Day 01. Arrive in Ahmedabad early morning and after breakfast at one of the local restaurants proceed to Bhuj, your first stop will be at Malaya for fresh n up. Tea Break at Malaya and continue to Kutch - This is a panoramic drive to salt pans and windmills. You may also see some migratory birds at salt pans, you will be visiting   Dhaneti village for Embroidery by Ahir community. Ahir embroidery of Gujarat is a rhythmic row of embroidered patterns, circular mirrors encircled with stitches enriching the fabric and material of this kind can be used for home decor, clothing, and other utility. The bright colours of the threads and glittering pieces of mirrors embellish fabric and it is a feeling of grandeur that appeals to every soul and remains in the heart. Later you will be visiting the Block Printers at Ajrakhpur village are known worldwide, for the art of Ajrakh, block-printing uses colours derived from nature, such as indigo, henna, turmeric, pomegranate, iron, and mud. In some cases, the fabrics are washed up to 20 times. The printing blocks are hand-carved. The Khatri’s are a community of block-printers adept in the 3,000-year-old art of Ajrakh. The process is complex and involves 16 different processes. Ismail Mohammed Khatri has gained critical acclaim for his innovative use of natural dyes that include a mixture of camel dung, soda ash and castor oil, waste iron, myrobalan, madder, indigo, pomegranate peel boiled in water, sprays of turmeric water and the root of rhubarb.

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Further, you will be visiting the most wonderful Textile and Tribal Museum in Ajrakhpur – LLDC Museum “Living and Learning Design Center” – {Closed on Monday}LLDC is, however, much more than a museum. It is envisioned as a multi-dimensional crafts education and resource centre, where craftspeople can meet and learn from one another. We hope that it will help us do for the other crafts of Kutch what we have been able to achieve for hand embroidery. Drive to Bhuj. Dinner and overnight at Bhuj.

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Day 02. Post breakfast you will be visiting Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal, and Bhuj Museum and then continue to Banni Region of Kutch visiting Nirona Village - for Rogan arts on a piece of cloth- The word Rogan comes from Persian and means ‘oil-based. The process of making the natural colours used in art gives it such a name. Castor oil is heated on a fire for about 12 hours and then cast into cold water to give a thick residue called the Rogan. This is then mixed with stone pigments to lend it different hues. Next, the artisan uses a six-inch metal stick to paint with a fine thread of Rogan on cloth. Seeing it live made us realize how delicately the Rogan thread has to be led with precision to give shape to one’s imagination. , Copper Crafts - The Luhars in Nirona have been preserving the craft of making copper bells over seven generations. From the 65-year-old head of the family, Luhar Husen Sidhik, to his 18-year-old grandson, Faruk, the Luhars are passionately taking the art forward. Faruk who is pursuing his college education is keen on giving a new spin to the art. As a result, you can see some heart-shaped wind chimes, a xylophone made of bells, and even a few fauna inspired bell pieces. And Lacquer Works on wooden utensils. Continue to Dhordo – Lunch at The Tent City. Evening enjoys the breathtaking views of the White Rann. Return to the Tent City. Dinner and cultural evening. Stay at Rann Utsav.

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Day 03. Today very early in the morning drive to White Rann of Kutch to see the sunrise, Return Rann Utsav Post early breakfast visit and Dhordo village – This area has White Rann, You can see Mutwa Muslim Community here in at Dhordo. Continue to Khavda to see Potters and Samma tribe. Later leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset at the Indo-Pakistan border. Drive to Bhuj. Evening free for shopping at Bhoomi Handicrafts which is opposite to ST Bus Stand. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

 

Day 04. Today after Breakfast drive to Mandvi en route visiting 72 Jinalaya. Afternoon free at Beach Camp. Post Lunch visit Vijay Vilas Palace and Mandvi Town - Mandvi is known for its 400-year-old shipbuilding centre. The local carpenters still make ocean-going Dhows in much the same way that their ancestors had done a century ago. One can go and visit the men at work, shaping the great vessels with hand tools and coaxing the seasoned timber into shape. The carrying capacity of these boats can vary from 250 tons to 1000 tons. The predecessors of these very same ships had roamed the Indian Ocean and made Kutch a maritime power. Handmade models of these Dhows can also be procured from local artisans. Rest of the day at leisure on a private beach. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

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Day 05. Breakfast at the beach camp and drive to Jamnagar en route visiting Anjar Town - Anjar is claimed to be the oldest town in Kutch. Many earthquakes have devastated the region of Anjar, but with the legendary capacity to overcome hardship and disaster, the people lost no time in rebuilding their lives out of the debris around them. It's impossible to come to Anjar and return home empty-handed as the markets of the city offer an exciting range of metal handicrafts. Do visit Jesal- Total Samadhi n the memory of the famous couple. Continue to Jamnagar. Check into your hotel pre-booked – Evening visits to the Bala Hanuman Temple and followed by a visit to Lakota Lake situated in Jamnagar. This beautiful lake has resided in the middle of the city Jamnagar. This Lake surrounds the Lakhota Fort. Jamnagar is one of the beautiful cities of Gujarat. This is one of the best spots for bird watching. As many birds visit this place during their migratory period. Enjoy the gentle breeze, and the soothing sunset and mouthwatering local foodstuffs like kulfi, Chaat, tea, and much more. Later you will be visiting The Bala Hanuman Temple - It is one of the world-famous temples and has achieved a name in Guinness Book of World Records for continuous 24-hours chanting of the "Ram Naam", since 01st August 1964. Time permitting you can do the shopping for Bandhini Fabrics which is famous in Jamnagar. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

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Day 06. Post early breakfast drive to Dwarka {150 km – 3 hrs}

Dwarka -The sacred town is one of the main centres of Lord Krishna. Situated on the western side of Gujarat Overlooking the Arabian Sea. Dwarka is also mentioned as Golden City in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Skand Purana, Vishnu Purana, and also in Harivansh and Mahabharat. Legendary Krishna's kingdom means Dwarka.

