Duration: 14 days.
Best time: November to Mid March.
Focus: Wildlife, cultural, people and history.

Our 14 days tour into Saurashtra and Kutch takes us through a region little known and off the beaten tourist path. A voyage of discovery that gives us a glimpse of a 4000 year old port city of Lothal; last remaining population of the Asiatic Lion hunting in the twilight of Gir National Park; the critically endangered Wild Ass galloping across a bleak landscape in the Little Rann of Kutch; and the most majestic of all the antelopes found in the world - the Blackbuck - dashing through luxuriant grasslands in Velavadar National Park.

DAY 01 EUROPE/USA TO MUMBAI
Arrive MUMBAI from your home country by midnight. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel. O/n Hotel.

DAY 02 MUMBAI TO AHMEDABAD .
Early morning transfer to airport to board flight to Ahmedabad by 9W 701 at 06.10 - 07.35hrs.

DAY 03 AHMEDABAD TO LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
Today after breakfast drive to the Little Rann of Kutch (about 175kms/04hrs), check into the comfortable Camp Zainabad before enjoying a jeep safari in the afternoon.

Kutch is a princely state of India and is the largest district of the state of Gujarat. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch are the largest saline deserts in the world, some 24000 sq km. Both are less than one metre above sea level and during the monsoon season they become inundated with water providing an excellent breeding ground for greater flamingos. Then in winter the water dries out leaving behind a vast salt field. The Little Rann of Kutch is the home of the last remaining population of 'khur' or Indian wild ass and was declared an Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary in 1972. The asses are attracted by the flat grass covered expanses known as 'bets' or islands where coarse grasses spring up in monsoon in the Little Rann of Kutch. With the advent of summer, the asses move to other 'bets' in which there is perennial supply of water and grass. Besides the wild ass, there is the rare and endangered Ghudkhur (Equs hemionus khur), not found anywhere else in the world and other species such as the Blue-Bull or Nilgai, Chinkara gazelle, hedgehogs. Carnivores include Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Jungle and Desert Cats. A variety of birds - almost three hundred species - can be seen in and around the Rann during winter with cranes and flamingos in their thousands and rare birds such as the Houbara Bustard in healthy numbers. Watchtowers in certain places enhance the wildlife viewing. Sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking and visits to ancient monuments and inland salt works are included.

Accommodation is in "Kooba", traditional thatch-roofed huts furnished with beds and linen, attached bath with running water, electricity and specially hand painted by local Banjania people.

DAY 04 LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
This morning and afternoon a Jeep Safari. Overnight Camp Zainabad.

DAY 05 LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
An early morning jeep safari before visiting some of the local villages and pastoral tribal settlements. Kachch is a cultural melting pot of Sindhi, Gujarati, Muslim and Rajasthani cultures. Meet Bharwad shepherds, the Rabari camel and cattle herders, Maldhars who keep buffaloes, and Samra and Sindi Muslim cameleers. Overnight Camp Zainabad.


DAY 06 LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH TO GONDAL
Morning jeep safari before driving to Gondal (about 185kms/04hrs), a beautiful and fortified town and capital of the princely State of Gondal. On arrival stay at the River Side Palace, a magnificent mansion, set amidst a garden of huge trees, besides the Gondali river. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 07 GONDAL TO SASAN GIR
This morning drive a further three hours (about 115kms) to Sasan Gir visiting the textile town of Jetpur, well known for its screen-printing, block printing and yarn dyeing workshops. Continue to the Gir National Park and overnight at Maneland Jungle Lodge.

GIR NATIONAL PARK
The Gir National Park, was established primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion and is now the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion. Currently there are about 300 left in this 560 square mile sanctuary. Harbouring around 32 further species of mammals including the ratel, rusty spotted cat, pangolin, ruddy mongoose and civet cat, 300 species of birds and 26 species of reptiles. Gir National Park is a succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus, valleys and riverine habitats for the marsh crocodile. The Gir forest has seen a dramatic fall and then rise in the population of the Asiatic Lion over the past century, thanks largely due to the Nawab of Junagadh, who banned all lion hunting in the area. Currently there are about 300 left in this a 560 square mile sanctuary.

