BEACHES & TEMPLES OF GUJARAT TOUR PACKAGE
Overview
Beaches & Temples of Gujarat Tour Package Itinerary : – Ahmedabad – Patan – Modhera – Dasada – Little Rann of Kutch – Bhavnagar – Lothal – Palitana – Shatrunjya Hills – Diu – Junagarh – Girnar Hills – Dwarka – Dwarkadhish Temple – Okha – Nageshwar Jyotirling & Rukmani Temple – Jamnagar – Rajkot – Bhuj – Hodka – Mandvi – Bombay
Come and experience days of British Raj by visiting “Jewel of Western India“- Gujarat. We experience the simple life of its kind White Desert The Rann of Kutch, visiting lovely small towns and charming villages. The UNESCO World Heritage Site go as far back as Harappan time in Lothal and Hodka Village. Visiting ancient caves to the abode of endangered wildlife like the Asiatic Lion and Indian Wild Ass, not seen anywhere. The region is renowned for its beaches, temples and monuments that exhibit the Indo -Saracenic architectural style which blends elements of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is India’s first UNESCO accredited World Heritage City, and a delightful destination for the eco traveler.
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ARRIVAL AHMEDABAD
Arrival Ahmedabad in the morning, on arrival transfer to hotel. Post lunch visit capital of the state of Gujarat, visit the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, built by the Swami Narayan sect and by more than 1000 artisans. It consists of a vast complex covered with admirable gardens and fountains. Overnight Stay at hotel.
AHMEDABAD-PATAN-MODHERA-DASADA (LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH)
Today after breakfast we will drive to Patan to visit PATOLA WEAVING: Patola is a double ikat woven from silk, made in Patan, There are hardly families in Patan now that weave these highly prized double ikat sarees. RANI KI VAV (Step Well): on the banks of the Saraswati River, was initially built as a memorial to a king in the 11th century AD. Later we drive towards Modhera: visit MODHERA SUN TEMPLE: The Modhera Sun Temple was made by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century. It is a temple made to honour the Sun God in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati. After the visit we will drive to Dasada. On arrival check in to the hotel. Post lunch, visit local villages to interact with villagers. In the evening, we visit Bajana Lake for visualizing the mesmerizing views of the sunset. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
DASADA
Dasada, a village that falls within Gujarat's Little Rann of Kutch. Dasada has a famed desert wildlife sanctuary where you can spot the very rare and almost extinct Asiatic wild asses. Today early morning we will visit Jeep safari wildlife across the desert sanctuary. The panoramic view makes your wildlife experiences all the more impactful. Return to the hotel and have your breakfast. Post lunch after Jeep Safari Tour.
DASADA – BHAVNAGAR
After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar. Capital of a princely state until independence, on arrival check in to the hotel. Later visit the Temple of Takteshwar, this hilltop temple is one of the oldest recorded holy sites in all of Gujarat. Established in 1893, the temple is named after its founder, Maharaja TakhatSinghji, the king of the time. visit the museums of Barton and Gandhi, with their collections of carved wood, crafts, weapons, but especially old photos and documents recalling that Mahatma Gandhi was a student at the University of Bhavnagar.Evening at the magnificent Nilambagh Palace. This former Maharajah's palace is famous for its reception hall and its splendid mosaic floor, with a very special atmosphere. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
BHAVNAGAR – Lothal – PALITANA
Early breakfast, after drive for 2 hrs to LOTHAL the oldest sites of the Indus Civilization - Mohenjodaro. Dating from the 2nd millennium BC, the most spectacular part of the complex consists of brick masonry docks. After we will visit UNESCO SITE, Later we drive to Palitana. On arrival check in to the hotel and lunch. In the afternoon, Jain Art Museum and its superb ancient collections. Evening visit Vijay Vilas Palace and its surroundings. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
PALITANA (Shatrunjya Hills)
Palitana is one of the most famous Jain pilgrimage sites and the gateway to Shatunjaya Hill, a place of silence, prayers and contemplation. Early in the morning, we leave for an ascent of nearly two hours and nearly 3,500 steps! We take our time, in the company of pilgrims who have come with their families from all over India, to reach a veritable city of temples. There will be 863, built between the 16th to 19th Century reflecting a variety of architecture. The temples are decorated with gold, silver and precious stones donated by wealthy merchants. Some are grand like the temple of Shri Adishwar, others much more modest. After a late lunch, visit a local handicraft center to admire the fabric embroidery work of the Koli communities. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
PALITANA – DIU
Drive to DIU. Diu is an island that is gently rocked by the wind and the waves from the Arabian Sea. Diu is a beautiful place with splendid natural beauty. It has a very great heritage and a rich culture, formed by the fusion of local Gujarati culture and the foreign Portuguese culture. On arrival check in to the hotel. Evening free at leisure or visit the beach. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
DIU
After breakfast this morning we will start sightseeing from Fudam Village GANGESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE: Situated amidst serenity and scenic beauty, the Gangeshwar Temple is dedicated to the transformer of Hindu trinity, Lord Shiva. This temple is famous for its five Shiva Lingas, rocks in the shape of Lord Shiva which are present in the middle of the sea. After lunch we visit DIU TOWN & BAZAAR: Diu town is a maze of narrow, meandering streets and many of the houses are well festooned and brightly painted. At the back of the Town Square there’s a small but interesting BAZAAR. Shopping in Diu is a real pleasure. The excellent and unique local handicrafts of Diu are the most popular souvenir items . Later we will visit DIU FORT: The Fort of Diu is a colossal structure that occupies a prominent place on the tourist’s list. The enchanting fort commands a magnificent view of the sea, and a jetty constructed used to trade with Cambay, Broach and Surat in Gujarat. Visit PANIKOTA FORT: A 16th-century ruin from the Portuguese era, the Panikota Fort was initially a Diu Jail. This fort is a historic structure right in the middle of the seas. Hence, reaching this attraction would need a motorboat or a canoe. From the lighthouse we can enjoy a very beautiful view of the coast. Later we will return to the hotel. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
DIU – JUNAGARH 143 KM (GIRNAR HILLS)
Today, we will have Morning breakfast, after a short transfer to Junagarh. The site is full of wonders such as its historic fort, its Buddhist caves, the Edicts of Ashoka engraved on granite, its royal mausoleum and a Jain temple built on top of Mount Girnar. To reach this site with its breathtaking panorama, you have to climb a stone staircase with many steps. On the surrounding hills are also Hindu temples and sixteen other Jain temples. Till late afternoon of discovery and wonder, in an incredible mix of pilgrims and religious devotion. Evening visit Damodhar Kund. Overnight at a simple hotel in Junagarh.
