HOLI FESTIVAL

MUMBAI + UDAIPUR + POSHINA + AHMEDABAD + BHAVNAGAR + DIU + JUNAGARH + GONDAL + BHUJ + MUMBAI

Holi - the festival of colors is one of the most popular festivals of the country. Holi festival has

an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships.

On this day, people hug and wish each other. Spraying colors, dancing on traditional Holi songs, rhythmic drum beats and wild processions are the common scenes that one comes across during this festival.

Day 01: MUMBAI ARRIVAL

Fly to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, you will be Greeted and Escorted by Indo Asia Tour Executive to your Hotel. On arrival at hotel check in. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon)

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. India's most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading center. This palm--fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire's entrance to its `Crown Jewel'. Mumbai is also center for Hindi films made in India called "Bollywood", with a credit of almost 900 films a year.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 02: MUMBAI – UDAIPUR

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and drive for the sightseeing of Mumbai (Room will be available till 1200 Hrs)

Visit the 26 meter high British-built Arch "Gateway of India", Mumbai's landmark built to honour the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Also visit the Kamla Nehru Park from

where you have a picturesque view of the city, Hanging Gardens are so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Mumbai.

Pass by the `towers of silence' the crematorium of the Parsis and visit Mani Bhawan a private house where Mahatma Gandhi uses to stay when he visited Mumbai. It is now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes. The display on the first floor there is a diorama depicting important scenes from Gandhi's life. The display of photos and letters written and received by Gandhiji.

Later enjoy the visit to Marine Drive dubbed, as the Queen's Necklace is Mumbai's most popular promenades.

Later transfer to the Airport to board the flight to Udaipur. (Air schedule is strictly subject to change)

On arrival at Udaipur, transfer to the Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 03: UDAIPUR

After breakfast visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part converted into a museum. The Folklore Museum charged with the preservation of Rajasthani folk arts, has an interesting collection including dresses, dolls, masks, turbans, tribal jewellery, musical instruments, paintings and puppets.

Also visit the Sahelion-ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers. The welcome fountain from the gate leads to the rain fountain, which has a center fountain with beautiful black marble kiosks with fountains on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering the walls of the enclosure.

Later in afternoon enjoy the public boat ride on Lake Picholla.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 04: UDAIPUR – POSHINA

After breakfast drive to Poshina. The tribal land of Aravalis. Explore the Bhil & Garasia tribal culture of North Gujarat & Southern Rajasthan. The village of Poshina is home to a number of artisans the tribal arrow crafters, silver, Potters, blacksmiths and the bazaar is famous for silver tribal jewelry, ORNATE sheathed daggers and terra cotta horses. Around poshina are hamlets Of the bhil and garasia tribal communities, know for their colorful Attires and artistic ornaments.

On arrival at Udaipur, transfer to the Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 05: POSHINA

After breakfast enjoy the Holi Festival.

Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships. On this day, people hug and

wish each other and spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 06: POSHINA – AHMEDABAD

After breakfast proceed to Ahmedabad.

En-route visit to Modhera & Patan - Patan was an ancient Hind capital before Mahmud of Ghazni sacked it in 1024.

Later continue your drive to Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad, situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River was the former capital of the state of Gujarat founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411. Today it is metropolis of the Indian Textile Industry.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 07: AHMEDABAD

After breakfast proceed to Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) built by Ahmed Shah in 1424, The façade is emphasized by the spacious courtyard paved in marble with a tank in the middle.

It has a screen of arches flanked by a pillared portico.

Afternoon excursion to Adalaj (17 km).

The Vav (baoli) (1502) built by Maharani Rudai Bai, in garden setting is one of the finest in India showing a combination of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist styles.

A long flight of steps descends over 30 m to the water. It has 4 storeys, each cooler that the one above. Later visit the Sabarmati Ashram founded in 1917, where Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father

of Nation" lived as a lawyer after his return from South Africa.

It was the starting point for Gandhiji's celebrated 24 day, 385 km Salt March to Dandi in 1930.

It has a library, archives and a picture gallery depicting Gandhiji's life.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 08: AHMEDABAD – BHAVNAGAR

After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar.

