VIBRANT GUJARAT WITH DIU
11 nights / 12 days
Package valid from 01st October to 31st March 2012(Except 15th Dec to 10 Jan 2012)
Velavadar / Bhavnagar – Palitana – Diu – Somnath – Sasan Gir – Junagadh – Girnar Hills – Dwarka – Bet Dwarka – Bhuj / Nakhatrana – Chhari Fulay Reserve – White Rann – Banni Villages – Mata no Math – Narayan Sarovar – Koteshwar – Mandvi Palace & Beach – Dasada – Wild Ass Sanctuary – Patan – Modhera.
Suggested Itinerary (with approximate driving time):
Day 1: Arrival at Bhavnagar / Velavadar. Jeep Safari in the park.
Arrival at Bhavnagar & check in the hotel at Bhavnagar / Velavadar. After lunch & relaxation, proceed to “Velavadar National Park”; known for the largest concentration of Black Bucks in the world. Other fauna includes the endangered Indian Wolf, fox, jackal, Jungle Cat, Hyena and Wild Boar. Here one can also spot many endangered birds such as Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Common Crane, Sarus, White Stork, White Pelican & the Harrier roost. Get back to the hotel after the safari.
Day 2: Departure to Palitana (1 hr). Then to Diu (4 hrs).
Check out from the hotel after breakfast & take a transfer to Palitana, located on the top of Shatrunjaya Hills. With the Shatrunjaya River flowing to its south, making this place one of the most picturesque places of pilgrimage in India. The 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its sheer beauty were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred ones. After the sightseeing of Palitana Temples, proceed to Diu – situated on the southernmost side of Gujarat. Arrival at Diu & check in.
Day 3: Sightseeing of Diu.
After breakfast, cover half day city tour of Diu, including visit to St. Paul’s Church, Diu Museum and the Diu Fort. Diu still has a lot of Portuguese influence. Get back to the hotel in the afternoon. Rest of the day to relax on the beautiful, calm & quiet beaches of Diu.
Day 4: Diu to Somnath (1 ½ hr). Then, to Sasan Gir (1 ½ hr). Jungle Safari at Sasan Gir.
Check out from the hotel after breakfast & depart to Somnath. On Arrival, visit the famous shore temple of Somnath; one of the twelve most sacred Shiva shrines in India. After the sightseeing at Somnath; proceed to Sasan Gir. Arrival at Sasan Gir & check in. Late in the afternoon, enjoy Jungle Safari in “Gir National park”, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion on Earth. Along with Asiatic Lions, you can spot Chinkara, Wild Boar, Striped Hyena, Jackal, Common Langur, Porcupine, Hare, black buck etc. It is also home to over 200 species of migratory birds. Back to the hotel after the safari.
Day 5: Gir to Junagadh (1 hr). Sightseeing of Girnar & Junagadh.
After breakfast, depart to Junagadh, which lies at the foot of Girnar Hill and takes its name from the Old Fort which circles the medieval town. First, cover an excursion to Girnar Hill, the famous mythological hill, supposed to be an extinct volcano. It is famous for the 16 carved and sculptured marble Jain shrines that adorn this famous hilltop (These temples are accessible by walk only. Many of them are located mid-way of the hill, so covering them generally takes 3 – 4 hrs). The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva also draws thousands of devotees up the hill who climb the fleet of 10,000 steps build in the early 20th century (This is possible if you have whole day on hand to cover Girnar. In that case, you need to add one more night to the itinerary). Drive back to Junagadh for lunch. Later on, cover the sightseeing of Junagadh. This town was under the rules of many dynasties over the period of many centuries. Therefore, various buildings of different time periods and influenced with diverse kinds of architecture can be sited in Junagadh. The major attraction, obviously, is the Uperkot Fort, the very fort from where the city derives its name. The premises hold other sites to be visited like the two step wells, Jama Masjid and Buddhist caves. Once, the sightseeing of Junagadh is over, Back to the hotel in Junagadh.
Day 6: Junagadh – Dwarka ( 4 hrs ) Sightseeing of Dwarka & Bet Dwarka.
After breakfast proceed to Dwarka. Arrival at Dwarka & check in. Then, visit Dwarkadheesh Temple – the major landmark & attraction of the town. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shree Krishna. After, performing spiritual activities come back to the hotel. After refreshments, depart to visit Rukmini Mandir, Gopi Talao & Nageshwar Mahadev Mandir – one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Then, proceed to Okha boat jetty, from where you can take a return ferry to Bet Dwarka. At Bet Dwarka, you will visit Ranchhodrai Temple & Matsyavatar Temple. Back to the hotel at night.
Day 7: Dwarka to Bhuj / Nakhatrana (8-9 hrs).
Check out from the hotel in the morning & depart to Bhuj / Nakhatrana. After full day journey, arrival at Bhuj / Nakhatrana & check in. Evening free for relaxation.
Day 8: Excursion to Chari Fulay, White Rann & Banni region.
Early in the morning, take a transfer to Chari 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 9: 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 10: Bhuj / Nakhatrana to Mandvi (2 hrs). Sightseeing. Then, to Dasada (5 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 Dasada. Arrival at Dasada in the evening & check in.
Day 11: Safari at Little Rann of Kutch. Village Safari around Dasada.
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. 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 12: Dasada to Modhera (1 hr). Then to Patan (1 hr). Then to Ahmedabad (2 hrs).
Check out from the hotel & depart to Modhera. At Modhera, you can visit Sun Temple; famous for its architecture & exquisite carvings. Then, you can proceed to Patan; which was the capital of medieval Gujarat & is known for Rani Ki Vav (step well), temples & lakes. After the sightseeing, take a transfer to Ahmedabad Airport / Station to proceed to further destination.
Hotel Accommodation Details:
Accommodation in specified Hotel on specified Meal plan
CPAI- Accommodation with Breakfast
APAI- Accommodation with Breakfast & Dinner