INDIA VEGAN TOUR

Namaste! Welcome to Ahmedabad, the economic capital of Gujarat – one of the staunchest “veg” states in India where vegetarians make up roughly 62% of the state’s population, which is well above the national average of 30%. Up until 1970, Ahmedabad was Gujarat’s capital before it was moved just outside the city to the newly developed capital of Gandhinagar. Established over six centuries ago, Ahmedabad has been a prosperous trading hub ever since it was founded and also thrived during the Mughal rule of India. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (of Taj Mahal fame) is said to have spent a decent portion of his life here. Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River that divides the city into two sections – the old city on the eastern side and the new city on the western side. Ahmedabad would take on a new life when the city’s first textile mill was set up in 1862, owing to the plentiful amount of cotton grown in the state, establishing the city not just as a trading post, but as a manufacturing center as well. By 1905 there were 33 textile mills in the city. Nicknamed the Manchester of the East, Ahmedabad is still a major textile hub and is the world’s 3rd largest manufacturer of denim. In one of India’s fastest-growing states, Ahmedabad is one of India’s fastest growing cities and according to Forbes Magazine, is the 3rd fastest growing metro in the world. As one of India’s fastest-growing cities and one of the most “vegetarian popular” municipalities in India – it is also home to the world’s first 100% veg Subway, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s Pizza. But even as multi-nationals, skyscrapers, and mega-malls pop up across its already teaming skyline, if you look closely you’ll see that the city’s colorfully rich, diverse, and historical cultural heritage is still very much alive, and still – very much intact. Ahmedabad is a place where every community who has settled here over the centuries and the diversity of this ancient 600-year-old-city is evident everywhere you go, around every corner you turn – seen in its fusion architecture and local wears, tasted in its many cuisines, and listened to in its sounds of devotion from hypnotic temple aarthi ceremonies and church bells to the mesmerizing call to prayers that emanate from local mosques. Our adventure begins here – in the heart of Ahmedabad, in the heart of Gujarat, where we will start with our orientation meeting and light local vegan snacks before setting out into the streets of this ancient capital for a delicious feast and your first official taste of Gujarat – at one of only a few all-vegan restaurants the city has. So tonight – please make sure you bring your appetite and be ready to eat!

Highlights of the Day: 

• Detailed Orientation Meeting where you will get to know your fellow travelers and adventure leaders better, discuss the adventure ahead, and have our Introduction to Gujarat’s History, Cultures, and Diversity Presentation.
• First Hindi Language Lesson.
• Special vegan feast at one of Ahmedabad’s few vegan eateries

Vegan Meals Included: Snacks & Dinner

Namaste! Good morning, Ahmedabad! After our traditional morning yoga session and a hearty breakfast of delicious local delights specially veganized for us, we’ll set out into the streets of Ahmedabad where we’ll focus on the life and times of India’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi, and the non-violent struggle for freedom he led to achieve India’s independence after 3 ½ centuries of occupation. Our first stop today will be at the Kochrab Ashram. Established on May 25, 1915, this rented bungalow was gifted to Gandhiji by his friend, Barrister Jivanlal Desai. This was Gandhiji’s first home in India after returning from South Africa and is where he began his practice of Satyagraha (“satya” = “truth”; “agraha” = “insistence” or “holding firmly to”), or non-violence resistance. He created controversy here by taking in an untouchable. From the Kochrab Ashram, we’ll make our way to the Gujarat Vidhyapeeth – Gandhian College, which was established by Gandhi in 1920 as a replacement for the British schools teaching “English education”, where we’ll learn about the institution’s unique programs to educate and encourage students to be “people of character, ability, culture, and dedication following the ideals given by Mahatma Gandhi. These ideals include adherence to truth and non-violence, participation in productive work with a sense of dignity of labor, and acceptance of equality, among others. From the college, we’ll settle down for a vegan fusion lunch at an all-vegan café before visiting the Sabarmati Ashram – home of Gandhi’s non-violent freedom movement where he made his home and base. As the sun sets over Ahmedabad, we’ll return to our heritage bed & breakfast where you’ll have time to relax before joining local vegans from Ahmedabad for a vegan feast of Gujarati classics where we’ll learn about the local vegan scene, where it’s come from, where it is now, and where it’s heading.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Traditional morning yoga session to start the day.
• Visit the Kochrab Ashram, Gandhi’s first home in India after returning from South Africa where he began his practice of Satyagraha (“Satya” = “truth”; “agraha” = “insistence” or “holding firmly to”), or non-violence resistance.
• Guests of the Gujarat Vidhyapeeth – Gandhian College founded by Gandhi as a replacement for the British schools and colleges, will learn about this unique educational institution focusing on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi including adherence to truth and non-violence, the acceptance of equality of religions, and programs where as part of their curriculum students regularly participate in community work, social service and follow self-reliant living standards.
• Visit Sabarmati Ashram – home of Gandhi’s non-violent freedom movement where we’ll learn about India’s extraordinary path to independence through non-violence.
• As the moon rises over the Sabarmati, we’ll enjoy our last night in the big city sitting down with fellow vegans from Ahmedabad for an eclectic feast of Gujarati classics all specially veganized for us.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners

