Traditions and Colors of Gujarat

Day 1: Arrival in Ahmedabad

 

Landing in Ahmedabad, welcome by our representative at the airport, then transfer to your heritage style hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 2: Ahmedabad

 

A first day of visits dedicated to the historical Indo-Muslim heritage of the old quarters located up to the bank of the Sabarmati river, the Hutheesingh temple with its Jain statues, of which Gujarat is a land of choice. You will also be invited to the Ashram built by Gandhi in the middle of a park, on the bank of this same river. In the early afternoon you will pass by a modern and contemporary architecture, with notably the achievements of three great architects: Le Corbusier, Louis Khan and Charles Correia. Then, on the left bank, you will visit the Calico Museum dedicated to Textile Arts, a specialty of this state, located in a magnificent park with trees. The teak building alone is a marvel.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 3: Ahmedabad

 

Today, continue the discovery of this city, registered with the world heritage. With your guide you will take part in a morning walk in the community districts of the city, the ‘pols’, Ahmedabad counts approximately 600 of them, some dating from nearly 600 years…. Then you will discover a remarkable monument: the Dada Hari Step Well dating from the 15th century and some Haveli, finely carved wood. This evening, you will be invited to discover the Gujarati culinary specialties such as Thali, in the old city, in a warm atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

 

Day 4: Ahmedabad – Poshina

 

After your breakfast, departure to discover the Gujarat lands, in the direction of the village of Poshina, surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains bordering Rajasthan. Check in at your hotel, a beautiful period palace in Poshina, received by its owner, the prince of the region. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. (Total distance: 200 km, 03:30hrs)

 

 

Day 5: Poshina – Siddpur – Patan – Modhera – Little Rann of Kutch

 

After your breakfast, departure in direction of Dasada, with many stops en route between Jain temples, colorful market of the tribes, etc.. Then road towards Siddhpur, the city with Havelis decorated with carved wooden facades of the Borah community. Continuation with the visit of Patan where we admire the most imposing of the ‘vavs’ wells of Gujarat whose Rani Ki Vav, well of the queen is registered on the list of the inheritance of UNESCO. One finds there sculptures of the gods of the Hindu pantheon of a great quality. Visit the famous Patola Museum, to discover the fabrics that make the glory of the city. Then you will pass by the Modhera Sun Temple, dating from the 11th century and one of the finest examples of devotional architecture in western India, carved with traditional erotic scenes and images of many gods and goddesses. Arrival at Dasada, a pristine white desert territory. Nicknamed the Little Rann and the Great Rann of Kutch, these areas form a natural border with Pakistan. Settle in, have dinner and overnight at your lodge. Enjoy the comfort of your lodge, mixing traditional decoration and modern comfort.

(Total distance : 220 km, 05:30hrs)

 

 

 

Day 6 : Little Rann of Kutch – Bhuj

 

In the early morning, wake up at your lodge, and safari in the Little Rann of Kutch to observe the wildlife. Discovery of a wild territory where flora and fauna seem to be absent and where men harvest the salt left by the sea during the high tides. This desert is also the playground of wild donkeys called onagres, gazelles and antelopes; resistant ethnic communities are still present there. Then you will take a long drive with your driver to Bhuj, the capital of Kutch. This small animated and modern city, opens the doors of a hostile land where some Gujarati minorities still remain, living from their numerous skills… (Total distance: 300 km, 06 hrs)

 

 

Day 7: Bhuj – Ajrakhpur – Bhujodi – Bhuj

 

After your breakfast, a guided visit of the vestiges, in the heart of the city: Aina Mahal Palace, Prag Mahal Palace. Then departure towards the village of Ajrakhpur, famous for its indigo dyeing factories, lunch then to the villages of Shrujan and Bhujodi to admire the weaving of the shawls: it is a major textile center of the Kutch region with a people who still practice their traditional arts and customs Check-in at your comfortable hotel, located in the city center. Return to the hotel, evening stroll in the old bazaar of Buhj, dinner and overnight. (Total distance: 100 km, 02hrs)

 

 

Day 8: Bhuj – Banni Villages

 

