PANCH DWARKA 6N| 7D [2N Dwarka | 1N Somnath | 1N Ahmedabad | 2N Udaipur]

DAY 01 AHMEDABAD - DWARKA (450KMS) Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, we drive to Dwarka.

Dwarka: An ancient city, housing one of the principal pilgrimages - ‘Dwarkadhish temple’ of Hindus. According to the legend, Lord Krishna moved to this coastal town to set up a capital. Marine excavations of the Dwarka coast have revealed important evidences of ancient city, which probably include the ‘Dwarawati’ of the ‘Krishna Lila’. Today, it is not only a major pilgrimage site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday. Another popular place in Dwarka, part of the Dwarkadhish Temple is Sabha Mandap. It is a 60-pillared hall, which houses almost 2500 years old scriptures. The hall has ‘jharokhas’, offering a nice view of the nearby flowing Gomti River.

Attend evening aarti at Dwarkadhish temple.

Overnight stay at Dwarka.

DAY 02 DWARKA - BET DWARKA-NAGESHWAR JYOTIRLINGA-RUKMINI TEMPLE – GOPI TALAV - DWARKA Today we visit Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar temple.

Bet Dwarka : Bet is situated at 30kms from Dwarka and is surrounded by sea from all sides. One can reach Bet from Dwarka through Okha by road. On reaching Okha port jetty, one can reach Bet through a little sea journey in a launch or in a small boat.

Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Linga become free of poison. The Rudra Samhita sloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase 'Daarukaavane Naagesham'

The Rukmini temple, dating from 12 to 13 Century, was built in honor of Rani Rukmani, princess of Vidharba, which was to be married to Sishupala, but fled with Lord Krishna. This small temple, 1.5 km north of the city, is an architectural masterpiece. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures.

Gopi Talav : This is the place where Lord Krishna used to play with his Gopikas. There is a small pond where it is said that Lord Krishna used to play with the Gopika Strees (Gopika Women).

Return to hotel at Dwarka Over night stay at your hotel.

DAY 03 DWARKA - SOMNATH (250KMS)

Early morning we proceed for the Somnath Temple (250 kms – 05hours drive) for followers of both Shiva and Vishnu. The most important temple and main highlight in Somnath is the Kailash temple with its imposing architecture, a 50-meter high tower, intricate carvings and a number of holy idols and images.

Today we also visit the Bhalka teerth in Veraval.

Bhalka Tirth : Bhalka Tirtha (Bhalka Pilgrimage) located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is the place where Lord Krishna was hit by an arrow shot by a hunter named Jara, after which he is said to have left the earth for the heavenly abode.

After performing the evening Aarti at Somnath temple and after witnessing the Sound & Light Show we will then visit the beach of Somnath which is very beautiful & a captivating sight to behold. The fresh blue waters, humming waves and the cool sands give you a feeling of having landed in a paradise. The beach has pleasant sands, great sea views, camel and pony rides, coconut stalls and snack places.

Overnight stay at Somnath.

DAY 04 SOMNATH - AHMEDABAD (400KMS) Today we drive to Ahmedabad.

Arrive Ahmedabad, check inn at hotel & later we visit Gandhi Ashram.

Gandhi Ashram : On a quiet peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati river, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years it was the nerve centre of India’s freedom movement. It was from here, in 1930, that Mahatma began his famous Dandi March to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. Hridaya Kunj, the simple cottage where he lived, is now a national monument and preserved as it was during the Mahatma’s life-time.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

DAY 05: AHMEDABAD - DAKOR - SHAMLAJI – UDAIPUR Today we drive to visit Dakor, Shamlaji & later proceed to Udaipur for overnight stay.

Dakor : Dakor is famous for Ranchorji temple of Lord Krishna. Ranchor is the name given to Lord Krishna when he fled from the battlefield in Mathura while fighting against Jarasandha.

