Tour: Wild Gujarat (Dec 2025)
Places Visited
Ahmedabad, Velavadar National Park, Gir National Park, Gondal, Little Rann Of Kutch, Patanmodhera, Ahmedabad
Species in Focus – Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Stripped Hyenas, Asiatic Wild Ass, Indian Wolves, Bengal & Desert Foxes and over hundreds of bird species including many Raptors and Flamingos etc.
TOUR COST:
GBP 3315.00 Per Person on Twin Share
Single Room Supplement: GBP 1490
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation for 14 Nights on Twin Share Basis.
✔ Meal Plan – Full board except in Ahmedabad where it will be on Bed & Breakfast.
✔ All Transportation by Air Conditioned Vehicle.
✔ Tour Leader from Ahmedabad to Ahmedabad. (Lead by Dharmendra-DK)
✔ All Game drives by private jeeps.
✔ Specialist Naturalists during safaris.
✔ Camel ride through tribal villages.
✔ Sundowner.
✔ All entrance fee to the monuments and National Parks.
✔ All Currently applicable taxes. (Subject to change as per govt. norms)
✔ Meal Plan – Full board except in Ahmedabad where it will be on Bed & Breakfast.
✔ All Transportation by Air Conditioned Vehicle.
✔ Tour Leader from Ahmedabad to Ahmedabad. (Lead by Dharmendra-DK)
✔ All Game drives by private jeeps.
✔ Specialist Naturalists during safaris.
✔ Camel ride through tribal villages.
✔ Sundowner.
✔ All entrance fee to the monuments and National Parks.
✔ All Currently applicable taxes. (Subject to change as per govt. norms)
Day 2 – Sun. 30-Nov-2025 Arrive Ahmedabad-(B)
Upon arrival you will be met by Mysteries of India representative and transferred to hotel.
The walled city of Ahmadabad, founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells and religious institutions. The city continued to flourish as the capital of the State of Gujarat for six centuries, up to the present.
Rest of the day at leisure or you can stroll the local market depending upon your flight arrival time.
In the evening introduction briefing.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
House of MG
The walled city of Ahmadabad, founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells and religious institutions. The city continued to flourish as the capital of the State of Gujarat for six centuries, up to the present.
Rest of the day at leisure or you can stroll the local market depending upon your flight arrival time.
In the evening introduction briefing.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
Accommodation Options
House of MG
Day 3 – Mon. 01-Dec-2025 Ahmedabad-(B)
Today morning we will enjoy the guided heritage walk through the city of Ahmedabad. This walking tour starts with Laxmi Narayan Temple offers an opportunity to walk through the old walled city via Teen Darwaja area and see the old quarters of Ahmedabad lined with the beautifully carved wooden facades of havelis and Bhadra kali Temple and Jumma Mosque.
Afternoon visit to the exquisitely carved 15th century Adalaj stepwell.
Also Siddi Sayed Mosque built in 1573 is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad.
The mosque is entirely arcuated and is famous for beautifully carved ten stone latticework windows (jaalis) on the side and rear arches. The delicate “tree of life” motif has become the distinguishing symbol of Ahmedabad.
Return to hotel for dinner.
If you still have some energy left after dinner you can enjoy a walk through the old walled city to see the Gujarati Dinning Culture at Manek Chowk – This bustling open square near the centre of the city functions as a vegetable market in the morning and a jewellery market in the afternoon.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
House of MG
Afternoon visit to the exquisitely carved 15th century Adalaj stepwell.
Also Siddi Sayed Mosque built in 1573 is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad.
The mosque is entirely arcuated and is famous for beautifully carved ten stone latticework windows (jaalis) on the side and rear arches. The delicate “tree of life” motif has become the distinguishing symbol of Ahmedabad.
Return to hotel for dinner.
