Glorious Gujarat Drive 2021
20th20th -- 31st31st JanuaryJanuary Bhungas
A picture of vibrance that comes adorned in many sparkling colours and with immense cultural richness at hand - Gujarat is not to be missed for umpteen reasons. The land which gave the world Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation, is not only blessed with amazingly varied topography but also offers artistic treasures that are celebrated globally for their intricate beauty. Adventures Overland flags off the 2021 calendar with a road trip through this fabulous state which includes visiting unique places like the Statue of Unity, the striking Little and Great Rann of Kutch, the Rann Utsav, stark vistas of the White Rann, Porbandar and the Shaivite shrine of Somnath. To cap it all, you will also get to observe the graceful Asiatic Lions of Gir. Now, isn’t this the perfect recipe for an adventure that will stay with you forever?
Local People
We are welcomed into Gujarat in a spectacular fashion as we land in the capital city of Ahmedabad. Recognized by the UNESCO as India’s first World Heritage City in the year 2017, ‘Amdavad’ is a fine blend of modern improvements and vintage majesty. Offering a seamless blend of spectacular architecture of centuries-old mosques and contemporary avant-garde design, Gujarat's biggest city is a bustling cosmopolitan hub. Divided into two sections by the Sabarmati River, the eastern section boasts of old-world charm with ancient gates and colonial-era buildings dotting its landscape; the western region is marked by educational institutions, multiplexes and business districts. From the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel, where you will get to meet and greet your expedition leaders and fellow road trippers over dinner. Overnight in Ahmedabad
Kankaria Lake
Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast spread at the hotel. We begin our journey with a drive to the recently constructed Statue of Unity situated near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya. With a height of 182 m, this colossal edifice is the tallest statue in the world and celebrates the contributions of freedom activist, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as ‘Iron Man of India’. The statue stands on the isle of Sadhu - Bet in Narmada River, with the majestic Vindhyachal and Satpuda Mountain Ranges in the backdrop, and one can see the statue from as far away as 8 km. The highlight of the visit will be the spectacular laser light & sound display which is projected upon the statue every evening.
Overnight in Kevadiya
Statue Of Unity
We begin today with a soothing drive to Dasada. This small yet bustling constituency acts as the gateway to the wondrous Little Rann of Kutch. Rann Riders, our humble abode for the night, is set among wetlands and agricultural fields. The resort has imaginatively designed cottages that blend with the surrounding countryside. They resemble like the Kooba houses of the Bajania community of Dasada and the Bhunga houses of the Rabaris of Kutch decorated with mirrors, mud-plaster work and embroideries. The hotel also serves as an ideal base to explore the famed culture, weaves and handicrafts of the Surendranagar district. A lively cultural program has been arranged at the hotel, post which you can tuck-in a delicious dinner and prepares for the exciting journey ahead.
Overnight in Dasada
Dasada
We begin today with a soothing drive to One of the most anticipated days of your Dasada. This small yet bustling road trip dawns, ripe with the promise of an constituency acts as the gateway to the unparalleled thrill. Today is the day we get wondrous Little Rann of Kutch. Rann to explore the austere yet immensely Riders, our humble abode for the night, is compelling vistas of the Little Rann of set among wetlands and agricultural fields. Kutch. This seemingly endless salt marsh The resort has imaginatively designed hosts some rare species of wildlife; most cottages that blend with the surrounding notable of these being the Indian Wild Ass countryside. They resemble like the Kooba [Khur]. One of the leading destinations for houses of the Bajania community of bird watching in India, water bodies here Dasada and the Bhunga houses of the turn pink in certain seasons as hordes of Rabaris of Kutch decorated with mirrors, flamingos throng the area. Driving long mud-plaster work and embroideries. The hours through this boundless expanse can hotel also serves as an ideal base to be an intensely surreal experience. We will explore the famed culture, weaves and cross the Little Rann of Kutch and make handicrafts of the Surendranagar district. A our way towards the port town of Mandvi, lively cultural program has been arranged where gorgeous beaches and sunsets at the hotel, post which you can tuck-in a await us. delicious dinner and prepares for the Overnight in Mandvi exciting journey ahead.
Overnight in Dasada
Little Rann Of Kutch
Today will be yours to spend in an unhurried exploration of the beach town of Mandvi. Let your morning be spent in walking upon the velvety sand and blue-water Mandvi beach of Gujarat. One of the principal ports of Kutch and Gujarat, Mandvi is a treasure trove of trade and sea voyage secrets. Situated about 58 km from Bhuj, it was established as a port town by the King of Kutch in 1574. Later in the day, we will head to the central part of the town to visit the shipbuilding yards along Rukmavati River to see wooden ships being built by hand. Its 400-year-old tradition of ship-making is unique, and the ships are called dhows, entirely made by hand till today.