The Asiatic Lions
The Asiatic Lion is a subspecies that split from their African cousins perhaps 100,000 years ago. They are smaller than their African counterparts and have shorter manes. Interestingly they have a long fold of skin on their undersides, something that is not too common in the lions of Africa. Unlike Africa, where the Lions hunt in large groups to tackle the large prey animals, the Lions at Gir hunt in much smaller groups because of the smaller size of their prey.

DAY 08 SASAN GIR
Morning and afternoon jungle excursions by jeep into the Park with a visit to the interpretation centre during the day. Overnight Maneland Jungle Lodge.

DAY 09 SASAN GIR
Further morning and afternoon excursions by jeep into the park. Birdwatching and nature walks and visits to local Maldharis community villages. Overnight Maneland Jungle Lodge.

DAY 10 SASAN GIR TO BHAVNAGAR
This morning drive six hours to Bhavnagar (about 260kms), visiting the shaking minarets at Dhalwara en route. Overnight at Neelambagh Palace.

DAY 11 BHAVNAGAR TO VELVEDAR NATIONAL PARK
Wake up early for a morning excursion to Velvedar Sanctuary with a packed breakfast in the jeep.

BLACKBUCK NATIONAL PARK
This Park, in the Bhal region of Saurashtra, is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for its successful conservation of the blackbuck, the wolf and the lesser florican. This small 36 sq km tract of grasslands is evocative of the African savannahs and contains herds of the graceful blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) once found in open plains throughout the country. It is the fastest of the Indian Antelopes moving off in a series of amazing leaps and bounds when threatened, before breaking into a run. In February when the rut reaches its peak, males tussle and fight for dominance, ignoring threats from wolves and jackals, the main predators of the blackbuck. Another rare sight is that of the lesser florican who migrate here and breed in the grasslands. The courtship display of the male is a spectacular vertical leap up to a height of two metres, which he can perform up to 500 times a day!

DAY 12 BHAVNAGAR TO UTELIA
After a short jungle drive continue to Utelia (about 120kms/03hrs) and the comfortable Palace Utelia, still occupied by the Ramily of Utelia. In the evening visit Lothal, the earliest known urban archaelogical ruins in India dating from 2400 BC with its citadel, dockyard, acropolis, bead factory and a site museum. If time permits take a walk into the village of Utelia. O/n Palace

DAY 13 UTELIA TO AHMEDABAD TO MUMBAI
A drive of two hours to the Nal Sarover Bird Sanctuary, well known for its winter migrants and Sarus cranes, (a picnic lunch will be provided). Later in the afternoon drive to Ahmedabad airport for your evening flight to MUMBAI. . On arrival transfer to Hotel for wash and change and dinner. Aftrer dinner transfer to the airport.

DAY 14 DEPARTURE.
Fly back to your home country.End of Service

HOTELS USED OR SIMILAR :-

PLACE	HOTEL
MUMBAI
AHEMADABAD
LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH	CAMP ZAINABAD : A cluster of 16 self contained kooba huts in a Eucalyptus grove (beds, hot shower, western toilet).
GONDAL	RIVERSIDE PALACE - HERITAGE : Accommodation at Riverside palace comprise large rooms filled with antique furniture giving a feel of the era goneby. There is also a large hall for informal conferences and a dining hall. Palace till today is maintained by the royal family of Gondal, descendants of the Jadeja Family.
SASAN GIR	MANELAND JUNGLE LODGE : 02 km before Sasan, on edge of Sanctuary, the rooms in cottages resembling royal hunting lodges. Restaurant with limited menu delightfully designed.
BHAVNAGAR	NEELAMBAGH PALACE - HERITAGE : A mid - 19th century palace in an imposing, stone building with airy balconies and European influences. The spacious rooms have high ceilings there is a profusion of colonial furniture and trophies scattered throughout the palace. It is run by the Royal Family and, set amidst the beautiful gardens, is a stunning Roman bath style swimming pool.
UTELIA	UTELIA PALACE - HERITAGE : This delightful, small 18th century palace sits, brooding on a hilltop in Saurashtra. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, it is owned by the Thakore family who run it as a cosy hotel. The simple rooms retain their original furnishings and the dining room is adorned with family history. It is surrounded by a traditional village and is well situated for visiting Lothal, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary and Velavadar National Park.