Gujarat intensive tour is a perfect tour to experience
the culture, tradition and lifestyle of the people of Gujarat.
During the long drive through the scenic villages of Gujarat you
will feel yourselves accompanied all the time by the colourful
dresses and friendly people of Gujarat. Gujarat Intensive tour
covers 14 days and 13 nights. This tour is one of the longest tour
that we offer to you during your vacations in Gujarat. The state of
Gujarat boasts a heritage as rich as its landscape, from the grand
palaces and rugged forts to the beautiful countryside. |
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Day 1: Ahmedabad
In the morning arrive in
Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the second largest city and cosmopolitan capital city of Gujarat. This city nurtures in its fold pages of history, a breath of harmony and a show-case of exquisite architecture. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Ahmedabad. In the afternoon we go for the sightseeing in Ahmedabad. We visit the
Gandhi ashram. Gandhi ashram is situated in Sabarmati which is
about 6 kms from the Ahmedabad. This ashram is one of the beautiful ashram and the important tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. This ashram was the
Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during their struggle for India's independence and now houses some of the records of the major events in his life, a memorial centre and a library. After visiting the Gandhi ashram we visit the
Hathee Singh Jain Temple. This temple is dedicated to Dharamanath, the 15th Jina or Jain apposite. This temple is one of the best ornated Jain temples in Ahmedabad and is built of pure white marble and decorated with rich carvings.
Day
2: Ahmedabad - Posina (about 200 kms)
In
the morning we visit the
Jama Masjid. Jama Masjid was built in 1423
by Ahmad Shah and described by some as the most beautiful mosque in
India. This mosque is believed to have been constructed from the
items salvaged from the demolished Hindu and Jain temples. After
visiting the mosque we visit the
Calico museum of textiles. This
museum is widely regarded as one of the finest textiles museums in
the world, started in Calico Textile Mill. This museum of textiles
has excellent exhibits of antique and modern textiles including rare
tapestries, wall hangings, costumes and old weaving machines. Later
we drive to Posina. Overnight stay at the hotel. |
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Ahmedabad Hathisingh Temple |
Horses at shrine in poshina |
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Day
3: Posina - Ambaji (about 40 kms)
Today
we drive to Ambaji. On Arasur mountain, the famous temple of the
goddess Ambaji is located. Folk artists, farmers and the rural
tribes have immense faith in Ambaji. In the afternoon we visit the
ambaji temple.
Day 4: Ambaji - Patan - Modhera - Dasada
In
the morning we drive for
Patan. Patan is an ancient fortified town,
situated on the banks of the sacred Saraswati river. Patan enjoyed a
privileged status of capital of Gujarat, for about 600 years from
746 AD to 1411 AD. In the afternoon reach Patan and visit the Rani
ki Vav and Sahastralinga Talav.
Rani ki Vav is an excellent example
of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. This vav was constructed by
Udaymati, the queen of Bhimdev (1022-63 AD) and represents the
finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture.
Sahastralinga
Talav is among the many artificial tanks built in different parts of
Gujarat. The architecture of this tank integrated the great sense of
water management and sanctity of water in Hindu religion. Later we
drive to Modhera. Modhera is situated on the banks of the River
Pushpavati and is about 50 kms from Patan. This place is known for
the world famous Sun temple and is the best example of the Solanki
temple architecture in the state. After visiting the sun temple we
drive to Dasada.
Day
5: Dasada - Zainabad
In
the morning we drive to Zainabad to visit the
Indian Wild Ass wildlife sanctuary and enjoy the safari in the Little Rann of Kutch. An
ancient seabed turned by geological forces into saline desert
plains, the Rann has grassy patches that offer good bird-watching.
Besides various birds various animals can also be seen in the Rann
which are the wild ass, nilgai, chinkara, gazelle, white-footed
desert, Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat or desert cat, pale and
long-eared hedgehogs and hare. |
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Sun Temple, Modhera |
Zainabad |
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Day 6: Zainabad - Bhuj (about 350 kms)
Today
we drive to
Bhuj. The old walled city of Bhuj presents a picture of
contrasts with its narrow streets and ancient monuments in the
vicinity of the planned township of Gandhidham and the modern port
of Kandla. In the evening arrive in Bhuj and drive to the hotel.
Day
7: Bhuj
Today
we go for the sightseeing in Bhuj. We visit the
Aina
Mahal Palace.
This complex is the 18th century creation of Rao Lakhpatji, who
specially sent a local craftsman to Europe to perfect his skills in
glassmaking and iron founding and constructed the Aina Mahal with
its hall of mirror of Venetian glass. The hall of Mirror has white
marble walls covered with mirrors and glided ornaments and the floor
is lined with tiles, with a platform above it surrounded by a series
of fountains. After visiting this complex we visit the
Cenotaphs
Complex. This complex is a popular site built out of red stones
which served as memorial grounds for the royal family. The tomb
built for Rao Lakha in 1770, is the largest and finest.
