Best of Gujarat Tour (6 Days)

Best of Gujarat Tour (6 Days)

Gujarat is certainly a place like no other when it comes history, culture and architectural brilliance. This 06 Days itinerary is a perfect tour for savoring the best of Gujarat's tourist destinations. The major highlights of this trip are Ahmedabad Akshardham Temple, Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya hills, safari in Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Junagarh ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend & Gondal the former princely state.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ahmedabad

Pass By: Ahmedabad Haat, Opp - Vastrapur Lake Vastrapur, Ahmedabad India
On arrival at Ahmedabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Later visit famous attractions such as Gandhi Ashram, City Museum, Hathisingh Jain Temple and Shaking minarets. Excursion visit to Adalaj Stepwell and Akshardham temple.

Stop At: Sabarmati Ashram / Mahatma Gandhi's Home, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Ahmedabad 380027 India
On his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: he wanted to do some experiments in living eg farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shaking Minarets, Sarangpur Gate Near Railway line, Ahmedabad 380021 India
The Shaking Minarets, Ahmedabad or the Jhulta Minar is one of the most unique monuments in Ahmedabad. Located in Siddi Bashir's Mosque near the Sarangpur gate this is one of the beautiful tourist places in the city.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hathee Singh Jain Temple, Hutheesing Wadi Near Delhi Darwaja, Ahmedabad India
Hutheesingh Jain Temple was established in 1850 by Seth Hutheesing, who was a rich Jain merchant. This temple is dedicated to the 15th 'Jain Tirthankar', known as Dharamnath. The temple is made using white marble, which is adorned with intricately designed carvings. The temple is a double-storied building.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Adalaj Step-well, Adalaj District-Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad India
The Adalaj Wav Step Well is located 18 kilometers north of Ahmedabad in the Gandhinagar district. It was built during the reign of Queen Rudabai, a muslim ruler. Though now dry, the well once provided water to weary travellers and pilgrims along the roads outside of Ahmedabad. The four-level well is dug directly into the water table, exposing fresh water that rose and fell according the seasons and the amount of rainfall. Its deep interior provided cool relief from the harsh Indian sun.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Swaminarayan Akshardham, Indian Cultural Complex Sector 20, J Road, Gandhinagar India
A large Hindu temple complex inspired by Yogiji maharaj the fourth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan according to the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism, and created by Pramukh Swami, the fifth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan according to the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism. Located in the capital of Gujarat, the complex was built over 13 years and is a tribute to Lord Swaminarayan and his life and teachings. The complex's name refers to the divine abode of Swaminarayan in the BAPS philosophy; followers of Swaminarayan believe that the jiva or soul goes to Akshardham after attaining moksha, or liberation. (Remain close on Monday)
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Ahmedabad – Bhavnagar (175kms/ 4hrs Approx)

Pass By: Ahmedabad One Mall, Vastrapur Sarkari Vasahat Road, Ahmedabad 380006 India
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Bhavnagar, check in at the hotel.

Bhavnagar once the capital of a princely state, is home to several lakes and temples.

Stop At: Barton Library, Diwanpara Road, Bhavnagar India
The Barton Museum displays the archaeological finds of the region and the Gandhi Smriti Museum in the same building has a collection of the Mahatma’s photographs. In fact, Gandhi studied in Bhavnagar for some time.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Bhavnagar – Palitana - Sasan Gir NP (225kms/ 5hrs Approx)

Pass By: Hastagiri Jain Tirth, Palitana 364270 India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Sasangir NP. Enroute visit Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya hills. The entire summit of majestic mount Shatrunjaya is crowned with about 900 temples, each rivaling the other for beauty and magnificence, presenting an awe-inspiring spectacle to devotees and visitors. Continue drive to Sasangir NP, check in at resort. Dinner and overnight in resort/ lodge.

Stop At: Shatrunjaya hill temple, Shatrunjaya hill, Palitana India
The Mt. Shetrunjay is only at a distance of 2 km from Palitana. Its height is 603 m from the sea level. It is one of the five important places of pilgrimage for the Jain community There are 863 Jain temples constructed within a span of 960 years. The Jain temples of Palitana are dedicated to Rushabhdev, also known as Adinath or Adishwar, the first amongst the Jain Tirthankaras. Here is worshipped as a principal god. There are magnificently carved sculptures in these temples.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight in resort/ lodge.

