Weekend Gateways from Ahmedabad.
Dasada
Rann Riders - Rann Riders is an enchantingly ethnic destination resort, set among wetlands and agricultural fields. The resort has imaginatively designed cottages that blend with the surrounding countryside. Located near Dasada village, it serves as an ideal base to explore the famed culture, weaves, and handicrafts of the Surendranagar district.
Rann Riders offer jeep, horse, and camel safaris in the Little Rann of Kutch, the habitat of Asiatic Wild Ass, and a bird-watching paradise.
Bajana
The Royal Safari Camp – Royal Safari Camp is an eco-friendly resort set amongst the heritage and culture of the vibrant district of Gujarat, Surendranagar. It is landscaped amidst the lush agricultural fields and showcases a perfect blend of the aesthetics and culture of the region. It is the perfect getaway for a relaxing and comfortable holiday when you want to take a break from the hustle-bustle of city life. A calm, composed, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere clubbed with the excitement of exploring Wilderness in the nearby vicinity of Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch, yet not compromising on rich and ethnic lifestyle.
Spread over in around 18 acres of land, Royal Safari Camp is constructed by skilful local artisans, built using red stones, which gives it an ancient and heritage look. Each of 25 beautifully landscaped cottages at the Royal Safari Camp exhibits magnificent craftsmanship while offering you other amenities, including air conditioners and luxurious bathrooms, essential to make your stay comfortable.
Sayla
Old Bell Guest House – The heritage property is an ideal place to kick back and relax, and experience rural Gujarat in the village of Sayla. Located at the entrance to the Saurashtra region called the Kathiawad Peninsula, Sayla is a good place for a stopover for lunch or a few nights stay for those travelling from Rajasthan or Ahmedabad to major destinations like the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Somnath, etc. The owners of Bell Guest House arrange for guests to visit several bird-watching sites, wildlife reserves, handicraft and weaving centres, holy places, and historic monuments within a one-and-a-half hour’s radius of the property.
Palaces of Gondal
Orchard Palace / River Side Palace - The 11-gun salute princely state of Gondal spanned an area of about 1000 sq. miles comprising four towns and more than 175 villages. The Orchard Palace was built as an annexe of the Huzoor Palace, the family residence, in the late-19th century to host personal guests of the Maharajas. Converted into a seven-room heritage hotel, it is appointed with the 1930s and ‘40s art deco furniture, antiques, and handicrafts.
Recommended for those who are passionate about the Vintage & Classic Cars.
The collection includes a pre-1910 New Engine that belonged to Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji which is a real beauty with its superbly crafted gas-operated lamp, curved glass windscreen, and woodwork interiors of the coach. The Delage D8, Daimler, and the grand 1935 Mercedes seven-seat saloon are examples of supercharged European cars of the 1920s and '30s known for their superbly crafted bodywork and high performance.
Stylish American cars in the collection include the 1935 Packard two-door convertible coupe, the 1930s Buick convertible, and the 1935 Ford convertible. Imposing American cars of the 1940s and '50s include 1941 Cadillac saloon, a 1947 Cadillac convertible, a 1947 Buick convertible, 1947 Oldsmobile, the 1940s Studebaker convertible, the 1947 Lincoln V12, and the 1950s Cadillac Eldorado limousine. The Gondal collection also has post-WW2 jeeps, station wagons, and pick-ups that have seen many a Shikar in the 1940s and '50s.
The high-performance European cars of the late-1950s include the 1958 Mercedes 300SL two-seat roadster, the 1959 Jaguar XK150, and other cars that Maharaja Jyotendra Sinhji and Maharaj Kumar Ghanadityasinhji raced to wins at many circuits. Also in the collection are muscle cars like the 1960s Chevrolet Camaro and Surtees Formula 5000. Recent additions to the collection include the 1992 Corvette ZR1, the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro, 1997 Buick Riviera, and a Dodge.
Gir National Park
The Gir Forests- the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of India is the last abode of the big and regal predator, the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), an endangered animal species. The sanctuary is internationally acclaimed for successfully saving this precious species from the brink of extinction. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1965. Subsequently out of the 1153.42 sq. km area of the sanctuary, an area of 258.71 sq. km. was declared a National Park.
Gir Forests has a topography made up of successive rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus, and valleys. Besides, being the last abode of Asiatic lions, Gir Forests forms a unique habitat for many mammals, reptiles, birds, and insect species along with a rich variety of flora.
Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary. The overwhelming presence of the omnipotent big cat diverts the attention of the common man from the remarkable bird population that the sanctuary has. However, the birds of Gir sanctuary did attract the great ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali who believed that, had the Asiatic lions not been there, the area would have been one of the most fascinating birds sanctuaries of the country. People mostly link Gir with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having a symbiotic relationship with the lion. They are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".
Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary. At present, the Gir forests of Gujarat (India) are the only place where this race of lion’s i.e. Asiatic lion is found in its natural habitat.
Unlike the other big cats, the lion is tolerant of the presence of human beings and it even lives near human settlements. During the last century in British rule, the lion population touched an all-time low of 20 in 1913. The serious conservation efforts by the then Nawab of Junagadh saved the species from the brink of extinction. The subsequent efforts by the Forest Department have successfully brought the population to the present respectable status of 523 numbers of this majestic animal.
Ask for Resorts/ Jungle Camps and Wildlife Lodges at Gir National Park.
We do book the safari permits on a subject to availability basis on prior requests.
Diu
Known as Mini Goa for the fun-loving people of Gujarat. Located near the port of Veraval, Diu is a small island which was earlier a Portuguese colony and is now guarded by beaches all around.
Diu takes up most popularity given the ample number of beaches, along with Gujarat's southern coast such as the Nagoa beach, but has a lot more to offer too. Alcohol is legal in Diu.
