On this amazing trip through the state of Gujarat, you'll experience India in an authentic way. Learn about Gandhi's teachings, India's vegetarian city, and the Asiatic Lions in their last habitat in the wild. You'll have a traditional yoga class, cook vegan Indian food, go on a Safari, hike in beautiful nature, learn about the Jain Religion and so much more. Get ready to be enchanted by this beautiful place!
Itinerary
Day 1: AHMEDABAD
Day 2 & 3: PALITANA
Day 4 & 5: DIU
Day 6: SASAN GIR (GIR NATIONAL PARK)
- Detailed Orientation Meeting where you will get to know your fellow travelers and adventure leaders better, discuss the adventure ahead, and have our Introduction to Gujarat’s History, Cultures, and Diversity Presentation.
- Guests of the Gujarat Vidhyapeeth – Gandhian College founded by Gandhi as a replacement for the British schools and colleges, where will learn about this unique educational institution focusing on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi including adherence to truth and non-violence, the acceptance of equality of religions, and programs where as part of their curriculum students regularly participate in community work, social service and follow self-reliant living standards.
- Visit the Kochrab Ashram, Gandhi’s first home in India after returning from South Africa where he began his practice of Satyagraha (“Satya” = “truth”; “agraha” = “insistence” or “holding firmly to”), or non-violence resistance.
- Visit Sabarmati Ashram – home of Gandhi’s non-violent freedom movement where we’ll learn about India’s extraordinary path to independence through non-violence.
Day 2 & 3: PALITANA
- Introduction to the Jain Religion and the principles of Jainism. Jainism is among India’s early religions and its adherents today total about five million.
- Explore the ancient ruins of Lothal – one of the Indus Valley Civilization’s most flourishing cities. Recognized as the first major seaport in the region, the once-thriving trading outpost is also recognized as one of the earliest and most important sheltered harbor ports in the world, its history dating back to approximately 2,500 BC (some accounts date it back even further to 3,700 BC).
- Climb 3,800 steps that stretch over 3.5 kilometers to the sacred summit and spiritual peak of Shatrunjaya Hill– a truly stunning and spectacular sight to put it lightly! Built by generations over a period of 900 years from the 11th century onwards – the hilltop temple complex contains over 863 ornately carved temples, and over 3000 temple structures in and around the hill made from marble, bronze, and stone – making it the largest temple complex in the world. For devout Jains, it is believed that you must climb to the top of the mountain at least once in your lifetime to be able to eventually reach “nirvana”.
- Participate in local community education program.
- Taste our way through the mouthwatering cuisines of local Jain dishes – all specially veganized just for us (as these dishes are usually full of ghee, milk, and cream).
- Guests of the local royal family at their palace retreat home in the countryside village outside of Palitana.
- Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4 & 5: DIU
- Explore the epic epicenter of the old Portuguese colony, the formidable Fort of Diu. Eyed for its strategic location, Diu is situated on an important trading section of the coast on the Arabian Sea, at the mouth of the historically commercially important Gulf of Cambay.
- Cultural Culinary Experience, introduction to Indian-Chinese Cuisine, also known as Indo-Chinese, Cuisine. A unique fusion where Chinese spices and cooking methods are adapted to fit the Indian palate, its origins trace back to the Chinese who settled in Calcutta between the late 1700-1900s.
- Learn about life in old downtown Diu as we explore a series of colorful – albeit sleepy, backstreets, alleys, and winding lanes home to faded churches, local shops, decaying fort walls, goods stores, and even caves.
- Enjoy the sunset over the Arabian Sea at the Island’s best sunset viewpoint.
- Enjoy Beer tasting, local rum, fresh lime sodas, and vegan snacks.
- Two days chilling at a seaside resort, a short walk to the beach.
Day 6: SASAN GIR (GIR NATIONAL PARK)
- Introduction to Sasan Gir, Asiatic Lions, and one of the unique communities who have called the surrounding areas their home for generations – the Siddi (or Siddhi) people, who are part of the region’s cultural diversity.
- Jeep safari into the wilds of Gir National Park where we’ll be on the lookout for the abundance of wildlife that calls these jungles their home, including their most famous residents – Asiatic Lions!
- Traditional folk music and dance.
- Sunrise jungle hike and bird watching with a local naturalist.
- Special vegan fusion feast lunch and dinner.
Day 7 & 8: MULI
Day 9: LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
Day 10 & 11: MOUNT ABU
Day 12 & 13: UDAIPUR
Day 14: UDAIPUR to AHMEDABAD
- Guests of the Royal Family of Muli at their palace residence for 2 days where they will share with us their history, culture, way of life, and delicious family recipes – all specially made vegan for us.
- Explore the village where we’ll learn about the local way of life and visit sacred grounds linked to the community’s history here.
