Gujarat Historic Places & Wildlife Safari Tour

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Arrival transfer to hotel check in (check in/out time 12pm).

Later City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi - Ahmedabad (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel.

Later city tour visit Hatheesing Jain Temple established in 1850 by Seth Hatheesing a rich Jain merchant, the temple is dedicated to 15th Jain Tirthankar Dharamnath. Bhadra Fort a beautiful monument that is famous for its intricate carvings, pattern works and beautiful frescos suits. Located in the middle of lush greenery the huge 44 acre Fort got its name from the Bhadrakali Temple that it houses. Sabarmati Ashram once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi located on the tranquil and serene stretch of Sabarmati River. The museum is one of the most interesting sections of the ashram as it has on display some of Gandhi`s personal letters and photographs. Shaking Minarets one of the most intriguing architectural wonders & an unsolvable mystery that the world has ever seen. VECHAAR Utensils Museum it house an elaborate collection of utensils ranging from hundreds of years back to the current times. Kite Museum in the premises of Sanskar Kendra the museum had an elaborate display of about 125 uniquely carved kites including mirror embroidered kites, block print kites and Japanese kites such as Rokuku. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Ahmedabad - Kevadia (200km) (B,L,D)

Drive to Kevadia via visiting UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pavagadh-Champaner. The site encompasses forts, temples, mosques, mausoleum complexes, pavilions, wells and tanks built around 1523 in Indo-Saracenic architecture. On arrival check in at tent city/ hotel. Later visit Sardar Sarovar Dam, the world`s second-largest concrete gravity dam, located on the mighty Narmada river near the Statue of Unity. Sardar Sarovar Dam provides electricity, drinking, and irrigation water to four states in India. Valley of Flowers, a beautifully landscaped garden with the mighty Narmada river and the Statue of Unity in the background. Made to give a glimpse into local ecology, featuring hundreds of species of native flowers, shrubs, trees, bamboo, grasses, and more. Also featuring many selfie points for all visitors to capture photos from the most scenic spots. Evening light & sound show at Statue of Unity. The colourful laser lighting system is accompanied by an excellent narration of history & life of Sardar Patel, his contribution to the independence movement & the unification of India as one nation. Overnight in tent/ hotel.

Day 4: Kevadia - Vadodara (100kms) (B)

Visit world tallest Statue of Unity. The high-speed elevators will take you to a height of about 400 feet through the core of the statue where you can get panoramic view of the surroundings. The high - speed elevators will take you to a height of about 400 feet through the core of the statue where you can get panoramic view of the surroundings.

Drive to Vadodara check in at hotel. Visit Lakshmi Vilas Palace the largest private dwelling built till date four times the size of Buckingham Palace. Also visit Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum & Kirti Mandir.

Day 5: Vadodara - Bhavnagar (200km) (B)

Drive to Bhavnagar via visiting archaeological remains of Harappa Port-Town at Lothal of Indus Valley Civilization. Unlike many other doorways into Harappan culture, Lothal passed through all the phases of the society, from earliest development to most mature. Roam the ruins with your heart open to the ancient, and with the help of the local museum here, allow yourself to be transported to an era 4,500 years ago. Arrive Bhavnagar check in at hotel.

Visit Gandhi Smriti, one of the prominent places related to Mahatma Gandhi, whose life and ethics on truth and non-violence have been a motivation to all world. This two storeyed memorial preserve a huge collection of books and other memorabilia used by Mahatma Gandhi. Barton Museum is found on the ground floor of Gandhi Smriti, where you can find a broad range of artifacts like religious carvings and nut cutters that represent the culture of Saurashtra. Aside from the museum and the picture gallery, Gandhi Smriti also houses the Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar. An array of high quality local and traditional handicrafts and embroidered products are available at the Smriti.

Day 6: Bhavnagar (B)

Excursion to visit Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary. Animal like Black-buck, nilgai, jackal, wolf, jungle cat, fox and bird like pelicans, flamingos, white and painted storks, three kinds of cranes, many birds of prey, rare Stolizcas Bushchat & one of the 50 rarest birds in the world Lesser Florican all live here. Drive back to Bhavnagar for o/n at hotel.

Day 7: Bhavnagar - Diu (200km) (B)

Drive to Diu via visiting Palitana Temples are known for being the largest cluster of Jain temples on Shatrunjaya hills. These hills have similarities to other hills where Jain temples have been built in Bihar, Gwalior, Mount Abu and Girnar. The Jain`s sacred hill of Shatrunjaya have 863 temples atop itself. The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning 3.5 km up the Shatrunjaya Hills. The construction of temples of Palitana spanned over a period of 900 years and was structured in two phases. Continue drive to Diu check in at hotel. Rest time free to relax.

Day 8: Diu - Sasan Gir National Park (90km) (B,L,D)

Visit Diu Fort a very large and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island. This fort was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD after the treaty signed between the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese. The fort is surrounded by the sea on the three sides and a canal on the fourth side. On the fort stands a giant structure which now houses a Light House and the Diu jail. Several canons are still located on the top of the fort and peep out of the holes on the walls of this gigantic structure. Old Town has a few old mansions belonging to rich Portuguese and Indian merchants. The colorful three-story Nagar Sheth Haveli has porticoes, carved balconies, stone-made lions and intricate arches in European and Indian styles. Continue drive to Sasan Gir check in at hotel.

Day 9: Sasan Gir National Park (B,L,D)

Gypsy safari in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary sprawling in an area of 1424 sq kms. Gir forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Other predators are panther & hyena. Sambhar, Chital, Blue Bull, Chinkara and four horned antelope are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur. Gir is also one of the finest bird sanctuaries. Some of the typical birds of Gir are the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk eagle, brown fish owl, king vulture, jungle quail, paradise flycatcher, pygmy woodpecker, hard headed oriole etc. Another attraction is a crocodile farm developed in the forest.

Day 10: Sasan Gir - Wankaner (220km) (B)

Drive to Wankaner via visiting Junagadh an ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend, at the foot of the temple-studded Girnar Hill. The Girnar Hills are a holy sanctuary to the Jains. Ashoka inscribed 14 edicts on a huge boulder at Mt. Girnar peak. Also visit Uperkot fort an inaccessible fortress at Junagadh. Next visit Gondal the former princely state ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan. Visit Navlakha Palace one of the oldest and most beautiful palaces situated on riverbank. Further drive to Rajkot and visit Jubilee Garden a large open park area featuring many monuments of colonial time. The Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum, Lang Library, and Rotary Midtown Library. The museum houses a varied collection of old artefact`s from the ancient city of Mohenjodaro.

Continue drive to Wankaner check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Wankaner - Ahmedabad (210km)/ Delhi (B)

Visit Ranjit Vilas Palace, a beautiful monument which is an amalgamation of Victorian, Mughal, Gothic and Dutch style of architecture. The palace sprawls over 225 acres of land and has a watchtower atop a hill which offers a 360 degree bird’s eye view of the township below. It has an entire section dedicated to exhibiting antiques like swords, daggers, shields, stuffed animals etc. Wankaner Palace, built in the 20th century a gorgeous monument which was the residence of the rulers of Wankaner. The palace boasts of intricate architecture with decorative doors, frescos, antique furniture, carved windows etc. Also visit the Royal Oasis, originally the summer resort for the ruling families of Wankaner that boasts of European style of architecture.

Later drive to Ahmedabad to board flight for Delhi. Arrival transfer to hotel.

Day 12: Delhi - Departure (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.