Rann Utsav With Beaches, Temples And Lion Safari

DAY 01: ARRIVE AHMEDABAD

Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, you will be welcomed by GeTS Holidays representative who will help you with your transfer to the pre-booked hotel. Check-in into the hotel and relax. After some time get ready to explore the famous attractions of Ahmedabad City including the historic part which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pay a visit to the iconic attractions of the city like the Gandhi Ashram, Jumma Masjid, Sidi Syed Mosque, the Hutheesingh Jain Temple – a 19th century ornate temple, Teen Darwaja, and the others. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02: AHMEDABAD TO DASADA [APPROX. 2.5 HRS. DRIVE]

Today drive to Dasada; arrive and transfer to your hotel. Relax and after some time head out for the Little Rann of Kutch. The region provides ideal breeding grounds for some of the largest flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingos. According to an estimate, about 70,000-75,000 birds’ nests in an area spread over 250 acres. One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected areas. Birds like houbara bustard, francolin partridge, bustard quails, spotted & Indian sand grouse, desert wheatear, steppe eagle, short toed eagle, vulture, imperial eagle, laggard falcon, flamingos, ducks, cranes, pelicans and storks are found here. Enjoy Jungle Safari in Little Rann of Kutch and enjoy bird watching. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: DASADA TO BHUJ [APPROX. 05 HRS. DRIVE]

Post breakfast, check-out from the hotel for Bhuj. Visit the Little Rann of Kutch sanctuary, home to the Asiatic Wild Ass – one of the endangered species in the world. The other mammals sheltered within the sanctuary are black buck antelope, Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai, Indian desert foxes, Indian wolf, jackals & lesser cats. Later continue your drive to Bhuj. Arrive in Bhuj and transfer to the hotel. Relax and spend rest of the time at leisure. Later, get ready for some sightseeing and visit the famous Cenotaphs Complex or Chattardi and Aaina Mahal Palace. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: BHUJ - DHORDO - BHUJ

Have a great breakfast in the morning and then set off for Dhordo for the Rann of Kutch. Set amidst the desert land, these quaint villages of Bhuj are the last villages on the India-Pakistan border. Discover the traditional art of the craftsmen, creating masterpieces every day. Get introduced to the village life of Gujarat and experience a day in the life of the locals as they proceed with their day to day chores. Upon arrival in Dhordo, get ready to explore the beauty of the colorful place. The Rann Utsav is the time when the white desert recedes and turns into nature’s masterpiece. The three-month-long festival celebrates the uniqueness of the world’s largest salt desert that transforms into a surreal landscape under moonlight. From folk dance performances to scrumptious Gujarati cuisine, camel safaris to folk dramas, the Rann Utsav is a one-of-its-kind extravaganza. Also kept on display is the magnificent Kutch art and craft like rogan art, rabari embroidery, and the mirror work fabrics. Moreover, for adventure lovers there are activities like Para Motoring, hot air balloon ride, ATV ride, and Rifle Shooting. You can even enjoy a short trip to the Indo-Pak Border. Later, in the evening enjoy some local folk dance performances. Later in the evening get back to Bhuj. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05: BHUJ TO JAMNAGAR [APPROX. 05 HRS. DRIVE]

After breakfast drive to Jamnagar; Arrive Jamnagar and transfer to your hotel. The city of Jamnagar once served as one of the most important princely states of Saurashtra. The region is a centre for the brass industry, zari work- an intricate art of weaving threads made of fine gold or silver, and lovely bandhani fabrics, a type of tie-dye textile decorated by plucking the cloth with the fingernails into many tiny bindings that form a figurative design. Visit the famous attractions like the Pratap Vilas Palace, the 16th century Darbargarh Palace and the museum at Lakota Island Palace. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: JAMNAGAR TO DWARKA [APPROX. 03 HRS. DRIVE]

After breakfast drive to Dwarka; Arrive Dwarka and transfer to your hotel. The small coastal town of Dwarka is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. It is here that Krishna founded his capital after leaving Mathura. Excavations have revealed five earlier cities at the site, all submerged. The present town of Dwarka dates back to the 19th century and draws in thousands of pilgrims during the Holi, Diwali and Janmashthami celebrations. Later, visit the Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple, the Rukmini temple, and Gopi Talav. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07: DWARKA TO SOMNATH [APPROX. 05 HRS. DRIVE]

Post breakfast drive to Somnath enroute visit Porbandar – a coastal heritage town of Gujarat on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea. It is also the birthplace of the ‘Father of the Nation’, Mahatma Gandhi. Today, a very fine quality of silk and cotton are manufactured here. Pay a visit to the famous attractions of the city including Kirti Mandir, Bharat Mandir Hall, and Sartanji Choro. Later continue your drive to Somnath; arrive Somnath and transfer to your hotel. Relax and after some time get ready to visit the famous Somnath Temple, believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple was originally built by the Moon God, Somraj. Later, it was built by the Sun God Ravi in silver, then by Krishna in wood and finally by the Solanki Rajputs in stone in the 11th century. The main highlight of the temple is the Kailash temple with its imposing architecture, a 50-meter high tower, intricate carvings and a number of holy idols and images. Mahmud of Ghazni, upon hearing the description of the richness of the Somnath temple by Al Biruni, an Arab traveller, visited this temple in 1024 AD. After a 2 days’ battle, Mahmud destroyed the temple and carried away jewels and gold to his homeland. In all, the Somnath temple was looted seventeen times. It was finally rebuilt in 1950 with the support of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel. Witness the evening Aarti at the temple, followed by the Sound & Light Show. Then, visit the beach of Somnath which is very beautiful and a captivating sight to behold. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08: SOMNATH TO DIU [APPROX. 02 HRS. DRIVE]

After breakfast drive to Diu; arrive in Diu and transfer to your hotel. Check into hotel and unwind. After some time get ready for Diu sightseeing tour to Nagoa beach, St. Paul's church, St. Thomas Church Museum, Diu Fort etc. In the evening get back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09: DIU TO SASAN GIR [APPROX. 2.5 HRS. DRIVE]

Post breakfast you will be driven to Sasan Gir. Upon arrival in Sasan Gir get transferred to the hotel. Check-into the hotel and relax. After some time get ready for Sasan Gir sightseeing tour and visit the Gir Forest National Park, the only place in the subcontinent where the Asiatic Lions can be found. Located on the south-western border of Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, the sanctuary is home to around 400 Asiatic Lions. You can also enjoy lion safari. The park also shelters other species like chital, Chinkara (Gazelle) four horned antelope, Leopard, Nilgai, spotted deer, wild boar, wild ass, monkeys, parrots and peacocks, many others birds etc. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10: SASAN GIR TO AHMEDABAD [APPROX. 07 HRS. DRIVE]

Have breakfast in the morning and then check-out for Ahmedabad. Upon arrival in Ahmedabad get transferred to the Railway station/Airport for your onward journey.