If you still have some energy left after dinner you can enjoy a walk through the old walled city to see the Gujarati Dinning Culture at Manek Chowk – This bustling open square near the centre of the city functions as a vegetable market in the morning and a jewellery market in the afternoon.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
Accommodation Options
House of MG
Day 4 – Tue. 02-Dec-2025 Ahmedabad to Velavadar N.P, – (B,L,D)
Morning drive to Velavadar Blackbuck National Park.
Velavadar National Park Known for its large blackbuck antelope population but also one of the few places where the wolf is proliferating in India. Indian Striped Hyenas, Jackal, jungle cat and hare are often seen and Indian foxes on the periphery.
Many raptors visit this park including short-toed snake eagle, imperial, steppe, tawny, greater and lesser spotted eagles, laggar falcon, hobby, common kestrel, red-necked falcon, peregrine falcon, white-eyed and long-legged buzzard, black-shouldered kite, shikra, Eurasian sparrowhawk and occasionally northern goshawk. Rarities include the Stolicza’s bush chat.
In the evening, witness a massive roost of Montagu, pallid and marsh harrier Sirkeer Malkoha, painted francolin, chestnut-bellied and spotted sand grouse, Rufous-tailed, crested and Sykes’ larks, red-rumped swallows, desert and variable wheatears and other birds are seen.
Afternoon we will explore this park on our first game drive.
Overnight at Blackbuck Safari Lodge.
Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Velavadar National Park Known for its large blackbuck antelope population but also one of the few places where the wolf is proliferating in India. Indian Striped Hyenas, Jackal, jungle cat and hare are often seen and Indian foxes on the periphery.
Many raptors visit this park including short-toed snake eagle, imperial, steppe, tawny, greater and lesser spotted eagles, laggar falcon, hobby, common kestrel, red-necked falcon, peregrine falcon, white-eyed and long-legged buzzard, black-shouldered kite, shikra, Eurasian sparrowhawk and occasionally northern goshawk. Rarities include the Stolicza’s bush chat.
In the evening, witness a massive roost of Montagu, pallid and marsh harrier Sirkeer Malkoha, painted francolin, chestnut-bellied and spotted sand grouse, Rufous-tailed, crested and Sykes’ larks, red-rumped swallows, desert and variable wheatears and other birds are seen.
Afternoon we will explore this park on our first game drive.
Overnight at Blackbuck Safari Lodge.
Accommodation Options
Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Day 5 – Wed. 03-Dec-2025 Velavadar N.P, – (B,L,D)
Today we will be going twice to this magnificent park on Morning & Afternoon Game Drives.
Overnight at Blackbuck Safari Lodge.
Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Overnight at Blackbuck Safari Lodge.
Accommodation Options
Blackbuck Safari Lodge
Day 6 – Thu. 04-Dec-2025 Velavadar N.P. to Gir N.P. – (B,L,D)
Morning we will enjoy our last Game Drive before we say farewell to this little gem of wilderness.
Later drive to Gir National Park. The sole home to pure Asiatic Lions is considered be the best protected areas in Asia.The largest area of dry deciduous forests in Gujarat was declared as a sanctuary in 1965 and subsequently of 258.71 sq. km was declared a National Park. The park is internationally acclaimed for successfully saving this precious species from the brink of extinction.
The Gir has topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateau and valleys.
Besides being the last abode of the Asiatic Lions it forms a unique habitat for other wildlife including Leopards, deers and antelopes like Indian Gazelle, Chousingha, the world’s only fourhorned antelope. The forests, interspersed with grasslands and dissected by rivers, also support a diverse avifauna.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Woods At Sasan
Later drive to Gir National Park. The sole home to pure Asiatic Lions is considered be the best protected areas in Asia.The largest area of dry deciduous forests in Gujarat was declared as a sanctuary in 1965 and subsequently of 258.71 sq. km was declared a National Park. The park is internationally acclaimed for successfully saving this precious species from the brink of extinction.
The Gir has topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateau and valleys.
