Need help with Gujarat itinerary

pinkyparker · Aug 14th, 2009, 04:11

I appreciate all the help IM'ers have given me in the past and I'm now looking for comments on this itinerary for Gujarat. It comes from a guide I had in Ahmedabad earlier this year and is still in the formative stages, so all suggestions/additions/deletions are welcome.

My main interests are:
a. tribal areas
b. World Heritage Sites
c. any festivals we may happen on
d. staying in Heritage properties

Day 1 -- Arrive Ahmedabad
Jambughoda 2 nights
Utelia 1 night
Bhavnager 1 night (Palitana, Barton museum, jewelry market)
Diu 2 nights (fort, churches, havelis, museum)
Sasson Gir -- 2 nights ( National Park, home of the asiatic lion)
Gondal 1 night
Wankaner 1 night
Bhuj 3 nights - Little Rann of Kutch
Mandvi 1 night (beach hotel)
Dasada 2 nights ( I’ve spent 2 nights at Rann Riders, done the safari,etc. -- so this stop might be cut)
Balaram 1 night
Mt. Abu 1 night
Udaipur 1 night (might be cut also,have been there twice)
Dungalpur 1 or 2 nights at Udai Bilas Palace for a relaxing stay after two months travel in India
Ahmedabad

Meander · Aug 14th, 2009, 20:09

You can visit Pavagadh & Champaner [World heritage site] & stay at Vadodara.

If you are in time for Ganpati puja / Navratri then the fun is much more.

A visit to Sardar sarovar [Narmada] dam is also worthwile.

Meander · Aug 14th, 2009, 20:11

At Ahmedabad, Adalaj step well & Sabarmati Ashram are worth visiting.

bonded · Aug 14th, 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkyparker

c. any festivals we may happen on

You have not mentioned when are you travelling?

wind_chariot · Aug 14th, 2009, 20:56

You have covered all interesting places, but try to cover Junagarh. Old fort there (1000 yr old approx.) and some other historic monuments are worth a look. You can finish all interesting places in Junagarh in just half day and then you can proceed to Sasan Gir. It is just 60 km from Sasan Gir.

Also, spend more time in Bhavnagar. Palitana will take your whole day as the main thing to see is on the mountain and you have to climb it by foot.

Blackbuck National Park near Bhavnagar is also worth a visit, instead of spending time in Dasada as you have already been there.

pinkyparker · Aug 14th, 2009, 21:46

Thank you very much for your replies -- they are very helpful! Bonded, I hope to travel in February. This is the revised itinerary based on the IM suggestions and given back to me by the company in Delhi handling the arrangements:

Day 01 : Arrilve Ahmedabad.
Day 02 : Ahmedabad - Jambhugodha(Chotta Udaipur) (210 Kms / 5 Hours)
Day 03 : Visit Chotta Udaipur and villages ( Jambhugodha to Chotta udaipur is 50 kms / 45 minutes drive)
Day 04 : Jambhugodha - onway visit of Champanir ( World Heritage site) Vadodara ( 30 Kms + 60 Kms / 3-5 hours including visit)
Day 05 : Vadodara Sightseeing and Later drive Utelia ( 170 Kms / 5 Hours)
Day 06 : Utelia - Visit Lothal(Indus Valley Civilisation) - Palitana ( 160 Kms / 4-5 Hours)
Day 07 : Visit the Palitana Temple ( located 3500 steps onway on the Shatrunjaya hills)
Day 08 : Palitana - Diu (200 Kms/ 5-6 Hours)
Day 09 : Diu -Enjoy the baach activity
Day 10 : Diu - Somnath Temples -( 80 kms / 2-3 Hours )+ Junagadh(visit Ashok rock edict,cave, museam) - Gondal ( 90 + 65 Kms / 4-5 Hours)
Day 11 : Gondal Visit + Wankaner ( 90 Kms / 2 Hours)
Day 12 : Wankaner - Bhuj - upon arrival proceed to obtain permit for restricted areas.(250 Kms / 6 Hours)
Day 13 : Bhuj - Banny villages - Hokdko stay at (Shaam-E- Sarhad Rural resort)
Day 14 : Hodko - Banny Vilalges - Return to Bhuj. Stay at Bhuj
Day 15 : Bhuj - Bajana ( little Rann of Kutch) (260 Kms / 6-7 Hours)
Day 16 : Bajana - Visit - Little Rann of Kutch
Day 17 : Bajan - Modhera(sun temple) - Patan(step well) - Balaram (200 Kms / 5-6 hours - including visit)
Day 18 : Balaram - Visit the Tribal Vilalges - Drive to Mt.Abu
Day 19 : Mt.Abu - Dungarpur
Day 20 : Dungarpur / Udaipur
Day 21 : Udaipur / Mumbai (flight)

Again, all suggestions welcome! Thank you!

bonded · Aug 14th, 2009, 21:59

International Kite Festival / Uttarayan on February 14th is famous

Kutch Mahotsava during the end of February start of March

vonkla · Aug 14th, 2009, 22:09

During our tour in Gujarat we went to Dholavira an excavation from the Indus civilization.
We visited it en route from Bhuj to Radhanpur. From there we went to Mehsana and visited Modherea, Patan and Vadnagar.

