus, the world's only functional World Heritage Site. Drive past the beautiful Museum building, Crowford Market, Marine Drive, University building (Wales Museum Closed on Monday).

Stop over to see the Tower of Silience (entry is prohibited inside for non Zorastrians). Your guide will explain to you the philosophy of this religion which like Judaism is an integral part of a cosmopolitan Mumbai. Visit Dhobi Ghat, or a public laundry. The sight of lots of men collectively washing, rinsing and drying clothes in the open can be very interesting.

Day 3: Mumbai – Bhuj
After breakfast, Today have breakfast at leisure

In the afternoon you will be met by our representative who will drive you to the airport and assist you to board your flight to Bhuj departing at 13:10 pm. Arrive Bhuj at 15:05 pm. On arrival in Bhuj you will be met by our representative who will assist you and drive you to the hotel. Check in to the hotel on arrival

Bhuj which is one of the most prominent regions in the Kutch territory of Gujarat. Arrival in Bhuj district begins with a visit to the Collector's office for gaining the permit for discovering the delights of Kutch in Gujarat, India. Afternoon city tour covers the grandiose and much visited Kutch Museum and the palatial Palace of Rao Pragmalji.

Day 4: Bhuj
After breakfast enjoy a long and fruitful excursion to bunny villages. You are here today to witness the famous art and craftsmanship - famous for its handicrafts, paintings, embroidery, wooden arts (Ludiya, Bhirandiyara, Hodko, Sumrasaar). Return back to Bhuj.

Day 5: Bhuj
A full day excursion to the villages and Ahmedpur Mandvi.

On a 6 km stretch of clear Arabian waters kissing the beach, Ahmedpur Mandvi is one of Gujarat's lesser-known gems and finest pieces of coastline. Adjacent to the island of Diu, which lies just across a creek, it continues as Ghogla Beach into the adjoining part of mainland Diu.

Day 6: Bhuj - Gondal en route Dhamaka (172 miles/ 6 hrs)
After breakfast drive towards Gondal - a place with a grandiose royal past which is provided with a generous sprinkling of palaces and other traditional structures. En route visiting Dhamadka. A major center of the ajrakh block-printing technique, Dhamadka is about 50 km east of Bhuj. Some artisans have now relocated to Ajrakhpur, closer to the city, since the earthquake of 2001.

Day 7: Gondal – Sasan Gir (81 miles/ 3 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Sasan Gir which is a thick forest and is the environment which houses the glorious Asiatic Lions in and around Junagadh.

Sasan Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. The forest also harbors a variety of smaller animals and birds. Other predators are the Panther and the Hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here, alongwith the bear and the long tailed langur. The remaining day is at leisure.

Day 8: Sasan Gir
Today you will be visiting Gir National Park, Jeep safaris are arranged in the morning and evening.

Day 9: Sasan Gir - Diu en route Somnath (106 miles/ 4 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Diu en route visiting Somnath which is a temple city nomenclature as Prabhas Patan and home to one of the 12 shining Lingas of India. Diu happens to be a small city located between a massive fort to the east and a huge city wall to the west.

Day 10: Diu
Breakfast at hotel. Today the day is at leisure to explore the city on your own.

Diu is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea, near the port of Veraval, connected by two bridges to the mainland. Chassi is its main river. To the east of the town of Diu is the Diu Fort, right on the coast. The Panikotha (Water House) is a smaller fortress and accessible by boat. Gangeshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva. The churches of St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi are located at the Jallandhar Beach. The Nagoa Beach is a fine beach and so named because of its horseshoe shape. Diu is also noted for its birdlife including blue rock pigeon, doves and parrots.

Day 11: Diu - Bhavnagar (125 miles/ 4 hrs)
A morning drive to Bhavnagar which happens to be a port town provided with a long forgotten natural ambience. Afternoon is spent at leisure.

It was once the princely state of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. This glorious past has resulted in Bhavnagar being dotted with a number of lakes and temples. It even houses the Samaldas College, where the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was once a student. The college is more than 100 years old. Apart from this, there are many interesting places to see.

Day 12: Bhavnagar – Uteliya en route Palitana (145 miles/ 5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Uteliya en route visiting Palitana which is popular for its famed temples, silken beaches and Wildlife. Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and Girnar. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan.

Day 13: Uteliya - Zainabad en route Lothal (81 miles/ 3 hrs)
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 archeological site due to its scientific layout and a massive dockyard that facilitated trade with other civilizations of the time.
The major attractions in Lothal are the vast ruins of the ancient city. The most important are the sites of the ancient dockyard, the acropolis, the lower town, the bead factory, the warehouses, and the drainage system.

An archeological museum to the west of the ruins houses the objects found from the sites like mirrors of bronze and copper, perforated and painted potteries, toy bullock carts, beads, jewelry and a variety of objects made from stone, chert, shell, and bone. The museum also displays seals from Bahrain, terracotta figures from Sumeria, and objects from Egypt. Also on display in the museum is a plaster of Paris model of the city based on reconstructions made by archeologists.

Day 14: Zainabad - Baroda (144 miles/ 5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Baroda which is a noisy, industrial town. On arrival check-in at hotel. Remaining of the day is at leisure.

Day 15: Baroda – Chotta Udaipur – Baroda (126 miles both ways)
After breakfast full day excursion to Chotta-Udaipur. It is around 63 miles from Baroda.

The essence of the town, however, is that it lies in the heart of a tribal area with rich indigenous history and culture.  Every Saturday there is a “haat” or tribal market. The town is a good base from which to explore the surrounding tribal villages, particularly in the Rathwa communities.  The Tribal Museum is also worth a visit, though of course not nearly as important as day-to-day interaction with people alive today. Return to Baroda.

Day 16: Baroda - Ahmedabad (75 miles/ 2.5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy an exciting and engaging tour of Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah whose name is rightly remembered for its rich past and the city of Ahmedabad is also associated with Mahatma Gandhi. The city harbors a peculiar pattern of architecture, which is a deft amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic styles.

Day 17: Ahmedabad – Modhera – Patan – Ahmedabad (126 miles both ways)
After breakfast enjoy a full day trip to Modhera and Patan. Patan was founded during the 9th century and is famous for its architectural wonders built during the rule of the Solanki dynasty. The Rani Udayamati vav (step well) and the Sahastralinga Lake are the alluring sights.

Day 18: Ahmedabad - Mumbai
Today have a leisure breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day at ease.

In the afternoon you will be met by our representative who will drive you to the airport and assist you to board your flight to Mumbai departing at 15:00 pm. Arrive Mumbai at 16:00 pm. On arrival in Mumbai you will be met by our representative who will assist you and drive you to the international airport for your onward flight.