1 Day 1: Ahmedabad

Arrival in Ahmedabad and transfer to hotel. Morning proceed for local sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad.

Gandhi Ashram

On a quiet peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati river, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years it was the nerve centre of India’s freedom movement. It was from here, in 1930, that Mahatma began his famous Dandi March to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. Hridaya Kunj, the simple cottage where he lived, is now a national monument and preserved as it was during the Mahatma’s life-time.

Sidi Sayed Mosque :

A part of the wall in the old citadel of the mosque built by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Ahmed Shah in 1572-73, is renowned the world over for its exquisite stone window tracery – a superb & peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree.

Jumma Masjid :

Built in yellow sandstone, this Friday Mosque, is a best combination of Muslim & Hindu architectural style. It stands on 260 pillars that support 15 domes at varying elevations.

Teen Darwaja:

The triple-arched gateway was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the royal entrance to the Maidan Shahi or the Royal Square. It is in an imposing monument of perfect proportions & highly ornate buttresses.

Adalaj Step-well :

Situated 17kms north of Ahmedabad, this step well at the village of Adalaj is another fine example of magnificent architectural form. ‘Adalaj Vav’ is richly carved. Every pillar and wall surface is covered with leaves, flowers, birds, fishes and friezes of ornamental designs. Overnight Ahmedabad.

2 Day 2: Ahmedabad - Dasada / Bajana(110 km)

After breakfast drive to Dasada / Bajana, and proceed for full day jeep safari into the Little Rann Of Kutch. The Little Rann Of Kutch: The highlight of this sanctuary is the Asiatic Wild Ass or 'Gudkhur' that is endemic to the region & is one of the most endangered species in the world. Other mammals that could be seen are nilgai, black buck antelope, chinkara gazelle, Indian wolf, Indian desert foxes, jackals & lesser cats. Also is a paradise for bird watchers.The key dryland birds are Mcqueen's houbara bustard, chestnut bellied & spotted sandgrouse, Indian coursedr, 13 speices of larks & sparrow larks, 5 of quails (including buttonquails), thick-knee, desert warbler, desert & variable wheatear, aquila eagles, short toed snake eagle, six species of falcon & three harriers. Five species of vulture have been recorded. Apart from all these you can hope to see greater & lesser flamingo, three speices of pelican, spoonbill, demossille & common cranes, and a number of ducks in flocks of several thousand during winters. Overnight at Dasada / Bajana.

3 Day 3: Dasada / Bajana - SasanGir (280 KM)

After breakfast drive to Sasan Gir. Arrivals at Sasan Gir, check in at Hotel. Enjoy evening jungle safari of Sasan Gir Sanctuary - the last home of the Asiatic Lion. GIR - Is the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. Gir's bio-diversity rivals any National Park in India. The forest harbors a variety of smaller animals & birds. Other predators are Panther & the Hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Spotted deer, Blue bull, Chinkara & the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here, along with the bear & the long tailed langur.

NOTE: Sasan Gir Sanctuary remains closed from 15th June to 15th Oct. every year. Overnight Sasangir.

4 Day 4: Sasangir - Somnath (60 KM) - Sasangir

Today enjoy morning jungle safari. Thereafter we will do an excursion to the famous Somnath temple.

Somnath: One of the most revered & an important center of culture & nationalism. The legendary temple contains a 'jyotirlinga'. Looted & destroyed, built & rebuilt several times, it represents the eternal beauty & strength of the Indian society. The present splendid structure was rebuilt about five decades ago, at the exact spot where the original shrine was located. The iron man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the present temple.

Over Night at Sasangir.

5 Day 5: Sasangir - Junagadh - Diu (150 KM)

Today morning we will drive to Diu 150 km enroute visiting Junagadh (21 km from Sasan Gir).

Junagadh: An ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend, Junagadh lies at the foot of Girnar Hill and takes its name from the ‘Old Fort’ which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills stands from 2500 years BC having a legend of its own. The antiquities of Junagadh go back to the times of the Emperor Ashoka (250 B.C.) whose fourteen Rock Edicts can be seen cut into a great rock outside the city.

Uparkot Fort: Famous in bygone times for its virtual inaccessibility, the Upar Kot or Upper Fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20m high. An ornate entrance gateway leads to the ruins. A mosque still stand in a state of preservation. A Nilamtope (canon) was acquired by the Nawab of Junagadh from a Turkish Sultan. There are also two step-wells, Jami Masjid and Buddhist caves in the fort premises.

Ashoka Rock Edicts: On the way to Girnar, fourteen Rock Edicts of the Emperor Ashoka can be seen inscribed on a great boulder. The inscriptions carry Brahmi script in Pali language and dates back to 250 B.C.

Maqbara: The mausoleum of the Nawabs, the traditional rulers of Junagadh. Continue to Diu for an overnight stay.

6 Day 6: Diu

Morning, after breakfast do sightseeing of Diu. There after day at leisure. Visit monuments and beaches of Diu.

St.Paul's church: The Church adorned with curiously treated volutes & shell-like motifs and the magnificent wood carving is considered to be the most elaborate of all the Portuguese churches in India.

St.Thomas Church Museum: A huge edifice in gothic architecture was built in 1598A.D. A part of it has been converted into a museum, an Archeological treasure house. Diu Fort: This majestic structure stands on the coast of Diu sentinel. Once inside, you are overwhelmed by the gaunt majesty of the ancient stone work which transports you to a bygone era of gallant, where time stands still. The fort offers a kaleidoscopic view of Diu town.

Nagoa beach: The Nagoa beach is exceptionally beautiful & secluded. The horse-shoe (semicircular) shaped, palm-fringed beach is twenty minutes invigorating drive from Diu. Rest of the day at leisure.Overnight stay at Diu.

7 Day 7: Diu - Bhavnagar (225 KM)

After early breakfast drive to Bhavnagar. On arrival, check in at hotel & later in afternoon drive to Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary. Velavadar National Park: The best national park for black buck viewing in India is the 36sq km, which comprises a tapestry of grasslands & scrubby plains reminiscent of the African Savanah. The national park also provides suitable habitat for the endangered Indian wolf, the jackal, the Indian fox, the jungle cat, blue bull antelope & hare to proliferate successfully & attracts a large number of birds.

NOTE: Sanctuary remains closed from 15th June till 15th Oct. every year. Overnight Bhavnagar.

8 Day 8: Bhavnagar - LOTHAL - AHMEDABAD (187 KM)

Today we will drive to Ahmedabad 187 km enroute visiting Lothal. Lothal: A perfect place to get an insight of the Indus Valley civilization. The most dominating site at Lothal is the massive dockyard spanning an area of 37 meters by 22 meters perhaps the greatest work of Maritime Architecture. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, microbes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths’ workshops, potteries and underground sanitary drainage. It is located at a distance of 78 kms from Ahmedabad. (Closed on Fridays).

TAKE EVENING CONNECTION FROM AHMEDABAD TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION.