Glorious Gujarat Brochure
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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.