RANN OF KUTCH
5 nights / 6 days
Package valid from 01st October to 31st March 2012(Except 15th Dec to 10 Jan 2012)
Dasada – Wild Ass Sanctuary – Modhera – Patan – Bhuj – Great Rann of Kutch – Chari Fulay Reserve – White Rann – Banni Villages – Mata no Math – Narayan Sarovar – Koteshwar – Mandvi Palace & Beach.
Suggested Itinerary (with approximate driving time):
Day 1: Ahmedabad to Dasada (2 hrs). Village Safari around Dasada.
Arrival at Ahmedabad Airport / Station & take a transfer to Dasada. Arrival at Dasada & check in. Late In the afternoon, board a Jeep to visit some of the tribal villages around, where you can visit different tribes like Mirs, Rabaris, Bharvads etc. On this Village Safari, you get a chance to come closer to the culture & art. These tribes are well known for their extraordinary craftsmanship & brilliant embroidery work. Back to the hotel after the safari. Evening at leisure.
Day 2: Safari at Little Rann of Kutch. Excursion to Modhera & Patan.
In the morning, enjoy a Jeep Safari in the “Little Rann of Kutch” – which houses one of the rarest & most endangered animals – Asiatic Wild Ass. This sanctuary is the vast stretch of flat, salt cracked barren desert. Here you can also spot other animals like the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and hyenas. It is a birder’s paradise. Birds here include Steppe, Imperial, and Short-toed Eagle, Houbara Bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. Here, one gets a chance to see how salt is prepared out of saline sea water, as there are ample of salt panes. Back to the hotel after the Safari. After lunch, proceed to cover an excursion tour to Modhera & Patan. At Modhera, you can visit Sun Temple; famous for its architecture & exquisite carvings. Patan was the capital of medieval Gujarat & is known for Ranki Vav (step well), temples & lakes. Back to the hotel after the excursion.
Day 3: Dasada to Bhuj / Nakhatrana (5 hrs).
Check out from the hotel in the morning & depart to Bhuj / Nakhatrana. Arrival at Bhuj / Nakhatrana & check in. At Bhuj, you can visit the Royal Palaces & Museums. Evening free for relaxation.
Day 4: Excursion to Chhari Fulay, White Rann & Banni region.
Early in the morning, take a transfer to Chhari Fulay Reserve. The wetland attracts a large number of waterfowl species like Flamingo, Pelican, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, Brahminy Duck, Common Pochard, Tuffed Pochard, White Eyed Pochard, Gulls, Terns, Stints & Plovers. After the park safari, proceed to Banni Villages known for their rich traditional tribes and their amazing arts and crafts. Later on, visit the white rann – the natural phenomena, the vast expanse of flat desert of salty clay & mudflats – which is accessible in winters & summers, because of geological reasons. On the way back, visit the textile towns of Nirona followed by visits to Than Monastery & Fossil Farm at Than-Dhinodhar.
Day 5: Excursion to Mata no Math, Narayan Sarovar & Koteshwar.
After breakfast, depart to Narayan Sarovar. On the way, visit the famous Mata no Math; the ancient temple of Goddess Ashapura. Drive further to Narayan Sarovar – which is a well known wildlife sanctuary famous for Chinkara, Blue Bull, Spotted Deer, etc. Also visit Koteshwar; known for Shiva Temple. In the evening, get back to the hotel.
Day 6: Drive to Mandvi (2 hrs). Departure to Bhuj Airport / Station (2 hrs)
Check out from the hotel after breakfast & take a transfer to Mandvi. The major attraction of Mandvi is the “Vijay Vilas Palace”. This palace is a wonderful blend of architectural styles of Mughals, Rajputs & Europeans. One can see the interiors including offices where the Maharaos worked from dawn to afternoon, the rooms for entertaining, the old living quarters. The domed terrace has a view over the estate to the sea. The palace is nestled in 450 acres of lush greenery, with 2 kilometers of private beach. After the sightseeing is over, proceed to Bhuj Airport / Station to continue with your further journey.
SAURASHTRA DARSHAN (TOURISM)
5 nights / 6 days
Rajkot / Jamnagar – Dwarka – Nageshwar – Porbandar – Somnath – Sasan Gir – Junagadh – Virpur – Palitana – Ahmedabad
Tour Cost : /= Per Person Inclusive of AC Transport + Non AC Double Bed Accommodation + Guide Charges (Tour Begins on Friday morning till Tuesday evening 0800 pm)
EXPERIENCE KUTCH (TOURISM)
4 nights / 5 days
Bhuj – Mandvi – Mata No Madh – Narayan sarovar – White Rann – Anjar – Shankheshwar – Ahmedabad
Tour Cost : /= Per Person Inclusive of AC Transport + AC Double Bed Accommodation + Guide