Wonders of the West - Gujarat with Rajasthan

After breakfast, visit the Calico Museum. It has one of the finest collections of Indian textiles belonging to different periods. The collections include textile swatches of Indian origin found at archaeological sites of Egypt, British and Portuguese colonial powers in Gujarat, floral embroidery from Punjab, shawls from Kashmir, and silk sarees from across Benaras. Next, explore the Adalaj Step Well. It has intricately carved designs with village scenes and dancing deities. First, you will visit the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi stayed for most part of his life. It was founded in 1917 on the banks of the Sabarmati river and played a notable part in the freedom struggle of the country. In 1930, Gandhi Ji began his Dandi March to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. The Gandhi Ashram has a memorial center, library and a sound-and-light spectacle to offer to its visitors. Later, proceed to the Sidi Sayyid Mosque.  The mosque is famous for its 10 unique semi-circular tracery windows. The tracery resembles the famous silver filigree work for which Gujarat is famous. Lastly, visit the Sabarmati Riverfront situated on the banks of Narmada river, built as a park and walkway, where locals gather during the sunset. 

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Dasada; en-route visit the attractions of Patan. Home of the famous patola silk saris, Patan is a beautiful old town with Jain temples and carved wooden houses. Next, visit Rani ki vav (step well) is an excellent example of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. The exclusively carved side walls, pillars, beams, series of steps & platforms lead to the elaborately carved water well. Every surface is adorned with finely chiseled sculptures of maidens & Hindu deities, religious motifs & geometrical patterns. Rani Ki Vav was commissioned by Rani Udayamati in 1063 in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. Continue driving to Modhera. The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mahmud of Ghazni. Resume drive to Dasada. On arrival, check in to hotel and take rest.

After breakfast, visit the Little Rann of Kutch Sanctuary, home to the Asiatic Wild Ass – one of the endangered species in the world. The other mammals sheltered within the sanctuary are black buck antelope, Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai, Indian desert foxes, Indian wolf, jackals & lesser cats.  Later drive to Bhuj. On arrival, check in to hotel and take rest.

After breakfast, visit Kutch Museum, Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal and Cenotaphs Complex. Bhuj and its surroundings offer excellent opportunities for exploring the handicrafts and textile traditions of the diverse Muslim, Hindu, and Jain people in rural Kutch.

After breakfast, visit the Banni Village. Banni village is a cluster of villages inhabited by the Meghwal harijans who migrated from Rajasthan. They are good in Khambira, Kharek and Kudi stitches in their embroidery. Satin stitch embroidery and mirror designs are done by hands. Next, visit Hodka Village, which is famous for its beautiful embroidery work, & mud and leather works. Later explore Dhordo, which is famous for its traditional mud houses with mirror work.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Mandvi. Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati River, barely a kilometre from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleasant climate throughout the year and was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharajas.The center of attraction at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal abode set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The palace has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on sides, the windows with colored glass, carved stone jails, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. It owns a private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons, this palace has been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become a popular tourist destination. Mandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants. Their architectural style reflects the fusion of Indian & European styles of architecture. The Swaminarayan temple is also one such example with its brightly painted exterior and elaborate plaster decorations. Other interesting buildings are a girls’ high school (a former palace) built by Rao Lakhpat (1741-60 AD) and a light house. This old palace is a replica of the Aaina Mahal of Bhuj, with intricate stone carvings. There is a wind farm on a picturesque beach nearby.

After early breakfast, drive to Gondal. The Riverside palace at Gondal, heritage hotel now, and the Orchard Palace in the same town, are two mansion guest houses opened as heritage hotels. The interiors of these properties are appointed with period furniture, antiques and artifacts reminiscent of the days of the Raj. The highlight of staying at these properties is that guests can see the Royal Garages, housing vintage & classic cars, and the Naulakha Palace, which is a festival of stone carvings & houses royal memorabilia including toys of the late 19th & early 20th century, silver caskets that carried messages & gifts for the Maharajah, elephant howdahs & royal portraits. It has a royal saloon suite, which has its own drawing, dining, bedroom & bathroom in a converted railway carriage.

After breakfast, drive to Junagadh. On arrival, visit the attractions of Junagadh city. Your first stop will be the Mohabbat Maqbara. It is a Mausoleum, known for its unique architecture. Next you will visit the Uperkot Fort. Over 2300 years old, with walls up to 20-metre-high in some places, there used to be a 300 ft. deep moat inside the walls which reportedly used to be inhabited by crocodiles for the fort's protection. Darbar Hall Museum - Built in a beautiful old palace of Junagadh, the Darbar Hall Museum is amongst the finest museums in Gujarat as it preserves the treasures of the Junagarh rulers.In the evening, return to Gondal.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival, check in to the hotel and take rest. Later in the evening, check out from hotel and transfer to Ahmedabad railway station for your onward overnight train to Udaipur.

Upon arrival at the Udaipur railway station, meet our representative and be transferred to your hotel. After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Udaipur.Visit the City Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and the city of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved 'chhatris' and the architecturally brilliant facade all contribute to making your visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience. Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari. Also visit Jagat Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Ambika, another form of Goddess Durga. Built in 961 A.D, this temple is renowned for its intricate carvings on the exteriors. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola, which is an artificial fresh water lake. 

After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Jodhpur; en-route visit Jain temple in Ranakpur. Continue drive to Jodhpur, which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also called the ‘Sun City’.  On arrival, check in to hotel and take rest.

After breakfast, visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from red sandstone stands on a perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur. The foundations of this fort were laid in 1459; today it houses a museum with a fine collection of arms, costumes, paintings and even a collection of palanquins. Next visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Later visit Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs these are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. Then, drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival, check in to a hotel and take rest.

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day tour of Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of the Thar Desert, a city seeped in color and rich tradition; it was once a major centre on the trading route between India and the west. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, which is the only living fort of India and houses the entire township within its ramparts. There are three beautifully sculpted Jain temples from the 12th-15th century A.D., and five interconnected palaces which you can explore during your visit. At the center of the fort is Raj-Mahal, now known as Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum & Heritage Centre. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli and Patwon-ki-Haveli, which is the largest and most elaborate mansion of its kind in Jaisalmer, followed by a visit to Nathmal Ji ki Haveli. Later, visit Gadsisar Lake, surrounded by numerous beautiful shrines. Rare migratory birds stop for a drink at the lustrous lake. In the evening, visit the Vyas Chhatri; this is the cenotaph of the sage Vyas, the author of the Mahabharat. The Vyas Chhatri is also known as sunset point as it allows fantastic views of Jaisalmer, particularly at dusk.Later in evening visit Sam Sand Dunes, around 42 kms from Jaisalmer, which are the closest place from where you can lose yourself in 'the Great Thar Desert'. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation. The best way to get here, of course, is on camelback. The dunes are 3km long, 1km wide and almost half a kilometer high. Fascinatingly, the dunes keep shifting on a permanent basis and are truly a visual treat. Enjoy the romance of solitude as your camel safari takes you deep in the heart of the Thar Desert.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer to Jaisalmer airport for your onward flight to Delhi. On arrival, meet our representative at Indira Gandhi International Airport and thereafter transfer to hotel. Check in to hotel and take rest.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your flight to onward destination with sweet memories of your trip.