Royal Enfield Gujarat White Desert Tour With Rann Utsav

• Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai - Mumbai to Ahmedabad (By flight)

  Arrive in Mumbai. Meet, greet, assist on arrival and transfer to the hotel (Room booked from previous night for immediate check-in). After breakfast in time transfer to airport to connect flight to Ahmedabad Upon arrival in Ahmedabad, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure or a walk in the bazaar. Evening getting introduced to your bikes and group photo shoot. Take a short drive to understand your bike to Vishala Restaurant. Proceed to Vishala Restaurant for dinner (restaurant offers typical Gujarati Meal Thali platter) where you will also have a chance to see the Vechaar Utensil Museum. Built in 1981 within the vicinity of Vishalla Village Restaurant is the VECHAAR (Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art, Architecture and Research) Utensils Museum, a brainchild of architect Mr. Surender C. Patel. It is an effort to cherish and preserve our rich cultural heritage and rare artistic skills and wisdom of our craftsmen. It is an extensive study of utensils from thousand years old to present times, that have evolved over different periods of history as a result of our changing needs and environment. The range varies from leaves or a gourd jug, to modern stainless steel and glass utensils. The metal utensils cover everything from brass, copper, bronze, zinc to German silver. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 2: Ahmedabad – Adlaj – Museum - Modhera – Dasada (155 Kms, 3-4 hours)

  After breakfast give your motorbike a good start to heat up and depart for your first destination Dasada en route stops at Adlaj & Modhera Adalaj Stepwell or Rudabai Stepwell is a stepwell located in the village of Adalaj, close to Ahmedabad city and in Gandhinagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was built in 1498 by Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty of Dandai Desh. It is a fine example of Indian architecture work. The Calico Museum of Textile is undoubtedly one of the foremost textile museums and a celebrated institute in Indian textiles around the world. Its remarkable collection of fabrics spanning varied and remote regions of India exemplifies handicraft textiles across five centuries. The textiles were collected with a vision to conserve, built awareness and empower the vast and deep textile heritage of India. Over the years the collection has grown into an outstanding repository of fabrics based on colors, pattern, weave and embellishment and has become a recognized center providing Indian and international scholars an opportunity to study and draw in-depth knowledge on this extraordinary range of Indian ethos. The Museum inspired by Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy was formally housed in 1949 by Shri Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai in the large industrial house of Calico. In 1983 it was moved to the beautiful Retreat premises of the Foundation in the Shahibaug area. (Closed on Wednesday’s. Entry at Calico museum is restricted upto 30 visitors a day. Therefore, we have to seek a prior appointment which is subject to availability. No entry after 11 am) After the visit, drive to Modhera to visit Sun Temple. The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. After the visit, drive to Dasada. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Later, proceed for Bike ride safari of Little Rann of Kutch 50 kms from your camp and experience beautiful sunset and if lucky, might sight wild ass. Dinner & overnight at Camp.

• Day 3: Dasada – Hodka/Great Rann of Kutch (337 Kms, 6-7 hours)

  After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Hodka via Bhuj. It will be a smooth drive. After crossing Bhuj, approximately one and a half hour's drive, you will see the vast and arid expanse that is the Great Rann of Kutch lies to the north of the Tropic of Cancer, at the top of the Kutch district. Dhordo, is north of Bhuj, is being developed by the Gujarat government as the gateway to the Rann. Dhordo is on the edge of the salt desert. It is most convenient to stay there, or nearby Hodka. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Evening enjoy cultural and musical festivities at your camp followed with dinner Overnight at camp.

• Day 4: Hodko – Kalo Dungar – Hodko (64 Kms, one way)

  You have an option to White Rann from your camp at sunrise After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the same day excursion of Kalo Dungar. Kalo Dungar or Black Hill is the highest point in Kutch, Gujarat, India, at 462 m. It is located at 97 kilometers from district headquarters of Bhuj and 25 kilometers from nearest town Khavda. This is probably the only place in Kachchh from where a panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch is possible (the best sunset point). Return to Hodko, your camp. Evening enjoy cultural and musical festivities at your camp followed with dinner Overnight at camp

• Day 5: Hodko – Wankaner (255 Kms, 5-6 hours)

  After leisurely breakfast depart Hodko by Motorbikes for Wankaner en route stop at Aina Mahal. The Aina Mahal is an 18th-century palace that is located next to the Prag Mahal in Darbargadh, Bhuj, Gujarat, India. The palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji of Cutch State around 1750. Lakhpatji's master craftsman Ram Singh Malam designed the palace in the local style and decorated it in the European style with glass, mirrors and tiles. The palace had two floors; the first floor has the Audience Hall, the Pleasure Hall, the Hall of Mirrors and the State Apartments, and the second floor has the ante-chamber, Darbar (Court) Hall and Marriage Hall. The building has been converted into a museum which includes a "europeanerie" collection that includes clocks, wares, mechanical toys, paintings and pictures. Continue to Wankaner. Main attraction in Wankaner is your hotel. Situated on a hill is Ranjit Vilas Palace, which was constructed and designed by King Amarsinhji. It took seven years to complete the construction of the palace, which began in 1907 and was fully completed in 1914. The king dedicated this place to Jam Ranjitsinhji of Jamnagar, who was his friend. Spread across a geographical area of 225 acres, this palace also houses a state guest-house and Chandra Bhavan. Being a royal city, the palaces and hotels are beautifully decorated with swords, pistols, paintings, vintage cars, Italianate fountains and linen chests. Spiral marble staircase, stained glass galleries, furniture and chandeliers are the major attractions of these palaces and hotels. Upon arrival check-in at Palace hotel. Balance day to explore your Palace hotel and its rich heritage. Do visit its museum. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

