16 Nights & 17days Gujarat Grand Tour

avo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.


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avo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.

Stretches out into the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a coastline of 1666 kms long is Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts, festivals also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country.

Gujarat has always been a major centre for the Jains and some of its most interesting locations are the Jain Temple centres at Palitana and Girnar Hills. Besides the Jain temples, the state’s major attractions include the only habitat of the Asiatic Lions in India (Gir Forests), a desert ride at the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the beautiful Indo-Saracenic Architecture of Ahmedabad. The colourful tribal villages of Kutch make a visit unforgettable.

Facts about Gujarat

Area : 1,96,024 sq km

Population: 60,383,628

Capital :Gandhinagar

Principal

Language :Gujarati

Other Languages : English, Hindi and other Indian languages

Literacy Rate : 79.31%

Rainfall :93.2 cm

Temperature : Summer: min 25 degrees to 45 dig’s

Season : November to February

Eco System : Ranges from deserts, scrublands, grasslands, deciduous forests, and wetlands to Winter: min 15 degrees to max 35 dig’s mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and gulfs.

Time:                                       GMT +5:30

Currency:                               Indian Rupee

Climate

Wet in the southern districts and Desertic in the north-west region

Winter: November to February (12 - 29 Celsius)

Summer: March to May (29 - 41 Celsius)

Monsoon: June to October (27 - 35 Celsius)

Emergency Numbers

Emergency: 108

Police: 100

Fire: 101

Ambulance: 102

General Inquiry – Phone: 197

Women Emergency Helpline : 1091

Toll Free: 1800 200 5080 Transport - Air

International Airport: Ahmedabad

Domestic Airport: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Bhuj

Major Cities

Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhuj, Junagadh, Jamnagar

Ports

Major: Kandla

Minor: Mandvi, Mundra, Sikka, Okha, Porbandar, Veraval, Bhavnagar, Salaya, Pipavav, Mahuva,

Jafrabad, Hazira

Routing: Ahmadabad > Bhuj (01 Night)- Nakhatrana ( 01 Night) > Bhuj (01Night) Jamnagar (03 Nights) Porbandar (01 Night)> Gir (02 Night)-Bhavnagar (02 night) excursion Velavadar - Dasada (02 Night) balaram (02 Night) –Ahmadabad (01 Night) > Ahmadabad Drop

Day 1 : Bhuj

Arrive at Bhuj. Meet to Greet and Transfer to hotel. Rest of the hotel. Evening visit Local Market area. O/n stay at Hotel.

Day 2 : Bhuj – Nakhatrana

Early morning proceed for Narayan Sarovar. Narayan Sarovar is home to a wide array of wildlife, including many species (15 of which are considered threatened) of mammals, reptiles, and birds. The principle species here is the chinkara, an Indian gazelle. In this harsh landscape, only animals well- adapted to the desert climate can thrive, with extreme heat, high winds, and frequent storms. For this reason, many species can be seen here that are not easy to find elsewhere.

Day 3 : Nakhatrana

Morning visit Indian Bustard Sanctuary. The Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is one of the great wonders of wildlife in Gujarat. Kutch Bustard Sanctuary islocated in proximity to Naliya which is under the district of Kutch. In Rainy season to the end of winters is the best time to enjoy this wondrous sanctuary. The most ideal way to enjoy this retreat is, taking a walk around the natures cradle while befriending various species of theBustard family. Look around for the Black and Gray Francolin, the Spotted and Indian Sangrouse, Quails, Larks, Shrikes, Coursers and Plovers. And if you are lucky, you might catchfluttering glimpses of rare species of Stolicska’s Bushchat and White-naped Tit. If you keepwalking northwards towards the coastal area of Jakhau during winters, you might get greeted by large flocks of flamingos, Herons, Egrets, Sandpipers and other birds dwelling in the saltreservoirs and the creek. A climb up the watchtower and vigilance will surprise you with flocks of Indian Gazelle and wolfs spotting the entire landscape, while a drive around the sanctuary will acquaint you to the friendly nilgais. O/n stay at Bhuj.

Day 4 : Bhuj – Jamnagar

Morning visit local sightseeing of Bhuj. Later driver to Jamnagar. O/n stay at Hotel.

