Cultural Highlights of Gujarat

Day-1: AHMEDABAD

Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace. Dinner nad o/n halt at the House of Mangaldas.

DAY-2: AHMEDABAD - DARBARGADH POSHINA Four hours

Today we visit Poshina, a pictuersque town surrounded by Garasia and Bhil villages. Visit a tribal shrine and the village market. Nightstay at Darbargadh Poshina, a heritage hotel.

DAY-3: POSHINA - BHAVANI VILLA, DANTA Two hours

Visit the 10th century Kumbhariyaji Jain Temples, the 12th century Taranga Jain Temple and the monuments of Vadnagar near Danta. Dinner and night stay at Bhavani Villa, a heritage hotel.

DAY- 4:DANTA - RANN RIDERS SAFARI RESORT, DASADA Four hours

Visit the stepwell and silk weavers of Patan and the 11th century Sun Temple of Modhera. Dinner and night stay at Rann Riders, a safari resort imaginatively designed from local materials and handiwork.

DAY-5: DASADA

Early morning we visit the Dasada villageinhabited by pastoral communities like the Vadiara Rabaris and the Bharwads, and nomadic/semi-nomadic groups like the Mirs and Bajanias. The village is famous for its Rabari and Bharwad embroidery, weaving and other handiwork. Also, visit weavers and other artisans. Late afternoon, wetake a aafari across the Little Rann of Kutch to see the desert wildlife and magnificent birds at the lakes and to visit the Kolis at the salt works.
Dinner and night stay at Rann Riders, a safari resort imaginatively designed from local materials and handiwork.

DAY-6: DASADA - SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH Four hours

Today we visit visit Anjar an important centre for textile and metal handicrafts, Gandhidam has an excellent textile market. Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-7: ANJAR - BHUJ - ANJAR

Today, we drive to Bhuj calling in on the way at various villages known for their ajrakh block printing, Ahir embroidery,and Rabari embroidery. Spend the rest of the day at the markets, and monuments .Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-8: FULL DAY VILLAGE TOUR

Today we visit the villages of the Sodha Rajputs, Muslim pastoral groups like the Jaths and Muthwas and their sub-groups, Hindu pastoral groups like the Rabaris, Meghwal Harijans and other communities known for their exquisite embroidery. Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-9: SHARMA RESORTS - RAJKOT - PALACES OF GONDAL Five hours

Today, we drive to Rajkot to see the textiles at the Watson Museum and the Rashtriya Shala where attempsts are being made to revive rare weaves and handicrafts. Enroute, we top at Gondal known for its Naulakha Palace where the royal family has exhibited beadwork, silverware, brass utensils, hand-painted wooden toys and other artifacts from their antique collection, silver jewelry, brass boxes called pataras and Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Visit the Bharwad and other pastoral villages around Gondal town. Dinner and overnight stay at Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace.

DAY-10: GONDAL - JETPUR - JUNAGADH - GIR BIRDING LODGE Four hours

Today we visit Jetpur which is known for its screen-printing factories, block-printing and textile units.Continue driving to Junagadh to visit the various museums exhibiting textiles of the erstwhile Nawabs, the fort, royal mausoleum complexes, palaces, museums and cave-sites. Night stay and dinner at Gir Birding Lodge

DAY-11: GIR BIRDING LODGE

Early morning safari to the Gir National Park and Scantuary. In the evening we pay a visit to the Maldhari pastoral settlements, Sorathi Rabari pastoral villages and a Siddi village (Siddis are believed to have come to Gujarat in medieval times from African countries). Night stay and dinner at Gir Birding Lodge

DAY-12: GIR - VIJAY VILAS, PALITANA

At Palitana, we spend the day visint the Koli and Bharwad colonies, Jain museums and the marketplace. Overnight stay nad dinner at the Vijay Vilas, a heritage hotel.

DAY-13: PALITANA - BALASINOR Full day

Visit the Jain temple complex atop Shatrunjaya Hill, one of the most important Jain holy places. Proceed to Balasinor to reach in time for dinner with the Nawab’s family. Night stay at the Garden Palace.

DAY-14: BALASINOR - KALI NIKETAN, CHHOTA UDEPUR Three hours

Chhota Udepur Taluka is known for its Rathwa, Bhil, Bhilala and Nayaka villages. Visit a tribal haat (market) and the tribal museum.

Accommodations : Kali Niketan, a heritage hotel.

DAY-15: CHHOTA UDAIPUR - CHAMPANER - CHHOTA UDEPUR

Visit the medieval monuments of Champaner, the only Gujarat site on the World Heritage List. Accommodations: Kali Niketan, a heritage hotel.