Besides being the last abode of the Asiatic Lions it forms a unique habitat for other wildlife including Leopards, deers and antelopes like Indian Gazelle, Chousingha, the world’s only fourhorned antelope. The forests, interspersed with grasslands and dissected by rivers, also support a diverse avifauna.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Accommodation Options
Woods At Sasan
Day 7 – Fri. 05-Dec-2025 Gir N.P. – (B,L,D)
We will explore the park on Morning & Afternoon Game Drives.
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Woods At Sasan
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Accommodation Options
Woods At Sasan
Day 8 – Sat. 06-Dec-2025 Gir N.P. – (B,L,D)
One more day to enjoy Morning & Afternoon Game Drives.
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Woods At Sasan
Overnight at Woods at Sasan.
Accommodation Options
Woods At Sasan
Day 9 – Sun. 07-Dec-2025 Gir N.P. to Gondal – (B,L,D)
Drive to Gondal en-route visit beautifully carved mausoleums in Junagarh.
Arrive Gondal and check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit Naulakha Palace & Private Vintage car museum.
Naulakha Palace was erected around 1748 AD in the Darbargadh or walled palace complex of the rulers, and since then has been extended by successive rulers. The façade is a festival of stone carving with splendid sculpture, relief, carved columns, and ornate Jarokha balconies.
The former living quarters of the palace have been converted into a private museum exhibiting textiles, brassware, royal wardrobes, library, silver caskets that carried gifts and messages for Maharaja.
Later visit the private vintage and classic car collection of the Maharaja of Gondal which has a marvellous collection of 1935 Packard two-door convertible coupe, the 1930s Buick convertible, and the 1935 Ford convertible. Imposing American cars of the 1940s and ’50s.
The Gondal collection also has post-WW2 jeeps, station wagons, and pick-ups that have seen many a Shikar in the 1940s and ’50s.
Orchard Palace
Arrive Gondal and check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit Naulakha Palace & Private Vintage car museum.
Naulakha Palace was erected around 1748 AD in the Darbargadh or walled palace complex of the rulers, and since then has been extended by successive rulers. The façade is a festival of stone carving with splendid sculpture, relief, carved columns, and ornate Jarokha balconies.
The former living quarters of the palace have been converted into a private museum exhibiting textiles, brassware, royal wardrobes, library, silver caskets that carried gifts and messages for Maharaja.
Later visit the private vintage and classic car collection of the Maharaja of Gondal which has a marvellous collection of 1935 Packard two-door convertible coupe, the 1930s Buick convertible, and the 1935 Ford convertible. Imposing American cars of the 1940s and ’50s.
The Gondal collection also has post-WW2 jeeps, station wagons, and pick-ups that have seen many a Shikar in the 1940s and ’50s.
Accommodation Options
Orchard Palace
Day 10 – Mon. 08-Dec-2025 Gondal to Little Rann of Kutch – (B,L,D)
Drive to Little Rann of Kutch. Arrive and Check in at the lodge.
Morning drive to little Rann of Kutch – probably the bleakest, dustiest, most desolate region of India. At its furthest extension the Gulf of Kutch, along with much of northern Kutch touching the border of Pakistan, has been transformed by geological uplift and the resultant marine transgression into an immense region of salt flats, inundated to a depth of 0.5m during the monsoon when it becomes one of the world’s largest saline wetlands. This unique environment is preserved as India’s largest protected area, a part of which is the Wild Ass Sanctuary whose principal role is the strict protection of the last remaining population of Khur or Asiatic Wild Ass.
Afternoon visit Tribal Village.
Afternoon we explore a very special tribal village where the auspicious cloth ‘Mata-ni-Pachedi – Cloth of Mother Goddess” are made by a handful of craftsmen. Originally the cloths were made for castes who were banned from entering temples. Set up like a tent, with the mother goddess in the centre, this cloth became their place of worship. Another form of cloth, matano-
chandarvo, are set up as canopies.
We walk through the village and meet local craftsmen to learn more about this art.