From the bustling streets of Ahmedabad, we journey south to Palitana, the most important pilgrimage site in the Jain religion and the world’s first 100% vegetarian city. A faith devoted to strict vegetarianism, Jainism is based on the principles that all living creatures should be treated with mutual respect and no one life is greater than the other. Resting at the foot of Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana is the base camp of one of India’s most extraordinary pilgrimage sites. Here we’ll climb up 3,800 steps to the summit where over 850 meticulously carved temples adorn the remarkable, tranquil spiritual peak. The most sacred Jain pilgrimage site in the world, the stunning temples that sprawl out across the peaks of Shatrunjaya Hill were built atop the auspicious ground where Adinath (a.k.a. Rishabhanatha), the first of the Jain Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers), is believed to have meditated. The term Tirthankara comes from the word “tirtha” – which means a passageway across the cycles of death and rebirth we must all overcome. So, a Tirthankara has overcome these cycles and created a passageway for others who, through the Tirthankara’s teachings, can see the pathway out of the cycle of death and rebirth. This is similar to the “end objective” (or beginning objective – whichever way you want to look at it) in Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as having similarities to reaching heaven in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. While here we’ll be staying outside the town at the hundred-year-old country retreat of the Gohil Rajputs, where as guests of the old royal family we’ll learn about the way of life in the countryside here in the shadows of Shatrunjaya Hill.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Introduction to the Jain Religion and the Principles of Jainism. Jainism is among India’s early religions and its adherents today total about five million.
• Explore the ancient ruins of Lothal – one of the Indus Valley Civilization’s most flourishing cities. Recognized as the first major seaport in the region, the once-thriving trading outpost is also recognized as one of the earliest and most important sheltered harbor ports in the world, its history dating back to approximately 2,500 BC (some accounts date it back even further to 3,700 BC).
• Climb 3,800 steps that stretch over 3.5 kilometers to the sacred summit and spiritual peak of Shatrunjaya Hill– a stunning sight to put it lightly! Built by generations over 900 years from the 11th century onwards – the hilltop temple complex contains over 863 ornately carved temples, and over 3000 temple structures in and around the hill made from marble, bronze, and stone – making it the largest temple complex in the world. For devout Jains, it is believed that you must climb to the top of the mountain at least once in your lifetime to be able to eventually reach “nirvana”.
• Participate in local community education programs.
• Taste our way through the mouthwatering cuisines of local Jain dishes – all specially veganized just for us (as these dishes are usually full of ghee, milk, and cream).
• Guests of the local royal family at their palace retreat home in the countryside village outside of Palitana.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts (x2), Lunches (x2), and Dinner & Drinks (x2)

