[v&v]

Yes, the same thing we heard from the resort staff too. We earlier thought they were just bluffing. But when we went for a trek in evening, we did hear lion roar couple of time. Were little scared as it was getting dark too.

Also haripur, talala we so lot of african too. Later we came to know the is a community itself living there.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by v&v

Yes, the same thing we heard from the resort staff too. We earlier thought they were just bluffing. But when we went for a trek in evening, we did hear lion roar couple of time. Were little scared as it was getting dark too.

I hear you. The mere sound of a lion's roar is intimidating. In Haripur, we were once lucky enough to see(from a distance) the sight of a lion feasting on a deer. Soon, villagers started gathering around and our local contact said it would be a good idea to scoot as there was an incident where, under similar circumstances, a lion attacked a crowd of people when some fool from the crowd threw a stone to disturb the lion.

Originally Posted by v&v

Also haripur, talala we so lot of african too. Later we came to know the is a community itself living there.

Those "local" Africans are called "Siddis".
Siddi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[v&v]

5 Pm was scheduled for a trek of 10 kms and kids were excited for it. it was to a near by temple via small mountain. The guide took us through a mountainous route where spotting of lions are at times possible. On our trek we could see turtles, spotted deer, some birds perched on trees, the nests of baya birds and so on. The mountain height was good and we could see around the entire village. By dark we reached the Shiv temple. There we even heard the roar of lions (Could be of Lions in Devlaya), which sent a shiver down the spine in our group members. Our route back was through the village. It was a good trek and we enjoyed it. Back in out hotel there was a garba dance organised by the cultural dept. Had dinner and slipped to bed.

[skartik2]

Excellent Travelogue V & V. Great narration, keep it up.

Can you please share the information on the hotel/resort in Gir and Jamnagar and the rates.

Thanks,

SK

[v&v]

Originally Posted by skartik2

Excellent Travelogue V & V. Great narration, keep it up.

Can you please share the information on the hotel/resort in Gir and Jamnagar and the rates.

Thanks,

SK

Thanks skartik. Hotels i had already mentioned in my pre planing post. Here is the info you required.

Gir : We stayed at Safari resort. Its a club mahindra resort. I think its open to non members too.

Other options : Gir birding lodge, Mangosafari (tents)

Jamnagar : We planned to stay at Hotel President. The owner is Mr Mustaq. if you need his contact nos, PM me. Website too is there. We were running late, so skipped the stay at Jamnagar.

[v&v]

Day - 6 Devlaya - Junagadh - Rajkot - Wankaner - Morbi - Thursday 6 oct 11

Morning we were ready early as we have a long day ahead. Checked out by 7.45 am and headed to Devlaya Interprataion zone which was 10 kms from the resort. It opens by 8 am. Wednesday is closed. We were there by 8.15. The bus takes you around the park which is spread in around 40 sq kms. Tickets costed Rs 460 (if i remember correct) for 4 persons. Seat nos are also allocated. We got the Front seats. Had to wait 45 min as the bus leaves when full. By 9.20 we started. it as a 45 min ride. The driver already knew the place were lions were spotted as updated by the tracking team. Rest enjoy the photos.

[v&v]

Left Devlaya by 10.20. Our next destination was Junagadh. Which is 60 kms from Gir.
First town we hit was Mendarda, breaf stop over for buying nicknacks.
Places we identified to see at Junagadh

Ashoka Edicts
Uperkot fort which is a drive in fort. One can see rock-cut Buddhist caves,Step well, City view.

Other places in Junagadh which we skipped dut
Girnar hills - Ambaji temple
Zoo
Darbar hall museum
Wellington Dam


Girnar Entry


Girnar Hill





Ashoka Edicts






Uperkot Fort - Hanuman & Ganesh Temple




Junagadh city view







Buddhistic Cave & Step Well















Food Godown

[aryasanyal]

Excellent narration and photos, v&v!
Saurashtra is definitely on my radar, sometime soon probably.

I see that you got to see the lions at the Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia. Is it that easy to spot lions in Gir, or you just got plain lucky?

The incredible amount of fauna that you have captured, gives me the feel that the place is somewhat like the Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore rather than Nagarhole National Park.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by aryasanyal

Excellent narration and photos, v&v!
Saurashtra is definitely on my radar, sometime soon probably.

I see that you got to see the lions at the Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia. Is it that easy to spot lions in Gir, or you just got plain lucky?

The incredible amount of fauna that you have captured, gives me the feel that the place is somewhat like the Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore rather than Nagarhole National Park.

Thanks aryasanyal. As per the driver 80% time you will be able to spot lion at Devlaya. There are tracker vehicles gives out the position of lions. Never been to Bannerghatta so cant comment on that.

