01 Day: Arrival Mumbai
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the International airport, our representative welcome and escort you by a private car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Overnight at the hotel.
Mumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more
02 Day: Mumbai
After breakfast takes a sight seeing tour of Bombay, drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling which is made of cross beams. The picturesque presentations of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India, one can have lunch at the Taj Hotel or other several good Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar serving continental cuisines. Later visit Prince of Wales Museum, Parliament House, Marine Drive, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens, Return back to the hotel for overnight.
03 Day: Mumbai - Bhavnagar (By Air)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the morning flight for Bhavnagar. Assistance on Arrival and transfer to the hotel. After relaxation take a sightseeing tour of Bhavnagar visiting the Gandhi Smriti which has a library, a small museum, gallery and memorial to the founder of India. Nearby is Gauri Shankar Lake, a picnic spot and Takhteshwar Temple with fine views from the hilltop. The Bhavnagar lock gate keeps ship afloat during low tides in the city's port. Rest of the day at leisure or you may explore the city on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Bhavnagar: An 18th century city, Bhavnagar is a premier cotton-exporting sea-port on the south-eastern Saurashtra coast. Today, Bhavnagar is known for Gandhi Smriti, an institution built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the Barton Museum, the Central Salt and Marine Research Institute,Takhteswar temple and Gauri-Shankar lake.
04 Day: Bhavnagar - Palitana (50 kms: 1 hr)
After breakfast checkout the hotel and drive to Palitana. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit the Palitana temple, covered Shatrunjaya Hill; 2,000 ft. near Palitana town has 863 shrines and exquisite marble temples with arches, carved pillars and bejewelled idols. The temples range from the 11th to 20th century. Rest of the evening free for individual activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and Girnar. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. It is also one of the greatest tourist attractions in Gujarat for foreign tourists.
05 Day: Palitana - Ahmedpur - Mandvi (186 kms: 4 hrs)
Today morning after breakfast checkout the hotel and drive to Ahmedpur-Mandvi. On arrival at check in at the hotel. Ahmedpur-Mandvi, on the coastline of Gujarat, is one of the finest beaches in India. Afternoon visit the beach and relax. Rest of the day free for individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Ahmedpur Mandvi is probably one of the finest beaches in India on the coastline of Gujarat. Ahmedpur Mandvi is a renowned historic port town of the Maharao of Kachchh. While on the Ahmedpur Mandvi beach check out the beautiful blue waters, bubbly birds, soft sands and the captivating colorful fishing hamlets. The beach at Ahmedpur Mandvi is heaven for the water sports freaks. There is water scooting, skiing, surfing, Para sailing, and speed boat trips. The less adventurous of you may just laze around or take a stroll on the beach. The picture perfect setting has complimentary water for swimming.
06 Day: Ahmedpur – Mandvi
Today you can spend the whole day at the beach. The beach is white and firm, ideal for walks, and the water perfect for swimming. A variety of Water sports options are on offer-water scooting, skiing, surfing, Para sailing, and speed boating. Overnight stay at the hotel.
07 Day: Ahmedpur - Somnath (58 - 2 hrs) - Sasan Gir
Today in the morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Somnath. On arrival at Somnath proceed directly to visit the Shiva temple. Somnath, The historic shore temple of Somnath is one of the 12 important Jyotirlingas of Shiva in India. A museum nearby has exhibits from the original temple before invaders destroyed it. The port town of Veraval nearby has interesting docks and palaces. Later leave for Sasan Gir by car. On arrival at Sasan-Gir, check-in at the hotel. Evening jungle safari into the sanctuary. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Somnath is about 5kms from Veraval. It is believed that the Somnath temple here was originally built by Somraj, the Moon God himself, out of gold, and then rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in Wood, then by Bhimdev in stone. The shore temple of Somnath was believed to have been built in 4 phases-in gold by Lord Soma, in silver by Ravana, in wood by lord Krishna and in stone by Bhimdev. Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of lord Shiva. Somnath is also known as Prabhas Patan.
Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary, which lies on the southwestern fringes of the Saurashtra Peninsula (west-central India), is the last home of some 300 Asiatic lions. It was created in 1913 to protect the largest surviving groups of the Asiatic lions. It was given a sanctuary status in 1965. The vegetation in the area consists of teak with a mixture of deciduous trees, including sal (Shorea), dhak (Butea frondosa), and thorn forests. A few springs also exist, but their flow is rather eccentric depending upon the season. Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat.
08 Day: Sasan-Gir - Junagarh (58 kms: 1hr)
In the morning after breakfast the day will be free for game viewing and jungle safari at the Gir Wild life Reserve, you will be lucky to spot the king of the jungle. Later depart from Sasan Gir and drive to Junagarh. On arrival at Junagarh check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Junagarh is situated in the western state of Gujarat at the foothills of the Girnar Hills. The city of Junagarh takes its name from the fort that encloses the old city. Junagarh was an important trade center as testified by the Ashokan edicts dating from 250 BC. The present-day city has many archeological sites and historical monuments that reflect the rich history of the place.
09 Day: Junagarh
After breakfast visit to the Junagarh Fort, rife with palaces, gardens and mosques: Fort Uparkot and Sakerbagh Garden, take a panoramic view of Girnar Mountain, which has the 12th century Jain temples. Rest of the day free for relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.
10 Day: Junagarh - Rajkot - Wankaner (160 kms: 3 hrs)
After breakfast checkout the hotel and depart by car for Wankaner en route visiting Rajkot. If time permits visit the Watson Museum Located in the pleasant Jubilee garden, Swaminarayan Temples and Gurukul are the places where people of all faith go to seek blessings. On arrival at Wankaner, check in at the hotel. In Wankaner you can Experience mix culture of Saurashtra, North Gujarat and Kutch. Rest of the evening free for leisure and relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Rajkot was founded in the year 1610 A.D. by Chief Vibhaji Jadeja & Raju Sandhi. Rajkot was once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. Today it is best known as the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life when his father was a Diwan or Prime Minister to the king of Saurashtra. Rajkot is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patchwork, beadwork and silk embroidery.
11 Day: Wankaner - Ahmedabad (211 kms: 5hrs)
After breakfast checkout the hotel and visit the various temples and Ranjit Vilas Palace etc. Drive to Ahmedabad . On arrival at Ahmedabad check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or you may explore the city on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 AD is located on the banks of river Sabarmati. Ahmedabad has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who was primarily responsible for building it. Today, this city is known as the 'Manchester of the East'. One of the highly industrialised cities in India, Ahmedabad is also India's Textile City. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine bylanes called 'pols'. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan. The city is full of architectural delights. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, it is still the second largest industrial city in western India.
12 Day: Ahmedabad
Today morning after breakfast take a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the magnificent Mosque of Siddi Saiyad with its exquisite stone carvings, the beautiful Jama Masjid, white marbled Hathee Singh's Temple, Dada Hari Baoli, Shaking Minarets, Calico Textile Museum and Sabarmati Ashram started by Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon visit to Akshardham 32 kms. Afternoon excursion to Patan visiting Rani-Ki-Vav and other architectural buildings Return to the hotel for overnight.
13 Day: Ahmedabad – Mumbai (By Air) – Hometown (By Air)
Today after breakfast check out the hotel and transfer to the domestic airport to board the scheduled flight for Mumbai. On arrival transfer to the international airport to board the flight for hometown Tour concludes with happy memories.