Day
8: Bhuj - Gondal (about 375 kms)
Today we drive to
Gondal. Gondal was once the centre of a former prosperous princely state. Overnight stay at the hotel in Gondal. |
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Aina Mahal Palace Bhuj |
Orchard Palace |
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Day 9: Gondal - Gir (about 100
kms)
In the morning after having breakfast we visit
Naulakha Palace, Orchard Palace and the royal garages in Gondal. Naulakha palace was built during the 17th century, and is the oldest palace in Gondal. This palace was constructed in nine lakhs and thus named so. There are stone carvings with exquisite balconies, a fabulous pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral staircase in the palace.
The Orchard Palace is located in a huge complex of fruit orchards, lawns and gardens, and is a wing of the Huzoor Palace (the present royal residence) where the ruling family of Gondal entertained guests.
The Royal Garages have an extensive collection of vintage and classic cars, sports cars, numerous imposing American cars from the World War II and post war period. After having sightseeing we drive to the Gir National Park. In the evening arrive in Gir and drive to the hotel.
Day 10: Gir
In the early morning we have jungle safari in the
Gir National Park. Gir is the last abode of the Asiatic lion and has a thriving population of various wildlife animals and birds like Leopard, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai and Wild boar. Gir is also one of the major habitats of chousingha (the world’s only four-horned antelope) and chinkara (Indian gazelle).
Day
11: Gir - Somnath (about 60 kms) - Diu (about 90 kms)
In the morning we drive further to visit the legendary shore temple of
Somnath. This temple is one of the twelve most sacred shrines dedicated to the
Lord Shiva and a jyotirlinga. According to the legend, Somnath temple was built originally in gold by Somraj, the moon god. This Somnath temple was rebuilt and destroyed seven times till 1706 when it was raided by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. After that it was finally rebuilt in 1950 with the support of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel. The current temple was built to traditional designs on the original site by the sea. After visiting the Somnath temple we drive to
Diu. Diu is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea which is situated near the port of Veraval in Gujarat and is separated from the southern extremity of the Saurashtra peninsula by a narrow channel running through the swamp. Diu is a sensuous blend of sun, sand and deep blue sea. |
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Gir Lions Safari |
Shivaji Temple, Somnath |
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Day 12: Diu
Today we start with our sightseeing in Diu and visit the
Diu Fort. Diu Fort is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island. It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD and offers a magnificent view of the sea. After visiting the fort we visit the St. Paul's Church.
St. Paul's Church is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. This church was built during the 17th century and adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell-like motifs. Later we visit the
Diu museum. Diu museum houses wooden carvings, statues, idols, shadow clocks and other important artifacts collected from various sites. In the evening we visit the
Nagoa beach. This beach stretches about 2 km from one end to the other and is very beautiful and quiet and is in the shape of a horse shoe.
Day 13: Diu - Palitana (about 215 kms)
Today we will drive to
Palitana. Palitana is the gateway to the Shatrunjaya hill and one of the Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites. There are about 863 temples on the top of the hill, exquisitely carved in marble and built over a span of 900 years. To visit the temples on the
Shatrunjaya hill one has to climb 600 m
9up the hill. After reaching the top of the hill we will visit the Jain temple. The temple which is dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the first Jain Tirthankara (apostle) is one of the most magnificent temples and the most sacred temple on Shatrunjaya hill. After visiting the temple we will visit the Chaumukha or the four faced temple. It has an image of Adinath facing out in the four cardinal directions. |
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Nagoa
Diu |
Palitana Temples |
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Day 14: Palitana - Vadodara (about 250
kms)
Today we drive to Vadodara or Baroda.
Vadodara is the former capital of the erstwhile Baroda State ruled by the Maratha Maharaja Gaekwad. This city is a beautiful city of sprawling parks, lakes, palaces, museums and is also a major university town. In Buddhist texts, Vadodara has been described as a town “in the heart of the Banyan Trees”. In the night transfer to the airport or railway station.
Tour Reservation
To get more
information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form
or send us an
e-mail ! Your
booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from
your side.
Our Services
Include:
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath
and WC in the
chosen category.
American/continental Breakfast.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking or
languages of your choice) at
every place of
sightseeing.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For
groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except Standard
Hotels) will be
provided.
Exclusions:
Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills
and Alcoholic
beverages.
Camera Fees (Still
or Movie).
Any Flight Charges.
Monument Entrances.
Unspecified Meals
etc.
We always look forward for any changes in the itinerary as wished
by you for your individual trip.
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If you are willing to travel in a group - the
Group
Departure dates are available
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Gujarat Tours
for more Tours & information on Gujarat ! |
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you are interested in above tour please
e-mail us with the number of participants
and the wished
dates to enable us to workout the tour
cost ! |
Please have a
look at our
References to read the testimonials of tourists & guests
who have traveled with us. |
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also check our
FAQ
page to get more information.
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