Overnight in Mandvi
Mandvi Beach Day 6: (220 km / 5 hrs) Mandvi – Hodka via Kalo Dungar We leave Mandvi this morning to make way to Kalo Dungar (aka Black Hill), located near the Pakistan Border. North of the village of Khavda, the Black Hill marks Kutch’s highest point (462 m), with sweeping views of the Great Rann of Kutch for as far as the eye can see. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the salt marshes, making the desert and sky often indistinguishable. Our convoy will also get to participate in the annual Rann Utsav here, which is a colourful spectacle that offers visitors the opportunity to attend varied folk performances and the chance to lay their hands on some genuine craftwork. We later drive on to the nearby village of Hodka to retire for the night.
Overnight in Hodka
Kalo Dungar
We leave Mandvi this morning to make way An appetizing breakfast will be followed by to Kalo Dungar (aka Black Hill), located a visit to the incomparable White Rann for near the Pakistan Border. North of the a full-day experience that is sure to leave village of Khavda, the Black Hill marks you all awe-struck. A magnificent Kutch’s highest point (462 m), with landscape of dazzling white salt that spans sweeping views of the Great Rann of Kutch an area of 7505 sq. km. The surreal White for as far as the eye can see. From here, Desert stretches all the way from Gujarat’s the entire northern horizon vanishes into Kutch district to Pakistan’s Sindh province. the salt marshes, making the desert and You will literally be walking on salt and if sky often indistinguishable. Our convoy you continue walking through the White will also get to participate in the annual Rann, will end up on the other side of the Rann Utsav here, which is a colourful border. It has many guises too, salt crystals spectacle that offers visitors the dazzle like diamonds under the scorching opportunity to attend varied folk sun, and the still vastness almost appears performances and the chance to lay their eerie under the bluish glow of the full moon. hands on some genuine craftwork. We It will be like nothing you have ever later drive on to the nearby village of Hodka witnessed before. to retire for the night. Overnight in Hodka Overnight in Hodka
White Rann
We start early today, for this will be the longest driving day of your road trip. But An appetizing breakfast will be followed by there is nothing to worry about when you a visit to the incomparable White Rann for are driving through some of the best roads a full-day experience that is sure to leave in the country! We will glide through the you all awe-struck. A magnificent silky tarmacs and continue driving all day landscape of dazzling white salt that spans long towards the city of Porbandar, the an area of 7505 sq. km. The surreal White birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi - Father of Desert stretches all the way from Gujarat’s the Nation. A bustling port city that was Kutch district to Pakistan’s Sindh province. once a centre of maritime activities is also You will literally be walking on salt and if dotted with grand temples, historical you continue walking through the White monuments and serene beaches. It acts as Rann, will end up on the other side of the the gatekeeper of the rich heritage of the border. It has many guises too, salt crystals region and will take you back to the pages dazzle like diamonds under the scorching of history. Upon reaching Porbandar, we sun, and the still vastness almost appears check-in at our hotel and grab a delicious eerie under the bluish glow of the full moon. dinner before hitting the bed for some It will be like nothing you have ever much-needed rest. witnessed before. Overnight in Porbandar Overnight in Hodka
Porbandar Port
We will begin the day with a visit to possibly the most famous tourist spot of Porbandar, Kirti Mandir is the memorial temple built to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba Gandhi. It is now a museum which houses books written by Gandhiji and items used by him along with some old photographs. Our convoy will then drive to the Somnath Temple near Junagadh. Skirted by the Arabian Sea, the temple commands a spectacular view of the Saurashtra Peninsula. Believed to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, this is one of the most significant spiritual sites for devotees of Lord Shiva. After paying obeisance, we will continue our drive towards Gir. The long and exciting day draws to a close as we reach Gir by late evening.
