GUJ / 03 - Architectural Gems and Archaeological sites of Gujarat (9 Nights - 10 Days - Ex-Ahmedabad)

Route - Ahmedabad (2 nights) - Palitana / Bhavnagar (1 night) - Gondal (2 nights) - Palanpur (1 night) - Ahmedabad (1 night) - Vadodara (1 night) - Ahmedabad

Highlight - This itinerary has been designed to include a cross-section of these remarkable architectural styles characteristic of the state. The itinerary can also be modified to include impressive European works like the huge Portuguese fort of Diu, the exquisite churches of Daman, and the Dutch and British mausoleum complexes of Surat. 

Recommended Itinerary (This is an indicative itinerary, Sequence of the activities may vary and depend on prevailing weather condition and guest preferences)

• Day-1: Ahmedabad - Arrive at Ahmedabad. Afternoon tour of the Sarkhej mausoleum complex and the Vishala Village complex with its superb utensils museum. 

• Day-2: Ahmedabad - Visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, one of India's leading specialized museums. The collections include textile swatches of Indian origin found at archaeological sites of Egypt, silk sarees from across India, double-ikat silk sarongs made in Patan for the Indonesian market, chintz and curtains made from Dutch, British and Portuguese colonial powers in Gujarat, floral embroidery from Punjab, shawls from Kashmir, 18th century tie-and-dye, richly embroidered Mughal tent of Shah Jahan whose palace is nearby, royal wardrobes of Rajasthan, cloth paintings and manuscripts, religious narrative cloth paintings like Pichwais and Kalamkaris, etc. Afternoon visit to the exquisitely carved 15th century Adalaj stepwell. 

• Day-3: Ahmedabad - Palitana (240km) - Morning heritage walk in Ahmedabad. This walking tour offers an opportunity to see the old quarters of Ahmedabad lined with the beautifully carved wooden facades of havelis. Continue to Lothal to see the site museum and archaeological site offering an insight into the town planning of the Indus Valley Civlisation. Proceed to Palitana/Bhavnagar. 

• Day-4: Palitana - Gondal (170km) - Ascend the Shatrunjaya Hill near Palitana town to see the huge complex of about 863 temples crowning two ridges of the summit. Descend and drive to Gondal. See the magnificent carvings and collections of the 1740s Naulakha Palace at Gondal. 

• Day-5: Gondal - Junagadh - Gondal - Day excursion to Junagadh to see the ancient Uparkot Fort, splendid Gothic palaces of the Nawabs and the flamboyant 19th century mausoleum complex. Return to Gondal, calling in en route to see the 4th century Buddhist caves of Khambalida.

• Day-6: Gondal - Dasada - Drive from Gondal to Dasada via the museum at Rajkot. 

• Day-7: Dasada - Modhera - Patan - Balaram (180km) - Drive to the 11th century Sun Temple of Modhera, one of the finest examples of Hindu temple architecture in western India. After seeing the temple, continue to Patan to see the magnificently carved 11th century stepwell. Proceed to Balaram via Sidhapur known for its mansions and princely Palanpur. 

• Day-8: Balaram - Taranga - Vadnagar - Ahmedabad (250km) - Drive to see the 12th century Taranga Jain Temples and to historic Vadnagar with many historic buildings. 

• Day-9: Ahmedabad - Champaner (60km) - Drive from Ahmedabad to Champaner - Pavagadh archaeological park, which has magnificent works of Indo-Saracenic architecture. En route, see the palaces of Vadodara.

• Day-10: Champaner / Jambughoda - Udai[ur Via Shamlaji or return to Ahmedabad/Vadodara for flight.

Access - Ahmedabad is a major Airport and station and gets daily flights/Trains from all major cities in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Goa, Pune). 

Accommodation Options - Ahmedabad / Vadodara - Palitana /Gondal / Palanpur - Dasada

Please email to guj03@nivalink.co.in with dates of travel for further details and a firm quote (hotel cost and transportation) for the above itinerary or any other customised itinerary.