For a more detailed description of our itinerary see the March part of our journal Mumbai-Dehli in three months

hitanshu · Aug 14th, 2009, 23:49

There is another minar/tower near Champaner though my memory beats me - you can ask the locals onsite itself.

bijapuri · Aug 15th, 2009, 00:54

ambitious route. you will be rushed, exhausted, and miss lots of stuff in the places through which your will be speeding.

Indian tour agencies are famous for their fast pace. I think it's because their local staple is the pilgrimage trade, which revolves around visiting as many pilgrimage sites as possible in a short amount of time.

wind_chariot · Aug 15th, 2009, 13:15

particularly day 10 will be too much for you. and, as people said, too much is short time, but as you have been to india and specially gujarat before, i guess you can manage it as you are aware of the surrounding you will get.

kite festival is on January 14, not Feb 14 as mentioned by Bonded.

In Mt. Abu, visit Dilwara Temples for their carvings.

Good Luck!

russnrob · Aug 16th, 2009, 16:16

At Junagadh try to climb Girnar hill it is a haul but worth it! the zoo there was "interesting"
Enjoy, we reckon gujarat is great!

pinkyparker · Aug 16th, 2009, 22:44

Dear IM'ers: Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions. Am working on revising the itinerary - especially Day 10. I appreciate all your help and advice. This is such a great forum!

Kanehanahou · Aug 20th, 2009, 09:28

Quote:

International Kite Festival / Uttarayan on February 14th is famous

JANUARY 14th in 2010.

WeaKnee · Aug 20th, 2009, 10:31

PP,
Some pictures of Lothal. Pardon the quality as they were taken through the phone camera. A truely awesome site for the ones who are into history.

Aug 14th, 2009, 04:11	#1
pinkyparker Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago area Posts: 55	Need help with Gujarat itinerary I appreciate all the help IM'ers have given me in the past and I'm now looking for comments on this itinerary for Gujarat. It comes from a guide I had in Ahmedabad earlier this year and is still in the formative stages, so all suggestions/additions/deletions are welcome. My main interests are: a. tribal areas b. World Heritage Sites c. any festivals we may happen on d. staying in Heritage properties Day 1 -- Arrive Ahmedabad Jambughoda 2 nights Utelia 1 night Bhavnager 1 night (Palitana, Barton museum, jewelry market) Diu 2 nights (fort, churches, havelis, museum) Sasson Gir -- 2 nights ( National Park, home of the asiatic lion) Gondal 1 night Wankaner 1 night Bhuj 3 nights - Little Rann of Kutch Mandvi 1 night (beach hotel) Dasada 2 nights ( I’ve spent 2 nights at Rann Riders, done the safari,etc. -- so this stop might be cut) Balaram 1 night Mt. Abu 1 night Udaipur 1 night (might be cut also,have been there twice) Dungalpur 1 or 2 nights at Udai Bilas Palace for a relaxing stay after two months travel in India Ahmedabad __________________ Journey far..... Walk in Peace.

Aug 14th, 2009, 20:56	#5
wind_chariot pseudo-member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 154	You have covered all interesting places, but try to cover Junagarh. Old fort there (1000 yr old approx.) and some other historic monuments are worth a look. You can finish all interesting places in Junagarh in just half day and then you can proceed to Sasan Gir. It is just 60 km from Sasan Gir. Also, spend more time in Bhavnagar. Palitana will take your whole day as the main thing to see is on the mountain and you have to climb it by foot. Blackbuck National Park near Bhavnagar is also worth a visit, instead of spending time in Dasada as you have already been there. __________________ “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” - Paul Theroux

