Gujarat Heritage, Wildlife and White Rann

Your trip begins upon arrival at Ahmedabad airport or railway station, where you meet your driver. Set out on a long, scenic overland drive heading south to the coastal union territory of Diu. Check in to your accommodation upon arrival. Afterward, visit the INS Khukri Memorial, which honours the naval frigate sunk during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Later, spend relaxing time along the shore at Nagoa Beach or Ghoghla Beach to watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea before settling in for the night.

Spend the morning discovering the coastal sights and history of Diu. Explore the massive stone ramparts of the 16th-century Diu Fort, a prominent example of Portuguese military architecture, and visit Diu's beaches. Proceed to the sacred Gangeshwar Temple, renowned for five Shiva lingas situated on the shoreline rocks and washed by sea tides. Following your sightseeing, embark on the inland drive towards Gir National Park, watching the coastal scenery give way to forested landscapes. Arrive and check into your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Start early with an adventurous morning safari into the heart of Gir National Park. Ride through the teak forests on the lookout for Asiatic lions, leopards, spotted deer and resident bird species. Concluding your safari, drive towards the holy coastal town of Somnath. Visit Bhalka Teerth, the revered site marking Lord Krishna's departure from earth, and see the nearby Triveni Sangam river confluence. Later, visit the magnificent sea-facing Somnath Temple, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, to participate in the evening aarti prayer ceremony.

Depart Somnath after breakfast on a scenic coastal drive heading north towards Dwarka. Along the route, make a stop at the tranquil Madhavpur Beach to walk by the seashore. Continue to the historic port city of Porbandar to tour Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and visit the serene Shri Hari Temple. Arrive in the holy city of Dwarka later in the day. Visit the five-storey Dwarkadhish Temple for evening darshan, and proceed to the nearby carved Rukmini Devi Temple.

Start your day by exploring the holy Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, counted among the twelve sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Next, take a short ferry crossing over to Beyt Dwarka island, celebrated as the ancient abode of Lord Krishna. Returning to the mainland, journey across to Shivrajpur Beach, an eco-certified Blue Flag beach. Spend the late afternoon relaxing along the clean shoreline and taking in the sunset over the Arabian Sea before heading back to Dwarka for the evening.

Have breakfast and check out from your hotel in Dwarka for a major travel day across Western India. Drive northeast roughly eight hours across Gujarat, leaving behind the coastal terrain of Saurashtra as you head towards the desert landscape of the Kutch district. Take in the changing rural vistas along the way. Arrive in Bhuj, the historic cultural capital and gateway to Kutch, check into your hotel and enjoy a restful evening after the journey.

Spend today discovering the royal heritage and resilient spirit of Bhuj. Visit the royal palace compound containing the 18th-century Aaina Mahal, celebrated for its Hall of Mirrors and Venetian glass, and the Italian Gothic Prag Mahal with its grand Darbar Hall and clock tower. Ascend Bhujia Hill to visit the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum, dedicated to the survivors and victims of the 2001 disaster. Finish your sightseeing at the intricately carved white marble Swaminarayan Temple.

Check out after breakfast and drive north into the Great Rann. Climb Kalo Dungar, the highest point in Kutch at 462 metres, providing sweeping vistas across the northern horizon, and stop at the curious roadside Magnetic Point. Continue to the artisan village of Gandhi nu Gaam to see traditional Rabari embroidery, mirror craft, leatherwork and bandhani textiles. In Dhordo, check in to your traditional bhunga stay. In the late afternoon, head onto the vast salt flats of the White Desert to watch the sunset. Return to your resort for dinner and a live Kutchi folk performance.

Wake early to witness the sun rise over the white salt flats. After breakfast, check out and journey along the Road to Heaven, a striking highway causeway flanked by water and salt on both sides, leading onto Khadir Bet island. Arrive at Dholavira for a guided heritage tour through this UNESCO World Heritage archaeological complex. Examine the city's sophisticated water harvesting reservoirs, stone fortifications and the ancient ten-letter inscription. After exploring the Harappan settlement, embark on the drive back to Bhuj for your overnight stay.

Following breakfast, check out and begin the return drive towards Ahmedabad, a journey taking approximately seven to eight hours. If time permits, visit the grand Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar to admire its carved pink sandstone architecture and peaceful gardens. Also if time permits, explore the historic Adalaj Stepwell, a five-storey Solanki-era structure built in 1499 with intricate underground stone galleries. Later, check in to your hotel in Ahmedabad for the night.

Spend a full day exploring Kevadia and the colossal 182-metre Statue of Unity. Visit the base museum and exhibition hall covering the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the statue's construction, and ascend via high-speed lift to the chest-level viewing gallery. Explore themed landscapes including the Cactus Garden, the 24-acre Valley of Flowers, Butterfly Garden, and the hedge-based Maze Garden. At dusk, wander the illuminated paths of the Glow Garden, before attending the evening Laser Light and Sound Show or the Maha Aarti at Narmada Ghat.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Kevadia before completing check-out formalities. Board your vehicle for the return drive to Ahmedabad. Depending on your flight or train timings, you will be dropped off directly at Ahmedabad Airport or railway station for your onward journey, bringing your tour of Gujarat to an end.