Best of Gujarat
12 Days
Suitable for families with young children
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Easy
Fairly easy 5-6 hours of activity per day. May include some uphill sections, reasonable fitness recommended.
This 12-day tour gives a comprehensive introduction to the history and rich cultural heritage of this colourful part of India, largely bypassed by tourism. You’ll see exquisite temples and great historical monuments, reminders of an eventful past and, in particular, of the great Mahatma Gandhi. We’ll also visit a national park and spend time relaxing on the beach.
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Tour Highlights
- The magnificent Jain temple architecture near Bhavnagar
- Asiatic lions at Sasan Gir National Park
- Beautiful Somnath temple
- A day on the beach at Diu
- Mumbai - India's commercial and cultural hub
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tour Details
We begin in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, India’s commercial hub and home to its film industry, Bollywood, for an exciting taste of modern India. Mahatma Gandhi – Gujarat’s most famous son – lived in the city for many years, and we’ll visit his HQ at Mani Bhavan.
From Mumbai we journey north to Gujarat’s biggest city, Ahmedabad, where we’ll see Gandhi’s home and visit other local places of interest. In the following days we’ll travel to the narrow streets of Bhavnagar’s old city for a fascinating glimpse into Gujarati life, the fabulous Jain temples of Palitana, and spend a relaxing day on the beach in the charming former Portuguese colony of Diu.
An encounter with the wilder side of Gujarat is included, too – we’ll take game drives into Sasan Gir National Park and have the chance to see the majestic Asiatic lions. Further cultural treasures include the fabulous architecture of Somnath temple, the Buddhist caves and atmospheric old fort at Junagadh, the old city of Rajkot and the sumptuous palaces of Gondal.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai, transfer to hotel and evening free
Arrive Mumbai, our KVT’s representative will welcome you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Later in the evening you are free to explore the surrounding areas.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Mumbai
Sightseeing of Mumbai and evening overnight train to Ahmedabad
Today after breakfast we will visit some interesting places of Mumbai. In the morning we will start from Prince of Wales Museum which is famous for its ivory statuettes, Mughal paintings and objets d’art, after that we will visit Marine Drive it is also known as Queen’s Necklace, then the Gateway of India which is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and later visit Mani Bhawan, which is known by the name Gandhi Museum, the main highlight of this Gujarati style residence is that it is here Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements like Non-Cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movement. In the evening, we will be transferred to the railway station to board the overnight train to Ahmedabad.
Overnight Train
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DAY 03 - Ahmedabad
Afternoon sightseeing in Ahmedabad
This morning we arrive in Ahmedabad and transfer to hotel for check in. Afternoon we proceed for the sightseeing, visiting The Calico Museum of Textiles, one of the prominent textile museums and a celebrated institution in Indian textiles around the world. The museum is managed by the Sarabhai Foundation and it was founded in 1949 by the industrialist Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai. After that we head to Sabarmati Ashram, it was once the house of Mahatma Gandhi which is located on the banks of River Sabarmati. It was from here, that the Mahatma Gandhi began his famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. It is also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram. Late evening have dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 04 - Bhavnagar
Drive to Bhavnagar enroute visit Lothal; late afternoon sightseeing of Bhavnagar.
Early Morning after finishing breakfast we drive to Bhavnagar (Distance: 175kms appx). Enroute we visit Lothal, which is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization. Lothal, literally “Mound of the Dead”, is the most extensively excavated site of Harappan culture in India, and therefore allows the most insight into the story of the Indus Valley Civilization, its exuberant flight, and its tragic decay. Drive to Bhavnagar and afternoon sightseeing, Bhavnagar has some good places to see like Takteshwar Temple Built in the year of 1893, it is a white marble temple. Visit Barton Library, which is one of the oldest educational institutions with it’s has a huge collection of books and magazines.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 05 - Diu
Drive to Diu enroute visit Palitana Jain Temple; evening free to relax at beach
Today we proceed to Diu (Distance: 200km appx). Morning we head to Palitana Jain Temples (51 km drive from Bhavnagar), there are in total 863 temples from base to the top of the Shatrunjaya Hill. The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning 3.5 km up the Shatrunjaya Hills. Later drive to Diu. Diu is a pilgrimage place, where the 16th and 17th century churches attract devotees in large numbers, throughout the year. Besides the churches, the Portuguese forts are also housed and are fondly frequented sites for all tourists coming here. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and evening free to relax at beach.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 06 - Sasan Gir
Drive to Sasan Gir en-route visit Somnath Temple and evening is free
Early morning we leave Diu and head towards Sasan Gir National Park en route visiting Somnath Temple (Distance: 170km appx). Somnath temple is located in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat; it is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the god Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of (the) Moon god". After a wonderful visit of the temple we continue our drive to Sasan Gir National Park where one can see Asiatic lions. Evening is free to explore the area.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 07 - Sasan Gir
Morning and evening game drive in Sasan Gir National Park
It is believed that a trip to this state cannot be imagined without including the Gir Forest National Park in ones' itinerary. Fondly frequented for its exotic collection of Lion, travelers from all over the world definitely make it a point to visit this place while touring through Gujarat. Enjoy morning and evening jeep safari in Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the home of Asiatic Lions.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 08 - Junagadh
Sasan Gir to Junagadh, visit Forts and temples
Today, we proceed towards the historically rich city of Junagadh (Distance: 80km appx). Junagadh is home to a number of forts & palaces that were once residences of the members of the royal family, ruling over the area. Towering over the city is Mt. Girnar, a holy site for Hindus and Jains that is climbed by roughly more than 8000 staircase that reaches to the top of the mountain. Then we visit the oldest part of Junagadh known as Upperkot. Upperkot is over 2300 years old, with walls up to 20 m high in some places. Later return to hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 09 - Rajkot
Sightseeing of Junagadh; later drive to Rajkot en-route visit Gondal
Today morning we visit some magnificent and ancient Hindu temples of Junagadh. Late morning drive to Rajkot en route visiting Gondal (Distance: 110km appx). There are various tourist attractions in Gondal such as Riverside Palace, Orchard Palace, Royal Garages and Naulakha Palace. One of the princely states of the Kathiawar Agency, Gondal still takes pride in the old-world charm that was once very evident here.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 10 - Rajkot
Sightseeing in Rajkot, Evening free to explore
After breakfast we will proceed for day sightseeing in Rajkot. It is here in Rajkot where Mahatma Gandhi had spent the early years of his life. Visit the Gandhi family home, which has now been converted in to a memorial called "Gandhi Smriti". The city is also famous for its traditional sweets and dandiya/garba raas (dances). Evening is free to explore the surrounding area on your own.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 11 - Rajkot
Train from Rajkot to Ahmedabad, Evening free to relax
Morning we board the train to Ahmedabad. Upon arrival we will be transferred to hotel for check in. Evening is free to relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 12 - Mumbai
Departure transfer to international airport
Tour Map
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Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.
