Discovering Gujarat - Land of the Legends. (Saurastra) - 1 - 8th Oct 2011 - 3500kms

[v&v]

Dusshera holidays, Navratri time, a whole week break for kids - which place would be more enjoyable than Gujarat. This unexplored state suddenly opened itself into a paradise of not much heard or seen but to be explored. As a pilgrim, backpacker, photographer, trekker or just a historian the state had lots to offer.

Pre planning was done in following thread. Big thanks to all, all route planning, hotel booking were done in 3 days flat.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...mmodation.html (Discovering Gujarat : Help required for route and accommodation.)

SS-Traveller&HVK were instrumental in overall trip planning.

Had a quick pack, safari checkup & clean (Got the 45k service done at 40k), printouts, maps and we were ready to roll.


Day - 1, 2 - Delhi - Ahmadabad and around.





Day 3 - Ahmd - Jamnagar - Narara Marine wild life sanctuary - Dwarka








Day - 4 Dwarka - Bet dwarka - Porbander - Gir








Day - 5 - Somnath - Veraval - Around Gir












Day - 6 - Gir - Jungadh - Rajkot - Wankaner - Morbi






Day - 7 - Morbi - Randhanpur - Palanpur - Abu-road - Udaipur




Day - 8 - Udaipur - Delhi

[mav2000]

Nice, looking forward to it.

Though Gujarat is my home state, I must say I have not spent too much time there other than a few days in Ahmadabad. Will be great to see this.

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by v&v

safari checkup & clean (Got the 45k service done at 40k)

Excellent start v&v. We thought off, but couldn't make a similar trip. So I'll see the prosperous Gujarat through your lens.

A query on Safari service: You got that early service done at 40K voluntarily. I tried similarly for my 30K service at 28K before embarking on an Andhra trip, BUT, our local TASC refused saying that we'll service only during scheduled time/mileage. So I went with a general check-up and toping up of oil/fluids, and got it serviced at Hyderabad after completing 30K.

Now again I am almost completing 40K, and may go on a 3400 kms trip to HP in Nov. So what to do!! Though the proposed trip would be completed well within 45K.

PS: Looking forward for rest of the log eagerly.

[hvkumar]

Was the drive as per your planned schedule?
Can you also give us updates on road conditions in various sectors and facilities, hotels you stayed in, etc?

[crossroads]

Hooked on to this thread. Planning for a Gujarat trip in December and this should definitely help in my preparation.

[laluks]

v&v, It's strange but I find these days that whatever plan I try making in my mind you execute on ground.

Can you believe we had made a plan for Gujarat by end of the year - and you have in principle executed 90% of the plan on ground We had Diu and Kutch also added to your itinery. But that plan is shelved now. I am more than happy that I get to see the places through you.

Thanks very much v&v - and keep travelling and logging.

I am waiting to see Narara through your clicks.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by mav2000

Nice, looking forward to it.

Though Gujarat is my home state, I must say I have not spent too much time there other than a few days in Ahmadabad. Will be great to see this.

Thanks mav2000. Vibrant state. lots of option.

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Excellent start v&v. We thought off, but couldn't make a similar trip. So I'll see the prosperous Gujarat through your lens.

A query on Safari service: You got that early service done at 40K voluntarily. I tried similarly for my 30K service at 28K before embarking on an Andhra trip, BUT, our local TASC refused saying that we'll service only during scheduled time/mileage. So I went with a general check-up and toping up of oil/fluids, and got it serviced at Hyderabad after completing 30K.

Now again I am almost completing 40K, and may go on a 3400 kms trip to HP in Nov. So what to do!! Though the proposed trip would be completed well within 45K.

PS: Looking forward for rest of the log eagerly.

Thanks LDL. I would say a must may be winter vacation. You will thoroughly enjoy the trip. Goods roads, long coastlines, wildlife.

As for Safari service, i never faced any issue. I have done it earlier too.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Was the drive as per your planned schedule?
Can you also give us updates on road conditions in various sectors and facilities, hotels you stayed in, etc?

Narara took lot of time. we were originally schedule to reach dwarka by 2 pm were delayed. That 5-6 six hours delay continued, we had to skip Jamnagar.

Roads - Dwarka - Porbandar - Somnath has potholes.
NH 15, NH14 going towards aburoad is fine occasional bad patches. We did 5.30 kms in 7 hrs. Opposite side road are messy. Also repair works are on.
Hotel - Will be updating in my next post.

Originally Posted by crossroads

Hooked on to this thread. Planning for a Gujarat trip in December and this should definitely help in my preparation.

Thanks. PM me in case you need any more details if required.

Originally Posted by laluks

v&v, It's strange but I find these days that whatever plan I try making in my mind you execute on ground.

Can you believe we had made a plan for Gujarat by end of the year - and you have in principle executed 90% of the plan on ground We had Diu and Kutch also added to your itinery. But that plan is shelved now. I am more than happy that I get to see the places through you.

Thanks very much v&v - and keep travelling and logging.