- Guests of a local Vishnu temple for their aarti (Hindu ritual) ceremony.
- Guests of a local Surya (Sun) temple for their aarti (ritual) ceremony.
- Farm to Factory to Fabric Program – where we’ll delve in and learn firsthand about the cultivation and spinning of homegrown cotton to make clothes, which is not only the livelihood of many in rural India but is also synonymous with India’s non-violent struggle for freedom.
- Morning traditional yoga sessions (based on the early practice forms of yoga from its birthplace in India).
- Learn about the unique architectural concept of “step-wells” in India that date back to the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC Indus Valley Civilizations. At one time there were 3,000 step-wells in Rajasthan & Gujarat, today it is estimated that there are only 120 active step-wells still in existence in Gujarat – which is said by many historians to be the origin of step-wells in India.
- Join the royal family in the palace courtyard for an evening of traditional folk music and dance, followed by a traditional vegan feast.
Day 9: LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
- Jeep safari out into the badlands of the protected Little Rann of Kutch to see India’s last Wild Donkeys. Rich in biodiversity, these epic flatlands are home to over 35 species of mammals, 29 species of reptiles, and 314 species of birds. The marshland is also home to 107 species of algae and 93 species of invertebrates including 25 species of zooplanktons and 4 crustaceans.
- Special local Kutchi cuisine made vegan especially for us.
- Visit local saltpan farms and learn about the history of salt and the difficult life of salt farming in the Little Rann of Kutch where it has been “farmed” for the past 5,000 years by the local Agariya people.
- Take in the sunset over the arid, mirage-like marshlands that are a common haunt for our fancy feathered friends the Greater and Lesser flamingos that come to congregate here to lay their eggs and bring up their chicks.
Day 10 & 11: MOUNT ABU
- Morning mountaintop yoga in the retreat’s garden overlooking the valley.
- Visit the epic Rani-ki-Vav stepwell! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rani-ki-Vav literally translates to “Queen’s Stepwell”. Located on the banks of the Saraswati River this stunning stepwell was built by a local queen in the 11th century as a memorial for her husband. 64 meters long, 20 meters wide and 27 meters deep, the stepwell has 500 principle sculptures and a over a thousand carvings.
- Enjoy the sunset over the surrounding mountain peaks around the campfire accompanied by our favorite local sundowners, local snacks, and a delicious local vegan dinner while taking in the alluring charm of Mount Abu!
- Introduction and lesson to Mt. Abu’s most famous sport and India’s favorite national pastime – cricket, where we’ll join the locals to play this most beloved of India’s games.
- Afternoon stroll into the heart of Mt. Abu town.
- Visit the carved marble marvel of Delwara Temple – said to be one of the finest examples of Jain temple art existing today. Dating back to the 11th century, the compound is made up of 5 temples with exquisitely carved marble sculptures adorning the temple’s pillars, ceilings, doorways, and arches.
Day 12 & 13: UDAIPUR
- Visit an incredible animal rescue that is at the forefront of animal protection in and around Udaipur. Whether they have fur or feathers, hooves or tails, bills or muzzles – they all have a safe place to recover and if needed, a home, at Animal Aid where the diligent and passionate staff and volunteers work tirelessly treating over 150 animals daily.
- Visit a bustling local bazaar – veggie and fruit market.
- Join a longtime resident of the City of Lakes as we explore the kingdom’s historical back streets, narrow lanes, and one of the most impressive of India’s palaces, the Royal Palace of the Maharanas of Mewar.
- Cultural culinary experience with our friends who also happen to be great chefs for a mouthwatering cooking class where we’ll learn to cook up a Rajasthani vegan feast!
- A festive farewell party where we’ll join our family on the picturesque rooftop terrace of their home, complete with striking views of the city and royal palace, to watch the colors of the ancient capital change to night time and enjoy traditional folk music and dance, local snacks, cold beverages and a delicious Mewar feast for dinner!
Day 14: UDAIPUR to AHMEDABAD
- After breakfast, we’ll head back to Ahmedabad where your adventure ends upon arrival in the city. During the journey back from the Aravallis to the plains, we’ll stop for a hearty vegan fusion lunch.
- Before arriving at the outskirts of the city – we’ll visit the grandest of Gujarat’s famous step- wells, Adalaj Vav, where we'll explore the very impressive Adalaj Vav stepwell! 5-stories deep, this incredible stepwell descends 75 meters to the well at the bottom with carved pillars all along the way. Adalaj Vav (or Wav) was not just a beautifully artistic engineering achievement, but it was very practical to supplying water for weary travelers, pilgrims, and caravans alike who plied these early trade routes. In addition to water, Adalaj Wav was designed to provide cool chambers within its walls along with the steps – a welcome retreat from Gujarat’s hot summer days.
Tour Includes
Not Included
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