Ageless Explorer – Experience the Glory of Gujarat

Arrival at Ahmedabad – Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India. It is the second-largest producer of cotton in India, due to which it was known as the ‘Manchester of India’ along with Kanpur.

Transfer to hotel. Complete the check in formalities at the hotel. Proceed for half day city tour, visit – Sabarmati Ashram & River: Located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, adjoining the Ashram Road, on the banks of the River Sabarmati, 4 miles from the town hall. This was one of the many residences of Mahatma Gandhi who lived at Sabarmati and Sevagram when he was not travelling across India or in prison.

Post lunch (at a local restaurant), visit – Iskon Temple: Big Hare Krishna compound featuring a 12,000-sq.-ft. temple room with ornate artwork & a food court. Hutheesing Jain Temple: A Jain temple in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It was constructed in 1848 by the Hutheesing family. The temple blends the old Maru-Gujarat temple architecture style with new architectural elements of haveli in its design. After sightseeing return at the hotel Overnight at Ahmedabad

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and visit – Akshardham Temple (Monday closed): Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India is a large Hindu temple complex inspired by Yogiji Maharaj the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan according to the BAPS denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism.

After darshan, transfer to Rajkot – a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, was the capital of Saurashtra state. On reaching, complete the check in formalities at the hotel. After lunch (at a local restaurant).  visit – Mahatma Gandhi Museum: Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rajkot was Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi’s primary family home in India until 1915, including during those years when he stayed in London and in South Africa. Later on, on return from South Africa in 1915, he established Kocharab Ashram in Ahmedabad.

The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park in the centre of the city featuring many monuments from colonial times. In the centre is the Lang Library, with Gujarati literature, and the Watson Museum, with paintings and artefacts documenting British colonial rule.

Doll Museum: The International Dolls Museum is a large collection of dolls in Delhi, India. It was set up by K. Shankar Pillai, a political cartoonist. Housed in the Children’s Book Trust building on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, accessed through a separate entrance, a winding staircase, leading up to a foyer. Virpur Temple: Birthplace of Saint Jalaram and had a temple dedicated to him here which is popular among pilgrims. Virpur was established and ruled by Koli chieftain Viro Bariyo. Return at the hotel after sightseeing. Overnight at Rajkot.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Dwarka – an ancient city in the north western Indian state of Gujarat. It’s known as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance and a black-marble idol of Lord Krishna.

After reaching Dwarka, complete the check in formalities.  After lunch (at a local restaurant) proceed for visit to – Gopi Talav: Gopi Talav or Gopi Lake is a lake in the Gopipura locality in the city of Surat in Gujarat state of India. It was built in circa 1510 CE by Malik Gopi, who was an affluent merchant and governor of Surat during the Gujarat Sultanate. Rukmani Temple: The Rukmini Devi Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu goddess Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Geeta Mandir: A Vaishnavaite temple on the Arabian Sea coast in Dwarka. Dwarka Beach, Light House and Sunset Point. After sightseeing return at the hotel. Overnight at Dwarka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leave the hotel after early breakfast and visit – Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlings, which are temples devoted to Shiva. Bet Dwarka: Bet Dwarka or Shankhodhar is an inhabited island at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, situated 2 km off the coast of the town of Okha and 25 km north of the city of Dwarka. Northeast to southwest, the island measures 8 km long and averaging 2 km wide

After lunch (at a local restaurant), visit – Samudra Narayan Temple: Located at the confluence of the river Gomti and the Arabian Sea. After temple darshan return at the hotel. Overnight at Dwarka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Checkout and proceed for Somnath. En-route visit Por Bandar – best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama. Visit Sudama Temple: Prominent Hindu temple dedicated to a devotee of Lord Krishna featuring a maze & serene atmosphere. Kirti Mandir (Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Place): A small museum at the birthplace of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the city of Porbandar, memorializing him and his wife, Kasturba Gandhi. Post lunch (at a local restaurant), transfer and check in the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure.  Overnight at Somnath.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel. Later in the day leave for a full day excursion to Sasan Gir – A wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, western India. It was established to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park, along with leopards and antelopes. Gir Jungle Trail, outside the fenced area, traverses’ deciduous forest and is home to wildlife including vultures and pythons. The Kamleshwar Dam has marsh crocodiles and birds, such as Indian skimmers and pelicans.

Post lunch (at a local restaurant), transfer to the National park for an afternoon Jeep Safari (By 3:00 PM, Jeep Safari cost extra as applicable & to be booked well in advance, Devaliya park is closed on Wednesday).  After Safari, travel back to Somnath. Overnight at Somnath

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After early breakfast check out from hotel and visit – Somnath Temple:  also called Somanātha Temple or Deo Patan, is a Hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

After darashan proceed for Diu – A coastal town at the eastern end of Diu Island, India. A bridge connects the island to the state of Gujarat. Overlooking the Arabian Sea. Arrival and check in at the hotel. Post Lunch (at a local restaurant) proceed with half day city tour, visit – Nagoa Beach, Diu Museum: Grand, white-walled museum & 1500s church featuring antique statues, wood carvings & sculptures. Sea Shell Museum: Museum showcasing a private collection of rare, diverse sea shells from around the world. Sunset Point. Return at the hotel after sightseeing. Overnight at Diu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Post breakfast set out for a full day excursion, visit – Pani Kotha: Imposing stone fortress & former prison featuring a lighthouse, cell blocks & a small chapel. St. Thomas Church:  Built in the year 1598 by an order of Bishop D. Aleixo Menezes. It was the first Parish Church of Diu. Jalandhar Beach: Rocky public beach in tranquil surrounds offering expansive ocean views & beachfront dining. Ganeshwar Mahadev: Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at seashore of Fudam village just 3 km away from Diu in the union territory of DNDD. The view of the temple is unique set on the Arabian Sea.

Post lunch (at a local restaurant) continue with the sightseeing tour and visit – Diu Fort: The Diu Fortress (Portuguese: Fortaleza de Diu or formally Fortaleza de São Tomé) is a Portuguese-built fortification located on the west coast of India in Diu. The fortress was built as part of Portuguese India’s defensive fortifications at the eastern tip of the island of Diu during the 16th century. Naida Caves: Picturesque network of caves & caverns featuring unique rock formations & sunlit canyons. Return at the hotel after sightseeing. Overnight at Diu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After very early breakfast, check out and proceed for Vadodara – Also known as Baroda, is a major city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district and is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River, 141 km from the state capital of Gandhinagar. En-route stop for lunch (at a local restaurant), continue the journey. Check in at the hotel.  Overnight at Vadaodra.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Check out from hotel after breakfast and visit – Sardar Sarovar Dam: Concrete gravity dam built on the Narmada River in Navagam near the town of Kevadiya, Narmada District, in the state of Gujarat, India. The dam was constructed to provide water and electricity to four Indian states: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Statue of unity (Monday closed): The world’s tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India and an adherent of Mahatma Gandhi. Patel is highly respected for his leadership in uniting 562 princely states of India to form the single Union of India. The statue is located in Gujarat on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam 100 kilometres southeast of the city of Vadodara  After sightseeing, transfer to Vadodara airport to board the flight for onward journey. End of Tour!

Meals: Breakfast