Day 4: Sasan Gir

Stop At: Sasan Gir National Park, Sinh Sadan Gir Somnath District Sasan Road, Sasan Gir, Gir National Park 362135 India
Breakfast at hotel, morning and afternoon safari in the national park.

Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary; Sprawling in an area of 1424 sq. kms, Gir with its dry deciduous forest is a luxuriantly rich ecosystem - endowed with floral and faunal plenitude. The forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The largest Indian deer, Sambhar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the unique Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur.

Gir is also one of the finest bird sanctuaries in India. Some of the typical birds of Gir are the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk eagle, brown fish owl, king vulture, jungle quail, paradise flycatcher, pygmy woodpecker, hard headed oriole etc. Adholia, Valadera, Ratanghuna and Pilipat are rewarding places for bird watching. Overnight at resort/ jungle lodge.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Lunch, dinner and overnight in resort/ lodge.

Day 5: Sasan Gir – Junagadh – Gondal - Rajkot (160kms/ 3hrs Approx)

Pass By: Junagadh Gate, Junagarh District, Somnath 362110 India
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Rajkot. En route visit Junagarh an ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend. Ashoka inscribed 14 edicts on a huge boulder en-route to Mt. Girnar peak. Junagadh's main feature is the Uperkot fort, a somber and inaccessible fortress.

Gondal the former princely state ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan till the independence of India. Visit Navlakha Palace one of the oldest and most beautiful palaces situated on a riverbank, on a grand masonry base, rising to the monumental scale of at least 30 meters, above the riverbed.

Continue drive to Rajkot check in at hotel.

Stop At: Buddhist Cave, Mullawada, Junagadh, Gujarat 362001, India
The Buddhist Caves form an important rock-cut group of the caves of Junagadh. The caves, scooped in three tiers, are situated on the descent from the Jami Masjid. The central section of the lowest storey has a main hall that is open to the sky. The base, shaft and capital of the carved pillars carry unique designs.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Baba Pyare Caves, Mullawada, Junagadh, Gujarat 362001, India
The Baba Pyara caves were visited by James Burgess, an English archaeologist and founder of The Indian Antiquary. He concluded that they where affiliated with both Buddhism and Jainism. According to Burgess these caves were initially built for Buddhists bhikkhus and were in a later period occupied by Jain ascetics. He was not certain about the exact age of the ancient caves. One fragmentary inscription was found in Bava Pyara cave that affirms its affiliation to Jainism, because one term in that inscription is exclusively used by Jains.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ashoka Rock Edict, Taleti Rd, Tabudi Vav, Mullawada, Bhavnath, Gujarat 362004, India
Ashoka was the third monarch of the Maurya Empire in India, reigning from around 269 BCE. Ashoka famously converted to Buddhism and renounced violence soon after being victorious in a gruesome Kalinga War, yet filled with deep remorse for the bloodshed of the war. These many edicts, of which Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts were the first and most impressive, were concerned with practical instructions in running a kingdom such as the design of irrigation systems and descriptions of Ashoka's beliefs in peaceful moral behavior. They contain little personal detail about his life.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Naulakha Palace, Ol Fort Darbargarh, Gondal India
The Naulakha Palace, the oldest extant palace in Gondal, India, dating back to the 18th century (1748), with a "sculpted facade" is a part of the Darbargardh fort complex. It is named "Navalakaha" meaning rupees "nine lakhs" (Rs 900,000) which was the cost of building it at that time. It has stone carvings with "jharokhas" (balconies), a pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral staircase. The large chandelier-lit "durbar" hall (court house) witnesses stuffed panthers, gilt wooden furniture, and antique mirrors. The "private palace museum" displays an array of silver caskets which were in the services of carrying messages and gifts for the Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji on his silver jubilee as ruler of Gondal.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Rajkot – Ahmedabad (225kms/ 5hrs Approx)

Stop At: Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Kasturba Gandhi Road, Rajkot 360001 India
Breakfast at hotel, visit Kaba Gandhi Delo Gandhiji’s ancestral home, Watson Museum & library located in the pleasant Jubilee garden, Lal Pari Lake & Randerda a picturesque picnic spot.

Later drop off to either Rajkot airport or drive to Ahmedabad and drop off to airport.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.