Bidding farewell to the village of Adpur and the spectacular temples of Palitana, we head out for the western coast of Gujarat to the 16th-century colonial Portuguese island settlement of Diu. Nestled off the coast in the Arabian Sea, the island is a unique fusion of history, sun, sand, and sea. The town is a maze of winding streets filled with colorful buildings and ornate cathedrals; the centerpiece being the massive and impregnable Portuguese Fort built between 1535 and 1541 (and reconstructed in 1545 after a long siege). In the 1600s, the Dutch, French, English, and Portuguese, among others, were all vying for their piece of the lucrative trade of spices, cotton, tea, and other goods from Asia. The Portuguese were the first to come on the scene – arriving roughly a century earlier than the other European powers, where they first set foot in India in the coastal city of Calicut (Kerala) in 1498. The Portuguese would go on to establish several settlements along India’s western coast, including Diu, which they would control for almost 4 ½ centuries. It’s interesting to note that the Portuguese would be the last of the European colonialists to leave India, not seceding their settlements until 1961. Diu itself had been a Portuguese enclave officially from 1535 until 1961 – that’s 426 years! Today, Diu is one of eight union territories in India. Though only a small island geographically at 12 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide, Diu is rich in history and culture and has a diverse fusion of different ethnicities, communities, and cultures that all make up the unique heritage of the island. We’ll spend two days here off the western coast of Gujarat taking in the relaxed pace of the old Portuguese settlement and exploring the island’s historical sites and natural beauty.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Traditional morning yoga sessions.
• Explore the epicenter of the old Portuguese colony, the formidable Fort of Diu. Eyed for its strategic location, Diu is situated on an important trading section of the coast on the Arabian Sea, at the mouth of the historically commercially important Gulf of Cambay.
• Cultural Culinary Experience, introduction to Indian-Chinese Cuisine, also known as Indo-Chinese, Cuisine. A unique fusion where Chinese spices and cooking methods are adapted to fit the Indian palate, its origins trace back to the Chinese who settled in Calcutta between the late 1700s and 1900s.
• Learn about life in old downtown Diu as we explore a series of colorful – albeit sleepy, backstreets, alleys, and winding lanes home to faded churches, local shops, decaying fort walls, and goods stores.
• Enjoy the sunset over the Arabian Sea at the Island’s best sunset viewpoint.
• Enjoy Beer tasting, local rum, fresh lime sodas, and vegan snacks.
• Two days chilling at a seaside resort, right near the beach.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts (x2), Lunches (x1), and Dinner & Drinks (x1)

Saying goodbye to the Arabian Sea, we’ll drive across the plains of Gujarat to the jungles of Gir – home of the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic Lions in the wild where we’ll be staying just outside the sanctuary on the edge of the forest. This will be our home for the next two days, as we learn about and explore the wilds of Gir, the communities that call it their home, and the national park’s incredible residents – including the awesome Asiatic Lions. The last home of the Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park is a mixture of thick forests, banyan trees, rivers, and streams. In addition to being home to Asiatic Lions, the protected reserve also provides sanctuary and refuge to a plethora of other wildlife from 38 species of mammals including leopards, deer, antelope, wild boar, bears, jackals, Blue Bull, Indian gazelle, to approximately 300 species of birds, and 37 species of reptiles. The protected range of the Asiatic Lion stretches over 1,400 square kilometers (545 square miles), with 258 square kilometers being the national park, and the remaining square kilometers being part of a protected reserve. The fact that the Asiatic Lions once roamed freely from Bengal to Turkey – and some say to the Balkans – but now are just found in this very small pocket of Gujarat – is a sad statement indeed. However, the Asiatic lion population here has been one of the relatively few success stories in wildlife conservation and protection. In the early 1900s, only 20 lions were believed to have still roamed the forests here, as of today, the number of these fantastic felines has grown to 674. This gives us hope that when proper policies and actions are implemented – highly endangered species’ populations cannot only be revived – but thrive.

Highlights of the Day:

• Traditional morning yoga sessions.
• Introduction to Sasan Gir, Asiatic Lions, and one of the unique communities who have called the surrounding areas their home for generations – the Siddi (or Siddhi) people, who are part of the region’s cultural diversity.
• Jeep safaris into the wilds of Gir National Park where we’ll be on the lookout for the abundance of wildlife that calls these jungles their home, including their most famous residents – Asiatic Lions!
• Traditional folk music and dance.
• Jungle hikes and bird watching with a local naturalist.
• Special vegan fusion feasts for lunch and dinner.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts (x2), Lunches (x2), and Dinners (x2)