Aug 14th, 2009, 21:46	#6
pinkyparker Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago area Posts: 55	revised Gujarat itinerary Thank you very much for your replies -- they are very helpful! Bonded, I hope to travel in February. This is the revised itinerary based on the IM suggestions and given back to me by the company in Delhi handling the arrangements: Day 01 : Arrilve Ahmedabad. Day 02 : Ahmedabad - Jambhugodha(Chotta Udaipur) (210 Kms / 5 Hours) Day 03 : Visit Chotta Udaipur and villages ( Jambhugodha to Chotta udaipur is 50 kms / 45 minutes drive) Day 04 : Jambhugodha - onway visit of Champanir ( World Heritage site) Vadodara ( 30 Kms + 60 Kms / 3-5 hours including visit) Day 05 : Vadodara Sightseeing and Later drive Utelia ( 170 Kms / 5 Hours) Day 06 : Utelia - Visit Lothal(Indus Valley Civilisation) - Palitana ( 160 Kms / 4-5 Hours) Day 07 : Visit the Palitana Temple ( located 3500 steps onway on the Shatrunjaya hills) Day 08 : Palitana - Diu (200 Kms/ 5-6 Hours) Day 09 : Diu -Enjoy the baach activity Day 10 : Diu - Somnath Temples -( 80 kms / 2-3 Hours )+ Junagadh(visit Ashok rock edict,cave, museam) - Gondal ( 90 + 65 Kms / 4-5 Hours) Day 11 : Gondal Visit + Wankaner ( 90 Kms / 2 Hours) Day 12 : Wankaner - Bhuj - upon arrival proceed to obtain permit for restricted areas.(250 Kms / 6 Hours) Day 13 : Bhuj - Banny villages - Hokdko stay at (Shaam-E- Sarhad Rural resort) Day 14 : Hodko - Banny Vilalges - Return to Bhuj. Stay at Bhuj Day 15 : Bhuj - Bajana ( little Rann of Kutch) (260 Kms / 6-7 Hours) Day 16 : Bajana - Visit - Little Rann of Kutch Day 17 : Bajan - Modhera(sun temple) - Patan(step well) - Balaram (200 Kms / 5-6 hours - including visit) Day 18 : Balaram - Visit the Tribal Vilalges - Drive to Mt.Abu Day 19 : Mt.Abu - Dungarpur Day 20 : Dungarpur / Udaipur Day 21 : Udaipur / Mumbai (flight) Again, all suggestions welcome! Thank you!

Aug 14th, 2009, 22:09	#8
vonkla Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 562	During our tour in Gujarat we went to Dholavira an excavation from the Indus civilization. We visited it en route from Bhuj to Radhanpur. From there we went to Mehsana and visited Modherea, Patan and Vadnagar. For a more detailed description of our itinerary see the March part of our journal Mumbai-Dehli in three months __________________ . See our travel journals Mumbai-Dehli in three months; From Kochi to Delhi

Aug 14th, 2009, 23:49	#9
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	There is another minar/tower near Champaner though my memory beats me - you can ask the locals onsite itself. __________________ SMASH!!!!

Aug 14th, 2009, 20:09	#2
Meander Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vadodara Posts: 308	You can visit Pavagadh & Champaner [World heritage site] & stay at Vadodara. If you are in time for Ganpati puja / Navratri then the fun is much more. A visit to Sardar sarovar [Narmada] dam is also worthwile.

Aug 14th, 2009, 20:11	#3
Meander Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vadodara Posts: 308	At Ahmedabad, Adalaj step well & Sabarmati Ashram are worth visiting.

Aug 14th, 2009, 21:59	#7
bonded Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 492	International Kite Festival / Uttarayan on February 14th is famous Kutch Mahotsava during the end of February start of March

Aug 15th, 2009, 00:54	#10
bijapuri Lord of Kalinjar Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: the real surf city Posts: 2,646	ambitious route. you will be rushed, exhausted, and miss lots of stuff in the places through which your will be speeding. Indian tour agencies are famous for their fast pace. I think it's because their local staple is the pilgrimage trade, which revolves around visiting as many pilgrimage sites as possible in a short amount of time. __________________ lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Aug 15th, 2009, 13:15	#11
wind_chariot pseudo-member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 154	particularly day 10 will be too much for you. and, as people said, too much is short time, but as you have been to india and specially gujarat before, i guess you can manage it as you are aware of the surrounding you will get. kite festival is on January 14, not Feb 14 as mentioned by Bonded. In Mt. Abu, visit Dilwara Temples for their carvings. Good Luck!

Aug 16th, 2009, 16:16	#12
russnrob Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 13	At Junagadh try to climb Girnar hill it is a haul but worth it! the zoo there was "interesting" Enjoy, we reckon gujarat is great! __________________ Dude Wallah

Aug 16th, 2009, 22:44	#13
pinkyparker Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago area Posts: 55	Thank you! Dear IM'ers: Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions. Am working on revising the itinerary - especially Day 10. I appreciate all your help and advice. This is such a great forum!

Aug 20th, 2009, 10:31	#15
WeaKnee Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: India Posts: 107	Lothal PP, Some pictures of Lothal. Pardon the quality as they were taken through the phone camera. A truely awesome site for the ones who are into history. Attached Thumbnails

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