Mumbai

We Arrive at Mumbai in the early hours and transfer to the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. One of the world’s great cities, today we explore the city with a guide. Bollywood, beach, finance, and great nightlife are the highlights of Mumbai. Exquisite food joints, malls, and buildings also define its character.

Close to the hotel is the Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911 and the excellent Prince of Wales Museum.

From here stroll through the historic Colaba district to admire the impressive Gothic Victorian architecture before continuing to Malabar Hill for far-reaching views over the city. End the day at the colorful Dhobi ghats where traditional laundryman collects, wash and return the city’s linen.

Mumbai to Ahmedabad By Air

Fly from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and stay for two nights at the heritage House of MG Hotel. Ahmedabad is a city of development; its architecture, food, and warm people define it. One will see majestic 15^th and 16th-century mosques and mausoleum complexes, 11th-century step-wells, fine Havelis, and historic Hindu and Jain temples to 18^th and 19th-century buildings with their European colonial influences, the city is also home to modern masterpieces designed by Charles Correa and Le Corbusier.

Ahmedabad

Today explore Ahmedabad with a knowledgeable guide. Places of interest include the excellent Calico Museum of Textiles with its wide range of exhibits and the Sabarmati Ashram which was founded, in his home city, by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 and were the starting point of his famous 385km Salt March to Dandi in 1930. Also, visit the monumental complex of Sarkhej with its 15th-century mausoleum and explore the city’s old quarter, with its beautiful Havelis, on foot.

Ahmedabad to Dasada We cover approximately - 260kms Via Adalaj, Modhera and Patan

We commence our journey towards the 15^th century Adalaj, before continuing to the 11^th century Surya ‘Sun’ Temple at Modhera. One of the finest Hindu temples in Gujarat, Modhera has a special setting and has an atmosphere of tranquillity and serenity.

Leaving Modhera with a peaceful heart, we drive to Patan, which was once the capital of Gujarat before the founding of Ahmedabad. Patan is also the home of the famous Patola silk weavers. Once in Dasada, we stay for two nights at the Rann Riders Camp located on the edge of the glorious Rann of Kutch.

Dasada

We drive to the Little Rann of Kutch. A paradise for a bird enthusiast, you will find plovers and chats to flamingos and storks. The best birding months are between October and March. Also, visit some of the local areas around Dasada including pastoral Vadiara and the goat-herders of Ambala.

Dasada to Bhuj We approximately cover - 260kms

Today, we will see the Little Rann of Kutch for the last time during this trip and perhaps keep its memories in our hearts forever. Afterward we leave Dasada and continue by road to Bhuj stopping en-route to visit the lakeside palace at Halvad. The atmospheric old walled city of Bhuj is the capital of the Kutch region and later wander among the narrow alleyways of the citadel. Stay overnight at the Prince Hotel.

Bhuj to Hodka We cover approximately - 65kms

Today drive north from Bhuj to the small rural hamlet of Hodka for a two nights stay at the Shaam-e-Sarhad Rural Resort. Handicrafts are a living tradition of the Kutch region and over the next two days visit the neighboring Banni villages. These settlements are home to the Hindu tribes of the Ahir and Rabari as well as the Muslim villages of the Muthwas and Jaths.

Hodka

The villages around Hodka have a rich artistic tradition and are renowned for their embroidery, block-printing, pottery, leather, and silver work. Over the years little has changed in the lives of these semi-nomadic people with trade-in sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes, and other livestock constituting their other main source of income.

Hodka to Gondal We cover approximately - 300kms

This morning we leave Hodka and continue to Gondal where you will stay for two nights at the Gondal Orchard Palace Hotel, which is the guesthouse of the Huzoor Palace where the owners – scions of the former rulers – still reside. Surrounded by wheat and cotton fields, Gondal is a fascinating town and was one of the most progressive and affluent states during the period of British rule.

Gondal

Today we will explore Gondal. The Naulakha Palace with its stone carvings and museum of princely memorabilia is particularly interesting whilst for those interested in Ayurveda; Gondal’s Bhuvaneshwari Pharmacy has been making fine traditional herbal medicines for decades. The current ruling family in Gondal also keeps its collection of vintage and classic cars in the Huzoor Palace estate and it is possible to see around thirty of these vehicles, which form arguably one of the finest collections in India.

Gondal to Sasan Gir We will cover approximately - 150kms Via Junagadh

After breakfast visit Junagadh. This is one of India’s most historic cities – ancient artifacts were found on the hilltop citadel and Emperor Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on the rock here during the 3^rd century BC. Visit the Uparkot Citadel, Jama Masjid, and 11^th century Adi Chadi Vav step-well before continuing to Sasan Gir, the last remaining home of the Asiatic lion. Stay for two nights at the Lion Safari Camp.

Sasan Gir

An attractive sanctuary, Sasan Gir is not only home to the rare Asiatic lion but also has good populations of nilgai, sambar, and chital. It is also a very popular reserve for birding and has a rich variety of birdlife. Today explore the unique Sasan Gir with an early morning and evening jeep safaris.

Sasan Gir to Palitana We cover approximately - 225kms

Today we drive to an astonishing Jain temple complex at Palitana and stay overnight at the Vijay Vilas Palace a small and basic heritage guesthouse. The hills of Palitana are known as the ‘Abode of the Gods’ and are covered with 863 Jain temples spanning a period of over 900 years. Their finely carved spires and towers glisten in the sunlight as pilgrims make the uphill journey on foot.

Palitana to Vadodara We cover approximately - 260kms Via Lothal

A special morning you may wish to join the pilgrims and climb the 4,000 steps to the Palitana temples. Later we leave Palitana and drive to Vadodara calling in on the way to see the archaeological site of Lothal, which is home to some of the most important Harappan archaeological remains of the subcontinent.

After Lothal continues to Vadodara, once the capital of the affluent Baroda Princely State and home to some magnificent 19th-century palaces and public buildings. Stay for two nights at the Gateway Hotel.

Vadodara visit Champaner

Today we visit the Pavagadh-Champaner archaeological zone, which was Gujarat’s first UNESCO, approved World Heritage Site. The site encompasses forts, temples, mosques, mausoleum complexes, pavilions, wells, and tanks and Champaner’s Jami Masjid, built around 1523, is considered the high watermark of 16^th century Indo-Saracenic architecture. Later return to Vadodara via the historic citadel of Dabhoi, which has a majestic gateway, built in the 12^th century.

Vadodara to Mumbai By Air

This morning transfer to the Vadodara Airport in good time to catch the flight to Mumbai. Stay overnight at the Taj Land’s End Hotel.

Depart Mumbai

Transfer back to the Mumbai Airport to catch the British Airways flight non-stop to the UK.