I am waiting to see Narara through your clicks.

Thanks lalu. Gujarat is a state less visited. You must do this trip. Kids will thoroughly enjoy. We had enough time for Diu, but due to bad roads and average feedback from member at CM Gir, made us to skip. Instead we went for a good 3hr trek there. As for Kutch, we didnt had time in our hands for that sector, anyway may be next trip exclusive for Kutch can be planned.

[v&v]

Preplan & hotel booking info.

We got the confirmation from school regarding puja holidays on 26th so we had picked either MP or Gujarat. A little bit of googling and the destination was finalised to be GUJARAT. With a week in hand we thought Saurastra region will be the right choice. Next step was the hotel booking, Called up clubmahindra and luckily we got the booking for 4th & 5th. Once Gir was confirmed the itineary was getting clearer. Initially we were planning Ahmd - Jungadh - gir - somnath - dwarka - jamnagar - udaipur - delhi. Gir hotel confirmation made us alter the route as to the current one. Also club mahindra confirmed our booking for one night at udaipur for the 7th on the return. We had not seen the city palace.

For Ahmedabad as suggested by our fellow bhpian, i booked ginger for 2 nights got a good weekend discount. Deal @ 3300 per night for 4 pax. Double room with extra bed.
Dwarka for 3rd oct, As suggested, tried Dhamji, was full. Finally got Sree Darshan through stayzilla.com. Good rates @ 1300/- includes extra bed and late checkout. Just 500mtr from temple and 4 to 5 cars can be parked easily. Last one ie 6 which we kept as buffer , thought of booking it on the fly.

Meanwhile SS-Traveller suggested to checkout for Pirotan island or Narara marine wild life sanctuary. On enquiring we found that both will be closed till 15th of October. Finally with the help of SST got the permit for Narara on the 3rd,incase we fail to make it on 3rd we always had 6th. The catch at Narara is can be visited only at low tide, While Pirotan you need to travel by boat for 3 hrs, can be done on high tide. It requires a total 10 - 12 hrs.

Low tide at narara happens once a day either afternoon 2-3pm or morning 8-10am. You get 4-5hrs to roam around. On 3rd low tide begins at 9.am onward till 1.3o pm. Target was to reach by atleast 10 am.

Finally all booking done we are eagrly looking forward for the 1st day of October for our trip!



Day 1 - 1st october - Delhi - Ahmadabad

As usual started early 4.30 am. First stop at McD for coffee & packed some burgers.
Traffic was mild and diversion were less on Delhi - Jaipur compared to Jaipur - Delhi side.
Shahjahanpur - 06.15 am
Manorphra toll - 07:35 am
Daulatpura Toll (bypass) 08.10
GVK toll @ 08:45 am - 20 min break after the toll.
Nasirabad - 10:15
Bhilwara : 11:35
40 min Lunch break Sree ram restaurant @ 12:30 pm. Good food and their Churma ladoo was delicious.
Udaipur - 2.30 pm. NH-76 to NH-8 connectivity road is in very bad shape.
Ratanpur : 4.15 pm
Himmatnagar 05:20 pm
Ahmadabad - ringroad : 05:55 pm
Hotel Ginger : 06.30 pm.

Total distance : 955 kms @ 14 hrs.

Road condition :
Delhi - Jaipur - OK. 3 diversion after shahpura
Jaipur bypass - Overall OK. Widening in progress. 2 diversions.
Jaipur - Udaipur - Good.
Udaipur - Ahmadabad - first 100 Kms good, next 150 kms rough road.

About Hotel : Fantastic location. Behind himalaya mall. lots of eating options around. Covered parking facility. Rooms are OK as this is a business traveller hotel. Small for family but manageable. Check-in process was smooth. Rested for a hour and half were recharged.

Activity Planned : Visit law garden market & see Garba nite. Called up ramkya1, coincidently he was returning home from office. Had a quick meet with him near himalaya mall and he only suggested to visit GMDC ground for Garbha. Had an early dinner at McD in the mall and visited the street market at lawgarden and were at GMDC by 11 pm. We are astonished by the crowd there. The energy level and music was awesome. Was there till 1 am and tired returned back to our room.

Hotel Ginger & Himalaya Mall


Law garden street market


GMDC Garbha location

[v&v]

Video of Garbha at GMDC ground, Ahmadabad

Garba dance, Gujarat, Navratri Celebration - YouTube

[v&v]

Day- 2 - October - 2nd Around Ahmedabad
We were ready by 10 am. Being Gandhi jayanti, we planned to visit first at Sabarmati ashram.
So the plan was
Sabarmati ashram
Laxmi narayan temple
Calico textile museum
Dastan vintage fun world ( Also Lunch break : Gujarati Thali)
Adalaj
Akshardham temple


Reached Sabarmati ashram by 11 am. it was buzzing with News reporters.
A group of Anna Hazare supporter were shouting shlogans. Another group didnt know who might be a local politician was near Gandhiji's statue. Reporters were covering him.

