India: Gujarat & Rann of Kutch (Christmas Departure)
India: Gujarat & Rann of Kutch (Christmas Departure)
16 Days Starting and ending in AHMEDABAD
Visiting: Ahmedabad, Poshina, Dasada, Kutch, Bhuj, Mandvi, Gondal, Palitana, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Champaner
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GUJ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Gujarat is a dazzlingly diverse state that shakes up even the experienced Indophile and reveals treasures hidden from the tourist hordes. With a 1600km coastline and an easily traversable landscape, it is both highly advanced and medievally tribal. The highly visible Jain community are largely responsible for Gujarat’s industrious reputation, stunning white marble temples and exquisite, ever-so-slightly sweet vegetarian fare. In the northwest, the seasonal marshlands of Kutch turn into hardened salt plains come summer and, in the Little Rann – habitat of the wild ass and flocks of flamingos – local artisans weave the finest textiles in India.
On this Village India tour, we see the very best of this undiscovered state, from the surreal Rann of Kutch and the ancient town of Bhuj to tribal Poshina, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner and we climb Shatrunjaya, to a mountain-top marvel of Jain architecture. And of course, we spend time in the capital city of Ahmedabad, home to Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram and the world’s finest textile museum.
For anyone with a love of 'off-the-beaten-track’ travel, textiles, shopping and rural India, this trip is a must.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Ahmedabad
Location: Ahmedabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lemon Tree Premier Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Those on the group flights will arrive early afternoon. After some time to refresh and recuperate at the hotel our tour will begin early evening with our welcome meeting and first group dinner.
Day 2: Ahmedabad
Location: Ahmedabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lemon Tree Premier Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will do our best, for those that want to, visit the textile museum with its Calico collection and Gandhi Ashram. Please note that places are limited, and therefore we will apply for tickets well in advance on request (please see further information in the additional comments section). In the afternoon we will have time to explore the city at our own leisure before an early dinner. After dinner we take stroll through the bustling evening streets of the old city on our way back to the hotel.
Day 3: Ahmedabad - Poshina
Location: Poshina, Ahmedabad
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Darbargarh Heritage Home or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we take a guided heritage walk taking us through some of the most ancient parts of the city through narrow streets, past old havelis and monuments. We then leave Ahmedabad behind us and head to the north of the state and the tribal region of Poshina (approx. 4 hours driving). Once there we check into the palace home of the former ruling royal family where we will be staying for the next 2 nights. It’s from here that we can visit the nearby villages of the Garacia, Adivasi & Bharavad tribes if time allows in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Poshina
Location: Poshina
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Darbargarh Heritage Home or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have a full day out in jeeps to the surrounding area visiting the Bhil and Garasia tribes. We take a picnic lunch, which we will eat in a suitably idyllic place – probably by the lake and return to the palace for dinner. Staying in the wonderful family-run heritage home we are able to eat delicious home-cooked food.
Day 5: Poshina - Dasada
Location: Dasada, Poshina
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Rann Riders Eco-Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Before leaving Poshina this morning, we will visit the nearby Kumbharia Jain Temples built in the 11th century. Afterwards we drive west taking in the staggering step-well at Patan followed by a demonstration of Ikat textile weaving and visit the ancient temple at Modhera. Situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River, Modhera is famous for its millennium-old Sun temple. This temple, built in 1026 AD by Bhimadeva of the Solanki Rajput clan, is dedicated to Lord Surya, the sun god. It was destroyed by Muhammad Ghaznavi and rebuilt later. The temple was designed so that at the time of the equinoxes, the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya. The temple is partially in ruins now but, despite the passage of time, it is still considered an architectural wonder. After lunch we drive on to Dasada where we stay for the next two nights. Approx. 4 hours driving.
Day 6: Little Rann Of Kutch
Location: Kutch
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Rann Riders Eco-resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we take a full day excursion into the Little Rann of Kutch. An extraordinary and unique landscape, this vast desiccated, unbroken surface of dark silt, encrusted with salt, transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after it rains. Here we witness the indigenous wild ass and other wild animals, as well as watching the women of the Mir and Rabari tribes creating some of the most remarkable textiles in the country.
Day 7: Dasada - Bhuj
Location: Bhuj, Dasada
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Kutch Safari Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we head to the capital of the Kutch region, Bhuj. On our way, we will visit The Living and Learning Design Centre, an initiative by the Shrujan trust to promote and preserve the beautiful craft heritage of Kutch. After lunch we head north to where we will be staying and from where we will access local villages. Approx. 6 hours driving
Day 8: Rann Of Kutch
Location: Kutch
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Kutch Safari Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we spend all day visiting the northern villages of this remote area. Though the Rann of Kutch is famed for its wildlife, there is much more to experience in this dry arid place. We will visit a Banni region community that are again famed for their handiwork and embroidery. We head further north towards the edge of the Great Rann to see the mirage of the salt flats on the horizon which is known as “White Sands”.
