Arrive Ahmedabad

Arrive Ahmedabad

Arrive Ahmedabad, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad is the former capital of Gujarat, and it’s delicious food, colorful culture is making it a fast-growing tourist destination. The historic city of Ahmedabad or the old city was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Check in at House of Mangaldas Girdhardas (popularly known as House of MG), a heritage hotel owned by a former textile industrialist family. You can visit the nearby mosques,

Afternoon proceed to visit Sarkhej mausoleum complex and the Vishala Village complex with its superb utensils museum.

Overnight Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad / Poshina

Ahmedabad / Poshina

Post breakfast drive to Poshina (270Kms / 5-6Hrs approx.) En route visit Modhera Sun temple constructed in 1026-27 AD, the complex has shrine hall, assembly hall and the reservoir. The pillars and exteriors of the halls are intricately carved, there are many beautiful small shrines in & around the reservoir and has numerous steps to go down the bottom.

Continue to Patan, to see Patola weavers and Rani Ki Vav ‘Patan-Stepwell’ – one of the famous monuments of Gujarat. Intricately built Step Well of Patan called as Rani Ki Vav was built by Queen Udayamati in the 11th century in the memory of her husband Kind Bhimdev. This stepped monument has marvelous sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Following your visit, continue your drive to Poshina. 

Arrive Poshina and check in at Darbargadh, a Heritage Home set in the tribal lands of the Arravallis. Spend remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Poshina.

Explore Poshina

Explore Poshina

Post breakfast, visit the main street of Poshina in front of the hotel to see the Garasia girls carrying the woods from the jungle to sell them in the market.

Later visit the Garasia villages as well as the Adivasi (ancient inhabitants) hamlets. Garasia’s reside both in Rajasthan and Gujarat in mountains and are quite colorful, whereas Adivasi are simpler one but both of these tribes depend on farming and animal husbandry. Visit the Terracotta temple dedicated to a local village deity – you can here see the thousands of terracotta horses. The locals believe that the Goddess fulfills their wishes and they offer terracotta horses in return to please her with rituals.

Post Lunch trip to Ambaji Temple - is Temple Goddess of Power. You may find some tribal women and girls selling fruits, vegetables etc, near the temple.

Return to your hotel and rest of the day is free. Overnight Poshina.

Poshina / Chitrasani (Surface)

Poshina / Chitrasani (Surface)

Breakfast at hotel and check out.

Today you will be exploring some of the beautiful Rabari villages. Traditionally, Rabari origins to the Himalayas, as the creation of Shiva and Parvati. Their culture, traditions, history and ancestral heritage are deeply rooted and closely woven with customary occupation of animal husbandry. They always lives in tight-knit community, but gradually they have started adapting to modern times.

Later continue your drive to Chitrasani (80Kms / 2Hrs approx.).

Arrive and check in at Balaram Palace Resort, once the hunting retreat of the Lohani Nawab of Palanpur, set in 13 acres of terraced upland rising from a hilly stream and surrounded by lush green gardens and designed flower beds. Overnight Chitrasani.

Chitrasani / Bajana, Little Rann of Kutch (Surface)

Chitrasani / Bajana, Little Rann of Kutch (Surface)

Post breakfast, check out and drive to the Little Rann of Kutch (202Kms / 4Hrs approx.).

Arrive and check in at Royal Safari Camp, beautifully crafted by local artisans. It’s an amazing place to stay amidst wilderness and rice culture.

Following lunch, explore in Little Rann of Kutch in a Village Safari and see communities like Mir, Bharwad, Rabari, and Bajanias. You will also get a chance to visit Agayari Community, engaged in Salt Farming.

Later return to your hotel. Dinner & Overnight Bajana.

Bajana / Bhuj (Surface)

Bajana / Bhuj (Surface)

Following breakfast, check out and drive to Bhuj (245Kms / 4-5Hrs approx.). En route, stop at various places of interests.

In this photographic journey, you will come across Banjara communities on Camel’s back, Wind Mills, and Salt Pans. Continue to Dhaneti to see some Rabari Tribes and Ajrakhpur, where you can meet Khatri community is engaged in block printing and embroidery. Also visit LLDC Museum – Living and Learning Design (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays), promote the glorious craft heritage of Kutch. It trains and supports the people in traditional crafts, so that they are capable of earning a dignified livelihood.

