In the footsteps of pilgrims in Gujarat
€1200
per person
This mystical journey takes us to the most sacred sites of Gujarat.
We will start this tour in Ahmedabad, which houses beautiful mosques and ancient Jain and Hindu temples and we will then head to Pavagadh Hill and its Kali temple, one of the most revered shakti pitha.
We will descend the coast towards Palitana, one of the highest places of Jainism in India, followed by a stop on the island of Diu, a former Portuguese counter. From Diu, we will head to Somnath, which houses one of the twelve ‘jyotir lingam’ or lingams of light, symbol of the god Shiva.
After Somnath, we climb the steps of Mount Girnar, a sacred hill for Hindus as well as for Jain faithful. We will leave Girnar for Dwarka, a high place of Vishnuism, as it is said that lord Krishna established his kingdom there.
Before going back to Ahmedabad, we will visit the island of Beyt Dwarka which it is said to be the real abode of Lord Krishna. We will then return to Ahmedabad via Jamnagar.
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ETHNIC / PHOTOGRAPHY
Ethnic journey to meet the different people of Gujarat. From Poshina at the north of the state to the Kutch region at the southwest and through the visit of places of interest : Modhera sun temple, Patan and Ahmedabad.
14 days
HERITAGE
Grand cultural tour to the most beautiful sites of Gujarat: the amazing havelis of Siddhpur, Sun temple of Modhera, the step well of Patan, the archaeological sites of Champaner then Ahmedabad, Palitana and Junagad.
12 days
PILGRIMAGE
Journey to the most sacred sites of Gujarat: Pavagadh the ancient site of the goddess Kali, Palitana and its hundreds Jain temples, Somnath and its most revered lingam of light, Girnar and its sacred hill and Dwarka, home of Lord Krishna.
12 days
Day 1
Ahmedabad
We start our cultural tour with Ahmedabad (“Ahmed’s City”), which boasts a rich heritage from its past as a merchant city. The old town and its many pols or districts with their finely carved mansions (havelis) bear witness to its former wealth. Adding to the city’s aura are its memories of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived here when striving for India’s independence. We will first visit the old city: the Pols (housing cluster), the havelis and chabutros, the Jumma Masjid mosque, the Kala temple Ramji, Swaminarayan Kalupur Temple, Siddi Saiyyed Mosque and Hatheesingh Jain Temple and Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram. Overnight in Ahmedabad in an heritage hotel.
Day 2
Ahmedabad - Jambhugoda
Departure for Jambhugoda. After checking in at the hotel in Jambhugoda, we will visit the sites of Champaner and Pavagah Hill. hampaner is a unique place, way out in the countryside, where you’ll find the vestiges of a town that was the capital of Gujarat state in the 15th century and a number of older archaeological remains. Much is still buried. Champaner is now listed as a World Heritage site. It is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and the life of the place today is centred on Pavagadh Hill to which thousands of pilgrims flock each year to pay homage to the goddess Kali. Overnight in Jambhugoda in an heritage hotel.
Day 3
Jambhugoda - Palitana
After breakfast, we will visit a 'haat', a market where adivasi peoples come to shop and sell and then we will drive down the coastal road towards Palitana. We will check in a heritage hotel. Free time. Overnight in Palitana.
Day 4
Palitana, the sacred hill of jain
This day will be dedicated to the visit of the Jain temples that we reach after a walk of about two hours. Shatrunjaya means “place of victory against inner enemies”. Along with Mount Abu, Girnar and Chandragiri, Shatrunjaya is one of the four most holy places of the Jain faith. According to Jain holy scriptures, this hill is where Adinath, the first Tirthankar, reached enlightenment. It is said that over 800 temples were built here over a period of 900 years. Every aspirant is supposed to make the pilgrimage at least once in their life. Overnight in Palitana
Day 5
Palitana - Diu via Mahuva
Departure for the town of Diu, a former Portuguese trading post on a small island (40km2 ) just off the west coast of the Gulf of Cambay. On the way, we will stop at Mahuva, a small town appreciated for its mild and green climate in a semi-arid region. Visit of several temples there and Pingleshwar, whose very old temple is built on a platform in the sea and is accessible only at low tide. Arrival in Diu in the late evening. Overnight in Diu in a hotel by the sea.
