| Classical Gujarat Tour |
| Click
here for booking |
| |
| Gujarat
has a long historical and cultural tradition dating back to the days of the Harappan civilization established by relics found at Lothal. Situated on the western part of the Indian sub-continent, Gujarat derives its name 'Gujaratta' meaning the land of Gurjars. The Gurjars passed through the Punjab and settled in some parts of Western India, which came to be known as Gujarat. |
| |
| Ahmedabad
was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the banks of River Sabarmati in 1411 A.D. Legend has it that he decided to build the capital at Ahmedabad because he saw a rabbit attacking one of his hunter dogs. It occurred to him that if the rabbits of the region were so brave, the people must be even braver. Popularly known as the Manchester of the East, Ahmedabad boasts of the largest denim production in the world. It is also home to several interesting museums. Many of Ahmedabad's buildings bear the signatures of world-renowned architects like Le Corbusier, Louis Khan , Doshi and Correa. |
| |
| Lothal
in the dialect of the local people, quite literally means 'the mound of the dead'. A find of tremendous archaeological significance, Lothal lies 80 kms. south west of Ahmedabad. Discovered in 1957, it has been proved to be the ruins of a full fledged settlement of the Harappan(INDUS) era dating as far back as the 2nd millennium B.C. |
| |
| Palitana
is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, 51 km south west of Bhavnagar. It is a part of the Saurashtra region famed for its spectacular temple sites. The Jains have five separate hill locations for their holiest clusters of temples and Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana is considered the most important among them. Palitana houses perhaps the largest cluster of Jain temples anywhere. From the base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya Hill, where the Palitana temples are located, there are in all 863 temples. |
| |
| Junagadh
An ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend, Junagadh lies at the foot of the temple-studded Girnar Hill. It derives its name from the 'old fort', which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills that landscape Junagadh are a holy sanctuary to the Jains. The history of Mount Girnar dates back to the awesome empire of Ashoka, one of India's greatest emperors. Ashoka inscribed 14 edicts on a huge boulder en-route to Mt. Girnar peak. Junagadh's main feature is the Uperkot fort (upper fort), a sombre and inaccessible fortress. |
| |
| Diu
Across Ahmedpur Mandvi lies the island of Diu, a sensuous blend of sun, sand and deep blue sea. Diu is situated 125 kms. from Junagadh. It is one of the country's finest beaches, and tourists who keep falling in love with it have spread its name all over the world. The island is also dotted by three Portuguese churches one which has been converted into a museum housing some rare Portuguese artifacts. |
| |
| Sasangir
is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. Sprawling in an area of 1424 sq. kms., Gir with its dry d eciduous forest is a luxuriantly rich ecosystem-endowed with floral and faunal plentitude. Thirty species of mammals, twenty species of reptiles, several species of insects and birds are found here. The forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. Gir, the last refuge of the king of the jungle, is one of the largest and most important wildlife sanctuaries in India. |
| |
| Gondal
is a fortified town located on the river Gondali. One of the oldest and most beautiful of Gondal palaces, the Navlakha palace complex (17th century), is situated on a river bank, on a grand masonary base, rising to the monumental scale of at least 30 meter above the river bed. The palace is approached by the high gateway with the clock tower from the town side. The rulers of Gondal were great lovers of automobiles and one can see several vintage and Classic cars in the royal garage. |
| |
| The Rann of Kutch
an area of 18,000 sq km, lies almost entirely within Gujarat along the border with Pakistan. The Little Rann of Kutch extends northeast from the Gulf of Kutch over 5,100 sq km. What makes it most interesting is the endless desert area on the one side and the sea on the other side. On the border of the Kutch lies the highest hill measuring 1515 feet high. Rann of kutch is among the wetlands of India. Kutch is also home to numerous tribal groups, whose attire often adds a dash of color to the otherwise dull desert monotones. |
| |
| Best season October
– March |
