India! - Isram World of Travel

ITINERARYDAY 1 | Arrive AhmedabadArrive in Ahmedabad, a wealthy city that blends ancient heritage witha vibrant present; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel.Balance of the day at leisure.DAY 2 | AhmedabadFull day tour includes Sabarmati Ashram (also Satyagrah Ashram),home to Mahatma Gandhi until 1930 and instrumental in India'sIndependence struggle. Continue to the Calico Museum with itstextile collection, known as the world’s best, and Bhadra Fort. Stopat Teen Darwaza, one of the city’s most imposing gateways. In theafternoon, visit the intricate Hathee Singh, a Jain temple, andthe massive Akshardham Temple which honors the SwaminarayanHindu sect. (B)DAY 3 | Ahmedabad / Modhera / Patan / AhmedabadFull day excursion to Modhera and Patan. Stop at Modhera’s 11thCentury Sun Temple complex, the Solanki dynasty's highestarchitectural achievement. Twice a year, during the equinox, the raysof the rising sun illuminate Surya (Sun God) in his innermostsanctum (temple accessible only during the equinox). Continue toPatan, Gujarat’s old capital. Explore the ruins of this formerprosperous fortified town including Hindu and Jain temples, fortsand step wells. Evening return to Ahmedabad. (B)DAY 4 | Ahmedabad / BhavnagarMorning drive to Gujarat’s cultural capital, Bhavnagar, where artistsand literary figures have contributed immensely to the city’s success.An afternoon tour takes you to the Barton Library and GandhiSmriti with its vast collection of memorabilia an the Father ofNation and the Indian Independence struggle. End the day with avisit to the Takhteshwar temple, a local landmark offering sweepingcity views. (B)DAY 5 | Bhavnagar / GondalEarly morning departure for Gondal, former princely state ofKathiawar, founded in 1634 and known for historic palaces,monuments and intricate crafts. En route visit Palitana the Jaincommunity’s most sacred pilgrimage center (tirtha). This sprawlingcomplex includes over 1300 temples exquisitely carved in marble andbuilt over 900 years. Overnight in Gondal. (B)NOTE: The main temple is located on a hill and any visit entails aclimb of over 3000 stairs. The climb is not recommended for travelerswith difficulty in walking/climbing.DAY 6 | GondalVisit this morning is highlighted by Darbargadh, a fortified palacewith skillfully carved gates and turrets and the Royal Garages with aworld famous collection of vintage and classic cars. Also browseMandvi Chowk, a riot of colors, merchandise and vendors and theBhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic pharmacy which makes herbal remediesaccording to ancient traditional principles. Conclude at theBhuvaneshwari Stud Farm were Gir cattle, unique local livestock andKathiawadi horses are bred. (B)DAY 7 | Gondal / SasangirMorning drive to Sasangir, a lion sanctuary, the only place in theworld to spot the Asiatic Lion in its natural habitat. En route visitJetpur, a well known center for block and screen printings and yarndyeingand Junagadh. Ruled by numerous dynasties over two and ahalf millennia, Junagadh offers magnificent buildings inspired byHinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Continue to Sasangir;check into your comfortable lodge amid a private mango orchardoverlooking the Hiran River. (B.D)DAY 8 | SasangirVisit Gir National Park, one of India’s best preserved naturesanctuaries, set amid dry deciduous jungle, teak forests and grasslands.Wildlife includes majestic lions and felines (leopards and panthers) aswell as deer and antelopes, wild boars, hyenas and jackals and over300 species of birds. A large reptile population, including a junglecrocodile farm is also present. (B.L.D)DAY 9 | Sasangir / RajkotMorning drive to Rajkot, former capital of the princely state ofSaurashtra and later British government headquarters where MahatmaGandhi spent his early life. Today Rajkot, a peaceful riverside town,offers museums, temples and churches and well-landscaped gardens.Afternoon visit to the Jubilee Gardens’ Watson Museum and Libraryshowcasing 13th Century carvings, temple statues and naturalhistory and tribal exhibits. (B)DAY 10 | Depart RajkotDepart Rajkot Airport for flight to your next destination. (B)LAND PRICES PER PERSON | IGMValid: Apr 16’11-Jun 14’12 Twin SingleApr 16-Jun 14’11 $1745 $3355Oct 16-Dec 19’11, Jan 11-Apr 15’12 2055 3925Apr 16-Jun 14’12 1895 3655* INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE ASK ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONALECONOMY OR BUSINESS CLASS AIRFARE SPECIALS FROM THE U.S.Note: Gir National Park is closed from mid-June to mid-October.Rates for Dec 20’11-Jan 10’12 upon request.Surcharge applies for Christmas/New Year period; please inquire.* VISA REQUIRED FOR INDIA & NEPAL (Please see details on page 54)DISCOVERY TOURS27