Return to hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Morning drive to little Rann of Kutch – probably the bleakest, dustiest, most desolate region of India. At its furthest extension the Gulf of Kutch, along with much of northern Kutch touching the border of Pakistan, has been transformed by geological uplift and the resultant marine transgression into an immense region of salt flats, inundated to a depth of 0.5m during the monsoon when it becomes one of the world’s largest saline wetlands. This unique environment is preserved as India’s largest protected area, a part of which is the Wild Ass Sanctuary whose principal role is the strict protection of the last remaining population of Khur or Asiatic Wild Ass.
Afternoon visit Tribal Village.
Afternoon we explore a very special tribal village where the auspicious cloth ‘Mata-ni-Pachedi – Cloth of Mother Goddess” are made by a handful of craftsmen. Originally the cloths were made for castes who were banned from entering temples. Set up like a tent, with the mother goddess in the centre, this cloth became their place of worship. Another form of cloth, matano-
chandarvo, are set up as canopies.
We walk through the village and meet local craftsmen to learn more about this art.
Return to hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Accommodation Options
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Day 11 – Tue. 09-Dec-2025 Little Rann of Kutch – (B,L,D)
Morning visit Wild Asses Sanctuary and Salt Panes.
Morning safari in the Little Rann of Kutch, a sanctuary for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. The mammals of the Rann other than the wild ass are nilgai, Indian gazelle, white-footed desert and Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat (occasionally also a desert cat), pale and long-eared hedgehogs and hare etc.
The avifauna include 7 species of larks including Crested and Sykes, Ashy & Black-crowned sparrow, greater short-toed greater hoopoe lark is possible.
Desert and variable wheatears, southern grey, long-tailed, rufous-tailed and bay-back shrike, common wood shrike and the desert warbler is among the many winter visiting warblers.
The chances are good to find marsh, Montagu and pallid harriers, Aquila eagles, falcons and buzzards heading for their roosting sites.
Later we will visit salt panes to witness the the salt farmers who are known as Agariyas (Agar means salt farm). Salt farming has thus become a huge industry in the Rann. A number of workers from surrounding villages venture in this monsoon-soaked desert land in October. As the water recedes in October and November, the workers start the harvesting process.
Afternoon visit through different villages of various tribes known as Meer and Rabari for their worldfamous embroidery work. We will also be wandering through another village of old mud houses.
A camel cart ride will certainly enhance the experience. Great opportunities for people photography.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Morning safari in the Little Rann of Kutch, a sanctuary for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. The mammals of the Rann other than the wild ass are nilgai, Indian gazelle, white-footed desert and Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat (occasionally also a desert cat), pale and long-eared hedgehogs and hare etc.
The avifauna include 7 species of larks including Crested and Sykes, Ashy & Black-crowned sparrow, greater short-toed greater hoopoe lark is possible.
Desert and variable wheatears, southern grey, long-tailed, rufous-tailed and bay-back shrike, common wood shrike and the desert warbler is among the many winter visiting warblers.
The chances are good to find marsh, Montagu and pallid harriers, Aquila eagles, falcons and buzzards heading for their roosting sites.
Later we will visit salt panes to witness the the salt farmers who are known as Agariyas (Agar means salt farm). Salt farming has thus become a huge industry in the Rann. A number of workers from surrounding villages venture in this monsoon-soaked desert land in October. As the water recedes in October and November, the workers start the harvesting process.
Afternoon visit through different villages of various tribes known as Meer and Rabari for their worldfamous embroidery work. We will also be wandering through another village of old mud houses.
A camel cart ride will certainly enhance the experience. Great opportunities for people photography.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Accommodation Options
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Day 12 – Wed. 10-Dec-2025 Little Rann of Kutch – (B,L,D)
Morning visit Little Rann of Kutch.
Early morning drive into this roadless, limitless expanse of Rann. Enjoy the lavish breakfast in the wilderness of the Rann.
Afternoon visit lake for birds photography by sunset.
A visit to Nawa Talao, a lake where demoiselle and common cranes gather in large flocks during the winter months.