The Diu Fort, a primary imprint of the Portuguese on the area's heritage and architecture makes up a popular tourist attraction. Another interesting place is the Vanakbara, a small fishing village whose charm has tints of colorful fishing boats and humming of day to day activity. This perfect add-on to a visit to Gujarat will complete your experience with interesting museums such as the Sea Shell Museum, temples, and churches.
Diu is bounded by Gir-Somnath and Amreli District of Gujarat in the North and by the Arabian Sea from three sides. It is connected to the mainland via two bridges.
Ask us for some wonderful beach resorts and lovely hotels with water park facilities in Diu.
Palitana
Palitana is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, 51 km southwest of Bhavnagar. There are in total of 863 temples from the base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya hill, where the Palitana temples are located. The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning 3.5 km up the Shatrunjaya Hills. Shatrunjaya (the place of victory) Hill is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for the Jains. The temples are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars and even the priests leave the temples at dusk.
The hilltops are bounded by sturdy walls and the temples have been grouped into nine tunks (enclosures)-each having several minor temples clustered around a central temple. Among the most important temples here is the Chaumukh temple with its four-faced deity of Adinath enshrined on a marble pedestal in a shrine open on all four sides (an aberration in itself).
Built in the early 17th century, it is planned as a large square subdivided into smaller squares, each structure topped by a dome. The innermost five dome-topped squares form a cross and represent the five hills sacred to the Jains.
The Adishwar temple is probably the most profusely decorated in Palitana. Its ornate pillars and roofs are decorated with intricately cut marble in the shape of dragons.
Ask us for a heritage homestay in Palitana – September to March
Velavadar
Blackbuck National Park - A small wetland in the southern part of the Park attracts birds like Pelicans, Flamingoes, Ducks, Waders, Coots, White storks, Painted storks, and Saras cranes, etc. The Park is a heaven for Demoiselle Cranes, Common Cranes, and a variety of Raptors including Certag Spotted Eagles and Steppe Eagles. The Park provides one of the world's best-roosting sites to thousands of Harriers that arrive here from Central Europe for wintering. Peculiar courtship display by lesser florican could also be seen. Lesser florican is one of the fifty rarest birds of the world and the park has been supporting the breeding of quite a good number of this species.
An entirely different experience of the wildlife begins to transcend as the darkness falls. The persistent howls of jackal add to the feeling of true wilderness. The long, deep, and threatening howls of wolves, occasionally penetrate the darkness.
Ask for Resorts/ Jungle Camps and Wildlife Lodges at Velavadar National Park.
Santrampur
Nestled amidst the lush lower reaches of the Aravallis, is a hidden paradise. A palatial villa belonging to the Maharana of Santrampur positioned quite magnificently upon a lake. The vivid mental image this brings to mind creates an ethereal aura around the property even before a real glimpse is caught. Far from social inhabitance and the chaotic humdrum of our hectic urbane lifestyles is Shri Joraver Vilas, an oasis of tranquillity.
The beautiful, villa is residence to the royal family that has opened its doors to offer the ultimate intimate royal experience. The palace itself has interiors reminiscent of the Art Deco era it was built in. In serene solitude, the mantra the Maharana and Maharani of Santrampur hold for all guests is 'Atithi Devo bhava' as they aspire towards creating an experience of regal hospitality in the haven of their stately home.
Jambugodha
Life today demands an escape from the routine and what better way to spend a couple of days at a destination that will allow you to leave your city life behind and be with nature. To simply enjoy. To rejuvenate. A brief get-away prepares you to be back in your city life with renewed vigour. Irrespective of whether you are a corporate head honcho, businessman, painter, or writer.
Travel back more than a century, in 100 acres of sheer hypnotic greenery. That is when the Jambughoda Palace (now partly converted into A Home for Nature Lovers) was built.
An easy destination to combine with a visit to Champaner World Heritage Site and Colorful Tribal Haats.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, a mere 20 km away (70 km from Vadodara). Full of forests of teak and mahuda trees, bamboo, and other lush vegetation, Jambughoda is home to large populations of many kinds of wildlife. The leopard at the top of the food chain is the primary predator, and its numbers have been increasing recently. Other large wildlife includes the wild boar, nilgai (blue bull, the largest antelope in Asia), jackal, hyena, barking deer, sloth bear, and chousingha(four-horned antelope).
Ask for Resorts & Heritage Homestays in this area.
Vadodara
Vadodara, also called Baroda, city, east-central Gujarat state, west-central India. It is located on the Vishwamitri River about 60 miles (100 km) southeast of Ahmadabad.
The history of Vadodara falls into a Hindu period (until 1297); a period under the Muslim Delhi sultanate (1297–c. 1401); an independent Gujarat Sultanate, during which the nucleus of the present city was built (c. 1401–c. 1573); a Mughal Empire period (c. 1573–1734); and a Maratha period, during which it became the capital of the powerful Gaekwad dynasty (1734–1947). In 1802 the British established a residency in the city to conduct relations between the East India Company and the Gaekwads; later the company was also responsible for British relations with all the states of Gujarat and The Kathiawar Peninsula.
The long history of Vadodara is reflected in its many palaces, gates, parks, and avenues. It houses the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (1949) and other educational and cultural institutions, including several museums. The Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, founded by the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda in 1894, formally opened in 1921. The museum displays European paintings, including portraits by British painters George Romney and Sir Joshua Reynolds and by Dutch painter Sir Peter Lely. The museum also contains Hindu illustrations, sculptures, folk art, and ethnography.
Now an important place to keep as a centre to visit the Statue of Unity and Ranchod Rai’s Temple of Lord Krishna at Dakor.