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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.
Day-1: AHMEDABAD - Arrive at Ahmedabad.
Afternoon tour of the Sarkhej mausoleum complex and the Vishala Village complex
with its superb utensils museum. Stay at House of
Mangaldas Girdhardas, a heritage hotel owned by a former textile industrialist
family. Visit the nearby mosques.
Day-2: AHMEDABAD - Visit
the Calico Museum of Textiles, one of Indias 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. Stay
as on day-1.
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. Stay at Vijay Vilas heritage
hotel at Adpur village of Palitana or at
Nilambag Palace Hotel in 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. Stay at the
Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace heritage hotel.
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. Stay at
Rann Riders resort in Dasada.
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.
Stay at Balaram Palace Resort.
Day-8: BALARAM TARANGA VADNAGAR AHMEDABAD (250km) - Drive to
see the 12th century Taranga Jain Temples and to historic Vadnagar with many historic
buildings. Continue to Ahmedabad.
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. Stay at the heritage home in
Jambugodha.
Day-10: CHAMPANER/JAMBUGODHA UDAIPUR VIA
SHAMLAJI or return to Ahmedabad/Vadodara for flight.
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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).
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- Section Contains Photographs taken by Nivalink Team.