Gujarat Archaeological & Natural Wonders 9 days

Day 1 Arrive Ahmedabad

On arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Rest time is free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Ahmedabad

City tour of Ahmedabad. Visit the Hatheesing Jain Temple, established in 1850 by Seth Hatheesing, a rich Jain merchant. The temple is dedicated to the 15th Jain Tirthankar Dharamnath. Bhadra Fort is a beautiful monument that is famous for its intricate carvings, pattern works and beautiful frescos. Located in the middle of lush greenery, the huge 44-acre Fort got its name from the Bhadrakali Temple that it houses. Sabarmati Ashram, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi located on the tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati River. The museum is one of the most interesting sections of the ashram as it has on display some of Gandhi`s letters and photographs. Shaking Minarets is one of the most intriguing architectural wonders & an unsolvable mystery that the world has ever seen. VECHAAR Utensils Museum houses an elaborate collection of utensils ranging from hundreds of years back to the current times. Kite Museum in the premises of Sanskar Kendra, the museum had an elaborate display of about 125 uniquely carved kites, including mirror embroidered kites, block print kites and Japanese kites such as Rokuku. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Ahmedabad - Dholavira (385kms) (B, L, D)

Drive to Dholavira via visiting Modhera Sun Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya, built between 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall; and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have an intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines. Rani ki Vav, 11th century Solanki era stepwell built by the Queen Udayamati & Karna in memory of her husband Bhima I. The stepwell is designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels, more than 500 principal sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery. And Panchasara Jain Temples, more than 100 Jain temples with exquisite domes & sacred carvings on the walls, built by King Vanraj Chavada around 746 CE.

Continue driving to Dholavira, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Dholavira - Dasada (255kms) (B, L, D)

Explore Dholavira archaeological & historical sites dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation 4500 years ago. It is full of historic treasures, including seals with animal figures, funerary structures, letters of the Indus script, stone sculptures, pottery with painted motifs, terracotta ornaments, sign boards, and several other structures and objects. The ancient water reservoirs are certainly a highlight and excite visitors with their well-preserved state.

Later, drive to Dasada, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Dasada - Bhuj (230kms) (B)

Early morning safari in the Little Rann of Kutch, a unique landscape of its kind in the entire world, with an unending possibility of exploration. The present saline desert of the Little Rann of Kutch is believed to have been a shallow sea. Little Rann of Kutch is the only haven on earth for endemic Asiatic Wild Ass. Known for its speed, the wild ass lives in herds led by stallions and survived by migrating between the grassy bets through the season, in search of food. Sanctuary is also home to 32 other species of mammals such as chinkara, two types of desert fox, jackals, caracals, nilgais, Indian wolves, blackbucks, and striped hyenas, along with 350 different species of birds, including the common crane, pelican and the lesser flamingo. Interestingly, the Little Rann gets a fair number of winged visitors in the winter months. Among these, the ceraneous vulture comes from Egypt, the common and demoiselle cranes arrive from Siberia, the blue-tailed bee-eater visits from Europe, and the houbara bustard of Iran and Iraq are the most commonly sighted birds here. Also, the sanctuary is home to a sizable population of Rabari and Bharwad tribes.

After the safari drive to Bhuj, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Bhuj

City tour of Bhuj, visit Aaina Mahal Palace, built in the middle of the 18th century. Explore the compound outside the palace, with its beautiful carved doorways, elaborate window boxes and balconies. Prag Mahal, built in the 19th century next to Aina Mahal, the grand palace, boasts Gothic-style windows and Corinthian pillars around it. The opulent Mahal has the second-tallest clock tower in the country, which offers an amazing view from the top. A part of the palace has been converted into a museum with archives and personal items of the royal family on display. Shri Swaminarayan Temple was initially built in the year 1822. It was the first of many Sampraday Swaminarayan temples. Ramkund is a square stepwell, whose walls have carved miniature idols depicting the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu and sculptures of Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Bhuj - Hodka (65kms) (B)

Drive to the Banni Region of Kutch, visiting Nirona Village for Rogan arts on a piece of cloth. The word Rogan comes from Persian and means oil-based. The process of making the natural colours used in art gives it such a name. Castor oil is heated on a fire for about 12 hours and then cast into cold water to give a thick residue called the Rogan. This is then mixed with stone pigments to lend it different hues. Next, the artisan uses a six-inch metal stick to paint with a fine thread of Rogan on cloth. Drive to Hodka, check in at the resort. Evening drive a short distance to enjoy the breathtaking views of the White Rann. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Hodka - White Rann of Kutch

Very early in the morning, drive to the White Rann of Kutch to see the sunrise. The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert of Gujarat. It is about 7500 km² in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.

Later, visit Dhordo village in the White Rann occupied by the Mutwa Muslim Community. Next, visit a small Pathan community hamlet engaged in Embroidery. Continue to Khavda to see the Potters and Samma tribe. Later, leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Hodka - Bhuj (65kms) (B)

Transfer to Bhuj airport to board the flight for the onward destination.