The jewel in Ahmedabad’s crown is the hallowed Sabarmati Ashram, the riverside retreat that served as Gandhi’s home for over 12 years. Gandhi used the grounds for grassroots level economic and agricultural activities, and evolved and advocated his ideas of satyagraha (the seeking of truth). The famed Dandi March, widely regarded as a major watershed in India’s non-violent freedom struggle, began at the gates of Sabarmati. With typical wry humor, Gandhi declared it fitting that the Ashram was sandwiched between a crematorium and a prison, for both were inevitable destinations for a satyagrahi. Today, the Ashram houses the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahashala or the Gandhi Memorial Museum that has a wealth of life-size paintings, photographs, books, letters and personal effects of the most extraordinary human being to have lived in our times.

The Sidi Bashir Mosque, colloquially called Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets, is one of Ahmedabad’s most popular tourist attractions. The two minarets at the entrance are designed in such a way that if one is shaken, the other vibrates too, although the connecting passage between them remains perfectly still. This 16th century mosque is a fine example of Ahmedabad’s “fusion” architecture, with the classic Islamic domed minarets covered with intricate stonework in the style of traditional Hindu temples. A similar blending of styles may be observed in several other monuments in Ahmedabad, including the Jumma Masjid, the Rani Sipri Mosque, the Sarkhej Roja, the Rani Rupmati Mosque and so on.

The Sultanate-era step wells from the 15th and 16th centuries are yet another interesting feature of Ahmedabad. These deep wells go down over five stories underground, their inner walls covered from floor to ceiling with intricate sculptures from Hindu mythology, although the wells themselves were Islamic in origin. The lower floors of the well are significantly cooler than the surface in the hot summer months, and one can easily imagine womenfolk from a bygone era, spending time in their comfortable depths, resting, talking and praying before the stone figurines. Dada Hari Ni Vav and Adalaj ni Vav are Ahmedabad’s two best known step wells.

The 1622 Shahibaug Palace (also spelt Shahibagh / Shahibaugh) was commissioned by Mughal EMperor Shah Jahan. Today it houses a memorial to Sardar Vallabhai Pa, freedom fighter and visionary statesman from Ahmedabad. Poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore lived in Shahibaug Palace for a short while during his youth. The experience inspired his ere nouvelle “The Hungry Stones.” Today, a memorial marks the poet’s association with the palace.

A stone’s throw from Shahibaug Palace, the fascinating Calico Museum of Textiles is one of the world’s foremost textile museums and research centers and has a rich and colorful collection of traditional handicraft textiles through the ages.

The Vishalla Utensils Museum has an intriguing collection of utensils through the ages, showcasing the ingenuity and craftsmanship of their makers. The collection ranges from vessels made of leaf from a thousand years ago to modern stainless steel.

The Tribal Museum located at Vidyapeeth has a wealth of artifacts that paint a detailed and fascinating picture into the daily life of the myriad tribes of the region.

The Kite Museum is unique in India and has on display kites from the world over accompanied by photographs and illustrations.

The magnificent Hathisingh Jain Temple (also spelt Hathi Singh Jain Temple) is another highlight of Ahmedabad. Covered with intricate marble carvings, this 19th century temple is dedicated to the 15th Tirthankara (teacher/spiritual guru) of Jain tradition.

Stately stone gates of triumph or Darwazas may be spotted all over Ahmedabad. These date back to the time of the city’s construction.

Overnight will be at Ahmedabad.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Sayla will be our base as we set out to explore traditional handicraft textiles in neighbouring artisan villages. Nearby Limbdi is a prominent center for the exquisite mirror-work embroidery that is famous for.

A short distance away are tribal villages known for their beadwork. The tradition of decorating clothing with embroidered beads goes back to almost prehistoric times in, and today’s artisans carry forward the old traditions, having replaced clamshells and seeds with clay, wood and glass beads.

Also a short drive away, traditional weaver communities who use the stunning Ikat technique of creating fabric out of yarn that has been meticulously tied and dyed. You’ll see samples of both single Ikat fabric where tied and dyed warp (vertical weaving) is interwoven with regular weft (horizontal weaving) and double Ikat fabric where both are tied and dyed.

Also recommended is a visit to the walled town of Wadhwan. A former princely state located by a now-dry river, it’s a land of eery legends. The river is said to have dried up after a woman cursed the town, not holding water even in the rainy season. The only hope was a dry step well, which, according to a prophecy, would bear water only if a newly married couple sacrificed their lives. Two young people volunteered, and according to legend, with every step they took inside the well, the water level rose, first to claim them, and later to provide succor for the thirsty town to this day. The 55 meter deep Madha Vav is named after the brave groom of legend for his sacrifice.

On a more cheerful note, Wadhwan today is famous for its vibrant, all natural Bandhni or tie and dye work and a visit to an artisan community to see the process to Bandhni is highly recommended, as is a visit to a local traditional metalworks workshop.

Enjoy walking village tour.

Overnight will be at Sayla.

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Drive to Gondal, a princely town of considerable importance and affluence. Reach and check into the hotel.

Of interest is the 18th century Naulakha Palace, with its exquisite stone carvings, elaborate jharokhas (traditional windows) and spiral staircases. The palace’s private gallery has on display a comprehensive collection of royal artifacts as well as beadwork, brassware and textiles.