Day 5 : Jamnagar

Early morning proceed for Marine National Park - Gujarat has the distinction of creating the country’s first Marine National Park spread over an area of nearly 458 sq.kms. In the Gulf of Kutch, 30 km. from Jamnagar. Here corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the Park. Their limestone fortresses – those found near the Pirotan Islands and the rich moist deciduous forests like those found in the dense forests of the Danes. One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected areas. The world’s only four-horned antelope, the chow singha is found here in healthy numbers. One of the largest herds of blackjacks grace the grasslands of Velavadar and till recently Gujarat was the place where flamingos nested in huge numbers. Dugong, a marine mammal which resembles a seal, along with the rare Borolo species have found home in the protected areas of the Marine National Park. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colors that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable to us. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 : Jamnagar

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a unique wetland area with sea water on one side and fresh water on one side. This area which is about 12 km from Jamnagar (Gujarat), was declared as a Sanctuary on 6th November 1982. Before independence, a check dam had been built for storing the waters of the Ruparen river just near the sea, so gradually over the years with fresh water of the rain and river on one side and salt water of the sea on the other side, a unique area came up where both varieties of vegetation came up, gradually, birds and animals also started flocking and roosting here. The area of this Sanctuary is 605 Hectares. Some of the notable birds found here are Black Ibis, Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Great Thickknee, Common Greenshank, Grey Francolin, Imperial Eagle, Indian Pond Heron, Little Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Comb Duck, Common Crane, Common Teal, Dunlin, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Pale Harrier, Demoiselle Crane, Sanderling and Darters. The other wild life found here are Blue Bulls, Jackal, Wolf, Jungle Cat, Mongoose, Rabbits, Cobra, etc.

Day 7 : Jamnagar – Porbandar

After taking B/F proceed for Porbandar . Check into hotel. rest of the leisure time. O/n stay at Porbandar.

Day 8 : Porbandar – Gir

Early morning proceeds for visit Porbandar Bird Sanctuary – It is located amid the city ofPorbandar flaunting the co-existence of man and nature. Spread over an area of 1 squarekilometer this unique water dwelling, surrounded by trees and plants was affirmed as a sanctuaryin the year 1988. Varied species of birds in all shapes and sizes fly in every year enlivening thearea with varied colors; patterns and making this zone a home and their nesting ground. Waterbirds are often seen splashing in the freshwater lake while the sky touching flights of certainbirds bedecks the firmament. Flamingos, Grebes, Pelicans, Ducks and geese, Avocets, Coots,Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Bittern, Storks, Ibis, Spoonbill, Cranes, Whistling Teals, Gulls, Terns, Jacanas, Ruff, Red shanks, Indian roller and many other varieties of winged creatures are seen in this area.Later drive to Gir. O/n stay at Gir.

Day 9 : Gir

Enjoy Morning & evening safari at Gir National Park.Sasan Gir Lion sanctuary is home of some 300 Asiatic Lions. Sasan Gir is only place in worldoutside African continent where lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Gir Widllife Sanctaury is the last refuge of Asiatic lions in India and the lion population residing in the park is a little over 300. The whole coverage area of Gir Sanctuary is about 560-square- mile (1,450-sq- kms). Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges. Ther animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc. bout 10, 000 years ago lions spanned vast sections of the globe, but as the human population started to increase, trees were cut and forests were cleared to make more land for people to live in. Now lions only in small fractions in some parts of the world. And Asiatic lions, a subspecies that split from African lions perhaps 100,000 years ago, are only found in the Gir wildlife Sanctaury.

Day 10 : Gir – Bhavnagar

Again Morning safari at Gir National Safari. After driver to Bhavnagar. O/n stay at Hotel.

Day 11 : Bhavnagar – Velavadar – Bhavnagar

Morning proceed for Velavadar. Velavadar National Park, also known as Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary is situated in the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation of the blackbuck, the wolf and the lesser florican. Velavadar's history dates back to the pre independence period when the place was a part of the princely state of Bhavnagar and the park used as a grazing ground for the Maharaja's cattle. After independence, the population of blackbuck started to decrease and came down to a meagre 200 in 1966. It was then that the area of 8.9 sq. km was converted into a sanctuary. In 1972, the area was increased to around 34 sq. km and was accorded the status of a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act. A unique feature of the park is that it is the only tropical grassland in India to be given the status of a national park. The park is home to over 187 species of birds including residents and migratory birds such as Harrier, Partridge, Pelican, Duck, Crane, Stork, Eagle, Sand Grouse, Lark and Lesser Florican. O/n stay at Bhavnagar.

Day 12 : Bhavnagar – Velavadar – Dasada

Again Morning Safati at visit Velavadar National Park. Continue drive to Dasada (Little Rann of Kutch). The Little Rann of Kutc8h Wildlife sanctuary can be from Dasada, 93 kms fromAhmedabad. This is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4950 sq ft inarea, and comprising a range habitat from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thornscrub to lakes and marshes. Checkinn at Rannriders, Dasada & rest of the day at leisure.

