Gujarat

Our trip to Gujarat covers all the major sites of the Mohenjodaro civilisation in a 9 day tour; and along the way we also take a peek into other aspects of Gujarat.

ABOUT THIS TRIP:

Somewhere around 6000 BC, a group of Nomadic people settled in villages just west of the Indus river, and slowly created order for themselves. They grew in population, domesticated animals, started trade relations with distant nations, worked metals. By around 2600, a civilization as grand as that in Mesopotamia and Egypt had begun on the Indus Plain and surrounding areas, and spread beyond its place of origin. Then, between 1800 and 1700 BCE, civilization on the Indus Plain all but vanished. What befell these people is unknown. Agriculture declined and people abandoned their cities in search of food. Later, a few people of a different culture settled in some of the abandoned cities, in what archaeologists call a ''squatter period''. Then the squatters disappeared. Knowledge of the Mohenjo-daro and Harappa civilization died, until archaeologists discovered the civilization in the mid-19th century.Travelling to Harappa / Mohenjodaro sites is key to understanding the life in the Indian subcontinent around 3000 to 1500BC. Indus valley civilization is comparable to other ancient civilizations of the world in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Egypt. Many believe that history of Harappa is not only the history of Indus valley and subsequently of India but a history of mankind and more so history of Asia. It can be asserted that one has not seen India and Pakistan without visiting the sites of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations in these two countries.

LONG ITINERARY:

Day 01: Ahmedabad /Lothal / Sayla :Lothal city is one of the well known cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization. Overnight stay at Sayla.

Day 02: Rangpur /Dholavira:On the basis of archaeological evidences, it is considered that the Harappans had established their full blown civilisation to these 2 sites and lived almost a full life before their culture declined. Night stay at Dholavira.

Day 03: Dholavira:Dholavira is even older than the port city of Lothal. The excavations here revealed a number of ancient artifacts, like seals, beads, animal bones, gold, silver, terracotta ornaments and vessels linked to Mesopotamia. There is evidence that the town was an important trade center between other settlements in Sind, Punjab and Western Asia.The most fascinating discovery of Dholavira is the large inscription, comprising of ten letters in the Indus script. This is considered today as the oldest inscription ever found in the world.

Day 04: Bhuj:On the way we will be visiting Lamail Khatri, a national award winner for his Ajrakh Prints, and Dhaneti, famous for its Ahir embroidery work. At Bhuj, local sightseeing would cover the Aaina Mahal, the Prag Mahal, the Kutch Museum etc.

Day 05: Hodka:On the way, we visit the Mutwa tribe, famous for their intricate Mutwa embroidery, themed around tiny mirrors, and the beautiful white desert.

Day 06: Nirona / Bhuj:We visit the twin crafts villages of Zura & Nirona this day, home to several master craftsmen practicing their trade and honing it to an art form.We also visit the city of Mandvi, a city of merchants and seamen, representing the true Gujarat-Lutchi culture, with a 400 year old ship building industry and clean beaches. We visit the Vijay Vilas palace, Mandvi Beach and the ship building yard. Overnight stay at Bhuj.

Day 07: Little Rann of Kutch:In the monsoon, the Great and the Little Rann of Kutch are inundated with water. As they dry in winter, the land gets converted into a salt-encrusted desert landscape interspersed with elevated areas called ''Bets'' or islands that are vegetated as they fall above the water-level and wetlands. This unique landscape harbours a rich and varied birdlife typical of the habitat.We stay at self contained huts for a true Rann experience. We would tour the villages of the Vadiara Rabari, Koli and Bhairwad tribes, and also visit some semi-nomadic groups like the Mirs and Bajanias in Zainabad.The highlight of the trip would be our visit to the Wild Ass sanctuary, home to the Indian Wild Ass, and to several other species such as Nilgais, Black buck, the Indian Wolf as well as many bird species, including the Macqueen?s Bustard, which make this place a bird watcher?s paradise.

Day 08: Modhera / Patan / Ahmedabad:The Sun temple at Modhera, far less well known than the one at Konark, and far more off the beaten track, is an architectural land mark. We also pass through Patan, a little town with faded wooden houses and remarkable Jain temples, and Sidhpur, home to one of the 5 holiest lakes in India, the Bindu Sarovar. 

Day 09: Ahmedabad:  The last day we visit several of the local arts and crafts landmarks before embarking on our way back.

Cost Includes:

• AC Accommodations (Accept Hodka – Eco Friendly Tent)
• AC Transportation as per iitnerary
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• 01 Tour Escort / Guide for entire tour (ONLY FOR 06 PAX & 10 PAX – Travelling Together)
• Toll Tax, Inter State Road Tax, Vehicle Permit Fees, Parking, Vehicle Entry/Exit Fees, Driver’s Allowances, Border Tax, Government Service Tax, etc.
• All Tax

Cost Excludes:

• Meals other than that specified in the itinerary.
• Local Guide and Tour Escort Charges
• Rest all meals you need to pay across the counter at restaurants of your choice. 
• All Location: Animal Rides, Camera’s Fees, Rope – way Charges, Doli Charges, etc…
• Entrance Fees at the locations e.g. Temples, National Parks, Forts, Palaces, Heritage Properties, Monuments, Museums, Zoo etc.
• Boat Charges at BeytDwarka etc…
• Jeep Safari permits, Jeep & Guide Charges at Little Rann of Kutch.
• Canter safari at Dewaliya Park
• Porterage, laundry, dry cleaning, telephone calls, fax, internet charges, tips, drinks or any other expenses of personal nature such as room services, etc.
• Domestic Air Fare, Trains, Buses other than that mentioned.
• International Air Fares, Indian Visa Fees, Insurance, any kind of Gratuity, etc.
• Anything not mentioned under “The Cost includes”