Vibrant Gujarat - Land of Rabari, Rann and Tribal Crafts (Hidden Treasures of India)

Arrival at the airport in Ahmedabad, meeting with our representatives and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day will start with the visit of the old city and Jama Masjid. Continue to visit the Jain temple built by a merchant family and famous for its mind-blowing carving work. Later visit the Sabarmati Ashram founded by Mahatma Gandhi where you will be able to see some of the most important memories related to Mahatma Gandhi. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and drive to Dasada. On the way, stop at the ancient capital Patan and visit the marvellous step well “Rani Ki Vav”. Later stop at Modhera to visit the Sun God Temple, which represents one of the greatest masterpieces of the Hindu architecture of the Solanki period (11th century). Arrival in Dasada. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Day dedicated to excursions in Great Rann of Kutch, one of the largest salty white deserts in the world known for its biodiversity. Visit the tribal villages of Hodka, Ludhia, Bhirandiara, Dhordo and Kavda, which offer the possibility to admire the Jat, Rabari, Harijan tribes, Maldharis and Lohars and their typical handicraft products. It will be an interesting experience to live in contact with local populations still strongly isolated and linked to their traditions. Return to Bhuj. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rajkot. On the way stop to see the block painting work on textiles in Dhamadka village. In the afternoon visit the Gondal Palace and Swaminarayan Temple. Dinner and overnight in Rajkot.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Junagadh. Visit to the fort and the beautiful and still abandoned Mausoleum of Mahabat Khan. Arrival in Sasangir and check in at the hotel. Afternoon, walking tour in the Siddhi village, inhabited by tribes of African origin. Dinner and overnight stay.

Morning safari in the Gir National Park, which hosts the very rare species of the Asiatic lion. Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Somnath, one of the 12 most important temples of God Shiva. Visit Somnath temple and continue to Diu. Arrive and visit Diu Fort. Completed in 1541, it boasts two mighty walls and facing cannons in memory of the battles between the Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah and the Portuguese. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the lively fish market at Vanakbara fishermen’s village. Transfer to Bhavnagar. Arrival and check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Full day dedicated to the excursion to Palitana, where you will climb 4000 steps to visit one of the most important Jain pilgrimage centres with its eight hundred temples located on the sacred hill of Satrunjaya. Return to Bhavnagar. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Champaner, stop along the way to visit Lothal, an archeological site related to the Indus valley civilisation.Continue to Champaner, ancient capital of Gujarat now declared as world heritage monument by UNESCO. Check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and visit the nearby tribal villages of Rathwa and Dhanka tribes. Local inhabitants here decorate their houses walls with tribal paintings and live inside the forests. Transfer to Ahmedabad. Arrival and dinner. After dinner, transfer to the international airport.