Later continue your drive to Bhuj.                                                                    

Arrive Bhuj and check in The Bhuj House. A four-room heritage homestay run by Parsi Family, built in the late 1800's. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Bhuj.

Bhuj / Hodka (Surface)

Bhuj / Hodka (Surface)

After early breakfast, today, visit the tribal village of Jat community where the women wear big nose rings, later visit Pathan community Tribal village and other tribal villages of Banni Region of Kutch.

After lunch, continue to Khavda to see Potters and Samma and Sodha tribe. The men here apply Heena on their hair and beards. They are tall like Afghans and wears Salwar and Kurta mostly in yellow, blue, pink and black colors.

Continue to Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset at Indo-Pakistan border (Last point for no man’s land), one can also see the salt desert. The view from the black mountain is commanding and the landscaping from Khavda to Kala Dungar is special.

Check in at rural stay Shaam E Sarhad and rest of the day at leisure. "Shaam E Sarhad - means "Sunset on the Border". The village resort has been hand-crafted by the local community to replicate the vernacular traditions of architecture and design. Overnight Hodka.

Hodka / Bhuj (Surface)

Hodka / Bhuj (Surface)

Today, you will return to Bhuj (65Kms / 1Hr approx.)

Post early breakfast, visit Dhordo – The area which has White Rann, You can see Mutwa Muslim Community - They are one of a number of communities of Maldhari pastoral nomads.

Continue to Bhuj, en-route visiting Nirona Village to see the Rogan painting by the Khatri family in Nirona village. Rogan Art of Nirona Village is rarest in the world and probably the only place to see it.

Evening, explore the local markets of Bhuj, where you may get the opportunity to click some photographs of nomadic tribes near Bhuj State Transport Bus Stand. Overnight Bhuj.

Bhuj / Gondal (Surface)

Bhuj / Gondal (Surface)

After breakfast, check out and make your way to Gondal (270Kms / 5-6Hrs approx.).

Gondal was an 11-gun salute princely state, founded in 1634 by Jadeja Rajputs. It was modernized by HH Maharaja Sir Bhagwatsinhji from the 1880s to the 1940s. Under his rule, Gondal became known for its public institutions and schools, and education of the girl child was free and compulsory. Tourist Attractions in Gondal mainly consist of the beautiful forts and palaces. 

Arrive Gondal & check in at one of the heritage properties.

Afternoon visit the magnificent carvings and collections of the 1740s Naulakha Palace. Also see ‘The Royal Garages’ in Orchard Palace, display a plethora of cars mostly of 1950s vintage still in well preserved and in working condition. This collection of vintage cars is stated to be "the greatest collection of vintage cars in the whole of Asia". Overnight Riverside Palace / Orchard Palace.

Gondal / Sasan Gir (Surface)

Gondal / Sasan Gir (Surface)

Post breakfast, check out and head towards Sasan Gir (120Kms / 2-3Hrs approx.).

Gir National Park has gradually developing into one of the world's largest tracts of dry deciduous woodland as the terrain becomes more undulating to the south and west.  Within this landscape is Gir National Park, the last refuge of Asiatic Lion, a highly endangered species whose range once extended as far as Greece.  Today the population of this species stands at around over 400 individuals which, together with the 300 or so Leopards within the sanctuary, bestow Gir with one of the most significant concentrations of big cats in India.  

Arrive at Gir National Park and check in at your hotel.

Post lunch, proceed for Afternoon Jeep Safari inside the park in search of Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Spotted Deers, resident, and migratory birds. Dinner & Overnight Gir.

Sasan Gir / Diu (Surface)

Sasan Gir / Diu (Surface)

Revisit the Gir National Park in Morning Jeep Safari.

Return to your hotel, post breakfast explore surrounding areas of Gir to see the Siddi and Maldhari Tribes. 

Continue to Diu (65Kms / 1-2Hrs approx.). En route visit Somnath Temple.