Ashram was founded by Gandhiji as satyagrah ashram 1915. It has a handicraft center, a handmade paper factory and spinning wheel factory.
Dandi march started from here in 1920. It has a museum with houses his personal belongings and picture galary on the major events in his life. we spent a good 1 hour and half here. Kids liked the ashram a lot.



Entry to Ashram











Dandi March


Inside Museum


Gandhiji's House - Hridayakunj











Next we headed to laxmi narayan temple, which is around 2 kms from Ashram. From there we headed to Calico but it was closed for 2nd october.
It was a blessing in desguise as i get more time Vintage fun world.

[v&v]

Mohan to Mahatma





We reached Vintage fun world by 12.45 pm and spent good 2 hours there. It had huge collection of vintage cars.

Brand i remember are
Lincoln, Chevorlet, Ford, Plymouth, Rolls Royce,Diamler,Bentley,Lagonda,Alvis, Armstrong Siddeley, Sunbeam talbot, Wolseley, Mercedese benz, Austin, Trumph Mayflower, Fiat, Riley, Humber, Rover, Auburn, Lancia Dalambda, Hispano Suiza, Baybach, Packard, Buick Roadmaster, Hudson Terraplane, Hotchkiss, Cord, La salle, Minerva, Mors,Gemco,Dodge and Desoto.























Lunch option is also very good. Traditional gujarati thali was delicious. We checkout at 3.30 pm to Adalaj & Akshardham at Gandhi nagar.

[aryasanyal]

Just what the doctor ordered. Am planning for a Gujarat visit next and lo! - this travelogue comes up.
Wonderful photographs and crisp narration. Thanks for the many details!

[v&v]

Originally Posted by aryasanyal

Just what the doctor ordered. Am planning for a Gujarat visit next and lo! - this travelogue comes up.
Wonderful photographs and crisp narration. Thanks for the many details!

Thanks aryasanyal.

Continuing....

Adalaj step well was under maintenance. First time seeing a step-well. Know as VAV in gujarati. This is a five storied beautifully carved step-well was used for resting. Didnt find much information on this.












It was already 5.30 pm we reached Akshardham temple. it was very crowded and we decided to give as skip. Reached hotel by 6.30pm. Since by 10am we have be at Narara, planned an early dinner and sleep.

Shot at Akshardham temple entrance




Other Attractions in around Ahmadabad

Kankaria Lake
Teen Darwaza
Hilta Minar
Dada Hari vav (Step-well)
Science city
Shahibag palace

[laluks]

I am waiting for Narara. That's an amazing place for sure. Give us all the details you have v&v

[v&v]

Originally Posted by laluks

I am waiting for Narara. That's an amazing place for sure. Give us all the details you have v&v

Thank you for the patience . We now head to Narara.

Day-3 - Narara Marine Wildlife Sanctuary - 3rd Oct - Monday.

Gotup early and checked out from Ginger Hotel by 4.45 am. Were already late by 45 min from our set time. Took NH 8C-8A till Rajkot. 4 laned and in good condition. Just before entering Rajkot at roundabout(Chowkdi) right turn for Jamnagar Raod. This road 4 laning is in progress and had less traffic. Jamnagar bypass is also pretty simple and well marked and merges Jamnagar - Dwarka highway. I think its SH6. Again road widening is in progress. From here another 60 odd kms. Landmark for Narara is a) Reliance refinery and after 3 odd kms you will see Kandla port signboard. Turn right and Narara is another 18 kms from there.

Summary
--------
Ahmd : 04:45 am (Traffic was thin, only truckers. Progress was fast)
Toll at Bagodara Rs 20 - 64kms - 05:25
Tall at Bamnbore - Rs 20 - 185kms - 06:50 am (Right to flyover goes to Morbi)
Rajkot : At chowkdi Right to Jamnagar - 219 Kms - 07:15am
(There are 2 or 3 railway crossings. Had to wait 15 min at one phatak.)
Jamnagar - 306 kms - 08:30 Am. (As sigh of releaf as we made the lost ground)
Reliance Refinery - 361 kms - 09:25 am
Narara - 10:10 - 385 kms.

Mr Mustaq of Hotel President arranged the required permission and guide at Narara. On the way we coordinated with Guide to complete the formalities with the Forest officer posted.

Our timing was correct, water was just receding. After completing all formalities at the forest office and registering the vehicle at CRPF check post, Formalities are - All we have to do is pay the charges was around Rs 300/- including camera.

Another important aspect, one should have water proof foot gears for coral walk, as the terrain is rocky and slippery. Lots of walking. Carry enough supply of water as one has to walk minimum of 4 to 5 kms. We devoted a good 2.5 to 3 hours. Might have walked more than 10 kms plus.

We were the only tourist on that day. The mangroves and the view was simply awesome. Rest let the photographs speak.

Phatak some where after Rajkot.


Reliance refinery after Jamnagar - On Jamnagar - Dwarka Highway




Approach road to Narara








Mangroves : At high tide all these are under water.







Where we are standing at high tide there will be about 30 ft water.