Gujarat and Mumbai Tour Explore Mumbai, the financial capital of India, along with Gujarat, the land of Gandhi.
Tour DetailsDay 01: Arrive Mumbai - VadodaraOn Arrival at the Mumbai International airport, you will be greeted by our representative and directly transferred to the railway station to board the train to Vadodara (preferably 12009 Shatabdi Express, starts at 0625 hours and arrives at 1115 hours). On arrival at the Vadodara Railway station you will be provided with comfortable transfer to hotel. After check in, you will have rest of the day to yourself. The overnight stay will be at the Vadodara hotel. Day 02: Vadodara - Champaner - Pavagadh - Chhota UdepurAfter an early morning traditional Gujarati breakfast, a visit to Maharaja Sayajirao Museum, will be organized. This museum is world renowned for its collection of exquisite European paintings, sculptures, industrial arts and royal family memorabilia. The museum is also home to several Akota Bronzes, which are archeological finds that represent 5th century Jain culture. Later the journey to Chhota Udepur will commence, it usually takes around 2 hour to reach this town, as one has to cover a distance of around 106 km. However on route, stopover will be made at the ancient fortified city of Champaner. The magnificent Champaner Fort is an integral part of the history of the region and is cradled in the foothills of Pavagadh. In 15th century, this fortified citadel saw a change of ruling dynasties, when Khichi Chauhan Rajputs lost it to Mohammed Begada, one of the most prominent Muslim rulers of Gujarat. Later you will visit the temple of mother goddess Mahakali Maa in Pavagadh. The insistently blowing gentle breeze, gives this solitary hill an enthralling aura. The overnight stay will be made at the hotel in Chhota Udepur. Day 03: Chhota UdepurThe day will begin with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, and then you will be visiting the Rathwa and Dhanka tribes, that have lived in and around this region for ages. First on the tour is Alirajpur, where you will have a chance to interact with the Rathwa tribals, who consider themselves descendants of Rathore Rajput rulers and from Rathore, a place in Rajasthan. They dress up in their traditional attire, which consists of a loin cloth (Langoti) and headgear (phenta). Chhota Udepur, an erstwhile princely kingdom is home to some of the most primitive tribes of Gujarat. Later, you will also have a chance to intermingle with the Dhanaka, who migrated to this region from central India. After a filling lunch, visit to several tribal villages like Kol, Kharakwada, Timla, Devhat etc. will be organized. You will also get to buy various local fineries at the haat (weekly market). In evening you will be dropped at the Chotta Udepur hotel, for overnight stay. Day 04: Chota Udepur - Lothal - BhavnagarStart the day with delicious breakfast, provided by the hotel and then the drive to Bhavnagar will begin. During the journey, you will be covering a distance of about 307 km. However en rout a stopover will be made at Lothal, which literally means “Mound of the Dead”. It is one of the most famous excavated sites of Harappan culture in India and offers a rare glimpse into the ethos of the Indus Valley Civilization. Once in Bhavnagar, you will check into the hotel, where you will be spending the night. Day 05: Bhavnagar - Palitana - DiuThe day will start with a light, early breakfast and then you will be driven to Palitana and begin the 3.5 km climb of over 3500 steps from the town to reach the summit of Shatrunjaya hills. On reaching the top, you will be greeted by a mesmerizing sight of around 800, beautifully crafted Jain temples. For protection, all these breathtaking shrines are enclosed in tall battlement. These massive fortifications are known as tuks and the major temple complexes can be divided into nine enclosures. The most elaborate and tallest among them is the Khartaravasi Tuk, it houses various architectural gems like the Adinatha temple built around 16th century, the Vallabhi temple that has magnificently clustered spires and the massive 1836 AD Motisah temple. Day 06: DiuBegin the day with leisurely breakfast, after which the day tour of the Diu Fort and beach will commence. The Diu Fort is silent remnant of turbulent struggles between Sultan of Gujarat, Mughal emperor and the Portuguese. The canons in the fort are great point of interest for most visitors. Later, you will be visiting St .Paul Church, Diu Museum and spend the evening taking a stroll down the beach and watching the scarlet sunset. Overnight stay will be at the Diu hotel. Day 07: Diu - Somnath - JunagadhAfter an early morning breakfast, you will be driven to the Somnath temple, located near Veraval in Saurashtra. The journey will take around 6 hours. This historic shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is hailed as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is believed that the first Somnath shrine was built of gold and down the ages it was repaired, ravaged and rebuilt seven times. After paying homage, the onward journey to Junagadh will continue. On reaching the town, check into a hotel and after brief rest the city tour will commence. Its highlights would be Uperkot Fort, an ancient citadel built by Chandragupta in 319 B.C. It is believed that this fort was besieged almost 16 times. Other interesting places, you’ll be visiting are Ashokan Edicts, Mahabat Maqbara and Girnar hill temple. The overnight stay will be at Junagadh hotel. Day 08: Junagadh - DwarkaBegin the day at a slow pace, with relaxed breakfast and commence your journey towards Dwarka. The