Overnight in Gir
Somnath Temple Day 10: (Experience Day) Gir A new day offers new scope for adventure. Post breakfast, we will head to Gir National Park, the last home of the Asiatic lions. Spread over an area of 1412 sq. km, the entire forest of the park is dry, deciduous and is an ideal habitat for the lion. Besides lions, leopards are the main attraction of the park. Moreover, the park invites birdwatchers for its more than 200 species of avifauna. Here, we will embark on an adventurous journey with a professional guide, for an incredible encounter with the mighty Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. After sighting the majestic beast along with the others from an open-roof jeep, which will surely be a thrilling experience, we return to the lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Gir
Gir National Park
A new day offers new scope for adventure. The feeling and memories of such trips are Post breakfast, we will head to Gir National truly unforgettable. Gir provides you with Park, the last home of the Asiatic lions. the unique experience of visiting a place Spread over an area of 1412 sq. km, the which almost singularly plays a crucial and entire forest of the park is dry, deciduous defining role in the preservation and and is an ideal habitat for the lion. Besides sustaining of a specific species. There’s an lions, leopards are the main attraction of inspiration there for carnivore conservation the park. Moreover, the park invites around the world. The ultimate driving day birdwatchers for its more than 200 species is here for our group of road trippers as we of avifauna. Here, we will embark on an drive back to Ahmedabad. The night of adventurous journey with a professional farewell will be one to cherish with dinner guide, for an incredible encounter with the and making merry, albeit with a twinge of mighty Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. sadness at having to bid farewell to your After sighting the majestic beast along with companions in this astounding journey. the others from an open-roof jeep, which Rest assured, you will create some will surely be a thrilling experience, we beautiful memories with your travelling return to the lodge and spend the rest of mates while uncovering the secrets of this the day at leisure. wonderful world we call home.
Overnight in Gir Overnight in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Adventure travel is more than a vacation; it is freedom. It is intensified living, with maximum thrills per minute. The great joy of adventure is merely leaving all your luxuries and certainties at home and seeing everything you thought you knew in a different light and from a crooked angle. Gujarat offers a wide range of these diverse destinations and attractions, all of which are steeped in a certain charm and history. Time to head back to your chosen destination. We part ways in Ahmedabad with a promise to meet again soon! But don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before we meet again. And meeting again after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.
Ahmedabad COST: INR 1,35,000/- Per Person
INCLUSIONS EXCLUSIONS
• Accommodation on twin occupancy (02 Participants sharing • Your Domestic And International Flight Ticket 01 Room) • Vehicle and Fuel • Route Planning • Meals And Drinks Not Mentioned • Activities And Visits To Make The Experience Truly Memorable • Alcoholic Beverages • Back Up Team With A Crew Vehicle Equipped With GPS, Emergency Food Supplies And First Aid Kit • Insurance And Documentation Cost Such As Travel Insurance, Visa Applications Etc. • Road Book, Map, Wireless Radio Set For Every Vehicle • Vehicle Servicing, Repairs, Toll Taxes, Traffic Fines • Meal – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea And Dinner • Any Cost Arising Out Of Unforeseen Circumstances Like • Local Guidance From Experts Ill-health, Vehicle Breakdown Or Repairs, Damage Accruing From Bad Weather, Etc. • Limited Stock Of Chocolates, Snacks, Water And Soft Beverages For Every Vehicle • Additional Accommodation Charges Due To Unforeseen Delays In The Journey • Entry Fee • Any Charges For Carrying Video Camera Or Still Camera • Private Airport Transfers • Any Hotel, Subsistence Or Other Cost Incurred Prior To The Official Start Date Of The Expedition And After The Official End Date Of The Expedition
• 5% GST Kirti Mandir Ahmedabad
Bird Watching Local Food Dasada
White Rann Porbandar PRESS & SOCIAL MEDIA
Drive through 18 countries in This mother-son duo went 49 days with Sanjay Madan and on a 50 day road-trip to watch the Tushar Agarwal of Adventures cricket world cup Subscribers: 131,000 Overland as they take you on the June 23rd 2019 most epic journey of your life- Views: a road trip from India to London 10 Million + January 22nd 2019
Call of the open road This 49 day road trip starts in Imphal, Followers: 231,685 ends in London March 26th 2017 April 13th 2017 Likes: 230,410
Bros on roads: the boys who drove Adventure on The Great Indian World Trip across 50 countries Followers: 21,000 November 4th 2015 August 1st 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
Guinness World Record for the longest journey in a foreign country: Tushar and Sanjay travelled 17,107 km in Australia alone in 28 days from November 25 - December 22, 2013
Satte Award 2020 - Recognized as the ‘Best Niche Tour Operator’ in India at South Asia’s leading B2B travelland tourism trade exhibition Represented India at the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Featured in a 10 episode riveting series on a record breaking road trip - The Great Indian World Trip aired on TLC and Discovery Science & Turbo. The series is streaming now on Discovery Plus Honoured by the Government of UAE at the Dubai Travellers Festival for special contribution towards adventure travel around the world
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