JUNAGARH - DWARKA BEACH (227 KM / 4 hrs)
Morning after breakfast Proceed to Dwarka, Dwarka is an ancient city, 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. Dwarka Beach and nearby Dwarka Lighthouse offer views of the Arabian Sea. On arrival check in to the hotel. Post lunch visit beach & evening visit Lords Krishna Dwarkadhish Temple. Attend the Aarti ceremony at Dwarkadhish Temple. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
DWARKA (30 km - OKHA – Nageshwar Jyotirling & Rukmani Temple)
Attend early morning Aarti at Dwarkadhish temple, have breakfast & thereafter visit Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar Jyotirling & Rukmani Temple. Bet Dwarka Also known as Bet Shankhoddar, 5 kms from Okha Junction by sea. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna lived with his family when they ruled at Dwarka. It is also the place where Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. Visitors make it a point to visit the Krishna temple at this site which holds much interest to be seen and experienced. Nageshwar Mahadev The Puranas mention 12 Jyotirlingas or columns of light representing Lord Shiva, who manifested himself in that form in different parts of India. This Shiva shrine near Dwarka is one of these and is there- fore accorded great respect. Rukmani Temple of Lord Krihsnas wife. Evening back to the hotel. Dinner / Overnight at Dwarka Hotel.
DWARKA – JAMNAGAR – RAJKOT (240 KM / 5 HRS)
This morning we will have our breakfast, after which we will drive to Rajkot via visiting BALA HANUMAN TEMPLE Jamnagar. Post we will continue to drive to Rajkot .On Arrival check in to the hotel, later we visit in Central Jubilee Garden are the Lang Library, and the Watson Museum, with paintings and artifacts documenting British colonial rule. Kaba Gandhi No Delo, the house where Mahatma Gandhi spent part of his childhood. Evening PANCHNATH MAHADEV TEMPLE: Panchdev Mahadev is around 100 years old, temple of Lord Shiva. Evening back to the hotel for Dinner / Overnight.
RAJKOT – BHUJ (230 KM / 5 HRS)
Today after breakfast we will drive to Bhuj in the afternoon visit village of Anjar, known for its metalwork and tie-dyeing. We visit the workshops of Ajrakh (woodblock printing), the Bhujodi master weavers, as well as the village of Ahir, where the Dhaneti are the specialists in mirror work. Lunch at a restaurant in Anjar before returning to Bhuj to visit the local bazaar. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
BHUJ (HODKA)
This morning after breakfast, Excursion for the village of Hodka. We visit typical villages, meet families of craftsmen and take the opportunity to admire their finely executed embroidery work (Pakko, Neran, Kambhiro, Applique styles, etc., as well as their leather work. We also explore Virda, where you learn about the ancient technique of drawing water from the Banni lands (dry lands). Lunch at Shamm e Mahfil site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Hodka. It is a village (Mutwa community) generally built of traditional mud houses (Bhungas), in which mirrors are embedded. Later we will visit the Dattatray Temple located at the top of Karodungar, to admire the most beautiful views of the great Rann of Kutch. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
BHUJ - MANDVI (65 KM / 1.1 HRS)
Morning have breakfast & drive to Mandvi, enroute we visit 72 JINALAYA MANDIR, which is dedicated to 72 different deris of Lord Vishnu. After the visit we will drive to Mandvi, on arrival check in to the hotel, before exploring the Beach of Mandvi. The white sand beach offers fun beach activities, swimming in the cool water, or just relaxing by the seashore with some local snacks. Afternoon free at leisure. In the evening we visit Ambe Dham in Godhra village, a major tourist attraction with an exhibition dedicated to Hinduism as well as other religions. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
MANDVI
Today you have a free day at leisure or explore the beautiful beach on Mandvi. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
MANDVI – BHUJ – BOMBAY
Morning have breakfast. We drive to Bhuj Airport, on Arrival board flight to Bombay & Bombay to your onward destination.