Dholavira with Rani ki Vav

Overview

Okay, we are going to show you Rani ki Vav, the stepwell of the Queen. Wherever you are in India right now, Immediately, No traveling required. Don’t believe us? Well, you are in for a surprise! Now do this, take out a 100 Rupees note from your pocket and turn it over. And tada! There it is, the Rani ki Vav. The reserve bank of India, right after demonetization released a new 100 Rupees lavender note replacing the old one. While the Mahatma's image remains intact, Gujarat's Rani ki Vav has replaced Goecha La, Kanchenjunga's southeast face on the note. With a new note, a different heritage is brought to our notice by printing it on something of everyday use and circulation. Sadly, not everyone is aware of it. The government while takes such noteworthy steps, pun intended, must also ensure that everyone knows about what they are actually trying to highlight.

    But before that, we are going to visit one of the most sophisticated town which was developed 4500 years back.
    Indus Valley Civilisation(IVC) is also well known by the name Sindhu / Harappa / Saraswati or Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization. In the state of Gujrat, amidst the desert of Kutch, there lived thousands of people 4500 years ago. They developed an extremely sophisticated settlement at a place that we call today, Dholavira. Apart from acclaimed sites of IVC like Harappa and Mohenjodara, the town of Dholavira offers a plethora of insights on IVC. It would not be an exaggeration to say that ‘to understand the IVC, visit Dholavira’. Dholavira has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 2021. Apart from Dholavira, Gujarat has plenty of magnificent sights to visit. We would be visiting a few of them.
  • Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujrat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A beautifully carved stepwell built in the 11th century by the Queen of the Solanki King. Truly an astounding piece of architecture.
  • ust near to Patan at Modhera, there lies another architectural marvel built by Solanki King Bhimdeo I in the 11th century acclaimed as Sun Temple of Modhera. One of the few Sun temples in India, Modhera temple has its own unique style of architecture.
  • On the route from Ahmedabad to Patan, there is another step well at Adalaj named as Adalaj ni Vav. This stepwell in Gujrat shows a peculiar style of stepwell architecture. It was built in 15th century in the memory of Rana Veer Singh of Vaghela dynasty. Designed for storing water, descending multiple stories, resembling ponds or lakes, these magnificent structures were later adopted and utilized by various dynasties over the course of many centuries for meeting their water needs.
  • Lothal is a Harappan Site. It was one of the important cities of ancient Indus Valley Civilization. First inhabited around C. 3700 BCE, Lothal was discovered in 1954. It is discovered that Lothal was a thriving trade center back in ancient times, trading beads, gems, and ornaments. The findings at Lothal consist of township, marketplace and a dock. ASI has raised a museum near excavated areas where some prominent antiquities of the Indus era are displayed.
  • What to say about Ahmedabad! The economic and industrial hub of India is situated on the banks of Sabarmati. It is the largest city in Gujrat. During the Indian independence movement in 1917, Mahatma Gandhi established an Ashram on the bank of Sabarmati. In 1930 Gandhiji initiated Salt Satyagraha from this Ashram. Ahmedabad has witnessed many incidences in the ancient, medieval as well as modern history. Maybe for the same reason in 2017, old Ahmedabad has been declared as first UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY.
    Such a remarkable peek into life in history gives us a perspective to understand how far we have come and how comfortably we live now. Nonetheless, human efforts have always ensured our survival through the ages.
    This tour gives the glimpses from Indus Valley Civilization to the modern industrial era. So let’s get on with the itinerary of the trail.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Arrive at Ahmedabad by early morning. Bus and manger will be waiting outside to welcome you. Board the bus and leave for Dholavira. Enroute refresh yourself with a good breakfast. Its a long journey but no worries, we will cut it by engaging ourselves in chitchat and some fun.
Arrive at Dholavira and check in to the resort. Relax yourself. Today we will just hangout and get acquainted with each other.
Stay at Dholavira
Ahmedabad-Dholavira Distance : 350 Km(Appx 8 Hrs)

Meals : B + L + D

After breakfast, get ready to time travel 4500 years back. Visit Dholavira Archaeological park and explore this site. Post lunch, visit the wood fossil park dated to Jurassic period and enjoy the sunset at the tranquil sunset point later. Return to the resort by evening and relax
Stay at Dholavira