Greater and lesser flamingo are seen in large numbers as are great white pelican with spot billed and Dalmatian recorded. Painted, open bill, wooly-necked, white, black, and blacknecked stork could be seen as also black, glossy, and black-headed ibis. Northern pintail, common teal, spot-billed duck, mallard, gadwall, wigeon, garganey, shoveler, cotton pygmy goose, pochards, tufted duck, lesser whistling duck, brahminy and comb duck are among the many visitors to the lake. Waders include pratincoles, lapwings, sandpipers, ruff, and other birds in good numbers.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Early morning drive into this roadless, limitless expanse of Rann. Enjoy the lavish breakfast in the wilderness of the Rann.
Afternoon visit lake for birds photography by sunset.
A visit to Nawa Talao, a lake where demoiselle and common cranes gather in large flocks during the winter months.
Greater and lesser flamingo are seen in large numbers as are great white pelican with spot billed and Dalmatian recorded. Painted, open bill, wooly-necked, white, black, and blacknecked stork could be seen as also black, glossy, and black-headed ibis. Northern pintail, common teal, spot-billed duck, mallard, gadwall, wigeon, garganey, shoveler, cotton pygmy goose, pochards, tufted duck, lesser whistling duck, brahminy and comb duck are among the many visitors to the lake. Waders include pratincoles, lapwings, sandpipers, ruff, and other birds in good numbers.
Overnight at Rann Riders By Kaafila.
Accommodation Options
Rann Riders By Kaafila
Day 13 – Thu. 11-Dec-2025 Little Rann of Kutch to Patan to Modhera to Ahmedabad – (B)
Morning drive to Ahmedabad enroute visiting Rani Ki Vav (The Stepwell) at Patan and Modhera to visit Sun Temple.
First, we will be visiting the Patan Stepwell – ‘Rani Ki Vav’ – One of the nicest monuments of Gujarat.
Intricately built Step Well of Patan called as Rani Ki Vav was built by Queen Udayamati in the 11th century in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev. This stepped monument has marvellous sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Later we will visit a factory where Patola Silk sarees are made. A Patola silk saree is a luxurious and intricate saree made using a double ikat weaving technique, traditionally from the Patan region of Gujarat.
The word Patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. The Salvi community involved in the creation of Patolas are the residents of Patan only. They were brought to the region by the Rajput nobility who captured various parts of the region and invited the skilled weavers of the region to Patan, under their patronage the community successfully flourished as traded in Gujarat and beyond, even after their supporters, the Rajput’s, ceased to exist.
Our next stop would be Modhera Sun temple constructed in 1026-27 AD, the complex has shrine hall, assembly hall and the reservoir. The pillars and exteriors of the halls are intricately carved, there are many beautiful small shrines in & around the reservoir and has numerous steps to go down the bottom.
Later drive to Ahmedabad. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
House of MG
First, we will be visiting the Patan Stepwell – ‘Rani Ki Vav’ – One of the nicest monuments of Gujarat.
Intricately built Step Well of Patan called as Rani Ki Vav was built by Queen Udayamati in the 11th century in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev. This stepped monument has marvellous sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Later we will visit a factory where Patola Silk sarees are made. A Patola silk saree is a luxurious and intricate saree made using a double ikat weaving technique, traditionally from the Patan region of Gujarat.
The word Patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. The Salvi community involved in the creation of Patolas are the residents of Patan only. They were brought to the region by the Rajput nobility who captured various parts of the region and invited the skilled weavers of the region to Patan, under their patronage the community successfully flourished as traded in Gujarat and beyond, even after their supporters, the Rajput’s, ceased to exist.
Our next stop would be Modhera Sun temple constructed in 1026-27 AD, the complex has shrine hall, assembly hall and the reservoir. The pillars and exteriors of the halls are intricately carved, there are many beautiful small shrines in & around the reservoir and has numerous steps to go down the bottom.
Later drive to Ahmedabad. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel House of MG.
Accommodation Options
House of MG