pious city of Dwarka is one of the four most holy pilgrimage sites (Chardham) as per the Hindu faith and is closely associated with Lord Krishna’s life. Once the hotel check in is completed at Dwarka, you will visit the stunning Dwarkadhish Temple and participate in the evening aarti. The overnight stay will be at the Dwarka hotel. Day 09: Dwarka - JamnagarYour day will begin early by attending early morning aarti at Dwarkadhish temple, on return, a filling breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later you will visit Bet Dwarka or Bet Shankhoddar. It is believed to be the ancient location, where Lord Krishna had setup his ancient capital. The site is also hailed as the location where a mighty demon named Shankhasura was slayed by Lord Vishnu. This place is located around 5 km from Okha Junction in sea and Okha is around 30 km from the town of Dwarka. Other temples that you should not miss out on, while visiting in Dwarka, are Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple and Rukmani DeviTemple. The first is considered, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and the later is dedicated to Lord Krishna’s wife. Later, your will be driven to Jamnagar, where on arrival and after check in, your will visit the Bala Hanuman Temple. This pious shrine has found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, since Lord Ram’s name is chanted here 24/7 nonstop and it has been so since 1964. Overnight stay will be at Jamnagar hotel. Day 10: Jamnagar - DasadaAfter a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, you shall be driven to Dasada. On arrival you will check into the hotel and spend the in Dasada. Day 11: Dasada - Patan - Modhera - AhmedabadThe day will begin with early morning scrumptious breakfast, after which the village safari tour will commence. This tour will include excursion to various pastoral settlements and villages that have sprouted across the beautiful and bare Rann of Kutch. Here you will get a chance to observe at close quarters the cultures of various local tribes like Vadiara and Kharapat Rabari, they are known for their great silk-weaves and intricate embroideries. You will also visit the Bharward shepherds and goatherds. Other intriguing tribal societies in the region are Padhars (primarily fishing people), the Siddis and the semi-nomadic Mirs, Jaths (Muslim herders), Bajanias. Later, you will continue your onward journey towards Ahmedabad, en route a stopover shall be made at Patan. Here you will visit Rani ki Vav, which is a stunning stepwell built by King Bhimdev’s consort Queen Udaymati in around 11-12th century. This stepwell is an incredible and ostentatious example of that era’s architectural genius. The descending staircases and ornamented pillars give it a spectacular feel. Day 12: Ahmedabad - MumbaiThe day will start with scrumptious breakfast, after which you will visit the Calico Museum. It is well known for the finest collection of textiles, clothes, furniture, crafts across India. It is definitely the highlight of the morning tour as here on show are various stunning pieces of Indian history in form of gorgeous fabrics, like those belonging to royals, which includes an exquisitely embroidered tent and robe used by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. In addition to this, the museum also exhibits Patola saris, bandhani tie-and-dye, woolen shawls from Kashmir, tribal crafts etc. In afternoon, you will be transferred to Ahmedabad Railway station to board train 12010 Shatabdi Express (it leaves at 1430 hours for Mumbai and arrives there at about 2135 hours). On arrival you shall be received and transferred to a hotel in Mumbai, where you will check in and spend the night. Mumbai is the thriving economic and fashion capital of India. The city is known for its numerous shopping arcades and happing nightlife. Day 13: MumbaiThe day will begin with full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai, which will include various spectacular sights like Prince of Wales Museum, Gateway of India, the Towers of Silence, Marine Drive and the Colaba Causeway. Besides these regular tourist sights, you also be taken to the Dhobi Ghat, a unique and colorful outdoor 'laundry', where you can interact with locals. Later, you’ll visit the lovely 'Hanging Gardens' and the Kamla Nehru Park; these are great vintage points to catch wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea. You will also visit a small museum devoted to Mahatma Gandhi, known as Mani Bhawan and will also be given taste of the vivacious Crawford Market. The overnight will be at the hotel in Mumbai. Day 14: MumbaiAfter a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, your excursion to Elephanta Caves will commence. This site remains closed on Mondays. First and foremost you will be driven to Gateway of India from here; you will board motorboats to reach Elephanta Caves. These ancient caves are located on an island and after climbing a flight of 100 steps the caves come into sight. These magnificent caves have a cross beamed ceiling, held by humongous pillars. These caves are a storehouse of various exquisite sculptures, the most famous and awe inspiring is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, in it the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the creator. Return to the hotel and later in the evening, you will be transferred to airport to continue your onward journey. Wish to book a customized Tour, please fill in your travel requirements in the form and our representative will get in touch with the best travel plan.
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