The form of Lord Ranchhodrai is that of the Lord Vishnu with four arms. As is usual with Lord Vishnu, he bears the conch, lotus, discus and the mace in his hands. The lower right arm is held up in the abhaya mudra - giving protection to all those who come to Him.

Shamlaji : Shamlaji, also spelled Shamalaji, is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre in Aravalli district of Gujarat state of India. The Shamlaji temple is dedicated to Vishnu or Krishna. Several ruins of temples, scattered idols and old brick-works surrounding the place establishes antiquity of the place.

The present temple dedicated to Shamlaji, a form of Vishnu or a name of Krishna, is built probably in 11th century in Solanki style and renovated at least 500 years ago. The temple was claimed by Jains in the past. Years ago the Idar State rulers gave the fiefdom of Shamlaji temple to the Modhari Rao Saheb with other villages like Revdar, Devdar, Napada, Khalsa, Sunsar, Modhari, etc. The Rao of Modhari still holds trusteeship of Shamlaji Temple.

Overnight stay at Udaipur.

DAY 06: UDAIPUR – SHRINATHJI – UDAIPUR Today we drive to visit Shrinathji Nathdwara: Nathdwara is located in the Aravalli hills on the banks of the Banas river , 48 kilometers north-east of Udaipur This town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the idol of Shrinathji, a 14th century, The idol was originally worshipped at Mathura and was shifted in the 1672 from Govardhan Hills, near Mathura along holy river Yamuna after being retained at Agra for almost six months, in order to protect it .Literally, Nathdwara means 'Gateway to Shrinathji'. As per the religious myths, the shrine at Nathdwara was built in the 17th century at the spot as exactly ordained by Shrinathji himself. The idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to a safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the anti-Hindu, When the idol reached the spot at village Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of bullock cart in which the idol was being transported sank axle-deep in mud and could not be moved any farther. The accompanying priests realised that the particular place was the Lord's chosen spot and accordingly, a temple was built there under the rule and protection of the then Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Shrinathji Temple is also known as 'Haveli of Shrinathji'.Nathdwara town is also famous as the Apollo of Mewar. In the town of Nathdwara, Shrinathji temple is the centre of attraction, but the town is also famous for its 'pichhwai' paintings, (Large paintings on cloth depicting legends from the life of Lord Krishna ) handmade terracottas, ivory articles and milk-made sweets. During the times of Holi, Diwali and Janmashtmi, people throng in large numbers and the place gets overcrowded. Apart from festivals like Holi and Janmashtmi, Annakutta (Linked to Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill) is a major festival that is celebrated in the temple with full gusto and fervour. Overnight stay at Udaipur .

DAY 07 – UDAIPUR - AHMEDABAD (562KMS) Today we drive back to Ahmedabad. We take a flight / train from Ahmedabad airport/railway station.

~END OF TOUR~

HOTELS ENVISAGED Destination STD PKG DLX PKG Dwarka Hotel Sanskruti Inn / Similar Hotel REGENTA Inn / Similar Somnath Hotel Safari resort / Similar Hotel Fern Residency / Similar Ahmedabad Hotel Aaram Orchid / Similar Hotel Le Grande Residency / Similar Udaipur Hotel Vushnupriya / Similar Hotel Palm Velly Resort / Similar

COST INCLUDES . AC Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis . Daily breakfast [except on day of arrival] for Standard category

. Daily breakfast [except on day of arrival] and Dinner [except on the day of departure] for Deluxe category . AC Transportation by AC Vehicle . All Toll Parking, DA . All Sightseeing as per itinerary . Arrival / Departure Assistance . Services of a Good Experienced driver with cell phone

COST EXCLUDES . Air Fare / Train Fare . Additional Sightseeing or Extra usage of Vehicle other then mentioned in the Itinerary . Guide Charges & Entrances Charges . Service Tax . Anything which is not include in the inclusion