Day 6
Diu, a former Portuguese trading post
In 1535 Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, concluded a defensive alliance with the Portuguese against the Mughal emperor Humayun. He offered Diu to the Portuguese in return for their military help. The Portuguese built a fortress there and established a garrison. The Shah regretted his generosity and tried several times to reconquer Diu, but in vain. Diu remained under Portuguese control from 1535 to 1961, when it was handed over to the Union of India under Nehru. From this Portuguese past, Diu keeps some beautiful baroque churches and a fort. We will also visit the lovely Gangeshwar temple beaten by the waves. Overnight in Diu in a hotel by the sea.
Day 7
Diu - Somnath - Junagadh
Departure for Junagadh. On the way, we will stop at Somnath, one of the highest places of Hinduism. The temple of Somnath houses the 'lord of the moon', the first of the twelve 'jyotir lingam' or 'lingams of light'. It attracts millions of pilgrims each year. After visiting the temple, we will continue towards Junagadh. Overnight in Junagadh.
Day 8
Junagadh - Girnar Mount - Junagadh
Junagadh is still little frequented by tourists, however in the 18th century the Nawabs took control of Junagadh and built many monuments that still make the city famous like the Mahabat Maqbara, an original palace-mausoleum mixing several styles of architecture. The main attraction of Junagadh, however, is the Girnar Mount, located east of the city. Overnight in Junagadh.
We will leave early in the morning to climb the first 2,000 steps of the Girnar Mount till the Jain temples. If your are fit enough, we will climb till the top (9,999 steps). Mount Girnar (or Mount Neminath for Jains) is a set of mountains and hills 4 km from the city of Junagadh. It is the culminating point of Gujarat (1118 m) and it is also an important place of pilgrimage for both Jain and Hindu as it houses temples of both religions. Back to the hotel in Junagadh.
Day 9
Junagadh - Dwarka
This day takes us to Dwarka, one of the seven oldest and most sacred cities of India (Sapta Puri). It is also one of the four most revered pilgrimage sites in India known as Char Dham. It is said that, 5000 years ago, Lord Krishna migrated from Mathura to Dwarka to found his capital. Depending on the time of arrival, we will stroll on the bustling ghats of Dwarka. Overnight in Dwarka.
Day 10
Dwarka & Nageshwar Temple
This day is dedicated to the visit of Dwarka. We will begin with the Dwarkadeesh temple, the most revered of all, then we will go and see the temple of Bhadkeshwar Mahadev located on a rock in the middle of the Arabian Sea. We will then visit the temples of Bhoothnath and Sidheshwar where many saddhus gather. We will end the visit of Dwarka by the Nageshwar Temple recognisable from afar thanks to its huge 12m statue of Lord Shiva. It houses the 'lord of cobras', another of the twelve 'jyotir lingams' or 'lingams of light'. Overnight in Dwarka.
Day 11
Dwarka - Beyt Dwarka - Jamnagar
We leave early in the morning for Beyt Dwarka, a small island at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch. It is said that Beyt Dwarka would have been the real place of residence of Lord Krishna when he arrived from Mathura. We will visit the two main temples: Sri Keshavrai ji (temple of Lord Krishna) and Hanuman Dandi, sanctuary dedicated to the monkey god. Beyt Dwarka also has two important 'Dargahs' (Muslim shrines) and some Jain temples. After visiting the island, we head to Jamnagar, a stopover city on our pilgrimage circuit. Overnight in Jamnagar.
Day 12
Jamnagar - Ahmedabad
On the morning, we will visit some monuments of Jamnagar then return to Ahmedabad. Your journey in the footsteps of the pilgrims stops there. Looking forward to meeting you again. Namaste.
