India: Colours of Gujarat

Superior Private Tour in brief

Day 1: Fly to Bhuj via Mumbai (Bombay)

(N)

Day 2: Bhuj

Arrive and transfer to Hotel Prince for 3 nights. (D)

Day 3: Bhuj

Visit the walled city of Bhuj where highlights include a visit to the Aina Mahal Palace (the Palace of Mirrors). The tower, which featured in the Bollywood film ‘Lagaan’ can be seen from the outside but cannot be climbed as the building was damaged in a 2001 earthquake. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Banni villages

Take a full-day tour of the Banni villages and the salt flats to gain an insight into the daily life of the artisans whose work is integral to the culture of the region. Traditions such as needlework and textile arts are preserved by almost every community in the region. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Gondal

Drive to the small royal town of Gondal, located on the banks of the River Gondali in Gujarat. Stay at the Orchard Palace hotel for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Junagadh

Take a full-day tour of the magnificent Junagadh fort which lies at the foot of the Girnar Hill. The main feature is the Uparkot fort (upper fort), a sombre fortress that rises from a hill with old palaces, Buddhist caves, stepwells, moats and huge battlemented walls. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Sasan Gir National Park

Travel to Sasan Gir National Park and spend 2 nights at the Lion Safari Camp. The Park is made up of mostly forest area with rocky hills and deep valleys with numerous rivers and streams. It is also Asia’s last natural home of the Asiatic lion (panthera leo lersica). (B, L, D)

Day 8: Sasan Gir National Park

Explore Sasan Gir National Park in the morning and afternoon. The chances of spotting the Asiatic Lion are very good and the park is also home to a large Leopard population. Spotted gazelles, wild boar, wolves, hyenas and an array of birdlife also reside here. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Bhavnagar

Drive to Bhavnagar which is still an important trading post for cotton goods manufactured in Gujaratand. Stay at the large heritage Nilambagh Palace hotel for 2 nights (B, L, D)

Day 10: Shatrunjaya temple complex

Visit to the Jain temple complex of Palitana, set among the Shatrunjaya hills, which consists of 863 intricately carved marble shrines. Palitana is widely considered to be one of the most sacred sights for Jains and was once the capital of the princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Ahmedabad

Drive to Ahmedabad and stay 2 nights at the House of MG. In the evening walk around the historic city founded by the then King of Gujarat. It is still possible to see the gates and walls of the original fortifications, and some striking examples of Indian Islamic architecture. (B)

Day 12: Modhera

Visit the sun temple at Modhera where the exterior is intricately carved and the building designed so that the sun’s rays illuminate the sanctum at dawn during the time of the equinoxes. In front of the temple is a colossal tank, which was once known as Surya Kund or Rama Kund. (B)

Day 13: Fly home via Mumbai

(N)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information Superior tour:

This tour is based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Single supplement

Available on request.

Tailor-made travel:

For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.