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO GUJARAT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HOTELS? . Many regions do not have star category hotels. Generally there isn’t any star categorization in this sector, however the same is demarcated as per prices and put into slabs of 2*/ 3*/ 4* or STD/ DLX/ PRM or equivalent. . Packages are based on base category rooms, irrespective of the Hotel category opted. Room up-gradation payable at the hotel directly . Please be reminded that all special requests like early check-in, smoking, nonsmoking, views, floors, king, twin, adjoining and/or interconnecting rooms are strictly subject to availability upon arrival and cannot be guaranteed prior. Any expenses arising out of this is to be borne by the customer. . All hotels do not have lift facility & the guest may have to climb stairs. Incase of guests having problems with blood pressure, breathing, knee & heart or if they cannot climb the higher floors, we request you to update this at the time of booking so that we may take appropriate action and try for rooms in the Ground floor. This is again subject to availability and DIFFRENCE IF ANY WILL HAVE TO BE SETTELED DIRECTLY BEFORE CHECK OUT. . Most of the Hotels in this region do not have Tea/coffee maker/ mini fridge/ enhanced toiletry kit (with moisturizer, tooth paste, brush, shaving kit, lufa, bathroom sleepers, bath-robe) etc. . Facilities like western toilet, television in room, geyser in bathrooms, intercoms may not be available Eco camps and similar places. . For meal plans, menu will be on fixed plan/ buffet basis and not on A-la-Carte basis. MAP & AP Meal plans do not include Evening snacks & cold drinks / liquor, Soups or Deserts. For order on A-la-Carte basis, guests are requested to make direct payment for additional items. . For early morning check out breakfast may be limited to simple bread & butter / jam with tea/ coffee/ juice. Request for such items will have to be made at the time of booking. . Kindly be informed that same category rooms or identical rooms may not be available as the structure is not designed accordingly. . In most hotels Extra Person Sharing the Room, Child with Extra Bed, will be provided MATTRESS / ROLL OVERS as per availability and not a Bed. . Check-in time at Hotel will be 1400 Hrs. & Check-out time will be 1000 Hrs. For early check in / late checkout / extending of stay, will be completely subjected to the availability as per the situation . As imposed by the Government Valid photo ID for all members staying at the hotel is mandatory.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM VEHICLES/ TRANSPORTATION? . MOST of the hotels do not have parking place & vehicle cannot be parked in front of the gates for longer period hence guests should wait at the reception 10 minute before the departure to avoid the inconveniences. . Due to unforeseen situations (force majeure/ traffic jams / traffic halts/ diversions/ bandh/ curfew, Union strike, VVIP movement, etc.) the vehicle reporting may get delayed. We will request you to bear with us and as soon as vehicle arrives you will have to get in asap. . The vehicle used will not be at disposal and will be exclusively used as per the itinerary only (on point to point basis). It will change sector wise. . As the vehicles & drivers might change frequently, we will request you to be very careful with personal belongings. Once left in the vehicle, there is almost nil or little chance, of getting it back . Innova/ Xylo/ Scorpio are similar category . Swift D'zire/ Etios/ Amaze are similar category . If one destination/ sightseeing point is covered twice or additional destinations are included, additional charges will be applicable on per km / per hour basis. . During Rainy season, heavy showers are possible and many times tarpaulin may not cover the entire luggage because of the nature of heavy showers. In such case, luggage will have to be loaded inside the vehicle. The guests will have to adjust to such situations.

RANN UTSAV . Meals provided in Rann Utsav will be Veg. only meals irrespective of the meal preference booked . There is no provision to buy alcohol in Dhordo village (place where Rann Utsav happens). You may however carry your own booze (as per the permissible limit). . If you wish to purchase alcohol, you may do so in Bhuj (~95 kms. From Dhordo) by showing certain valid documents . Even post successful execution of the booking, you may receive a call from the on-ground handlers. This is just to re-confirm the booking and make the overall experience hassle-free and smooth. . Pick up for Dhordo happens at and fixed time from a fixed place – Bhuj Railway station. Please plan your to & fro travel plans accordingly.