Experience the time travel of the classic civilization in the old city of Rajkot, east of the newer centre, still has plenty of character, with narrow streets, markets, and farmers still selling ghee on street corners. Rajkot was founded in 1612 by Jadeja Rajputs, and in colonial times it became the headquarters of the Western India States Agency, Britain’s administrative centre for some 400 princely states in Saurashtra, Kachchh and northern Gujarat. After Independence Rajkot was capital of the short-lived state of Saurashtra.
Spend some majestic time with the majesty in Gir, whose history has a strong and long connection to the antiquity. Be in the dwelling of the Gir lions, once which stretched west, across Asia, as far as Greece. These were the lions that Anthropolis and Deniel faced, the lions of ancient Greece and Bible. These were the same lions that the Romans set up on the Christians in the coliseum. Grab your chance to visit the very last of this ancient race, still living in Gir.
Baffle your senses to discover the mystic connection between the local people and the beast around. Although, the lions are here since time immemorial, and so did the African populace, the Siddis – possibly arrived in the 18th century with an East African princes, who married the Nawab of Junagarh, the local Indian rulers. Perhaps Gir is the last place left in Asia, where the semi-nomadic community of distinctively dressed Maldhari, has been here, amidst the ancient beasts, living on easy harmony with the large predators, as all their ancestors once did. Know how these people are living here for centuries, grazing their herds beneath the nose of the large feline neighbours.
Kachchh, India’s wild west, is a geographic phenomenon. The flat, tortoise-shaped land (kachbo means tortoise in Gujarati), edged by the Gulf of Kachchh and Great and Little Ranns, is a seasonal island. The villages dotted across Kachchh’s arid landscape are home to a jigsaw of tribal groups and sub-castes who produce some of India’s finest handicrafts, above all their textiles which glitter with exquisite embroidery and mirror work. However, the Little Rann of Kuchchh is not a region for the faint-hearted. The barren, blindingly white land of Little Rann is nature at its harshest and most compelling, and home to India’s last remaining population of khur, the Asiatic wild ass.
There’s also a huge bird population, and the area is one of the few places in India where flamingos are known to breed naturally. Khurs and flamingos are protected in the 4953-sq-km Little Rann Sanctuary . The area is punctuated by desolate salt farms, where people eke out a living by pumping up ground water and extracting the salt. Heat mirages disturb the vast horizon – bushes and trees seem to hover above the surface. A branch of the Indus River once entered the Great Rann until a massive earthquake in 1819 altered its course and the landscape. Nevertheless, Kachchh still remains a refreshingly pristine, rural environment.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival at Rajkot. Travel to Sasan Gir
Early morning safari exploring Velavadar. Proceed to Sasan Gir (220 kms - 4 hours), abode of Asiatic Lions and considered excellent for bird watching. The park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species (including the endangered lesser florican and the saras crane) are recorded in the grasslands along the periphery of the sanctuary. Evening Safari in Gir. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2 : Morning and Evening Safari at Sasan Gir
Sasan Gir has number of areas / wetlands that offer excellent Bird watching opportuniteis. Undertake safaris (morning and evening) for exploring different areas of the park. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3 : Morning Safari at Sasan Gir
Morning Safari at Sasan Gir. Travel to Dasada (330 kms - 5.5 hrs). Dasada, part of Little Rann of Kutch is a bird watching destination at 90 kms from Ahmedabad. The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife sanctuary spreads over 4950 sq km in area comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 : Bird Watching around Dasada
After breakfast "Explore Bird Watching around Dasada. Nawa Talao lake, the wetland near Patdi fort and many reservoirs of Surendranagar district offer good winter birding opportunities. Birds like rose-coloured starling and green pigeon are often seen at Dasada village. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5 : Departure
After breakfast travel to Ahmedabad (90 kms) and depart for onward journey.
Inclusions
Exclusions
|
HOTEL DETAILS |
|||
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Sasan Gir |
Hotel Aditya or similar |
Asiatic Lion Lodge or similar |
The Fern Gir Forest Resort or similar |
|
Dasada |
Bhavna Resort or similar |
Rann Riders Safari Resorts or similar |
Royal Safari Camp – Bajana or similar |
COST DETAILS FOR PACKAGE (Rates Valid from 1st July to 30th Sep, 2015)
Per Person Price
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Min. 2 Pax |
14900 |
21200 |
24200 |
COST DETAILS FOR PACKAGE (Rates Valid from 1st Oct to 31th Mar, 2015)
Per Person Price
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Min. 2 Pax |
15500 |
23800 |
28400 |
Terms & Conditions:
Note:
In Case of exceptional circumstances where we are not in position to provide Hotels mentioned, shall offer similar Hotels
All tourists are advised to take comprehensive Insurance of their own
The timings given in itinerary and program may change without notice, keeping in mind local development
Visit to all Museums in program are subject to their remaining open on day of visit as per rules of competent authority
All Cost quoted are in Indian National Rupee
All expenses which are not included in the cost of package shall be paid directly by tourist at the time of checkout
The festival dates in India are based on Hindu system of astrology which is subject to the movement of moon in relation to earth. Therefore, there may be change in dates of festival by one day. We may alter the program by one or another to visit the festivals
All wildlife national parks remain closed from July till September due to monsoon
Supplements will be charged extra during festivals or fairs
Standard check-in time is 1400 hrs & check-out time is 1200 noon
Any hike in Govt. Taxes, Fuel etc., will attract a surcharge, to be paid prior to the departure date
Loading..
