9 Days |
GUJ - 04
This heritage tour package of Gujarat is 8 nights/9 days long, and explores royal and heritage sites of Gujarat. The places visited are temples, archaeological sites, monuments and palaces to show the legacy of the state and also to explore the historical value of the different places travelled. The hotels picked for stay are all heritage hotels to get into the feel of the package theme.
Ganga Deri at Bhavnagar – a miniature of Taj Mahal constructed entirely in marble
Reach airport or railway station at Baroda or at Ahmedabad, and get transferred to Jambhugodha. Our representative would receive you and take you to your hotel for check-in and other formalities.
Jambhugodha is 20 km from Champaner, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, take a trip to the Bhilala and Bayaka tribal villages, for which Jambhugodha serves as the base point. Stay overnight at the heritage hotel – Jambhugodha Palace at Jambhugodha.
After breakfast, you will be taken for a full day excursion to Chhota Udaipur which is 55 kms (one-way) from Jambhugodha. The place is mostly visited for various colorful tribal belts that are very unique of traditional and cultural living style in Gujarat. Other tourist attractions include temples like the Jain Derasar, Kali Temple, the Kusum Vilas Palace and Prem Bhavan Palace.
Come back to Jambhugodha Palace by evening for overnight stay.
After breakfast, get driven to Uthelia and visit Champaner on the way. Champaner is a historical city in the state of Gujarat. It was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty, in the 8th century, who named the place after his friend and general Champa. Champaner is today the site of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which UNESCO designated a World Heritage Site in 2004.
The tourism attractions of the place include a magnificent Jama Masjid built by Sultan Begada, which is an imposing structure on a high plinth, with a central dome, two minarets 30 meters in height, 172 pillars, seven mihrabs, and carved entrance gates with fine latticed windows called “jails”.
Come back to Uthelia in the evening and stay overnight at the heritage hotel “Uthelia Palace”.
After breakfast, visit Lothal about 10 kms from the Palace. Lothal is located along the Bhogava River a tributary of Sabarmati, in the Gulf of Khambat. The place is at the archaeological remains of the Harappa port-town and has two primary zones – the upper and the lower town. Measuring about 7 HA, Lothal’s thick (12-21 meter) peripheral walls were designed to withstand the repeated tidal flood, which probably resulted in the bringing the city to an end.
After visiting Lothal, proceed to Bhavnagar, a historical city. Sites of interest for tourists are Takhteshwar Temple built in white marble, Gaurishankar Lake, Victoria Park and Ganga Deri which is a miniature of Taj Mahal constructed entirely in marble. In the evening, you will be taken to the museum and then to the local market.
Overnight stay at Bhavnagar, in the heritage hotel “Nilambagh Palace”.
Start early for a drive at 5:00am to head towards Palitana. On the way, visit Shatrunjaya Hill, 2000 ft near Palitana town. The Palitana temples are located on Shatrunjaya hill and the entire site is considered sacred by Svetambara Jains. There are approximately 863 marble-carved temples on the hills spread mostly in nine clusters, some being vast temple complexes, while most small in size. The main temple is reached by stepping up 3500 steps and is dedicated to Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara; it is the holiest shrine for the Svetambara Murtipujaka sect. The constructions date back from the 11th to 20th century.
Return to Bhavnagar in the afternoon, and stay overnight.
After breakfast, get started for Gondal and reach there in the afternoon. Gondal was one of the eight first class princely states of Kathiawar Agency, Bombay Presidency in British India.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the Naulakha Palace which is the oldest existing palace in Gondal, dating back to the 17th century. It has stone carvings with jharokhas (enclosed balconies), a pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral staircase. The large chandelier-lit durbar (court) contains stuffed panthers, gilt wooden furniture, and antique mirrors.
Visit the Royal Family Vintage car collection, have an extensive collection of Vintage and classic cars including a 1910 new engine, a delage and a Daimler from the 1920s, a 1935 mercedes, 1935 packard 2 door convertible, 1941 & 1947 cadillac, 1955 cadillac limousine, jaguar xk 150, Chevrolet Etc. Most of these cars are restored and some bear the original gondal State number plates.
Overnight at Gondal at the heritage hotel “Orchard Palace” or “Riverside Palace”.
Start off for Wankaner after breakfast and visit Rajkot on the way. The places to check out in Rajkot are the Watson Museum and Rashtriya Shala. Watson Museum, managed by the Gujarat state Government, has collections of precious objects from the princely State of Rajkot founded by the Jadeja Rajputs. It has a huge collection of invaluable articles, artifacts, photographs, a reference library and the museum's publication are sold through a counter.
Rashtriya Shala is located near Yagnik Road, which is the heart of the Rajkot city. This is the place Mahatma Gandhiji use to do sabha with villagers. Today, it is a hub of weaving and for promoting textile industry.
Arrive at Wankaner in the afternoon. Enjoy the visit to the Palace Museum and a short excursion of the local village.
Stay overnight at the “Oasis Palace”, another heritage hotel.
Have an early breakfast and start your journey to Ahmedabad. In the afternoon, a half-day city sightseeing is scheduled which includes the nearby places and local streets. Explore the delicacies and pick some mementos or clothing pieces.
Stay overnight at “MG House”, Ahmedabad’s only heritage hotel.
In the morning, you would be transferred to the airport or to the railway station for your return or onwards journey.