Gujarat Introduction
India is bestowed with amazing life forms. It is home to four zoo geographic zones and many sub regions that support endemic, rare and interesting life forms. The State falls under Ethiopian zoo geographic region hence has marked affinity with African biodiversity. Animals like leopard, lion, caracal, wild ass, hyena, desert cat, desert fox, wolf, crocodiles and many others inhabit its salt deserts, grasslands and dry deciduous forests. Gujarat is home to interesting bird species notable ones being the flamingos,bustards, pelicans, raptors and long list of passerines and warblers many of which are migrants.
GIR NATIONAL PARK
Also called Sasan Gir the park lies in Junagadh District. Encompassing an area of roughly 1500 sq km plus the home of Asiatic Lion is rich in biodiversity. The eco-region comprises of Kathiawar Gir dry deciduous forests, interspersed with grasslands, perennial rivers, reservoirs and small water bodies. Wild animals and birds inhabit the National Park. Apart from Lion animals like leopard, sloth bear, blue bull, hyena. Indian gazelle, sambar, jackal, fox, spotted deer, black buck and four horned antelope are the main attractions.
Many reptiles including King Cobra, krait, viper are the venomous creatures besides many non poisonous snakes can be seen. Monitor lizard, marsh or mugger crocodiles, uromastix pythons are seen often on game rounds. Large number of bird species can be seen as well since Gir is a birding hotspot in India. Paradise flycatcher, Bonelli's eagle, crested and serpent hawk eagles, sand grouse, francolins, minivets, flycatchers, fantails, vultures and many more can be seen on safari in the park and surroundings.
VELAVADAR
The centre of focus here are the dainty antelope black bucks, wolf, Nilgai and striped hyena. Also known as BlackBuck National Park it is classified as 4B Gujarat Rajwada Biotic Province. It encompasses semi arid bio- geographical zone the inundation of seawater from Gulf of Khambat. This creates a unique habitat comprising of grasslands, saline land, shrubs and mudflats.
Spread over 34 plus sq km Velavadar the extensive grasslands ecosystem supports endangered avian lesser florican, Macqueen's bustard, Montagu's harrier. raptors, flamingos, wintering and resident ducks, warblers, larks sandgouse and many more.
LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
A salty marshland periodically inundated by sea water creates a unique ecosystem that is home enchanting birds and animals some of them are endemic. Little Rann is so called because of its vicinity to Greater Rann of Kutch saline desert land in Kutch District in India. The vast stretch of land comprises of many protected area which constitute a biosphere reserve..
Our visit is limited to Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary home of endangered species, the race is found only here. Encompassing an area of four thousand nine hundred sq km plus, it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. Interesting spectacle of salt panning adds to an enriched experience while we search for wild asses, Nilgai, wolf, caracal, chinkara, black buck and others. Birding at Little Rann of Kutch is simply incredible it is an ideal place to see some of the finest and rarest of the species.
Come unfold journey to Wild Gujarat with Indiafootprints!
Rajkot - Gir - Velavadar - Little Rann of Kutch – Ahmadabad
Itinerary
First Day
Arrive in New Delhi and meet your guide and tour leader. Refresh and relax at the hotel booked for you. If time permits we will visit key spots of tourist interest in the Capital City. Red Fort and Qutub Minar are must-visit and we will go there. In the evening we will relish Indian cuisine. Spend the night at the luxury hotel and sleep well.
2 Day
Today we will fly to Rajkot city in Gujarat State. Rajkot is a bustling industrial town but our objective differs so we drive straight to Gir National Park. The drive takes little more than four hours and we straightway make for the luxury hotel. We refresh and relax. The rest of the day is spent discussing the tour and its offerings with the tour leader. Evening time is for sundowners' good food and night.
3/4 Day
Search for lions begins. The predators are not found anywhere in the world as they are a subspecies found only in Gujarat. Besides searching for lion pride we will indulge in some exciting birding. Gir is a birding hot spot and there are plenty to checklist and enjoy watching. Apart from lions, we search for leopards, slot bears, and crocodiles in this dry deciduous forest. We will soon spot them as we move around the jungle roads.
5 Day
On another day at Gir we will encounter lions and other animals, not forgetting the exciting bird life. The list of mammals is long at Sasan Gir and so is that of the avian. We will see paradise flycatchers, black-naped monarchs, Indian pitta, sand grouse, Indian courser, pelicans, flamingos, crakes, cranes, and many more. Lion Safari is rewarding whence you come across a pride in the savannas. Animals like foxes, hyenas, jackals, and marsh crocodiles offer insight into the world of predators. This is an exciting journey that will end with amazing pictures in your bag.
