VIBRANT GUJARAT WITH DIU(11nights / 12 days)
| Package valid
from 01st October to 31st March 2012(Except
15th Dec to 10 Jan 2012) Velavadar / Bhavnagar – Palitana – Diu – Somnath – Sasan Gir – Junagadh – Girnar Hills – Dwarka – Bet Dwarka – Bhuj / Nakhatrana – Chhari Fulay Reserve – White Rann – Banni Villages – Mata no Math – Narayan Sarovar – Koteshwar – Mandvi Palace & Beach - Dasada – Wild Ass Sanctuary – Patan – Modhera. Suggested Itinerary (with approximate driving time): Day 1: Arrival at Arrival at Day 2: Departure to Palitana (1 hr). Then to Check out from the hotel after breakfast & take a transfer to Palitana, located on the top of Shatrunjaya Hills. With the Shatrunjaya River flowing to its south, making this place one of the most picturesque places of pilgrimage in India. The 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its sheer beauty were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred ones. After the sightseeing of Palitana Temples, proceed to Diu – situated on the southernmost side of Day 3: Sightseeing of After breakfast, cover half day city tour of Diu, including visit to Day 4: Check out from the hotel after breakfast & depart to Somnath. On Arrival, visit the famous shore Day 5: Gir to Junagadh (1 hr). Sightseeing of Girnar & Junagadh. After breakfast, depart to Junagadh, which lies at the foot of Girnar Hill and takes its name from the Old Fort which circles the medieval town. First, cover an excursion to Girnar Hill, the famous mythological hill, supposed to be an extinct volcano. It is famous for the 16 carved and sculptured marble Jain shrines that adorn this famous hilltop (These temples are accessible by walk only. Many of them are located mid-way of the hill, so covering them generally takes 3 – 4 hrs). The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva also draws thousands of devotees up the hill who climb the fleet of 10,000 steps build in the early 20th century (This is possible if you have whole day on hand to cover Girnar. In that case, you need to add one more night to the itinerary). Drive back to Junagadh for lunch. Later on, cover the sightseeing of Junagadh. This town was under the rules of many dynasties over the period of many centuries. Therefore, various buildings of different time periods and influenced with diverse kinds of architecture can be sited in Junagadh. The major attraction, obviously, is the Uperkot Fort, the very fort from where the city derives its name. The premises hold other sites to be visited like the two step wells, Jama Masjid and Buddhist caves. Once, the sightseeing of Junagadh is over, Back to the hotel in Junagadh. Day 6: Junagadh – Dwarka ( 4 hrs ) Sightseeing of Dwarka & Bet Dwarka. After breakfast proceed to Dwarka. Arrival at Dwarka & check in. Then, visit Day 7: Dwarka to Bhuj / Nakhatrana (8-9 hrs). Check out from the hotel in the morning & depart to Bhuj / Nakhatrana. After full day journey, arrival at Bhuj / Nakhatrana & check in. Evening free for relaxation. Day 8: Excursion to Chhari Fulay, White Rann & Banni region. Early in the morning, take a transfer to Chhari Fulay Reserve. The wetland attracts a large number of waterfowl species like Flamingo, Pelican, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, Brahminy Duck, Common Pochard, Tuffed Pochard, White Eyed Pochard, Gulls, Terns, Stints & Plovers. After the park safari, proceed to Banni Villages known for their rich traditional tribes and their amazing arts and crafts. Later on, visit the white rann – the natural phenomena, the vast expanse of flat desert of salty clay & mudflats – which is accessible in winters & summers, because of geological reasons. On the way back, visit the textile towns of Nirona followed by visits to Than Monastery & Fossil Farm at Than-Dhinodhar. Day 9: Excursion to Mata no Math, Narayan Sarovar & Koteshwar. After breakfast, depart to Narayan Sarovar. On the way, visit the famous Mata no Math; the ancient Day 10: Bhuj / Nakhatrana to Mandvi (2 hrs). Sightseeing. Then, to Dasada (5 hrs). Check out from the hotel after breakfast & take a transfer to Mandvi. The major attraction of Mandvi is the “ Day 11: Safari at Little In the morning, enjoy a Jeep Safari in the “Little Rann of Kutch” – which houses one of the rarest & most endangered animals – Asiatic Wild Ass. This sanctuary is the vast stretch of flat, salt cracked barren desert. Here you can also spot other animals like the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and hyenas. It is a birder’s paradise. Birds here include Steppe, Imperial, and Short-toed Eagle, Houbara Bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. Here, one gets a chance to see how salt is prepared out of saline sea water, as there are ample of salt panes. Back to the hotel after the Safari. Late In the afternoon, board a Jeep to visit some of the tribal villages around, where you can visit different tribes like Mirs, Rabaris, Bharvads etc. On this Village Safari, you get a chance to come closer to the culture & art. These tribes are well known for their extraordinary craftsmanship & brilliant embroidery work. Back to the hotel after the safari. Evening at leisure. Day 12: Dasada to Modhera (1 hr). Then to Patan (1 hr). Then to Ahmedabad (2 hrs). Check out from the hotel & depart to Modhera. At Modhera, you can visit Hotel Accommodation Details: Accommodation in specified Hotel on specified Meal plan CPAI- Accommodation with Breakfast APAI- Accommodation with Breakfast & Dinner
High
Surface Transportation Details & Cost per vehicle
Specified Vehicle for Surface Transportation & Sightseeing as per the itinerary (Including Toll, Parking, Driver Allowance, Interstate Taxes & 3600 Kms Limit) Govt. Service Tax (GST) extra as applicable at the time of documentation Rates are subject to availability & change without any prior notice. |