Historic Architectural Tour of Gujarat

Day 01 : Baroda - Champaner - Jambugoda - Chhota Udepur
Reach Baroda and visit the museums and art galleries. Later proceed to Champaner, a walled citadel with 16th century Indo-Saracenic monuments and is on the World Historical list of UNESCO. After which, head to the tribal areas of Panchmahals District and Chhota Udepur Taluka to see traditional houses and paintings of the tribal groups. Situated on the banks of Vishwamitri River, Baroda is located on the Southeast of Ahemdabad and is one of the major towns of Gujarat. Officially known as Vadodara, Baroda houses beautiful palaces, museums and monuments and is also a major tourist attraction of the Gujarat state.

Overnight stay

Day 02 : Chhota Udepur - Ahmedabad (215 km. The drive takes about four hours)
Day starts with a drive to Ahemedabad. On arrival go on a city tour of Ahmedabad and visit the 15th and 16th century mosques and mausoleum complexes that are excellent examples of the provincial Indo-Saracenic style of Gujarat, the works of Le Corbusier and Luis Kahn, the Gandhi Ashram and museums.

Located on the banks of Sabarmati River, Ahemdabad was once the capital of Gujarat and is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. Also known as Karnavati, Ahemdabad is also an important commercial center of India and is visited by large number of both leisure and business tourists.

Overnight stay.

Day 03 : Ahmedabad - Lothal - Palitana
Next day go on a morning walking tour to see the havelis of Ahmedabad. Later travel to Lothal, excavations of a Harappan site. Continue to Palitana.

One of the most important archaeological sites, Lothal is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in the Gujarat state of India.

Overnight stay

Day 04 : Palitana - Diu
Ascend to see the Jain temple complex atop Shatrunjaya Hill over Palitana on day 04 of the Historic Architecture of Gujarat tour. The complex has about 860 temples on a summit sacred to Jains.

After which travel to Diu and visit the 16th century Portuguese Fort and 17th century churches.

One of the major pilgrimage centers for Jains, Palitana was once a princely state and is located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.

Overnight stay

Day 05 : Palitana - Somnath - Gir (Approx 102 km)
Begin your day with a drive to Somnath to see the temples. Later head for Gir.

Ideally located on the western coast of Gujarat, Somnath is a beautiful temple and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is a major tourist attraction of the state.

Overnight stay

Day 06 : Gir - Junagadh - Gondal (Approx 123 km, about three hours driving time)
Drive to Gir Lion Sanctuary and National Park in the morning the next day. Later travel to Junagadh with its historic fort, Buddhist caves, palace museum and royal mausoleum complexes.

Continue to Gondal and on reaching visit the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace and other interesting buildings of the Maharajas of Gondal.

Gir in Gujarat is a deciduous forest and is the last abode of the Asiatic lion. Besides, the forest also has a thriving panther (leopard) population. It also has home to large population of chital or spotted deer, sambar, blue bull antelope, chinkara gazelle, chousingha (the world's only four-horned antelope), wild boar and other wildlife. Besides, you will also see a large number of avian population on the game-drive trail.

Overnight stay

Day 07 : Gondal -dasada (Approx 4hrs)
Drive to Dasada, visit the artisans in the village and take an evening trip to the Little Rann of Kutch for desert wildlife viewing through the gates of the fortified village of Jhijhwada, dating to the 11th - 13th century Chalukyan period. Overnight stay

Day 08 : Dasada - Modhera - Patan - Balaram (180km)
Drive to the 11th century Sun Temple of Modhera, one of the finest examples of Hindu temple architecture in western India. After seeing the temple, continue to Patan to see the magnificently carved 11th century stepwell. Proceed to Balaram via Sidhapur known for its mansions and princely Palanpur. Stay at Balaram Palace Resort.

Day 09 : Balaram - Taranga - Vadnagar - Ahmedabad (250km)
Drive to see the 12th century Taranga Jain Temples and to historic Vadnagar with many historic buildings. Continue to Ahmedabad.

Day 10 : Ahmedabad (250km)
Departure transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.