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Description: Arrive Mumbai . After you have cleared immigration and customs formalities, you are met outside the Arrivals Hall by our representative, who will be holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your vehicle and assist with transfer and check-in formalities at your hotel. From humble obscure beginnings as a set of seven small islands, Mumbai (earlier called Bombay) has today risen to the eminence of India's most important commercial and industrial centre.


Locations: Mumbai

Highlights: Explore Mumbai

Description: Morning excursion to Elephanta Island.Early afternoon, enjoy tour of Mumbai. The Gateway of India was conceived as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The Prince of Wales Museum, built of blue-grey basalt and yellow sandstone, contains some excellent examples of Indian miniature paintings of the Mughal and Rajasthan Schools, as well as collections of jade and chinaware artefacts. Marine Drive is a long gracefully curving road along the buttressed seacoast. Also of interest are the Hanging Gardens on Malabar Hill, from where you get a magnificent panoramic view of the metropolis and the Arabian Sea. The city has several fine examples of colonial architecture. Flora Fountain, now called Hutatma Chowk (Martyr's Square), a major landmark in the heart of the city's Fort area, the Afghan Memorial Church, the Clock Tower, the University Hall, Elphiston College, the Municipal Corporation building and the School of Art, the birthplace of the famous writer Rudyard Kipling, are among the highlights. To get a first-hand experience of the lifestyle of the local people, you could visit Crawford Market, the massive wholesale market with different sections for vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and poultry. The building exterior has bas-reliefs designed by Kipling's father. At Dhobi Ghat, you can see a bewildering range of India's contrasts. The dhobis (washer men) deal with staggeringly large washes every day. Through the apparent chaos, thousands of pieces of clothing, bed sheets and towels, (each marked with a tiny indelible symbol, unique to that household), are collected from private houses, washed in the small cubicles rented out to several washer men each day and returned to the owners a week later. Virtually nothing seems to get lost and equally miraculously, most clothes survive the beating they receive on the stones, having spent a night soaking in soapy water

Locations: Mumbai

Highlights: Explore Ahmedabad

Description: Transfer to airport to connect flight for Ahmedabad Departure Mumbai 0910 hrs Flight: 9w 7003 Arrive Ahmedabad 1025 hrs You are met on arrival and transferred to the hotel.Ahmedabad, is the state capital of Gujarat and a repository of architectural styles, from the Indo-Saracenic forms commissioned by 15th century Muslim sultans to the stark concrete slabs of Le Corbusier and the American Louis Kahn. There is also work by the contemporary Indian architect Charles Correa. The city is congested and hectic but it has excellent museums, including the well-regarded Calico Museum, as well as performing-arts centres and galleries, and some of the country's best universities are also based here. It is famous for its association with Mahatma Gandhi and its distinctive, bustling neighborhoods, known as pols. In the afternoon visit the Adalaj step well and the Gandhi Ashram Adalaj Step Well -Located on outskirts of ahmedabad, buitl in 1499 a.d. by Ruda rani, wife of raja virsingh a vaghela rajput. It has a entrance from Three sides with open colonnades on increasing height and complexity over The staircase landings. The decoration of the columns, curved brackets and Lintels is highly elaborate with repeated freizes and ornamentation of Animal motifs and deities. Gandhi Ashram (Sabarmati Ashram)- The Ashram houses a museum, library, and photo galleries.The museum exhibits the life of Mahatma Gandhi.


Locations: Ahmadabad

Highlights: Explore Ahmedabad

Description: After breakfast, proceed for the Heritage Walk through the Old City .The Heritage Walk is a great way to understand the breadth of Ahmedabad's architecture and its local charms, from the walled city's fine Indo-Islamic architecture and its tranquil Jain Temples to its colorful bird feeders and fascinating 'pols'. The tour starts at Swaminarayan Temple and ends at Jama Masjid at 10.30am, and visits the Hateesing Jain temple, Juma Masjid, Rani Rupmati Masjid and Sidi Saiyed Masjid, with its lovely, free-form 'Tree of Life' motif. Other places of interest include the Calico Museum (CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS), with a rich collection of fabrics and garments from all over India; The Vechaar Utensil Museum, a 15-minute drive out of Ahmedabad, houses a remarkable collection of metalware: utensils of every imaginable shape and size in bronze, brass and other alloys have been collected from every corner of Gujarat.

Locations: Ahmadabad

Highlights: Explore Balaram

Description: After early breakfast, drive to Balaram enroute visiting Patan & Modhera (250kms / 5-7 hrs ) Sidhpur : Situated on the banks of river Saraswati, is famous for two things - havelis of the Vohra community of Muslims and as a Hindu pilgrim center. A guided walk to see the havelis along the narrow streets is rather interesting; wherein marvelous carvings and glass paintings could be seen. Some friendly families might take you inside a Haveli. Patan : has over 100 beautifully carved Jain temples & many attractive traditional carved wooden houses. Rani Ki Vav is the oldest and the grandest stepwell in the state of Gujarat. It is situated at Patan and is believed to have been built during 1022 to 1063 AD. The construction was completed by the widowed queen Udayamati. It is the centre for fine textiles particularly silk patola sarees produced by the characteristic 'ikat' technique. Modhera : The sun Temple of Modera is one of the finest example of Indian temple architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun Goa, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone- steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flower, the sun temple at Modhera is magnificent. The first view of the sun temple is breathtaking, with the pillared portico of the sabhamandap reflected in the massive tank. The weathered golden brown stone of the edifice has an overpowering grandeur. There is no worship offered here now. There is no shikhara either. The temple has a sanctum, a pradakshina patha and a sabha mandap in front. The exterior of the sanctum has many carved images of the Sun God, portrayed as wearing a belt and long shoes. The mandapa in front of the sanctum has beautifully carved pillars with exquisite toranas adorning the entra Later, Proceed and visit to witness the wonders of tribal lifestyles of the Aravalli hills. Home of some colourful aboriginal tribal communities. Who still live in traditional hamlets and the mudhuts decorated with fantastic tribal drawings and protected by terra cotta horses. Which are said to ward off evil spirits. Arrival at your hotel at Balaram , An weekend retreat and hunting resort of the Lohani who rules from Jalore in Southwestern Rajasthan. A number of temples of religion importance are located along Balaram River. Alsoo visit the tribal villages around Balaram explore some of the most picturesque tribal areas in all of India. (It is an centre to see Garasia tribal's and also Rajasthani rabaris can be seen near Ambaji) Time permit visit the Villages around Balaram on the Aravali Hills