Continuing
Day - 6 Devlaya - Junagadh - Rajkot - Wankaner - Morbi - Thursday 6 oct 11



Left Junagadh by 1.30 pm and distance to Rajkot was 100 kms. Good road and progress was fast. We reached rajkot by 2.15 pm. Did some shopping and Quick lunch.
We had planned to visit Watson museum here. Again skipped as we were already late so moved on to our next destination

Our next destination was Wankhaner Palace. its around 70 kms. Road taken NH 8b, then after 35 kms from Rajkot left to NH8A which goes all the way to Samakhiali and hits NH15. Now our plan was if we can stay at the palace, then take a break there and next day straight to Udaipur.

Reached Wankaner palace by 4 pm. The palace was closed for renovation. So stay at the palace not possible. Security told us being a Dusherra Day, all member are gone to attend Dusherra Celebration. Took some snaps and spent 30 minutes around there , moved to our night halt destination at Morbi.

Morbi was another 35 kms. After 5 kms from Wankaner on both side tile factories can be seen. Never knew morbi is known as the Tile capital of India. Almost all brand hordings could be seen on either side of the road. By 5.30 we were at Morbi and checked in to Hotel Shiv Ajanta on the main highway itself. Decent 3 star hotel with all basic facility. We picked up a suite room for 3.5k. Rooms were avaliable from 2k onwards.

Here is some more info about Morbi : Morbi Ceramic Industry - Indian Ceramic Manufacturing Hub

Morbi also has a Hanging bridge and Mani mandir to see. But once kids saw the huge bathtub they simply refused to move out. So we called it a day. Next day we have to cover around 550 kms and reach by noon as the city palace entry tickets closes by 4 pm.


Ranjit Vilas Palace


Wankaner city View



Total Distance Travelled : 290 kms.

[v&v]

Day - 7 Morbi - Udaipur (Via Radhanpur - Palanpur - Aburoad NH-15-NH14) - 7 oct 11 Friday


Started by 05.15 as our target was to reach Udaipur by noon. Roads were good and traffic was thin. Progress was fast. After crossing Samakhiyali we took a 20 min tea break at around 7.30 am. Distance covered 180 kms in 02.15 hrs. In the meanwhile kids were after a Turtle which they saw. Dont know the name. Had a quick photo session.

Sun rise


Turtle @ Tea break









After another non stop fast drive of 150 kms till Palanpur we took our breakfast stop at around 09.45 am. After a break of 30 min we off to Udaipur. Reached Hotel flora, Udaipur by 12.30 pm. On target time as planned. 533 kms in 7.5 hrs with 45 min stopage.

The roads were very good with occasional pot holes. Total toll paid Rs 375. I think 8 or 9 tolls. Abu road to Udaipur is a bliss to drive. Rested for an hour and after lunch we headed to City palace.

[v&v]

City palace was around 8 kms from our hotel. Reached quickly. Tickets were expensive. Entry tickets is 50 per person. Dont remember the parking charges. Light and Sound show in the evening cost 400 per person. Entry tickets crystal gallery cost Rs 500 per person. Camera charges was Rs 200/- per camera. Restaurants are too very expensive. Spent time till sun set then drive around city and finally went to the newly opened celebration mall. Were at our hotel by 9 pm.

Some shot of city palace and lake Pichola


































Day 8 - Udaipur - Delhi.

Started little late for a change by 8 am. Drive till Jaipur was quick and uneventful. Post Jaipur it was horrible. Diversion after every 2 kms and high traffic density. After Dharuhera it was crawling all the way till GRG Expressway. Reached home by 8 pm. Also that bring an end to the travelogue.

[Nitrous Power]

Excellent travelogue and great pictures.

[mmxylorider]

Originally Posted by v&v

We had two option routes to OPT -

1) Porbandar - Veraval - Talala - Sasan Gir (Roads are bad, need 5+ hours)

As guided by local Taxi guys

2) Take Porbandar - Rajkot (8B) for 40 odd kms(Before UPleta), after police check , Right turn on to SH 32, it connect to Junagadh.
Again 2 option - a) Via JUnagad - Mendarda - Sesangir
b) Via Sh 97 Mangalpur to keshod (Narror village road. Bad), You will hit NH 8D, just before Keshod, from Keshod - Mendarda - Sasangir)

During my trip earlier this month, I remembered the above information and opted to go to Gir (from Porbandar) via NH8B-Doraiji-Junagad-Mendarda.

This road is in reasonably good condition-twin lane but good surface.

Return journey from Gir connected to NH8B at Upleta. One needs to pay toll of Rs 65 few kms before Doraiji while travelling towards Rajkot. Luckily you get the money's worth as you rejoin 8B on the return journey (if going via Rajkot)