1 Days (ARRIVAL AT BHUJ – WHITE RANN OF KUTCH)
Check in at Resort in Rann and get refreshed. Further move on to visit places of interest as per details given below : WHITE DESERT OF KUTCH The Rann was a once a shallow part of the Arabian Sea, until a geological shift closed off the connection with the sea. The region became a seasonal marshy salt desert over the years. During monsoons the region fills up with water and forms a wetland. In the summer the water dries to create a bed of white salty land. The sunset at the White Rann of Kutch is mesmerizing beyond words. One can see the transformation of the sun which shines bright and high during the daytime, slowly starts to mellow down and descend at the onset of the evening. Overnight Stay at Resort in Rann.
2 Days (WHITE RANN OF KUTCH – DHOLAVIRA - BHUJ)
Next day energize with sun-up after having breakfast, check out from Resort at Rann and proceed for Dholavira to visit places of interest as per details given below : KALO DUNGAR [BLACK HILL] Kalo Dungar or Black Hill is the highest point in Kutch, Gujarat at 462 m (1,516 ft). This is probably the only place in Kachchh from where a panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch is possible. Kalo Dungar magnetic hill is a popular optical illusion where vehicle seems to defy the gravity and roll up the slope. ? DUTT TEMPLE The 400 year old "Dattatreya Temple" is the most famous attraction on Kalo Dungar. Local belief is that Lord Dattatreya when walking on earth rested on these hills where he encountered hungry jackals to whom he offered his body as food. Since last 4 centuries it's a practice of the temple priests to feed jackals everyday at noon. The priest intimates the jackals by banging on a plate with a spoon. ? THE ROAD TO THE HEAVEN Experience a heavenly drive on the Dholavira Highway, famously known as “The Road to the Heaven”. Behold the captivating ‘Rann Of Kutch’ Lake, shimmering on both sides, offering picturesque views of crystal-clear waters, gleaming salt beds, and boundless blue skies. ? DHOLAVIRA India’s most recent UNESCO World Heritage site, Dholavira a Harappan city, is one of the very few well preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE. Being the 6th largest of more than 1,000 Harappan sites discovered so far, and occupied for over 1,500 years, Dholavira not only witnesses the entire trajectory of the rise and fall of this early civilization of humankind, but also demonstrates its multifaceted achievements in terms of urban planning, construction techniques, water management, social governance and development, art, manufacturing, trading, and belief system. ? INDUS – VALLEY EXCAVATED SITE MUSEUM Dholavira is older than the Egyptian pyramids and displays remnants of a highly sophisticated urban culture that was way ahead of its time. The Dholavira museum exhibits information and artifacts related to the Dholavira archaeological site. Some of the significant objects unearthed during excavation from the site are a number of seals and sealing, graduated scale made on a charred rib bone of an animal, beads of semi-precious stones, copper, gold, shell, and terracotta. The unicorn animal figure is a prime discovery of its kind among the terracotta figurines. ? FOSSIL PARK It is also called the Dinosaur Fossil Park. The boulders here have weird shapes, with constant exposure to salt laden moist winds they have eroded in the strangest manner possible. The deep holes on the surface seemed like some empty eye sockets to me. Nearby in a barricaded area there is an impressive display of fossilized wood belonging to Jurassic era.
3 Days (BHUJ - WEST KUTCH - BHUJ)
Next day energize with sun-up after having breakfast, move on to West Kutch to visit places of interest as per details given below : ? MATANA MADH [MAA ASHAPURA DARSHAN] Mata no Madh is a village in Lakhpat Taluka of Kachchh district, Gujarat, India. The village lies surrounded by hills on both banks of a small stream and has a temple dedicated to Ashapura Mata, the household deity of former Jadeja rulers of Kachchh State. As the name suggested she is the goddess who fulfils the wishes and desires of the peoples. It is said that Ashapura Mata has 7 pairs of eyes which is a very unique fact about her. ? NARAYAN SAROVAR According to Hindu theology there are five sacred lakes collectively called Panch-Sarovar i.e. Mansarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar. They are also mentioned in Shrimad Bhagavata Purana. One of the holy rivers of India, Sarasvati River had an out let in to sea near present-day Narayan Sarovar and waters of lake were filled with holy waters of River Saraswati, that is why this place was and is still considered as one of the five holy lakes by Hindus. ? KOTESHWAR The story of Koteshwar begins with Ravana, who won it as a boon from Lord Shiva for an outstanding display of piety, this Shiva linga of great spiritual power. But which Ravana in his arrogant haste, accidentally dropped and it fell to earth at Koteshwar. To punish Ravana for his carelessness, the linga turned into a thousand identical ones, some versions of the story say ten thousand, some a million. Unable to distinguish the original, Ravana grabbed one and departed, leaving the original one here, around which Koteshwar Temple was built. ? LAKHPAT Lakhpat is a sparsely populated town and sub-district in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat located at the mouth of Kori Creek. Historically it has been very important trading post connecting Gujarat to Sindh. The gradual decline of Lakh fort Town started when an earthquake diverted the flow of the Sindhu River away from it. It has a scenic landscape with a fort in ruins along with tomb and a mosque noted for their fine carvings. A nearby gurudwara is historically significant, as Guru Nanak who was the founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the eleven Sikh Gurus is believed to have visited this site.
