Gujarat holiday and the Rann of Kutch, India
Highlights
Ahmedabad | Rann of Kutch salt marsh and salt desert | Bhuj | Poshina | UNESCO heritage Champaner | Jain temples - Shatrunjaya | Sun temple at Modhera | Tribal villages | Arabian Sea shoreline | Gondal | Baroda | Indian textilesDescription of Gujarat holiday and the Rann of Kutch, India
Gujarat is one of India's most dazzlingly diverse states, home to both a 1600km coastline and one of the world's largest salt deserts. Seasonal marshlands around the Little Rann are a wildlife beacon for wild ass and flamingos, while Gujarat is renowned for some of the finest textiles in India. Its large Jain community underpin both a stunning heritage of white marble temples plus exquisite vegetarian cuisine.This village-focused tour opens up this wondrous state, from the surreal Rann of Kutch and the ancient town of Bhuj to tribal Poshina, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner and the marvellous mountain top Jain temple complex at Shatrunjaya.
Kick off in the state capital Ahmedabad with visits to perhaps the world's finest textile museum plus Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram, as well as touring the atmospheric old city. Your rural odyssey begins with tribal villages of the Garacia, Adivacyi & Bharad en route to Poshina, plus the Kumbharia Jain Temples and a lakeside picnic lunch.
Following visits to the step-well at Patan and the 1000-year-old Sun temple at Modhera, you reach the eye-popping landscape of the Kutch – vast seasonal salt marshes that become giant salt deserts in the hottest months. Discover how indigenous people and wildlife thrive in both the Little Rann of Kutch and Great Rann.
The Arabian Sea beckons next, tracing the coast for several hours to Gondal, where you stay in one of three fabulous palaces here. Visit the town's famous market, temples plus grand houses – one boasting a fine vintage car collection, another the home of the royal family of Palitana.
You'll also visit the breathtaking Jain temple complex at Shatrunjaya, as well as Laxmi Vilas Palace, Fatehsingh Museum and UNESCO-listed Champaners ancient fort around Baroda.
Price includes all activities/equipment, tour leaders, local guides and drivers, meals, mineral water, all transport (excluding international flights) , all accommodation and all entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Small group cultural tours
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures.Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Gujarat holiday and the Rann of Kutch, India
In India we have developed unique relationships with many people, some of whom help us with our tours, others that simply live in the different regions to which we travel and through. Through our form of interactive, socially conscious tourism we have helped them adapt to the modern, changing world by providing an important additional income. In addition we sponsor the following projects: Environment: - In arid Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, we have implemented tree planting schemes (a hands on experience for some of our trips!) as well as helping directly with the financing of rural village schools.
- When you take one of our trips, we make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” – an organisation devoted to ‘offsetting’ or ‘neutralising’ harmful greenhouse gas emissions caused by your flight. This is done by funding projects across the world that will reduce greenhouse gases on your behalf through sustainable energy or rainforest restoration.
Community:
- In Ladakh the “Ladakh Project” has brought solar lighting to families in the remote Nubra Valley; enabling them to grow and harvest crops and stockpile supplies to get them through the harsh winters.
- In Calcutta we support the Hope Foundation, an organisation devoted to helping and improving the living conditions of street children by offering education, health services and nutrition and to help give them a better chance in life.
- All our tours employ the services of local guides and drivers, stay in locally owned hotels and guesthouses – often staying in our guides villages and homes, which again diverts important funds directly into the area. The wonderful thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the locals financially, and our clients with the unique experience and social interaction.
- We also support several NGOs around the world such as the TESFA community project in Ethiopia, A-Cet and Adopt-A-Minefield, which are all carefully selected to improve the standard of living for the communities we visit.
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