Rann Utsav (Desert Fair) Gujarat Tour

Upon arrival at Delhi International airport, our driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. On reaching, you will check-in at the hotel. At morning will start Delhi sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the largest Mosque in India - Jama Masjid, a 350-year old mosque situated in Old Delhi. Next, proceed to Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest, biggest and the busiest markets in India – in a Rickshaw. This 1 km rickshaw ride halts at the Red Fort. Here, our driver will pick you up and drive you to Rajghat. Drive past the spectacular Red Fort. Rajghat is a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi - the Father of the Nation. Visit the Humayum Tomb - a memorial to Humayun (2nd emperor of the Mughal Empire). Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhawan (official residence of the President of India) and India Gate (a War memorial built to commemorate the sacrifice of 70,000 soldiers who died in World War I). Delhi sightseeing ends with visit to Qutub Minar - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest brick minaret in the world. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. On arrival you will meet and straight you will be taken for The Heritage Walk -The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided walk of two and a half hours. The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies the Jumma Masjid, covering in between the numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. After visit transfer to hotel for check-in. After wash & change you will be taken for half city tour of Ahmedabad visiting , Gandhi Ashram : On a quiet peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati river, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years it was the nerve centre of India’s freedom movement. Hutheesingh Jain Temple: Built outside the Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hutheesing Temple is the best known of Ahmedabad’s many ornate Jain temples. Adalaj Step-well : It is situated 17kms north of Ahmedabad. Adalaj Vav is richly carved, every pillar and wall surface covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes and friezes of ornamental designs.

After breakfast proceeds towards Bajana en-route visit Patan & Modhera

Patan : India has the rich & ancient heritage in fine textiles. (Double Ikat) Patola from the area of Patan with its unique gem like qualities, gorgeous colours, designs & durability. Its very appearance lures the connoisseur of fine textiles. It has no reverse side. Both the sides have equal intensity of colour and design.

The peculiar quality has its origins in a very intricate and difficult technique of Tie dyeing or Knot dyeing known as Bandhani Process on the wrap & weft separately before weaving. Rani ki vav is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Rani ki vav was built as a memorial to an 11th century AD king Bhimdev I.

Modhera: The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later, and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mahumad of Ghazni.

On arrival check in at hotel.

After breakfast proceeds to safari at The Little Rann Kutch is a depression that during the rainy season is first invaded by salt water and then the Indian Ocean and fresh water of the rains, becoming a pescosissima area of brackish water. With the end of the rains the waters recede, creating arid areas and wetlands, and the latter are to winter thousands of migratory birds including flamingos and cranes until the arrival of summer. These characteristics make it a unique ecosystem. The Little Rann and 'the last place where a few surviving specimens (three thousand) dell'onagro, the Indian wild ass (EquushemionusKhur), an ancient animal that the Sumerians used to pull carts. In the Little Rann has focused Agaryas ethnicity, dedicated to the extraction of salt from the desert during the period that goes from the end of the monsoon in early summer, then from October to April. After their takeover of the fishermen, that during the rains, tweak their own networks and surf the brackish waters, especially shrimp fishing.

Afternoon proceeds for village safari. Overnight stay at hotel.

After Breakfast we will proceeds Dhordo. On arrival check in and enjoy the Beautiful Rann Utsav. Overnight stay at Tent.

Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. These are the last villages on the India-Pakistan border. Here you will come across master craft people' exposing their traditional art, turning our master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use - will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound.
The traditions of needlework and textile arts are preserved by almost every community and caste in the semi-arid regions of Saurashtra and Kutch. A full day exploring some of the Kutchi village communities offers an insight into the traditions and the daily life of the artisans whose work is integral to the culture of the region. The village of Nirona is the only place in the world where the tradition of Rogan art is still practiced (a method of producing dyes from natural resources and castor oil and creating intricate and long-lasting designs on silk and cotton). Nirona also offers the chance to see artisans making copper bells and practicing wood lacquering. The villages of Dhordo and Ludia provide an opportunity to see Bandhani (tie and dye,) block-printing and the intricate embroidery and embellished bead and mirror-work that encapsulates the folk culture of Gujarat. Overnight stay at Tent.

Today we drive to Gondal - The Riverside palace at Gondal, a Govt. of India classified heritage hotel, and the Orchard Palace in the same town, are two mansion guest houses opened as heritage hotels. The interiors of these properties are equipped with period furniture, antiques and artifacts reminiscent of the days of the Raj. The highlight of staying at these properties is that guests can see the Royal Garages, housing vintage & classic cars, and the Naulakha Palace, which is a festival of stone carvings & houses royal memorabilia including toys of the late 19th & early 20th century, silver caskets that carried messages & gifts for the Maharaja, elephant howdahs & royal ortraits. It has a royal saloon suite, which has its own drawing, dining, bedroom & bathroom in a converted railway carriage. Overnight at Gondal.

After breakfast will visit Shri Swaminarayan Mandir & Bhuvneshwari Ayurved shala. Afternoon drive to Diu. On arrival check at hotel. Overnight stay.

After breakfast full day explore in Diu visiting; St.Paul'schurch : The Church adorned with curiously treated volutes & shell-like motifs and the magnificent wood carving is considered to be the most elaborate of all the Portuguese churches in India.

St. Thomas Church Museum : A hunger edifice in gothic architecture was built in 1598. A part of it has been converted into a museum an Archeological treasure house.

Diu Fort : This majestic structure stands onthe coast of Diu sentinel. Once inside, you are overwhelmed by the gaunt majesty of the ancient stone workwhich transports you to a bygone era of gallant soldiers where time stands still.

Nagoabeach : The Nagoa beach is exceptionally beautiful & quiet. In the exceptionally beautiful horse-shoe (semicircular) shaped beach.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning at Leisure, afternoon drive to Bhavnagar . On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning proceeds to visit Palitan - Shetrunjaya hills -The temple covered Shetrunjaya hill, 2000 ft over Palitana town, believed to span 863 shrines in all has some really exquisite marble temples of great religious and artistic importance, containing arches, carved pillars and bejeweled idols. The temples date from 11th to the 20th century. The summit is the most revered of Jain temple complexes, surpassing those of Mt Abu, Gwalior, Girnar and Bihar. Palitana town is a good place to shop for textile related handicrafts and has a Jain kala sansta.

Afternoon drive to Ahmedabad en-route visit Lothal (Closed on Friday & Public holidays ) - A perfect place to get an insight of the Indus Valley civilization. The most dominating site at Lothal is the massive dockyard spanning an area of 37 meters by 22 meters perhaps the greatest work of Maritime Architecture. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, microbes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths’ workshops, potteries and underground sanitary drainage. It is located at a distance of 78kms from Ahmedabad.

Overnight stay at Ahmedabad.

In time transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward destination connecting flight via Delhi or Mumbai.