GUJ/09 - Wildlife-Birding-Heritage (5 nights)

Route - Dasada (2 nights) - Bera / Siana / Sheoganj (2 nights) - Dungarpur / Vijaynagar (2 nights)

Highlight - This is a mixed Short-break Itinerary covering birding, wildlife, heritage and Hill station. 

• Dasada - Cross-desert  safaris,  superb  wildlife  viewing opportunities  and  colourful  villages  along  the  edge of  the desert. The Little Rann of kutch is a birdwatcher's paradise in winter and also home to a rare Wild Ass population. 

• Bera / Siana / Sheoganj - These are retreats that provide Leopard sighting Experience. Leopards are rare to sight in a regular Wildlife reserves but healthy population of Leopards is concentrated in these villages making Leopard sighting a certainity

• Dungarpur - Entire Area around Dungarpur is full of lakes and migratory birds. Dungarpur provides lakeside heritage stay and is an excellent getaway.

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

• Day 1 and Day 2 - Arrive at Ahmedabad Proceed to Dasada (90 kms). Do Jeep Safari in the afternoon. Next day, arly Morning and afternoon visits to nearby Swamps for migratory and resident birds, visit villages around the area in the afternoon.

• Day 3 -  Proceed to Siana / Bera / Sheoganj via Step wells of Patan and Sun Temple of Modhera (World Heritage Sites) - 300 kms. Reach by evening. Do evening Safari to spot Leopards.

• Day 4 - In the morning you can take a drive to the lakes situated in the vicinity of Bera, good for people who like bird-watching and the occasional sightings of crocodiles. During Leopard safari in the evening you can spot leopards. Other wildlife sightings comprise Blue Bulls, Wild Jungle Cats, Hyenas, Wolves, Jackals, Hare, Red Fox, etc.

• Day 5 - Visit Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex and reach Dungarpur by Afternoon. 

• Day 6 - Explore area around Dungarpur or simply enjoy a lakeside heritage stay.

• Day 7 - Take onward journey or Return to Ahmedabad (150 kms)

Off the Beaten Track / Variations / Extensions

• Between Bera / Siana and Dungarpur stays, Udaipur could be added as a regular destination stay.

• Between Bera / Siana and Dungarpur stays, Rawla Narlai / Ghanerao Castle / Fort Harji / Ravla Bhenswara could be considered as experiential stays with rural experience. Ghanerao Castle also has a hunting lodge option where besides the wildlife and bird watching experience, guests can also trek to Ranakpur temples.

• Mount Abu could be considered for a stay instead of Dungarpur. Mount Abu has heritage hotels, Dilwara Jain Temples and guests also can also visit Ambaji temple enroute to Ahmedabad. Mount Abu now has stays where guests can experience a variety of activities including a visit to Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.  

Seasonality - Winter (Oct-March) is best time to spot Migratory Birds.

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 Option - Dasada - Bera / Siana / Sheoganj - Dungarpur / Vijaynagar

Please email to guj09@nivalink.co.in with dates of travel for a firm quote (hotel cost and transportation) with an indicative itinerary.