Gujarat – Tribes, Textiles and Other Sights

Itinerary: Ahmedabad - Vadodara - Champaner - Bhavnagar - Palitana - Junagadh - Gondal - Rajkot - Muli – Dasada

Highlights of the Tour

Stay in Kutch to meet its different tribes
Discovering the rich textile crafts of Kutch
Explore the modernist Le Corbusier architecture in Ahmedabad
Visit the cities where Gandhi stayed
The archaeological site of Champaner
The spectacular Jain temples at Palitana

Period :

De Novembre à Février

Category:

Hébergement haut-de-gamme, Heritage, Artisanat, Textile et Ethnies

Fare:

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DAY 1 : Arrival in Ahmedabad

Landing in Ahmedabad, welcome by our representative at the airport, then take you to your hotel. Founded in the 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah and attached to the Mughal Empire (1572), the capital of the state of Gujarat is one of the most beautiful cities of Hindustan and listed as a world heritage site. The Muslim architecture developed there, with the construction of many mosques, strongly influenced by the local ornamentation, and in particular the work of the Hindu and Jain craftsmen. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2 : Ahmedabad

The first day of the tour is dedicated to the historical heritage with the old districts of Indo-Muslim architecture on the bank of the Sabarmati river, with the imperial necropolis Sarkhej, dating from the 15th century, the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology and its Jain statuary of which Gujarat is a land of election. You will also discover the ashram built by Gandhi in the middle of a park, on the bank of the Sabarmati river. It is in this city that Gandhi launched his campaigns of civil disobedience in the 1920s. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 3 : Ahmedabad

Continuation of the visits to the village of Adalaj, located close to the city, which owes its fame to a remarkable monument: the Adalaj Stepwell. This building of the 15th century is considered as a beautiful example of Indian architecture work. You will also pass through the modern and contemporary architecture of this city, with notably the achievements of great architects: Le Corbusier (Villa Sarabhai) and Louis Khan (Indian Institute of Management) and you will finish by the Calico museum of textiles. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4 : Ahmedabad – Vadodara – Champaner

Today you will discover the city of Vadodara, the ancient capital of the Gaekwad, “Protectors of the Cows”. Parks, lakes and palaces dominate the old city. With your guide you will stroll through the colorful bazaars of the city in search of local Gujarati flavors and snacks. At the end of the day we will head to Champaner for dinner and overnight stay. (Total journey : 160 km , 03hrs)

DAY 5 : Champaner

Guided tour of this magnificent walled city and its superb mosque, Jami Masjid, a treasure of Gujarati architecture and one of the few sites in the Gujarat region to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 6 : Champaner – Bhavnagar – Palitana

Departure for Bhavnagar, capital of Saurashtra, on the banks of the Gulf of Cambay. Visit of the Takhetshwar temple from which we have a beautiful view on the city and the gulf. Stroll in the lively bazaar and drive to Palitana. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Total distance : 300 km, 06 :30hrs).

DAY 7 : Palitana – Junagadh

Visit the city of Palitana, famous for its 863 stone and marble Jain temples built on the Shatrunjaya hill (600 m). Early morning ascent of the hill to reach one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Jains (about 2 hours walk). Then you will reach Junagadh, a small and lively city, to discover its sites and numerous monuments: domes and minarets, Buddhist monuments and in particular engravings of the edicts of the emperor Ashoka dating from 250 BC… Night and dinner at the hotel. (Total distance : 173 km, 04 : 00 hrs).

DAY 8 : Palitana – Junagadh

Continue to Gondal and visit the oldest palace of the city, the palace of Naulakha, dating from the 17th century, overlooking the river. Then you will pass by the gardens of the Orchard Palace, residence of the royal family. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Total distance : 64 km , 01 :15hrs)

DAY 9 : Gondal – Rajkot – Muli

Drive to Rajkot, the former capital of the state where Mahatma Gandhi spent part of his childhood when his father was the prime minister of the raja. Visit these memorial places where he lived as his family home and his school. Then you will join Muli, a region located off the beaten track, you will discover the popular traditions of the communities and their typical habitat. They will share with you their passion for weaving, especially Kutch which is certainly one of the most important embroidery centers in the world. Finally, you will settle in your hotel in Muli, after visiting the Darbargadh and Rajmahal palaces. In the evening you will attend the Aarti ceremony at Swaminarayan temple. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Total distance: 100 km, 02:30hrs).

DAY 10 : Muli – Dasada

Road to join Dasada. Nicknamed the Little Rann and the Great Rann of Kutch, these areas form a natural border with Pakistan. Discovery of a wild territory where flora and fauna seem to be absent. However, in the middle of this desert, men harvest the salt left by the sea during the high tides and different species of birds migrate there in winter. This desert is also the playground of wild donkeys called onagres, gazelles and antelopes; ethnic communities are still present like those of the villages of Rawari and Bhairwad, composed of shepherds, pastoralists and craftsmen.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge. (Total distance : 100 km, 02 :30hrs)

DAY 11 : Dasada – Modhera – Patan – Siddhpur – Balaram

Safari in the Rann of Kutch to observe the wildlife. Drive to Modhera. The Surya temple, dedicated to the sun, is one of the most beautiful temples in Gujarat. It was built in the 11th century. Its vestiges are protected today in the enclosure of an archaeological park. Continuation towards the town of Patan where we admire the most imposing of the ‘vavs’ wells of Gujarat of which the Rani Ki Vav, well of the queen, registered on the list of the inheritance of UNESCO. There are sculptures of the gods of the Hindu pantheon of a great quality. Visit of a patola workshop, fabrics which make the glory of the city. After a lunch at the inhabitant’s visit of Siddhpur, with houses decorated with carved wooden facades. Check in at your hotel, a beautiful period palace in Balaram. Dinner and night at your hotel. (Total distance : 160 km, 03 :30hrs)

DAY 12 : Balaram – Ambaji – Kumbhariya – Dungarpur

Visit the surrounding villages where the Gowala and Garasia tribes live, a colorful aboriginal tribal community, settled in traditional huts decorated with fantastic tribal designs and protected by clay horses, supposed to ward off evil spirits. Continuation of the journey to Dungarpur and visit the Ambaji temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, then the Jain sanctuaries of Kumbhariya with remarkable sculptures, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Installation at the Udai Bilas Palace, in Dungarpur located at the edge of the lake. On arrival, an army of waiters in turbans and white jodhpur will welcome you and you will take possession of your luxurious room with a view on the garden or the lake. Dinner and night at your hotel. (Total distance : 95 km, 02 :00hrs)

DAY 13 : Dungarpur – Ahmedabad – Europe

Visit the city of Dungarpur, with its Rajput fort and its bazaar, this city has all the attractions to seduce you if you are looking for India off the beaten track. Let yourself be transported by the splendor of the princes of yesteryear… Then you will admire the vestiges of the region, such as the Juna Mahal palace, the temples of Deo Somnath and Bhuvaneshwar, places of worship and architectural wonders. You will then drive to Ahmedabad airport. Enjoy access to a room to freshen up before your long flight to Europe. (Total distance: 183 Km, 3:40hrs).