Gujarat – Tribes & Textiles
Gujarat is one state that has a range of landscape – blistering deserts, deep oceans, hilly tracts, and fertile plains. It is the homeland of Mahatma Gandhi, and his home at Sabarmati Ashram, now a museum, showcases historic events from his life.
In 2017, the capital, Ahmedabad, became the first Indian city to gain status of a World Heritage City, as declared by UNESCO, a status already enjoyed by Paris, Cairo, Edinburgh, Rome, Vienna, Brussels, Bhaktapur, and Galle.
Gujarat offers a bit for every kind of traveller – sacred Jain and Hindu pilgrimage sites for the spiritual ones; an array of architectural diversity for the history buff; the Asiatic lion and wild ass for the wildlife enthusiast; a rich tribal life for the anthropologist; and even rich tradition of textiles and tie-and-dye art for the fashion designer.
In short, Gujarat is a complete destination in itself.
Recommended Itinerary
DAY 01 - FLIGHT
Fly to Ahmedabad
DAY 2, 3 & 4 - AHMEDABAD
Arive into Ahmedabad, transfer to the Mani Mansion or the House of MG. Visit the sights including the Calico Museum, Gandhi Ashram, Jami Masjid, Sidi Sayid Mosque, Adalaj step-well; relish a traditional thali meal seated on the floor; visit the museum of utensils. There is the option of a conducted heritage walk of the old city.
DAY 5 - VELVADAR
A morning visit to Narsarovar Bird Sanctuary; drive on to Velvadar Sanctuary via the 4000 years old Harappan ruins at Lothal. Stay at Blackbuk Lodge; visit the sanctuary.
DAYS 6 & 7 - GIR
Visit the impressive hilltop temple complex at Palitana, reached by a steep flight of stairs (palanquins on offer). Drive on to Sasangir, stay at the Taj Gateway Hotel; enjoy jeep drives to see the Asiatic lion.
DAY 8 - GONDAL
Drive to Junagarh, visit the 250 BC Ashokan Edicts and the Junagadh Fort housing Buddhist Caves, rock-cut step wells and mosques; option of another steep climb to the beautiful Jain Temples on Girnar Hill; stay at the elegant Riverside Palace in Gondal with the royal collection of antique cars.
DAYS 9, 10 & 11 - BHUJ
A long drive to Bhuj in the desert region of Kutch; stay at a comfortable guest house; explore the tribal villages in the vicinity, famous for traditional handicrafts and tie & dye. You have the option of visiting dhow making units in Mandvi and the beachside palace there or take a full day excursion to the Harappan site of Dholavira.
DAY 12 - MULI
Drive on rural Muli for a night at the Ambika Niwas Palace; explore the village with your host family.
DAY 13 - DASADA
Drive to Dasada for a night at the Runn Riders' Jungle Lodge; enjoy a game drive to see the wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch.
DAYS 14 & 15 - POSHINA
Drive to Modhera to see the Sun Temple; carry on to the city of Patan to see the complex skill of double-ikkat weaving and to visit the famous step well, Rani-ki-wav. Drive on to the village of Poshina, stay at Darbargadh, local royal residence; visit the charming village, in the company of your hosts, seeing the Garasia Tribal way of life in the foothills of the Aravallis.
DAYS 16 & 17 - BALASINOR
Drive to Balasinor for stay at the beautiful Garden Palace, built in 1883. You can visit the Fossil Park, where remains of 13 species of dinosaurs have been found, to see the fossils and eggs in their natural form.
DAY 18 - BALASINOR-CHAMPANER-VADODARA-AHMEDABAD
Drive to Champaner, explore the medieval ruins of the abandoned city, an interesting example of Islamic, pre-Moghul architecture; return to Ahmedabad for a night, visiting the grand palace of the Gaekwads in Baroda en route.
DAY 19 - FLIGHT
Take the flight back.
Gallery
Testimonials
“Our trip was a wonderful experience. We felt that we travelled quite a lot of Gujarat and learned about their temples, history, textiles and living…. ”