6 Day
Post Breakfast we drive to Velavadar of Black Buck Sanctuary. The five-hour drive unfolds an amazing vista of rural Gujarat. The exotic hamlets and soul-stirring landscape dotted with men and women in unique garbs are a delight to watch. Like at other places in Western India, we will come across hordes of livestock accompanied by their keepers. The five-hour journey is a pleasing experience with moments of discovery about the far-flung lands of India. Upon reaching Velavadar we check in at a luxury lodge and relax. This is a day of rejuvenation and gastronomic delights as we relish delicious local food before bidding good night.
7 Day
Today we will explore Black Buck Sanctuary for yes, herds of black bucks, hyenas, wolves, and much more. These are rare animals not seen easily but our excitement will rise fourfold if we come across lesser florican which is an endangered bird species. The grasslands at Velavadar are a unique ecosystem that supports interesting animals and birds. Some of the birds we will strive to see are the short-toed snake eagle, pelicans, herons, flamingos, imperial eagle, wintering teals, booted hawk eagle, harriers, vultures, saker falcon, common & demoiselle crane, Houbara bustard, pratincoles, owls, parakeets and many more. As a bonus, during our stay at Velavadar, we will experience the bhal grasslands, croplands, and villages with colorfully attired Bharvad Tribes. We will also discover Kathiawadi cuisine and bush dinners beside an evening full of celebrations.
8 Day
The drive to Ahmadabad is three hours and upon reaching we will settle in a luxury hotel. Ahmadabad is heavily industrialized and is known as the commercial capital of Gujarat. This city does not offer much sightseeing; hence we will spend time at its amazing eateries and indulge in shopping. Nights here are cool and we will make the most of them.
9 Day
Our next goal is to Dassada at Little Rann of Kutch which is a two and half hour's drive and reach there before lunch. The lodge at Dassada will take good care of us and organize our safaris in the salt desert. Post Lunch we will visit the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary to see the wild ass a sub-species which roam in the vast saline desert. The sanctuary is home to wild ass besides nilgai, desert fox, caracal, hyena, chinkara, and wolf they are our prime targeted species of mammals. Inundated by seawater, freshwater rivers, and wetlands along with scrub forests on beyts the destination is home to see amazing birds bustards like McQueen's bustard, lesser florican, demoiselle, and common crane, cinereous vulture, greater hoopoe lark, red-necked phalarope, lesser & greater flamingo, cream-colored Courser, pratincoles, Indian Spotted Eagle, Dalmatian & spot-billed pelican, White Stork, spoonbill, Sykes's Lark and many more. We return to the luxury lodge and spend the night full of entertainment and fine food.
10 Day
Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary has much more to offer and we will make more excursions. We will also visit Dasada village nearby to discover local life culture and handicrafts. After a short tour, we will continue with a safari on horseback. The ride will offer an enriching experience in this vast salt desert. While a leisurely ride is a refreshing excitement that begins upon sightings of exotic wild animals and birds. We hope to come across the black buck, nilgai, carnivores, and avian species. At the wetland of Dasada called Nawa Taloa we will also come across colorful birds like Saras crane, spotted sand grouse, storks, ibis, sociable lapwing, collared pratincole, marsh harrier, red-headed falcon, hobby, short-eared owl the list is endless. After a joyous ride and fantastic wildlife and birding safari we will come back to the lodge at sunset. The night is scheduled for packing, recollecting memories, and remembering the fantastic stay at the lodge. Tired we sleep like logs in the night.
11 Day
The tour has come to an end and we drive back to Ahmadabad for a flight to New Delhi.
12 Day
Fly Back Home. Goodbye!
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First DayArrive in New Delhi and meet your guide and tour leader. Refresh and relax at the hotel booked for you. If time permits we will visit key spots of tourist interest in the Capital City. Red Fort and Qutub Minar are must-visit and we will go there. In the evening we will relish Indian cuisine. Spend the night at the luxury hotel and sleep well.
2 Day Today we will fly to Rajkot city in Gujarat State. Rajkot is a bustling industrial town but our objective differs so we drive straight to Gir National Park. The drive takes little more than four hours and we straightway make for the luxury hotel. We refresh and relax. The rest of the day is spent discussing the tour and its offerings with the tour leader. Evening time is for sundowners' good food and night.