Day 9: Bhuj - Mandvi
Location: Mandvi, Bhuj
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Serena Beach Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we leave early to head back to the capital of the Kutch region, Bhuj. Sadly much of Bhuj was destroyed during the earthquake of 2001, but the Aina Mahal is still well worth visiting as is the amazing Kachchh Museum, with its exceptional collection of embroideries and the local textiles; having done this we head on to the coast and the Arabian Sea (approx. 1.5 hours driving). Arriving early afternoon we check into our hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying this relaxing setting. We can visit the palace, and the town where there are more handicraft shops. Evening on the beach!
Day 10: Mandvi - Gondal
Location: Gondal, Mandvi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Riverside Palace or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast there will be a chance to visit the incredible wooden dhow building industry before driving on to Gondal. The drive today will be long, about 8 hours dependent on the road conditions and the number of stops along the way. Gondal is a testimony to the great visionary ruler Sir Bhagwatsinhiji, who introduced social reforms, planned the development of Gondal town and created a model state of Saurashtra in late 19th and early 20th century. Gondal, the capital of the former princely State of Gondal, was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan, until the independence of India. It is a fortified town located on the river Gondali and is home to three fabulous palaces – one of which we stay in – and the Maharaja’s classic car collection. Here we see many of the amazing forts and palaces and the rather lovely old town: quiet and pretty, it puts one in mind of Bundi or Udaipur 20 years ago.
Day 11: Gondal
Location: Gondal
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Riverside Palace or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we visit the famous city palace, with its owner’s classic & vintage car collection. We can also see some spinning and weaving of khadhi cloth. In the late afternoon will visit the local market and famous temple to participate in the evening aarti.
Day 12: Gondal - Palitana
Location: Palitana, Gondal
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vijay Vilas Heritage Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we head on to another heritage property and home to the royal family of Palitana. Arriving in the late afternoon we have a leisurely evening and dinner. Approx 3.5 hours driving.
Day 13: Palitana - Bhavnagar
Location: Bhavnagar, Palitana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Nilambagh Palace Heritage Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early wake-up today to visit the amazing Jain temples: 3500 steps up Mount Shertunjaya. This extraordinary temple city is one of the highlights of any trip to India. After lunch we drive on to Bhavnagar, where we’ll have the afternoon to relax and recover from our morning’s exertions. Approx 2 hours driving.
Day 14: Bhavnagar - Vadodara
Location: Vadodara, Bhavnagar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vivanta Vadodara Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will drive to Vadodara. Along with Kashmir, Hyderabad, Gwalior and Mysore, in British time Vadodara was a ‘21 gun salute’ state. As such, it is fabulously wealthy with an exquisite palace. We arrive into Vadodara late morning and after a late lunch we visit the totally over the top Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum. Approx. 4 hours driving
Day 15: Vadodara - Champaner - Ahmedabad
Location: Vadodara, Champaner, Ahmedabad
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lemon Tree Premier Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner. Champaner is an ancient fort located at the foothills of Pavagadh. Muhammad Begada decided to establish the new capital of Gujarat at this place in 1484 AD and changed the name of the town to Muhammadabad. It took 23 years to build the town and it had a meteoric rise to fame, attaining glory as a great town of western India. Many edifices were constructed during these years: bazaars, town squares, Royal Gardens and water structures, as well as mosques. It also became a major trading centre producing fine silk, woven and dyed textiles and sword manufacturing. The entire landscape for miles around is scattered with remains of fort walls, ruined tombs, gardens, arches, pillars and wells and reminds one of other such great deserted towns of India: Mandu, Hampi, Orchha and Fatehpur Sikri. We will return to Vadodara for a late lunch before a transfer back to Ahmedabad where we have our farewell dinner.
Day 16: Tour Ends In Ahmedabad
Location: Ahmedabad
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour finshes this morning in Ahmedabad.
What's Included
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MEALS
15 x Breakfasts14 x Lunches15 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
Minibuses and jeeps.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for India.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that to cover the distance required to do this trip, there will be some long journeys in the bus.
Please be advised that on this trip that most, if not all, meals will be vegetarian.
If you would like to visit the Calico Museum in Ahmedabad we will need to know in advance of the tour in order that we can try to reserve a place for you. In order to secure you place you will need to tell us your profession and passport number. Please note that viewings are limited and therefore it is very much on a first come first served basis.
Gujarat is a dry state and it is very hard to buy alcohol and therefore if you would like to have a drink in the evening we would suggest that you buy your preferred tipple in duty free and put the bottle in your main luggage in Delhi before dropping your bags off for the flight to Ahmedabad.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except Palitana.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for India.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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