Founded as a port in 1723 by the Rajput Bhavsinghji Gohil, Bhavnagar is still an important trading post for the cotton goods manufactured in Gujarat. The Bhavnagar lock gate keeps ships afloat in the city's port during low tide. The very sprawling city has a beautiful old bazaar area with overhanging wooden balconies, thousands of little shops, lots of local colour.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Later City tour of Bhavnagar, visiting the Gandhi Smriti, which has a library, a small museum, gallery and memorial to the founder of India.

Overnight in the hotel

Day 09: BHAVNAGAR - PALITANA - DIU

After early breakfast drive to Diu

En-route visiting Palitana.

It is the base for visiting one of the 5 important pilgrimage centers of the Jains. The impressive Jain temple complex on Shatrunjaya hill is at an altitude of 591 m. Palitana has a name for diamond cutting and horse breeding. Shatrunjaya City, is the largest temple complex of India. The ascent of 3.5 Kms climb up a winding path has 3950 steps. The temple complex has 863

temples strung along two ridges of the hill, with further temples in the hollow. Muslims destroyed these temples in the 14 and 15th centuries. Most of the temples are named after their founders and are mostly built over a period of 1000 years in the11th century and rebuilt in the 16th century" Later continue your drive to Diu. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 10: DIU - JUNAGARH

Morning, drive for the sightseeing of Diu. Visit the battlement of Diu Fort, the wood panelled

St.Paul's and St.Thomas' Churches.

Later drive to Junagarh. En-route visiting the Somnath Temple. The temple contains wonderful piece of architectural work, it is the famous lord Shiva temple that has one of the 12 Jyotilingas. On arrival in Junagarh, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Junagadh, an ancient city, is situated in erstwhile Saurashtra, at the foot of Mount Girnar on the northern fringes of the Gir forest . Through various phases of history, Junagadh is described

with equal importance and for many centuries it was the capital of the western region of Gujarat. Stippled with hills, the medieval city of Junagadh derives its name from an old fort called by the same name. Junagadh is a place of pilgrimage and has produced a number of saints in its long histroy.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 11: JUNAGARH

After breakfast drive for the city tour.

Uperkot Fort stands on the eastern side of Junagarh. Although the fort is believed to be built by Chandragupta in AD 319, it was rebuilt several times in the later centuries. Legend has it that the fort was besieged 16 times, the longest of which was for 12 continuous years. The fort is

open from 7 am to 6.30 pm daily.

Mahabat Maqbara is the mausoleum of one of the nawabs of Junagarh. The structure is resplendent with silver doors and intricate architecture.

The Durbar Hall Museum displays weapons and armor from the days of the nawabs and many other curios and artifacts. A quick foray into the museum will reveal silver chains, chandeliers, settees, thrones, palanquins, howdahs, cushions, gowns and a large carpet that was woven in the Junagarh jail.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 12: JUNAGARH – GONDAL

After breakfast drive to Gondal.

Gondal has much to offer by way of sightseeing to the visitors. Built in 1875 AD by Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji for his son Yuvraj Bhojraji, the Riverside Palace is set in lawns and gardens beside the river Gondali. There are two marvelously appointed sitting arrangement-the living room furnished in typical colonial style with chandelier, antique wooden furniture and sofas, and the Indian room decorated with beadwork, brassware and paintings-and many pleasant sit- outs on the terraces and galleries overlooking either the river or the garden. On arrival in Gondal, transfer to the hotel and check in. Time free to explore the city, overnight at the Hotel

Day 13: GONDAL - BHUJ

After breakfast drive to Bhuj.

After some rests go to DSP office and proceed for permit procedure to visit the Banni Villages (Permit is required to visit Banni Villages)

IMP: Please carry two sets of photocopies of your passport to be submitted to the collector in person for obtaining the permit.

(Please note that the DSP office remains close on 2nd & 4th sat, sun & public holidays)

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 14: BHUJ

In the early morning visit to Banni village to see the Banni tribes and the typical Banni houses.

Banni the last village on the border is a Desert land of infinite dimensions, and in its midst, quaint little villages suspended in Time. Here you will come across master craft people

expositioning their traditional art, turning our masterpieces everyday. There ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use - will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 15: BHUJ – MUMBAI

After breakfast transfer to the Airport to board the flight to Mumbai.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 16: MUMBAI DEPARTURE

On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey

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