Coastal Kingdoms Of Gujarat

Day-1: AHMEDABAD
Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace.
Authentic Gujarati thali dinner and o/n halt at the House of Mangaldas.

Day-2: AHMEDABAD - PALITANA 239 km (Appx four hours drive)

In the morning, take the Heritage Walk in walled city of Ahmedabad. This organized walking tour is a great way to see the historic Swaminarayan Temple, exquisitely carved Jain and Hindu temples, ornate wooden havelis and the traditional lifestyle of the dwellers of the old quarters, bird-feeders, the 15th century Jumma Mosque and the mausoleum complexes of the Sultans and Begums of medieval Ahmedabad. Depart for Palitana calling in on the way at the 2400 - 1600 BC Indus site of Lothal for an insight into the Harappan civilization. Time permitting, visit the Jain museum of Palitana and the local bazaar.

Home-cooked non-veg and veg dinner and o/n at the six-room Vijay Vilas Palace, the 1906 AD country house of the late Prince of Palitana now run by his grand-daughter as a heritage hotel.

Day-3: PALITANA - DIU ISLAND 200 km (appx five hours drive
Early morning ascent to the 863-temple covered summit of Shatrunjaya Hill. This is one of the most awe-inspiring sights of Gujarat and is one of the major Jain pilgrimage sites with an aura of devotion that is mind-blowing.
Depart after lunch for Diu Island. Enjoy the beaches of Diu.
Stay at Radhika Beach Hotel/Richie-Rich Beach Hotel/Magico Do Mar Beach Resort/Hotel Kohinoor.

DAY-4: DIU ISLAND
Visit the 16th century Portuguese Fort, churches, museum and other sights of Diu.

Stay as on day-3.

DAY-5: DIU - SOMNATH - GIR (120 km)
Drive to Somnath to see the world-famous shore temple and other temples. Drive to Gir, enroute visit the fishing port of Veraval known for its hand-built dhows. Stay at Gir Birding Lodge set in a mango orchard.

DAY-6 & 7: GIR
Game drives in Gir, the last abode of the Asiatic lion. Gir is also known for its large panther population and for its birds. Between drives, visit interesting villages.

Stay at Gir Birding Lodge.

DAY-8: GIR - GONDAL 123 km
Drive to Junagadh to see the Uparkot Fort & Buddhist cave-sites, Ashoka's rock inscriptions (3rd century BC), palace museum, 18th & 19th century royal mausoleum complexes, Nawabi buildings and museums.
Continue to Gondal. See the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, the Vintage and Classic Car museum, the Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy and the Swaminarayan Temple.
Stay at the Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of Gondal, both of them are heritage hotels owned and managed by their owners with 11 and seven rooms respectively and the latter also has a converted rail saloon suite.

Day-9: GONDAL - GANDHIDHAM, KUTCH 240 km
Drive to Gandhidham and stay at the Sharma Resort, the only four-star hotel of Kutch District. Visit the colourful handicraft markets and the textile town of Anjar.

Day-10: GANDHIDHAM - BHUJ - MANDVI 112 km
Drive to Bhuj to see the monuments of this historic town and then to Mandvi.
Stay at the luxury beachside camp in the Vijay Vilas Palace estate.

Day-11: MANDVI
Visit the dhow-builders of Mandvi, the Vijay Vilas Palace and nearby villages.
Stay as on day-10.

Day-12: MANDVI - DASADA 350 km
On arrival at Dasada, depart for a jeep safari in the Little Rann of Kutch in search of endangered desert wildlife like the Asiatic wild ass and witness the sunset at a lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans, cranes and other attractive birds in large numbers.
Stay at Rann Riders, an imaginatively designed safari resort.

Day-13: DASADA - AHMEDABAD/MT ABU/UDAIPUR

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