This morning, drive to the Banni villages. Worthy ancestral heirs of the craftsmen of leather, painting on fabric, fine embroidery or patchwork. Then installation at your eco-lodge, not far from the Great Rann of Kutch, the salt desert. Sunset in this desert, with a view on the camels. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. (Total distance : 70 km, 01.00hr)

 

 

Day 9 : Banni Villages – Gondal

 

After breakfast and your check-out. Continue your colorful journey to Gondal and visit the collection of vintage cars of the Maharaja of the city, then you will discover the oldest palace of the city, Naulakha Palace, dating from the 17th century, overlooking the river. You will pass in front of the gardens of the Orchard Palace, place of residence of the royal family. Settle in for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Distance: 275km, duration: 06.00hrs)

 

 

Day 10 : Gondal – Bhavnagar

 

Departure for Bhavnagar, capital of Saurashtra, on the banks of the Gulf of Cambay. Visit the Takhetshwar temple from which we have a beautiful view of the city and the gulf. Stroll in the lively bazaar of the city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Total distance: 160 km, 03:30hrs)

 

 

Day 11: Bhavnagar – Palitana – Vadodara

 

After your breakfast and check-out, morning drive to the city of Palitana, famous for its 863 stone and marble Jain temples built on the Shatrunjaya hill (600m). You will attend the morning puja ceremony at the temple. Continue to Vadodara, the ancient capital of the Gaekwad, ‘Protectors of the Cows’. Parks, lakes and the extravagant Laksmi Villas Palace dominate the old city. At the end of the day, you will stroll with your guide through the bustling bazaars of the city in search of local Gujarati flavors and snacks. Overnight and dinner at your hotel in the city center. Overnight and dinner at the hotel. (Total distance: 300 km, 06.30hrs)

 

 

Day 12: Vadodara – Chotta Udepur – Jambughoda

 

This morning visit the Laksmi Villas Palace, then visit the Baroda Museum in its gardens, offering a superb collection of paintings by the master Raja Ravi Varma. Then continuation in the lands of luxuriant vegetation, to discover the villages of the area and their markets, where various tribes of Gujarat gather. The men wear a red turban tied in a particular style, while the women are seen wearing mid-length skirts, colorful blouses and silver jewelry. These tribes live in small villages and come here to sell their vegetables, grains and other items of daily use. Settle in and spend the night at your hotel in Jambughoda. (Total distance: 75 km, 01 00 hr)

 

 

Day 13: Jambughoda – Champaner – Pavagadh – Ahmedabad

 

In the morning, direction Champaner and guided visit of this magnificent fortified city and its superb mosque, Jami Masjid, treasure of the Gujarati architecture and one of the rare site of the region of Gujarat to be classified with the world heritage of UNESCO, visit of the fortified city on the top of a hill, Pavagadh, and its temple of Kalikamata. This temple built in the 11th century and dedicated to the goddess Kali, the Destroyer, is the most sacred on the hill. This evening you will attend a folkloric show of the region while tasting some of the typical specialties of the Rajas of the region. You will then take the road towards Ahmedabad. You will have access to a hotel room near the airport to freshen up before your flight in the evening.

 

Day 14: Ahmedabad – Europe by air

 Arrival in Europe.

 

 

Selection of charming and heritage hotels.

 

 

 

 

Rate :

1595 € / per person (based on double room)

Supplement for single room 662 €.

Minimum 8 people – Maximum 18 people

This trip includes :

Accommodation in charming and comfortable hotels according to availability at the time of booking in double room

•     Full board
•     Excursions and site entries
•     Guide – English speaking guide
•     Private transportation
•     The taxes of stay

This trip does not include :

• e-visa fees
• Drinks
• photo and video permits on the sites
• Tips and personal expenses

Option

Comfort Multi-risk Insurance with Health Protection Option to be covered for any cancellation related to COVID, before departure and on-site in the country.

 

Guarantees included:-

•     Cancellation due to illness in case of epidemic or pandemic
•     Cancellation due to denied boarding due to a temperature reading
•     Medical expenses in case of epidemic
•     Repatriation in the event of an epidemic or pandemic
•     Hotel expenses following quarantine

Insurance rate: On request

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