• Day 6: Wankaner – Gondal via Rajkot (102 Kms, 2-3 hours)

  After breakfast depart to Gondal en route stop at Gandhi Musuem. This is the house where Mohandas K Gandhi's father, Karamchand Uttanchand Gandhi (Kaba Gandhi) resided at Rajkot, serving as Diwan (Prime Minister) to the King. M K Gandhi himself spent a few years of his early life here from 1881 to 1887. This is a typical Saurashtra dela type house with a central approach from an arched gateway. It was built on 1880-81 A.D. and today it depicts an interesting photo essay of his life. Later continue to Gondal Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Gondal’s main attraction is its palace and the largest vintage car collection of the Maharaja. Take a tour of the Palace grounds in the afternoon and also visit other sights in Gondal. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

• Day 7: Gondal – Sasangir via Junagarh (145 kms, 2-3 hrs )

  Morning depart Gondal by motorbikes for Sasangir en-route visiting Junagarh. Darbar Hall Museum- Junagadh: Darbar hall museum dating back to 1870 a.d. offers an insight into the period of Nawabi rule in Junagadh with silver plated thrones, fine carpets, huge chandeliers & a red silk carpet with diamonds like stars of a crimson sky & some carpets lavishly embroidered with gold thread, huge chandeliers, royal armoury, potraits & paintings. On arrival in Sasangir check- in at hotel. Lunch at hotel Gir National Park is the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion, which has been confined to this forest, since 1884 (about 239 lions were reported in 1985). The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin, nevertheless, a large male lion of the Gir is quite a sight to behold. The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. The Forest Department does arrange lion shows every Sunday, where the spectators can watch prides of lions on the hunt. There are guided trips available, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range. The chinkara, wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, common langur, porcupine, hare, black buck, are the other animals, that can be found in this sanctuary. There are over 200 bird species including the peafowl, grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves. The Gir is also home to the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan. Late afternoon jeep safari to the national park to see the wildlife. Dinner & overnight at hotel

• Day 8: Sasangir – Diu (135 kms, 4 hrs)

  Early morning Jeep safari to the national park to increase Lion sightseeing. After breakfast depart Sasangir by Motorbikes for Diu en route visiting boat building yards at Veraval. Wandering among the hundreds of fishing-boats, a walk on Veraval's picturesque dockyard and long uninterrupted shorelines is a lovely experience, but only if you can handle the smell of fish that hangs over town. A large coastal industrial center, Veraval is known for its fisheries, dominated by the Kharwa fisherfolk and as the gateway to Somnath. Fishing here is done by trawlers, as well as by traditional boats, and Veraval maintains a boatbuilding industry that still constructs and repairs boats with traditional methods. On arrival at Diu check in at the hotel. Diu a former Portuguese enclave, and now a Union Territory, is steeped in history. It was a seaport and naval base of considerable strategic importance from the 14th to 16th Centuries. It was also a vital trade link with the rest of India for traders overseas. Diu was under the sway of Chanda and Vaghela dynasties till the 14th Century. The Muslim rulers ruled over the island town till 1380 AD. Then came the mighty wave of the invasion of the foreign rule that lasted well-nigh up to 450 years. Balance day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 9: Diu

  Breakfast at the hotel. Optional: Visit the Fort of Diu, occupies a prominent position. It is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island. The fort commands a magnificent view of sea. It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD after a defence alliance, concluded by the Bahadurshah, Sultan of Gujarat, and the Portuguese when the former was attacked by Humayun, the Mughal Emperor Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• Day 10: Diu – Bhavnagar via Palitana (221 Kms, 5 hours)

  After breakfast depart Diu on motorbikes for Bhavanag and en route visit the Jain temple complex situated in a hillock. Climb about 4,000 steps to the hill on which the temple complex is situated (2-3 hours one way climb on foot) Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and Girnar. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. It is also one of the greatest tourist attractions in Gujarat for foreign tourists. Walk down the hill and return to Bhavnagar by your Motorbikes. This afternoon you say goodbye to your Motorbikes. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

• Day 11: Mumbai ( Departure)

  In time transfer to airport to connect flight 1050-1125 hrs for Mumbai. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel Afternoon a half day Heritage tour of Mumbai. Visit the Municipal Corp. building ('V' shaped) that stands across the Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus), designed in early Gothic style and blended with Indian motifs. The dome, its chief architectural feature, is 71.5 meters from the ground. The High Court, built-in 1878 in the early English Gothic style. The central structure rises up to 54.2 metres and is surrounded by statues representing Justice and Mercy. The Raja Bai Towers built in the 19th century in Gothic style on the university campus has a 79-metre-high clock-tower. Also visit Victoria Terminus, one of the largest buildings in the Gothic style, its imposing dome is surmounted by a figure symbolizing progress. A life-size statue of Queen Victoria is placed in front of the central façade. Visit the Gateway of India, a 26-meter high stone archway, built to commemorate the proposed visit of King George V to India in 1911. Late evening transfer to International airport to connect home bound flight.

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