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Highlights: Explore Rann of Kutch

Description: Post Breakfast drive to Bajana,(190kms /4-5hrs) .On arrival check in at Royal Safari Camp , Home of the Indian Wild Ass, Bajana is also a birders paradise. Later visit at Little Rann of Kutch Exploring Wild life and Brid Watching at Wet Land Visit to Salt Farm to see how the salt is processed,staying in the desert and watching the sunset.


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Highlights: Explore Rann of Kutch

Description: Morning enjoy a ride into the park to see the Wild Ass in its natural habitat along with the villages around LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH. This is rough country and your naturalist will tell you about this harsh yet amazing place which is still home to a large variety of life. Rugged dry areas are interspersed with watery oasis where you can see many birds including the beautiful Pink Flamingoes. Post Lunch: Visit to the local village where one can get to buy and look the local handicrafts and return to Camp (Bajana).


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Highlights: Explore Bhuj

Description: After breakfast departure for Bhuj (255kms /6 - 7 hrs),the region of Kutch with its vast expanse of the mesmerizing Greater Rann of Kutch. Legendary heroism and romance lend enchantment to Kutch, the land of great antiquity forming the north western part of Gujarat. The most important place in the area is the walled town of Bhuj, picturesquely placed between two flowing streams. Kachchh is famous the world over for its sturdy horses and cows as well as for a wide variety of its handicrafts. Bandhini (tie-and-dyes) and hand-printed saris, embroidery and needle work, exquisite gold and silver ornaments known as Kachchhi work, gilding and enameling are some of its traditional crafts. Check in to your hotel on arrival Afternoon City tour of Bhuj including DSP/Collecter Office. Later visiting Prag Mahal, Sharad Bag Palace. Evening: Visit the Swami Narayan temple to witness the Aarti. ** NOTE: Permit is must for the interior villages with personal presence, Will assist for the procedure. DSP/ Collector Office :- Monday to Saturday - 10.30 to 1700 hrs except second Saturday/Sunday & Public Holidays.

Locations: Bhuj

Highlights: Explore Bhuj

Description: Full day excursion to Tribal villages (Banny Villages) with Pack-Lunch famed for embroidery .Explore the tribal villages, specializing in different forms of handicraft including ahir embroidery, block printing and tie and dye. Color and eye for design is the keynote of Gujarat handicrafts, and is an expression of their rich traditional heritage and personal artistic talent. Visits continue today to villages to see firsthand the production of these treasures. Tie and dye using wool and silk is especially popular. Evening Return to Bhuj for overnight. Note= We recommended to carry pack lunch from Bhuj Hotel as there are no mid-way / Local restaurants available at these area.


Locations: Bhuj

Highlights: Explore Gondal

Description: After breakfast depart on the drive to Gondal. On arrival check in at hotel. A building worth visiting is the Navlakha Palace. The palace is built on series of arches delicately carved and inscribed in stone with a magnificent spiral staircase leading all the way to the top. The central marketplace of Gondal is a typical riot of color, the bustle of street cries and hawkers, vendors and wafting aromas of food stuffs amidst flowing bales of trade cloths in a variety of exotic prints. To experience Gondal is to take a walk down its winding streets inhaling the soul of the city and its people

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Highlights: Explore Bhavnagar

Description: After breakfast depart on the drive to Bhavnagar.(160kms/3-4hrs).On arrival check in at hotel. In the afternoon explore Bhavnagar. Founded as a port in 1723, Bhavnagar is an important trading post for the cotton goods manufactured in Gujarat. It has a beautiful old bazaar area with overhanging wooden balconies, thousands of little shops and ateliers. The Takhteshwar temple sits on the highest hillock, offering panoramic views of the city and out into the Gulf of Cambay.

Locations: Bhavnagar

Highlights: Explore Bhavnagar

Description: After an early breakfast, set off for Palitana (approximately 55 kms /1.5 hours) to start your ascent of the temple mountain shortly after sunrise. Palitana would be difficult to equal: a complex of 863 Jain temples on the summit of Shatrunjaya Hill, 55km from Bhavnagar, it is wreathed in Jain legends and is an enormously popular pilgrimage site, or tirtha. Jains form just 1% of the Indian population, but they are prevalent in Gujarat, practise a creed of non-violence, and worship in immensely ornate carved temples. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Ghoul Rajput clan and the temples were built between the 11th and 16th centuries. Please note that the temples are reached by a series of 5000 steps; this is a demanding 2.5 hour climb and an even more demanding 2 hour descent. If this is too much for you, please do as many pilgrims do and hire a palanquin/Doli/Lift chairs. These are often carried by women (who barely break sweat!) as well as men. Please pay the bearers direct. After the visit return to Bhavnagar


Locations: Bhavnagar

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Description: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai Departure Bhavnagar 1240 hrs Flight: 9w 2508 Arrive Mumbai 1355 hrs You are met on arrival and transferred to the international terminal for your onward flight

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