Highlights
- Visit one of India's finest museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad
- Meet the craftsmen and women who produce elaborate textiles in Bhuj
- Explore the sacred sites of Pavagadh and Shatrunjaya Hill
- Admire the intricately carved mosques at UNESCO-listed Champaner
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| Day 2 | Explore Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Vadodara, Pavagadh & Champaner | Ahmedabad |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Bhavnagar via Lothal | Bhavnagar |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Palitana via Diu | Diu |
| Day 6 | Free Day in Diu | Diu |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Gondal | Gondal |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Bhuj | Gondal |
| Day 9 | Explore Tribal Villages Around Bhuj | Bhuj |
| Day 10 | Explore Villages Near Bhuj, including Mandvi | Bhuj |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Mumbai, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ahmedabad
Arrive in Ahmedabad and be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel.
Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 and has been called the Manchester of the East. Situated on the banks of the River Sabarmati, Ahmedabad is full of architectural delights, such as exquisite carved wooden mansions, havelis, and labyrinthine lanes.
Day 2: Explore Ahmedabad
This morning, take a heritage walk of Ahmedabad for 2-3 hours, visiting some of its amazing cultural and heritage sites. The walk commences from Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, includes 20 main spots, and concludes at the 15th-century Jama Masjid. The Ahmedabad heritage walk model is being replicated throughout India as a way to preserve heritage.
Later, visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, one of India's leading specialized museums, and the Shreyas Folk Museum. The Calico Museum was built in 1949 to display India's vast textile heritage. It includes textiles from as long ago as the 15th century, as well as Mughal carpets, weapons, and amulets. The Shreyas Folk Museum, built in 1974, houses objects from all over India, including masks, costumes, weapons, toys, musical instruments, and many handicrafts.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Gujarati dinner with entertainment.
Day 3: Transfer to Vadodara, Pavagadh & Chamapner
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Vadodara, which takes about 4-5 hours.
Later, take an excursion to nearby Pavagadh, a major Hindu pilgrimage site atop a hill. The Mata Kali Temple can be reached via hundreds of stairs or a cable car (ropeway) to the midpoint. After, visit Champaner, a UNESCO World Heritage site at the base of Pavagadh hill. Built in 1484, Champaner consists of 114 monuments of historical and archaeological interest. The most famous is the Jama Masjid, with its impressive interior courtyard, porches, arches, and slender minarets.
Day 4: Transfer to Bhavnagar via Lothal
Visit Lothal today, one of the most important cities of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. The most popular site at Lothal is the massive ship dockyard. Ancient Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets; gold, ivory, and coppersmiths' workshops; pottery; and underground sanitary drainage. You can see remnants of these when touring the archeological site.
Later, drive to Bhavnagar, the fifth-largest city of Gujarat, which offers an insight into traditional Gujarati culture. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel here, as it's where you're spending the night.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Transfer to Diu via Palitana
Today, drive to Palitana, an important place of worship in Jainism. It's famous for its hand-woven bamboo products as well as its beautiful temples. The city has around 1300 temples, with intricate carvings and architecture constructed over millennia.
Walk to the top of Shatrunjaya Hill to visit the temples and enjoy the view. Visit the Jain Temple dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the first Jain Tirthankara (apostle), and one of the most magnificent and sacred temples on Shatrunjaya Hill. Also, visit the Chaumukha, or four-sided temple, with a picture of Adinath facing in the four cardinal directions. They were built at different times, but most belong to the 16th century and bear many common architectural features.
Later, drive to Diu, a city that mixes tradition and modernity. Along with Goa, it was once a Portuguese colony, and there are a number of historical monuments and structures to explore.
Day 6: Free Day in Diu
Today you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Diu at your leisure. Check out St. Paul's Church for its intricately carved scrollwork, shell-like motifs, and wood carvings—considered the most elaborate of all Portuguese churches in India, and visit St. Thomas Church Museum, a Gothic building built in 1598 that houses a museum. Head to the coast of Diu Sentinal for the Fort de Diu, another Portuguese relic, and relax at Nagoa Beach for a little respite.
Day 7: Transfer to Gondal
Today, drive to Gondal, about 4-5 hours from Diu. Gondal is a picturesque town with plenty of gracious architecture, wide tree-lined roads, and even European lampposts. After checking in to your hotel, visit Bharwad and other pastoral villages around Gondal town, as well as the Riverside Palace, Royal Garages, Naulakha Palace, and the Vintage Car Museum.
Day 8: Transfer to Bhuj
Leave Gondal today for Bhuj, a journey of about 5-6 hours. Bhuj has an ancient history. It got its name from Bhujia Fortress, which can still be seen atop a hill with great views of the city. A settlement around Bhuj existed during the Indus Valley Civilization, but the city itself was founded in 1510. During the British rule of India, the city was an independent part of the princely states, and after independence became a part of the Republic of India.
After arriving in Bhuj, take some time to go and get the necessary permission to visit the tribal areas in the following days. In the evening, visit a nearby tribal market.
Day 9: Explore Tribal Villages Around Bhuj
Today, after breakfast, leave your hotel for a full-day trip to the group of Banni villages. Visit the villages of Hodka, Ludiya, and Dhordo to meet the local inhabitants, who belong to the Jat, Harijan, Meghwal, and Mutva communities, among others. In these villages, you'll see a number of craft and folk traditions, including embroidery, leatherwork, wood carving, and well-made mud houses. Each village is different, so enjoy spending time in each and learning about the various traditions.
In the area of Banni in Kutch, the Meghwal-Harijans (who migrated from Rajasthan) use the special Kambira, Kharek, and Kudi Stitches in their embroidery, as well as satin dot outlines and very tiny mirror designs. They make wall hangings, vests, and wallets in the Kharek stitch and make beaded pieces to decorate portable fans, bracelets, toys, and belts.
Day 10: Explore Villages Near Bhuj, including Mandvi
Spend a second fascinating day touring villages around Bhuj, where distinctive styles of embroidery, tie-dye, weaving, and block printing are practiced and part of everyday life. You'll visit the villages of Niroma (famous for its painting) and Bhujodi (with traditional weaving practices).
Continue on to Mandvi, on the banks of the Rukmavati River and on the Arabian Sea in the Gulf of Kutch. Visit Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal abode from 1920 set in the middle of well-laid gardens. The architect and craftsmen were from Jaipur, and the building is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen in the early 20th century
Day 11: Transfer to Mumbai, Depart
Today it's time to say farewell to Gujarat. You'll be transferred to the airport in Bhuj for your flight to Mumbai and then home or to your next destination in India or Asia.
More Great India Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to India? Check out these other India itineraries, explore different ways to spend 11 days in India, or discover the best time to visit India.
Map