Meals : B + L + D

Highlights

  • Dholavira Archaeological Park
  • Sunset Point
  • Fossil Park

After a filling breakfast, head to the next destination, Patan. Check into the hotel and freshen up. We will take lunch enroute.
Upon arrival we will visit the historic hand weaving process of Patola sarees, which originated in Patan.
Return to the hotel in the evening and unwind.
Stay in Patan.
Dholavira-Patan Distance: 250 Km

Meals : B + L + D

Highlights

  • Patola Museum

Prepare to explore more of this state. Depart for Ahmedabad, a heritage city. In the morning, we will visit Rani Ki Vav. Its the monument that is the brightest jewel in the crown of all heritage sites of Gujarat. With our mentor, we will explore the amazing sculptures and comprehend the symbolism of such magnificent work
En route, halt by the Sun Temple in Modhera. Another intricate monument constructed a thousand years ago. Discover the true meaning of the temple. On the way to Ahmedabad, explore another magnificent stepwell on the route known as the Adalaj Stepwell. Later drive to Ahmedabad
Check into your accommodation upon arrival and unwind. Spend an evening at leisure.
Stay at Ahmedabad
Patan - Ahmedabad Distance : 125 Km

Meals : B + L + D

Highlights

  • Rani Ki Vav
  • Modhera Sun Temple
  • Adalaj ni Vav

Today, let us have a look at another Indus site - Lothal. We'll head to Lothal after breakfast. It is the world's first ancient port site to be uncovered. Aside from that, it has a lovely museum that displays some of the most exquisite antiquities from its 4000 year old history. Following lunch, we will drive to Ahmedabad and visit some of the surprise destinations in Ahmedabad.
Evening will be at leisure.

Meals : B + L + D

Highlights

  • Lothal Archaeological Site

Our tour is coming to an end, and it's time to go home. But we're not finished yet. Today we will take a heritage walk on the streets of Ahmedabad and understand the legacy of this World Heritage City. In the evening, we will head to the airport/train station and return home with memories to treasure for a lifetime

Highlights

  • Ahmedabad Heritage City

INCLUSIONS

  • Local Transport by 2 x 2 AC coach.(Depends on group size, seating capacity will be variable)
  • Accommodation in comfortable and convenient hotels on twin sharing.
  • All meals. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Evening Tea- set menu)
  • Entrance fees of all sightseeing.
  • 1-liter water bottle per person per day.
  • Expert charges.

EXCLUSIONS


  • To and Fro economy class airfare/train fare from Pune to Ahmedabad and back to Pune
  • Govt. taxes of 5% over and above the tour cost
  • Any implementation of new taxes by the government.
  • Cost of Pre/Post tour accommodation.
  • Any extra expenses such that porterage, laundry, telephone, shopping, alcoholic beverages, mineral water, items of personal nature and food or drink which is not part of a set menu.
  • Any extra expenses incurred due to illness, accident, hospitalization of an individual.
  • Anything specifically not mentioned in the inclusions.

FEW POINTERS

  • If any sightseeing mentioned is not done due to any unforeseen circumstances then an alternate sightseeing will be done.
  • A traveler may please note that for domestic and international flights, the baggage allowance will be as per respective airline’s baggage policy and weight regulations. Travelers are requested to carry their luggage in accordance with the regulated baggage allowance. Excess baggage will be chargeable and the same is not included in the tour cost. It has to be borne by the traveler.
  • Air tickets issued at special rates are normally NON REFUNDABLE and traveler will need to bear the cancellation charges. If a traveler needs an air booking with the refundable option then he/she will need to bear extra fare specified by airline operator.

PAYMENT POLICY

Tour Cost

Payment

Below package cost ₹ 20, 000 per person

Full payment at the time of booking

Above package cost ₹ 20,000 per person

At the time of booking

40% of the package cost

30 days prior to departure

Remaining 60 % amount

  • Payment can be done via cheque, Demand Draft, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, Credit Card/ Debit Card or UPI gateway. Cheque/Demand Draft should be drawn in favor of “ANCIENT TRAILS”.
  • In case of payment made by cheque, a booking confirmation will be given subject to cheque clearance.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation received no. of days prior to departure

Cancellation charges applicable per person

0-10

100%

10-20

50 %

20-30

30 %

30 and above

10%

  • For cancellation procedure, a traveler will need to give an application in writing along with an original receipt of booking.
  • Please note that if air ticket booking is done with NON-REFUNDABLE airfare then cancellation charges to be borne by the customer and the remaining amount will be refunded as per above cancellation policy.