3/4 DaySearch for lions begins. The predators are not found anywhere in the world as they are a subspecies found only in Gujarat. Besides searching for lion pride we will indulge in some exciting birding. Gir is a birding hot spot and there are plenty to checklist and enjoy watching. Apart from lions, we search for leopards, slot bears, and crocodiles in this dry deciduous forest. We will soon spot them as we move around the jungle roads.
5 DayOn another day at Gir we will encounter lions and other animals, not forgetting the exciting bird life. The list of mammals is long at Sasan Gir and so is that of the avian. We will see paradise flycatchers, black-naped monarchs, Indian pitta, sand grouse, Indian courser, pelicans, flamingos, crakes, cranes, and many more. Lion Safari is rewarding whence you come across a pride in the savannas. Animals like foxes, hyenas, jackals, and marsh crocodiles offer insight into the world of predators. This is an exciting journey that will end with amazing pictures in your bag.
6 DayPost Breakfast we drive to Velavadar of Black Buck Sanctuary. The five-hour drive unfolds an amazing vista of rural Gujarat. The exotic hamlets and soul-stirring landscape dotted with men and women in unique garbs are a delight to watch. Like at other places in Western India, we will come across hordes of livestock accompanied by their keepers. The five-hour journey is a pleasing experience with moments of discovery about the far-flung lands of India. Upon reaching Velavadar we check in at a luxury lodge and relax. This is a day of rejuvenation and gastronomic delights as we relish delicious local food before bidding good night.
7 DayToday we will explore Black Buck Sanctuary for yes, herds of black bucks, hyenas, wolves, and much more. These are rare animals not seen easily but our excitement will rise fourfold if we come across lesser florican which is an endangered bird species. The grasslands at Velavadar are a unique ecosystem that supports interesting animals and birds. Some of the birds we will strive to see are the short-toed snake eagle, pelicans, herons, flamingos, imperial eagle, wintering teals, booted hawk eagle, harriers, vultures, saker falcon, common & demoiselle crane, Houbara bustard, pratincoles, owls, parakeets and many more. As a bonus, during our stay at Velavadar, we will experience the bhal grasslands, croplands, and villages with colorfully attired Bharvad Tribes. We will also discover Kathiawadi cuisine and bush dinners beside an evening full of celebrations.
8 DayThe drive to Ahmadabad is three hours and upon reaching we will settle in a luxury hotel. Ahmadabad is heavily industrialized and is known as the commercial capital of Gujarat. This city does not offer much sightseeing; hence we will spend time at its amazing eateries and indulge in shopping. Nights here are cool and we will make the most of them.
9 DayOur next goal is to Dassada at Little Rann of Kutch which is a two and half hour's drive and reach there before lunch. The lodge at Dassada will take good care of us and organize our safaris in the salt desert. Post Lunch we will visit the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary to see the wild ass a sub-species which roam in the vast saline desert. The sanctuary is home to wild ass besides nilgai, desert fox, caracal, hyena, chinkara, and wolf they are our prime targeted species of mammals. Inundated by seawater, freshwater rivers, and wetlands along with scrub forests on beyts the destination is home to see amazing birds bustards like McQueen's bustard, lesser florican, demoiselle, and common crane, cinereous vulture, greater hoopoe lark, red-necked phalarope, lesser & greater flamingo, cream-colored Courser, pratincoles, Indian Spotted Eagle, Dalmatian & spot-billed pelican, White Stork, spoonbill, Sykes's Lark and many more. We return to the luxury lodge and spend the night full of entertainment and fine food.
10 DayIndian Wild Ass Sanctuary has much more to offer and we will make more excursions. We will also visit Dasada village nearby to discover local life culture and handicrafts. After a short tour, we will continue with a safari on horseback. The ride will offer an enriching experience in this vast salt desert. While a leisurely ride is a refreshing excitement that begins upon sightings of exotic wild animals and birds. We hope to come across the black buck, nilgai, carnivores, and avian species. At the wetland of Dasada called Nawa Taloa we will also come across colorful birds like Saras crane, spotted sand grouse, storks, ibis, sociable lapwing, collared pratincole, marsh harrier, red-headed falcon, hobby, short-eared owl the list is endless. After a joyous ride and fantastic wildlife and birding safari we will come back to the lodge at sunset. The night is scheduled for packing, recollecting memories, and remembering the fantastic stay at the lodge. Tired we sleep like logs in the night.
11 DayThe tour has come to an end and we drive back to Ahmadabad for a flight to New Delhi.
12 DayFly Back Home. Goodbye!