Gujarat - The Architecture & Heritage Tour

Drive to Champaner via Vadodara. The UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site of Champaner has Hindu temples and stepwells at neighbouring Pavagadh and the regional capital city built by Sultan Muhammad Bhegada in the 16th century with mosques that are considered perfect examples of the Gujarat Sultanate's Indo-Saracenic architecture. The mosque within the fortified city is called Shahr Ki Masjid. It is noted for its slender minarets with intricately carved bases. The Jami Masjid has intricate latticework screens and a magnificent pavilion at the entrance to the spacious courtyard which is enclosed by domed galleries. The central dome is three-storey with an opening that allows light into the prayer hall. The similar Nagina Masjid has exquisite sculptures on the pillars and along the mihrab. Pavagadh hill is the site for the Kalika Temple, a magnet for pilgrims, and the Laukalish Temple which is an architectural masterpiece.

Drive to Rajpipla and stay at a heritage hotel. Afternoon tour of the palaces of Rajpipla known for their murals. Done by European refugee artists during the World War, the wall art depict Indian paintings in interesting Indo-European style.

Drive back to Ahmedabad via Vadodara with a stop over at the Museum & Picture Gallery, Maharaja Art Museum, palaces and Kirti Mandir to see the cenotaph (with murals by Nandlal Bose).