WEST INDIA TRAVEL

Duration : 14 NIGHTS/15 DAYS

Cities Covered : MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD-BHAVNAGAR-AHMEDPUR-MANDWI-SASANGIR-POBANDAR-DWARKA-WANKANER-BHUJ-MUMBAI

Highlights : Through this tour visit the lesser known medieval set South Indian towns. Once these towns were the stronghold of Hindu Empires and the fascinating sights & sounds of the monuments leave one spellbound.

Day 01 : MUMBAI

Arrive Mumbai. Meeting and transfer to the hotel (Check in time 12 Noon). Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 : MUMBAI

Morning city tour visiting the Gateway of India - built during the period 1924-1927 to commerate the visit to India of King George V, of England in 1911. The Gateway is a popular promenade along with sea. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum - the victorian domed structure contains a fine collection of miniature paintings. Its three sections are on Army, Archeology and Natural history. The Museum's style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. Visit the 80 meter Rajabai Clock Tower - the Gothic style Mumbai University Clock Tower built in the last century. The Victoria Terminus is considered the most beautiful edifice in the city. This sprawling structure blends both Gothic and Indian architectural styles. Also visit Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Afgan Church, Flora fountain and drive past colourful Crawford market, Marine drive, Nariman point to Malabar Hill which is a winding stretch of road along the sea with tall buildings on one side. Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 : MUMBAI/AHMEDABAD

Morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

Afternoon city tour visiting Teen Darwaza, a tripple gateway 37 feet high built by Sultan Ahmed, the Jumma Masjid, the Hathi Singh Temple, a richly carved marble temple surrounded by 52 smaller temples, Rani Sipri Mosque, Shaking Minarets, Calico textile museum, the step wells of Dada Hari - an example of remarkable style of monument that is a speciality of Gujarat and Sabarmati Ashram. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04 : AHMEDABAD

Full day excursion by coach to Modhera visiting one of the most magnificient monuments of Gujarat - the Modhera Temple, built by Solanki Kings in 1025 A.D. dedicated to Surya - Sun God. The temple was constructed in manner that at sunrise the rays fall straight on the image of Surya illuminating the shrine. Return to Ahmedabad. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05 : AHMEDABAD/BHAVNAGAR

Depart by coach for Bhavnagar. En route visit Lothal, discovered 20 yeras ago, was the settlement of the Harrapan era dates back to 2nd millenium B.C. The excavation revealed a planned city with underground frainage system. Thereafter, proceed for Bhavnagar. Arrive and check in at Nilambagh Palace. Nilambagh Palace, built at the turn of the century, this palace of the ruler of Bhavnagar is no royal extravagance, but rather a solid, comfortable residence. Made of stone quarried in the southern part of the Indian peninsula, this low, horizontal structure with colonnaded verandahs and pillared porches. The original furnishing have been retained from portraits of the Maharaja's ancestors, Czech crystal chandeliers, carved furniture and much more to make it a unforgetable stay. Rest of the day free to explore the palace. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06 : BHAVNAGAR/AHMEDPUR/MANDAWI

Depart by coach for Ahmedpur Mandawi. En route visit Palitana which lies at the foot of Shatrunjaya hills. The sacred hill rises in crescendo of magnificient 863 temples in all that soar in marble. The temples are built over a span of 900 years with the contribution of each generation of pilgrims to the shrine. The most temples are Shri Adishwar, Kumarpal, Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. The earliest temple was built by a great Jain patron. The temple has fabulous collection of jewels, and these can be seen following a special permission. Thereafter, proceed for Ahmedpur Mandawi. Ahmedpur Mandawi near to the sea has a picturesque sandy beach. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest of the day relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07 : AHMEDPUR/MANDAWI

Full day excursion to Diu (10 Kms). Diu was the first landing point for the parsis when they fled from Persia. It was a Portuguese colony until 1961. Return to Ahmedpur Mandawi. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 : AHMEDPUR/MANDAWI/SASANGIR

Depart by coach for Sasangir. En route visit Somnath, one of the 12 most sacred Shiva shrines in India. It is widely believed that if one were to sail from here in a straight line, the end of the journey would be at the North Pole, and without in any place having to travel over land. Thereafter, proceed for Sasangir. Arrive and check in at lodge. Sasangir Sanctuary, a spread of low hilly country covered largely with thorn forests and other dry land trees including the spectacular scarlet-flowered Palas. It is the only natural home of the Asiatic Lion, as in Africa, hyenas thrive on the lion's left overs. There are over a 100 bird species as it is on the maon north-south migratory route. In the sanctuary are villages of the Indo-African Siddhis: descendants of people who migrated here with Ethiopian merchant princess. There is also a crocodile breeding station to re-stock rivers and lakes with these eco-balancers. Late afternoon Game viewing by Jeep. Overnight at lodge.

DAY 09 : SASANGIR/PORBANDAR

Depart by coach for Porbander. En route visit Junagarh, located at the base of Girnar Hill, a temple city in itself. The famous Fort of Uppar Kot is an imposing reminder of the city's medieval past. On top of the hill are beautiful jain temples, the biggest among them is Neminath. Thereafter, proceed for Porbandar. Arrive and check in at hotel. A small picturesque sea port town that is linked with India's history through its association with Mahatma gandhi who was born here. Later city tour visiting the Kirti Mandir, where mahatma Gandhi was born, Arya Kanya, Gurukul and Bharat Smriti and the beach. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 : PORBANDAR/DWARKA

Depart by coach for Dwarka. Arrive and check in at hotel. Dwarka on the west coast of Gujarat lies by the Arabian Sea and is the cradle of Krishna legends. It is here that Lord Krishna is supposed to have ruled, and excavations have revealed that the present settlement is the sixth here, five others having been obliterated by the sea. Afternoon sightseeing tour visiting Jagat Mandir forms the sanctum of the Dwarkadish temple and dates back to 2,500 years. Jagat Mandir has its own hall of audience and conical spire. The roof of the hall is supported by 60 columns and the main temple rises five storeys high. The main spire rises to a height of 157 feet and is richly carved. Rukmini temple and Nageshwar Mahadev. Time free to explore the religious city. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11 : DWARKA/WANKANER

Depart by coach for Wankaner. Arrive and check in at hotel. Evening Dinner at the Main Palace with folk dances followed by a visit to the personal museum of Prince. vernight at hotel.

DAY 12 : WANKANER/BHUJ

Depart by coach for Bhuj. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the local market to see tie and dye and silk fabrics. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13 : BHUJ

Full day Jeep Safari in Banni. You drive through the Rann of Kachchh, a varied desert-terrain. The arid land which covers a large part of the district is composed of salt deposits of the receding sea. The safari would give you an opportunity to see the desert wildlife like Chinkara, Indian Busturds, Conman cranes in thousands and various species of birds. The above all a unique experience of being in a land of salt yet civilized. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 14 : BHUJ/MUMBAI

In time transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

DAY 15 : DEPART MUMBAI

In time transfer to the international airport to board flight for onward destination.

Note: Train schedule subject to change.