Unknown sacred places of Kutch
€1890
per person
A 10-day trip to discover little-visited places in the Kutch region. An off-the-beaten-track itinerary for lovers of beautiful stones, history, and legends.
Aside from its vast salt desert, Kutch has many other lesser-known, but equally fascinating, wonders scattered here and there throughout the region.
In Kothara, west of Kutch, you can admire several Jain temples displaying colourful and exquisite architecture. Just next door, in Tera, you can experience real village life where Bandhani textile printing has been practiced for centuries.
To the far north, you’ll feel the pulse of spiritual India as you walk along the banks of Narayan Sarorar, one of India’s five sacred lakes. A little further down, in Dhinodhar, you’ll climb to the Than Monastery, perched on ancient volcanic hills, which has yet to reveal all its secrets. Near Bhuj, the 10th-century Sun Temple of Kotay, though lovingly polished by the desert, reveals frescoes of beautiful deities.
Towards Dholavira, you’ll encounter legendary India and 140 life-size statues of women that seem to have been frozen in time…
BEST TIME TO VISIT KUTCH: from October to March when the temperatures are mild.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:
- Accommodation based on double occupancy in 3-star hotels.
- All breakfasts
- All transportation in an AC car with a driver who speaks basic English (taxes, fuel, accommodation, and driver’s meals included).
- 24/7 assistance, we are in constant contact with you.
THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Meals other than those mentioned in the inclusion
- Any personal expenses.
- Tips.
- Anything not listed in “included”
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A 10-day trip to discover little-visited places in the Kutch region. An off-the-beaten-track itinerary for lovers of beautiful stones, history, and legends
10 jours
Day 1
Ahmedabad - Gandhidham via Viramgam
Kamcho! Welcome to Gujarat! From Ahmedabad, we'll head directly to the Kutch region and spend the night in Gandhidham.
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On the way, we'll stop at Viramgam, a former princely state located in the Ahmedabad district, home to Munsar Lake, built around 1090 CE. The 220-meter-long lake is shaped like a conch shell and is surrounded by a flight of stone steps, on which stand the Bahuchar Mata Temple and a row of small, steep-roofed shrines, once said to number over 300. Arrival in the late afternoon. Overnight in GandhidhamDay 2
Gandhidham - Mandvi via Jogni naar & Badreshwar
We depart for Mandvi, a port city on the west coast of Kutch, making two stops: one at the Hindu temple of Jogni Naar, home to 64 Yoginis, and the Jain temple of Badreshwar, said to be one of the oldest Jain temples in India.
Overnight stay in Mandvi at a resort on the beach.
Day 3
Mandvi - Narayan Sarovar via Kothara, Tera village, Naliya, Jakhau
From Mandvi, we'll gently head north towards Narayan Sarovar.
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Along the way, we'll make several stops to visit the splendid Jain temples of Kothara, Naliya, Jakhau, and the ancient village of Tera, where time seems to have stood still. The art of Bandhani (tie-dye) is one of the village's main occupations; it's also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, Jains, and Muslims. Arrival at the end of the day at Narayan Sarovar, overnight stay.Day 4
Narayan sarovar & Koteshwar - Lakhpat - Mata No Math - Dhinodhar hills
Today, we will visit Narayan Sarovar, which holds great spiritual significance for Hindus. It is one of the five sacred lakes of Hinduism, along with Mansarovar in Tibet, Pampa in Karnataka, Bhuvaneshwar in Odisha, and Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is also home to numerous shrines, including the famous Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Shiva.
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We will then make a short stop in the town of Lakhpat, located at the mouth of the Kori Stream and surrounded by the 7-km-long walls of an 18th-century fort.*
We will continue our tour of the region with a visit to the Mata No Math temple, dedicated to Ashapura Mata, the patron saint of the ancient Jadeja rulers of the state of Kutch.*
We will drop off our bags near the Dhinodhar Hills, which we will climb the next morning. Overnight at a resortDay 5
Dhinodhar hills trek - Jakh Botera - Bhuj
Early in the morning, we will climb the Dhinodhar Hills, which sit on an ancient extinct volcano (good physical condition required).
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The highest peak of the hills is a major pilgrimage site due to its Than Monastery, which is the stronghold of the Kanphata Yogis. One of these yogis, Baba Dhoramnath, meditated there for 12 years and founded this monastery. The place is enclosed by high walls, like a small fort, and contains several temples guarded by a Kanphata sadhu.
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After resting at the hotel, we will head to Bhuj, stopping at Jakh Botera, a temple housing 72 statues of Yaksha warriors, a group of folk deities widely worshipped in the region.
Overnight stay in Bhuj, the capital of the Kutch region.
Day 6
Bhuj - Dhrang - Kotay Surya mandir - Bhuj
After visiting the main attractions of Bhuj, we will depart for the 10th-century Kotay Sun Temple, also known as Ra Lakha. It still contains beautiful sculptures of various deities carved in yellow and red sandstone.
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On our way back to Bhuj, we will stop at Dhrang, famous for the Samadhi of Sant Mekan Dada, whose main followers are the Ahir, who consider him their God. Overnight in BhujDay 7
Bhuj - Ravechi temple - Dholavira
Today, we will depart for Dholavira, an archaeological site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the island of Khadir Bet (Rann of Kutch), it houses the ruins of one of the largest Harappan cities or Indus Civilizations (100 hectares). The site was occupied from 2650 BC and slowly declined after 2100.
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Before arriving at this ancient site, we will stop at the Ravechi Mata Temple. An ancient pilgrimage site, it is said that the original sanctuary was built by the Pandavas. A colorful fair bringing together all the communities of Kutch is held there every September.*
Arrival in Dholavira at the end of the day, overnight stay at a resort.Day 8
Dholavira - Vrajvani - Wankaner
On this last day in Kutch, we'll visit Dholavira in the morning, then head to a unique site: the Vrajvani Temple, which houses 140 life-size statues of Ahir women bowing before the Hindu god Krishna. We'll tell you the story of this temple on site...
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After this legendary temple, we'll hit the road again and stop for the night at the Wankaner Palace.Day 9
Wankaner - Ahmedabad
Return to Ahmedabad. End of this cultural trip. Namaskar.