4 Days (BHUJ – MANDVI - BHUJ )
Next day energize with sun-up after having breakfast, proceed for Mandvi to visit places of interest as per details given below : ? 72-JINALAY JAIN TEMPLE Built with white marble, Bounter Jainalaya is known for its immaculate beauty. The intricacy of the work on the walls and pillars, spectacular work on the inner side of the central domes, and several other characteristics are the highlights of the temple. The main sanctum sanctorum of the temple contains 6 feet high idol of Adiswar Bhagwan. ? PANDIT SHYAMJI KRISHNA VERMA MEMORIAL Shyamji Krishna Varma was born on 4th October, 1857 in Mandvi town of Kutch district of Gujarat. He was one of the foremost freedom fighters in the history of the freedom movement of India with high sense of patriotism and selfless service for the nation. The Memorial’s objective is to pay tribute to the contribution of Shyamji Krishna Varma and also to educate the young generation about those great Indians who sacrificed everything for the country’s freedom. ? MANDVI SHIP BUILDING YARD The Ship Building Yard of Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati river. It is a rewarding experience to watch skilled craftsmen assembling ships for their local and international clients. This is also a major tradeland of timber. ? VIJAY VILAS PALACE Built during the reign of the Maharao of Kutch, as a summer resort for the use of his son and heir to the kingdom, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji, it was named after him as Vijaya Vilas Palace. The palace was built with red sandstone. It is designed with a central high dome on pillars, Bengal domes on the sides, windows with colored glass, carved stone 'jalis', domed bastions at the corners, an extended porch and other stone-carved elements. The palace is set in the middle of gardens with water channels and marble fountains. ? MANDVI WIND FARM BEACH No visit to kutch is complete without a Mandvi Beach travel, the most favorite holiday destination in Kutch. Soft & smooth sand along with clear & safe waters will lure you into taking a dive or two into the waters of Mandvi Sea. Apart from the scenic beauty that the Mandvi beach offers, there are a lot of fun activities that you can engage in like camel ride, horse ride, rock climbing, water sports etc. The gigantic & glorious wind farms just adjacent to the beach magnify the beauty of the beach and sunset at the mandvi beach is something you would never forget for your life!
5 Days (BHUJ LOCAL SIGHTSEEING – DEPARTURE )
Next day energize with sun-up after having breakfast, check-out from Hotel / Resort in Bhuj and move on for Bhuj Local Sightseeing to visit places of interest as per details given below : ? AINA MAHAL Aina Mahal palace is a two storied mansion built with stones and designed by stone carvings and wood fretwork. The design of the palace is in Indian style and the decoration is European. The palace floors are made with blue delftware tiles and the marble walls of the palace are decorated with mirrors which are separated by gilded frames. These walls are adorned with fitted shelves on which glass and ceramics were displayed. The rooms were illuminated by hanging candelabra and chandeliers with shade of Venetian glass. The pillars and roofs were ornamented with gold. The space between pillars and walls are filled with triangular mirror compartments. ? PRAG MAHAL Prag Mahal is one of the architectural wonders in India. Built-in the 19th century, the grand palace boasts of Gothic-style windows and Corinthian pillars around it. The opulent Mahal has the second tallest clock tower in the country which offers an amazing view from the top. A part of the palace has been converted into a museum with archives and personal items of the royal family on display. Imposing and beautiful in itself, the resplendent palace is made mostly out of red sandstone. There are intricate carvings done on the walls with beautiful art, and the most amazing thing is the jaali work on the jharokhas, those are exquisite in appearance. Prag Mahal has also been very famous in Bollywood and has been a part of several Bollywood blockbusters including Lagaan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and numerous Gujarati films as well. ? SWAMI NARAYAN TEMPLE Made of marble, intricate carvings adorn the pillars and ceiling of the most expensive temple built in the state of Gujarat recently. ? SMRUTI VAN – THE EARTHQUAKE MESUEM The Smritivan Earthquake Museum, Bhuj is situated on the Bhujiyo Dungar. It was constructed in remembrance of the victims of the devastating 2001 Gujarat earthquake. The Sun-point at the memorial is situated on top of Bhujiyo Dungar, providing a panoramic view of the city as well as breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset. ? BHUJODI CRAFTS VILLAGE Bhujodi is one of the major textile and craft hubs of the region, and a veritable draw for the traveller. A large part of the Vankar community resides here. These are specialists in weaving, tie and dye and other craft forms that make the backbone of Kutch’s handicraft scene. There are specific craft and arts centers around Bhujodi, but even if you into any house, you can be assured that the family will be involved in some kind of handicraft. The Ashapura Crafts Park, Shrujan and Hiralaxmi Craft Park lie in this region. Further transfer you to Bhuj airport or railway station, there on get back to home with most memorable and most enjoyable travel experience.