Diu is a beautiful island located nearby the coast of kathiyawad region at veraval port. Diu is more popular as a tourist place because of the natural beaches, rich history, many other attractions and sightseeing.

On arrival, check in at your hotel and spend rest of the day is free near to explore beach. Overnight Diu.

Diu / Bhavnagar (Surface)

Diu / Bhavnagar (Surface)

Today start off little early and proceed to Vanakbara Village. A fascinating tiny fishing village, where you can see Kharwa Community. You can roam around the port, packed with colorful boats and bustling activity Best time to see is from 07.00 Am to 8.00 AM, when the fishing fleet returns and sells off its catch.

Return to your hotel and enjoy your breakfast. Later check out and drive to Bhavnagar (240Kms / 5-6Hrs approx.).

Bhavnagar is a sprawling industrial city with blend of rich ancient culture and heritage. Its location makes it perfect base for travel to Shatrunjaya Hills and Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, both are an hour's drive from city.

Arrive Bhavnagar, check in at your hotel and rest of the day is free. You can stay famous heritage properties like Nilambag Palace and Narayani Heritage or Beach resort Gopnath Beach Resort; all managed by erstwhile Royal family  of Bhavnagar.  

Overnight Bhavnagar.

Bhavnagar / Vadodara (Surface)

Bhavnagar / Vadodara (Surface)

Post an early breakfast, check out and drive to Vadodara (200Kms / 4Hrs approx.).

Vadodara, Gujarat's third largest city, is situated on the banks of the river Vishwamistri and is famous as the cultural capital of Gujarat as well as a centre of educational activities. Originally, known as Vadapradaka, means a village amidst Banyan trees. Archaeological findings show that there was human habitation here from pre-historic times. Today, it’s a city of palaces, gardens and industrial giants.

Arrive & check in at hotel.

Post lunch visit Laxmi Vilas Palace and Museum (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays). Also visit the Tambekar Wada. It is a three-storied building which is a typical Maratha Mansion, which was once the residence of Bhau Tambekar. Inside of Wada, there are some of the most beautiful but decaying 19th Century murals. The building is more than 140years old.

Evening is free to walk locally. Overnight Vadodara.

Vadodara / Chhota Udepur / Jambughoda (Surface)

Vadodara / Chhota Udepur / Jambughoda (Surface)

Today should be Saturday or Monday

Post breakfast, drive to Tribal villages in Central Gujarat, in these markets, different tribes of Gujarat gather like Rathwas, Bhils, and Nayaks. Rathwa is a prominent tribe of this area, where the men wear red turban tied in a particular style, whereas the women are seen in the knee-length skirt, colorful blouses, and silver jewelry. These tribes live in small villages and come here to sell the vegetables, grains and other products in the market and buy the grocery items and other daily use things from the weekly Tribal Haats. Also visit the tribal museum in Chotta Udepur, which has a good collection of tribal items and also the model huts of Rathwas and Nayakas showing their lifestyle.

After a lunch stop at a Rathwa house to see the wall paintings known as Pithora – it is more a ritual than art performed in Rathwa houses. The family performs this ritualistic art for happiness, wellbeing, to make a wish or to cure the animals or family members. Pithora paintings are on the main walls of the houses where the people sit or enter. In these paintings, you will not find the nature but the horses, a bull, elephant, and goats, etc., these figures are the vision of God.

Later check in at Jambughoda Palace - A Home for Nature Lovers and spend remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Jambughoda.

Jambughoda / Vadodara (Surface)

Jambughoda / Vadodara (Surface)

Post breakfast, check out and drive back to Vadodara (75Kms / 1-2Hrs approx.). Enroute visit The World Heritage Site of Champaner – Pavagadh archaeological park, which has magnificent works of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Later continue to Vadodara or Ahmedabad (depends on your flight).

Check in to your hotel and spend rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight Vadodara / Ahmedabad.

Note: Drive to Ahmedabad roughly takes 3-4Hrs for 175Kms.

Depart Vadodara / Home (Flight)

Depart Vadodara / Home (Flight)

Today you will be transferred to airport in time to catch your flight back home or to onward destination. Bid farewell to the off beaten track of Gujarat with wonderful memories.