Also of note are the beautiful murals of Swaminarayan Temple and the Bhuvaneshwari Ayurveda Pharmacy that practices Indian traditional medicine using the millennia old principles of Ayurveda or the “Science of Life.”

Don’t miss the Bhuvaneswari Stud Farm, a must-visit for horse lovers and has some fantastic specimens of the local Kathiawadi Horse, the Gir Cattle and other indigenous, highly adapted livestock breeds.

Overnight will be at Gondal.

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

A short drive from Gondal on the banks of the Bhadar River, lies Jetpur, one of the major centers in India for traditional block printing and textile dyeing. Jetpur’s Cotton Saree Udyog is also well known. Interestingly, Jetpur today is a major exporter of the traditional printed African Chitenge and Kanga garments.

Junagarh, also known as Sorath, is the capital of the princely state of Junagarh, and is known for Buddhist relics more than two thousand years old, the stunning Bahauddin Makbara with its intricately carved domes, minarets and spiral staircases, as well as the scenic beauty of the surrounding hills and lakes. The town’s museum is a great showcase of Nawabi grandeur in the form of carpets and tapestry embedded with gems and precious stones.

Return to Gondal and relax in evening.

Overnight will be at Gondal.

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive to Jamnagar airport for your flight to Mumbai.

Reach Mumbai, A Compass India Inc. Representative will receive you at the airport and arrange your hotel transfer.

Originally an archipelago of seven islands on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai was named after Mumba Devi, patron goddess of the Koli fishermen indigenous to the area. In the 19th century, reclamation work joined up the islands in a long, narrow strip of land that is the Mumbai we know today. This bustling metropolis is India’s commercial capital and home of Bollywood, the world’s largest movie industry. A city of contrasts, Ferraris and Porsches stand shoulder to shoulder on Mumbai roads with strikingly retro Premier Padmini cabs, and glitzy malls stocking super luxury brands co-exist side by side with buzzing local markets.

Enjoy an evening walk in Chowpatty Beach.

Chowpatty Beach is situated at the end of Marine Drive and while a far cry from what is understood to be a beach in western countries, there is no denying the carnival atmosphere that descends here every evening. The thin stretch of sand is crowded with numerous street food vendors, happily squealing children, the pious taking a dip in the sea at sunset, couples and evening walkers. Your Mumbai experience is not complete unless you have tasted a tangy-spicy golgappa at Chowpatty.

Overnight will be at Mumbai.

Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

The decidedly un-fortress-like business district to the North of Kolaba is popularly known as Fort and gets its name from a long-dismantled East India Company fort that, soon after the Maratha Wars, gave way to the grand colonial buildings which give this part of Mumbai its distinctive architectural flavour. Of note is St. John’s Church, dedicated to British soldiers who laid down their lives in Afghanistan and Sind in the 19th century.

To travellers flying into Mumbai, the city’s most recognizable feature is perhaps the Marine Drive, a long sea-facing promenade that runs from Nariman Point to Malabar Hill in a shallow arc, curving along the lapping waters of the Arabian Sea. In the evening, the Marine Drive glitters in a stunning crescent of light and is appropriately named “Queen’s Necklace.”

What the Queen’s Necklace is to air travellers today, the Gateway of India was to the seafaring visitors of the early 20th century. Built in 1911 to welcome King George V and Queen Mary to the land of their subjects, this magnificent arch was ironically also the point from where the last British ship departed India after the latter gained independence in 1947. A flight of steps leads down to the sea where motor launches bob in the water, offering short cruises to tourists. After sundown, and weather permitting, the excursion is well worth the fare as the view from the sea towards the dramatically illuminated Gateway is nothing short of splendid. Towards the east lies Apollo Bunder, abuzz with street vendors, fortune-tellers, evening walkers and tourists.

Flora Fountain/ Hutama Chowk situated in the heart of the city was erected in 1869 in honour of a British Governor of Bombay. Flora Fountain marks a junction of five streets and known as the 'Piccadilly Circus 'of Mumbai, which is decorated at its four corners with mythological figures, the Fountain is a structure in dull stone with a figure the Roman Goddess of flowers, at the top.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Terminus is one of India’s busiest railway stations and. a unique amalgamation of Indian and Gothic architectural styles. The centerpiece of the station is a 160 foot high dome and an ode to progress in the form of the statue of a woman carrying a torch. Movie buffs may be interested to know that Victoria Terminus featured prominently in the Academy Award winning “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The English Gothic Mumbai High Court Building was designed by Col. J. A. Fuller, a British engineer, and dates back to 1878. On the western face of this majestic structure stand the statues of Justice and Mercy.

Made of local Kurla stone, the 280 foot tall Rajabai Clock Tower is an amalgam of Venetian and Gothic styles of architecture, and boasts of absolutely stunning stained glass windows. Presently, the tower houses the University of Mumbai library.

Built in 1880, the terraced Hanging Garden on Malabar Hill sits atop the three reservoirs which supply water to all of Mumbai and offers a spectacular view of the city.

Overnight at Mumbai.

For the rest of the day, relax, explore the city or enjoy last minute shopping.

Later, the Compass India Inc. team will escort you to the airport for your flight home.