Day 13 : Dasada

Enjoy morning safari at Little Rann Of Kutch viewing rarest wild asses.Wild ass sanctuaryThe sanctuary is well known for its group of the stale joke brown Asiatic (Wild ass), which does not live elsewhere in Indian lowlands. We can see with Little Rann of Kutch blackbuck (Indianantelope), nilgai or blue bull (India’s largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle)are other mammals. The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered Indianwolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas; also we can seeduring the visits flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, cranes and storks

Day 14 : Dasada – Balaram

Morning proceed for Balaram. Enroute visit Patan is famous for Patola weaving. Salvicommunity of people is working with Patola. The queen of textiles is the Patola woven by onlyfew families of Patan. The technique used to weave the patola is the rare double ikkat stylewhich involves dyeing both the wrap threads in the pattern of the final fabrics before settingthem on the loom. Patan is also one of the centers for Mushroo, fabrics woven as a combinationof silk & cotton with the latter forming the backing. While in Preparing Patola colouring anddesign pattern are evolved on each thread. Different colour and pattern are matched exactly onhorizontal and vertical threads in weaving. The patola was traditionally woven in a sari length of5 to 9 yards by 45" to 54" width. The range now extends to include tablecloth borders scarves,handkerchiefs. Rani Ki Vav, Patan Step Well – Architecture It was built by the queenUdaymati, the wife of Bhimdev. It is the best example of such architecture for water wells that ispeculiar to Gujarat. There are wonderful carved images in the niches of the walls of this multistoried step well. It was one of the largest and the most sumptuous structures of its type. Itbecame silted up and much of it is not visible now, except for some rows of sculptured panel inthe circular part of the well. Among its ruins one pillar still stands which is the proof not only ofthe elegance of its design, but also excellent example of this period. A part only of the west well is extant from which it appears that the wall had been built of brick and faced with stone. Modhera : Built in 1026 ad during the reign of the solanki king bhima -1, modhera Surya mandir marks the peak of revolution in indo-aryan hindu temple form Typology. It is positionedin such a manner that the rising sun rays illuminate the deity in the inner most sanctum sanctorum through the main Entrance at the time of equinox only. With its grandeur, elegance and Clarity it only rivals it contemporaries at konark and khajuraho but Arguably surpasses them in it symbolic overtones and spiritual setting with Placement of the water kund integral to the complex. This temple is Dedicated to the sun god,it stands high on an elevated plinth overlooking a Deep stepped tank,both the interiors and the exteriors have exquisitely Caved st 4.

Day 15 : Balaram (Jessor Sloth Bear Sanctuary)

Morning proceed for Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is situated in the Banaskantha district, 45 kms. from Palanpur. Declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in May 1978, this 180.66 sq.km. forest tract of Jessore hill and adjoining areas is endowed with several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The forests of the sanctuary play an important role in conservation of depleting Aravali ecosystem. This area act as a buffer and separates the desert ecosystem from the drydeciduous type of ecosystem. The tree clad terrain helps in arresting the process of desertification and advancement of Thar desert. The sanctuary is known more for the endangered Sloth Bear. The other important faunal species are leopards, Rhesus macaque, Indian civet cat, porcupine, fox, striped, hyena, wild boar etc.O/n stay at Balaram Palace.

Day 16 : Balaram – Ahmedabad

Proceed for Ahmedabad. Visit Local Market area. O/n stay at Hotel

Day 17 : Ahmedabad

Early morning drive to visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. It 50 Kms from Ahmedabad. These migrant birds visit Nalsarovar every year from November to February. During these four months water is plentiful and fish, insects and aquatic plants abound in the lake - an ideal environment for the birds. Nalsarovar at this time is a birdwatcher's delight. he lake - Nalsarovar - and the wetlands around it were declared a bird sanctuary in 1969. Spread over 120 sq.kms, the lake and the extensive reed beds and marshes are an ideal habitat for Aquatic plants and animals. The lake attracts a large variety of birds like plovers, sandpipers and stints. Evening depart at Airport / Railway station.

Commmon Inclusions:-
  • Accommodation at all places as per your choice of hotels.
  • Meal Plan as per above at all the hotels.
  • All crurent applicable hotel taxes
  • All Transfer, city tours and transport services by A/C VECHILE  as per the above itinerary.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges.
Tour Cost Excluded:-
  • 4.50% Govt. Service Tax Extra.
  • Monuments Entrance Fee
  • Services of English Speaking Guide.
  • Game Drive at Sasan Gir 
  •  
  • Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc. other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
  • International or Domestic airfare / Train Fare.
  • Any expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as road blocks, accidents & any medical evacuations. Any train delays, or re-scheduling etc. Any Visa fees, insurance fees, etc. Any tips to hotel staff, local guides, drivers etc. Any meals apart from the ones mentioned above. Any expenses apart from the ones above
SPECIAL NOTES:
  • Check-In time is 1400 hrs & Check-out time 1200 NOON at all hotels.
  • In case on any amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly.