Highlights of Gujarat

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the British Airways flight to Mumbai. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Mumbai

Arrive into Mumbai in the early hours and transfer to your accommodation. After you have acclimatised, explore the city with your guide. Close to the hotel is the Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. From here stroll through the historic Colaba district to admire the impressive Gothic Victorian architecture before continuing to Malabar Hill. Here you can enjoy far-reaching views over the city. (B)
Accommodation in Mumbai: Abode Mumbai (or similar)
Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel

Day 3 Mumbai to Ahmedabad – by air

This morning fly from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is a city defined by its architecture and is home to wide range of different styles. From 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. (B)
Accommodation in Ahmedabad: The House of MG

Day 4 Ahmedabad

With your guide, today explore Ahmedabad. 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. (B)
Accommodation in Ahmedabad: The House of MG

Day 5 Ahmedabad to Dasada via Adalaj, Modhera and Patan – 260kms

Leave Ahmedabad to visit the beautiful 15th century Adalaj step well, before continuing to the 11th century Surya ‘Sun’ Temple at Modhera. One of the finest Hindu temples in Gujarat, Modhera has a special atmosphere and is a unique site. Leaving Modhera, 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 Little Rann of Kutch. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Dasada: Rann Riders Camp

Day 6 Dasada

Today enter the Little Rann of Kutch. The number and variety of birds here, from plovers and chats to flamingos and storks, is astonishing with the best birding months between October and March. Also visit some of the settlements around Dasada including pastoral Vadiara and the goat-herders of Ambala. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Dasada: Rann Riders Camp

Day 7 Dasada to Bhuj – 260kms

After a final early morning visit to the Little Rann of Kutch leave Dasada and continue by road to Bhuj stopping en-route to visit the village of Dhaneti, which is noted for its Ahir embroidery, and Ajrakhpur which is renowned for its indigo block printing. The atmospheric old walled city of Bhuj is the capital of the Kutch region and later wander among the narrow alleyways of the citadel. (B)
Accommodation in Bhuj: Bhuj House

Day 8 Bhuj to Hodka – 65kms

Today drive north from Bhuj to the small rural hamlet of Hodka. 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Hodka: Shaam-e-Sarhad Rural Resort

Day 9 Hodka

The villages around Hodka have 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Hodka: Shaam-e-Sarhad Rural Resort

Day 10 Hodka to Gondal – 300kms

This morning leave Hodka and continue 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. (B/D)
Accommodation in Gondal: Gondal Orchard Palace Hotel

Day 11 Gondal

Today 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. (B/D)
Accommodation in Gondal: Gondal Orchard Palace Hotel

Day 12 Gondal to Sasan Gir via Junagadh – 150kms

After breakfast 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 and the Gir Forest National Park, the last remaining home of the Asiatic lion. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sasan Gir: Asiatic Lion Lodge
Upgrade option: Woods at Sasan

Day 13 Sasan Gir

An attractive sanctuary, Gir Forest National Park 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. Today explore the unique Sasan Gir with an early morning and evening jeep safaris. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sasan Gir: Asiatic Lion Lodge
Upgrade option: Woods at Sasan

Day 14 Sasan Gir to Palitana – 225kms

Today drive to the extraordinary Jain temple complex at Palitana where you will stay overnight. 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Palitana: Vijay Vilas Palace

Day 15 Palitana to Vadodara via Lothal – 260kms

Early this morning you may wish to join the pilgrims and climb the 4,000 steps to the Palitana temples. Later leave Palitana and 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. (B)
Accommodation in Vadodara: Gateway Hotel
Upgrade option: Champaner Palace Resort

Day 16 Vadodara – visit Champaner

Today 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 return to Vadodara via the historic citadel of Dabhoi which has a majestic gateway built in the 12th century. (B)
Accommodation in Vadodara: Gateway Hotel
Upgrade option: Champaner Palace Resort

Day 17 Vadodara to Mumbai – by air

This morning transfer to Vadodara Airport in good time to catch the flight to Mumbai where you will stay overnight. (B)
Accommodation in Mumbai: Leela Kempinski Airport Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Taj Santa Cruz

Day 18 Mumbai to the UK

Today transfer back to Mumbai Airport to catch the British Airways flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

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Itinerary: Highlights of Gujarat

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