Visit Nageshwar Jyotirling - It is enshrined by one of the 12 swayambhu (self-existent) Jyotirlingas in the world, Nageshwar was believed to be known as ‘Darukavana’, which is an ancient epic name of a forest in India.
 

Later you will be visiting Beyt Dwarka - Beyt Dwarka is an island, situated at a distance of 30 km from the main town. This island is surrounded by a few temples, white beaches, and Coral reefs. The main temple at Beyt Dwarka is that of Lord Krishna, which is believed to be located at a site that was once the residence of Lord Krishna and His family. This temple is over 500 years old and was built by Sri Vallabhacharya.
 

In addition to this, Beyt Dwarka features temples of Vishnu, Radha, Lakshmi, Satyabhama, Devki, and Jambavati. There is a narrow street that leads to these temples that are crowded by vendors selling local crafts, idols, cassettes, coconut, and seashells. Visiting Beyt Dwarka, you have to first reach Okha port Jetty from here, you have to hire a ferry or small boat to visit Beyt Dwarka, which is just 5 km from Okha. Return to Dwarka en route visit Rukmani Temple - (Lord Shree Krishna's Patrani), There is a myth. associated with it once Krishna and Rukmani went to 'Durvasha Rishi' to invite him to Dwarka. He agreed on the condition that they (Krishna & Rukmani) have to carry the chariot instead of any animal. Krishna & Rukmani happily agreed to do so. While driving the chariot, Rukmani became thirsty. Lord Krishna then stopped the chariot and made the water of Holy River Ganga. 'Durvasha' annoyed by the action and curse Rukmani to stay away from Shree Krishna Hence Rukmani temple is located 2 km. Away from Dwarka’ s Jagat Mandir.
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In the evening you will be visiting Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir located on a hillock in the sea. This Temple is dedicated to Chandra-Mouliswar Shiva. This temple enshrines a Shivling in the sanctum which was found at the confluence of Gomti, Ganga, and the Arabian Sea by the Jagatguru Sankaracharya himself.
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Late evening you will be free to explore the market area of Dwarka to buy some local and ethnic embroidered handicrafts items, colourfully embellished footwear, graceful Ghagra Choli, and Dress materials beautifully decorated with sequins, mirror chunks, and colourful strings. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Dwarka

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Day 07. Today early morning attend Mangla aarti at Dwarkadish Temple at 6.30 Am, Return to your hotel for breakfast and later drive to Somnath via Porbandar {230 km – 5 hrs}. You will be visiting ‘Kirti Mandir’ which is the memorial house kept in memory of Mahatma Gandhi now a museum. Continue to Somnath – Check into your hotel pre-booked – Later you will be visiting Bhalka Teerth -  Where Lord Krishna is said to have been mistakenly shot in the foot. Nearby is Dehotsarg, where he succumbed to his mortal wound. The temple at Bhalka Tirth is known as Mahaprabhuji's Bethak, and a tulsi tree has been planted in Lord Krishna's memory. The temple also contains a beautiful tribhangi idol of Lord Krishna playing his flute. Later visit Somnath Temple. Which is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirling shrines of Shiva. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and Portuguese the present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951. The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni Sangam (the confluence of three rivers — Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati. Attend evening aarti at 7.00 pm followed by the Sound and Light show have been planned to highlight all facets of the historic site. The show will weave the three strands of the narrative – mythical, historical, and modern – to put together the fabric of the story of Somnath in the most spectacular manner. The shows tell you about the history of the temple that was destroyed and reconstructed several times. Return to your hotel for Dinner. Overnight in Somnath.

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Day 08. Post breakfast drive to Rajkot / Ahmedabad at 8.00 am en-route visit the historic sites of Junagadh – Upperkot Fort, Edicts of Ashoka and Mohabbat Makbara – Which according to me is more beautiful than the Taj Mahal in Agra – Further you will be visiting Jalaram Temple in Virpur - The history of Jalaram Bapa is very interesting, As per the famous tells once Lord Rama appeared before Bapa by changing their look and ask Bapa that they want someone to take care of him, Without thinking any more Bapa tells his wife to go with Rama and she has done it gladly. She started the journey with the old man. After passing some route Rama gave a stick and a bag to Virbhai and disappeared. Jalaram knew that he was Rama. That original stick and bag still are in the Jalaram Temple. People also think that which food they eat given by the Bapa, reached for the door of heaven.

The main attraction in the temple is the portrait picture of Jalaram Bapa and the original photo of Bapa whim has been taken before one year of the death of Jalaram Bapa. Temple trust provides a nice arrangement for devotees to get free food and free accommodation called ‘Dharamshala’ without any cost. The temple is very beautiful and not accepting any type of donation or money. The idol of Bapa is having a smiling and holding a stick and wearing a white turban and a dhoti-Kurta. This is the first temple that doesn’t accept any money or donation. Continue to Rajkot Airport for an onward journey to Mumbai or Delhi.

Guest travelling to Ahmedabad can reach by the early evening – Time free for shopping at Naranpura – Sardar Patel Bavla - This place is good to buy stitched and Unstitched Dresses or you can even stop at Kamdhenu Khadi Ghar to buy some ethnic Khadi and some handmade original products. Quick meals can be taken at Sankalp near Metropole Hotel at Subash Bridge before heading to the airport for a journey back home taking back sweet memories of your trip to Gujarat.