Over the next two days, we’ll spend our time well off the beaten track in the hinterlands of Gujarat in the rustic yet charming town of Muli, where we’ll be personal guests of the old royal family at their 1930’s 1930s-built home, the delightful Ambika Niwas Royal Palace. Settling here over five centuries ago after migrating from what is now the Sindh Province of Pakistan, our host’s family tree traces back to legendary kings who ruled over vast areas of northwest-central India between the 9th and 14th centuries. This historical, picturesque town will be our home for the next two days as we join our friends, and the royal family of Muli, and learn about local village life, culture, and customs in the Gujarat countryside! This includes learning about India’s important history with cotton. A major commodity for the earliest trading empires in the region, cotton has been a pivotal part of the local economy and social fabric here for thousands of years. The cultivation of cotton is believed to have started in 2500 BCE in the Indus Valley Civilization (which Lothal where we visited, included). Hindu hymns dating back to 1500 BCE mention cotton in their verses and Alexander the Great’s army started wearing cotton after they invaded India, finding the new fabric much more suitable for conditions not only here, but in other areas, they occupied. Historians, merchants, and traders alike from the Middle East and Greece noted the quality of Indian cotton textiles. So, while here, in the cotton belt of Gujarat – we’ll learn all about cotton from farm to factory to fabric and the age-old tradition of this “home-spun” product that continues to this day to be the livelihood of many living in rural India. We’ll also have our first introduction to India’s incredible step-wells, which illustrate the people’s long tradition of trying to attain a harmonic balance between humans, nature, and the heavens.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Traditional morning yoga sessions.
• Guests of the Royal Family of Muli at their palace residence for 2 days where they will share with us their history, culture, way of life, and delicious family recipes – all specially made vegan for us.
• Explore the village where we’ll learn about the local way of life and visit sacred grounds linked to the community’s history here.
• Guests of a local Vishnu temple for their aarti (Hindu ritual) ceremony.
• Guests of a local Surya (Sun) temple for their aarti (ritual) ceremony.
• Farm to Factory to Fabric Program – where we’ll delve in and learn firsthand about the cultivation and spinning of homegrown cotton to make clothes, which is not only the livelihood of many in rural India but is also synonymous with India’s non-violent struggle for freedom.
• Morning traditional yoga sessions (based on the early practice forms of yoga from its birthplace in India).
• Learn about the unique architectural concept of “step-wells” in India that date back to the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC Indus Valley Civilizations. At one time there were 3,000 step-wells in Rajasthan & Gujarat, today it is estimated that there are only 120 active step-wells still in existence in Gujarat – which is said by many historians to be the origin of step-wells in India.
• Join the royal family in the palace courtyard for an evening of traditional folk music and dance, followed by a traditional vegan feast.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts (x2), Lunches (x2), and Dinners (x2)

After yoga and breakfast at the palace, we’ll set out into the wild outback of Gujarat to explore the intimidating yet stunning badlands of the Little Rann of Kutch! An incredible and fascinating vast salt-cracked barren desert; the epic dry salt marsh landscape stretches out endlessly as far as the eyes can see! At 4,954 square kilometers, the formidable, cracked earth terrain of the Little Rann of Kutch is not only home to plenty of out-of-this-world mirages and some pretty cool sunsets, but also a surprisingly vivid range of wildlife – including being the only home in the wild and final refuge of the lovely chestnut brown Indian Wild Ass, or Ghudkhur. Often referred to just as Khur for short, the Indian Wild Ass once roamed freely throughout western India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and southeastern Iran. Now unfortunately the last remaining populations can only be found here in and around the Little Rann of Kutch. Listed as a threatened species and thankfully strictly protected, the population of the Khur has grown over the years here, and luckily, these charming equine beasts’ numbers have now risen to approximately 4,800. The Little Rann of Kutch is also home to a plethora of other wildlife from gazelle, blue bull, wolf, and Indian foxes, to falcons, babblers, bustards, and the majestic Greater and Lesser Flamingos.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Jeep safari out into the badlands of the protected Little Rann of Kutch to see India’s last Wild Donkeys. Rich in biodiversity, these epic flatlands are home to over 35 species of mammals, 29 species of reptiles, and 314 species of birds. The marshland is also home to 107 species of algae and 93 species of invertebrates including 25 species of zooplankton and 4 crustaceans.
• Special local Kutchi cuisine made vegan, especially for us.
• Visit local saltpan farms and learn about the history of salt and the difficult life of salt farming in the Little Rann of Kutch where it has been “farmed” for the past 5,000 years by the local Agariya people.
• Take in the sunset over the arid, mirage-like marshlands that are a common haunt for our fancy feathered friends the Greater and Lesser flamingos that come to congregate here to lay their eggs and bring up their chicks.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we set off to explore another charming town in Gujarat: Himmatnagar. On the way, we’ll visit the exquisite stepwell of Patan and the world-renowned archaeological museum in Vadnagar, before arriving at our home for the next two days – Himmatnagar.

Steeped in history and culture, Himmatnagar traces its roots back to ancient times. According to legend, the town was founded by the courageous warrior Himmat Singh, who valiantly fought against the Mughals and established his kingdom here. The name “Himmat,” meaning courage in Hindi, reflects the spirit of its origins.

Our stay in Himmatnagar will be at the formidable yet enchanting ancestral fort palace of the region’s old royal family. Their lineage has called this remote and scenic area—nestled near the Rajasthan border—home for centuries.

Over the next two days, our gracious hosts will introduce us to the local communities and their vibrant traditions, unique way of life, culinary heritage, folk music, dance, and traditional arts. One of the highlights will be a special cooking class, where we’ll join our hosts in their home kitchens to learn treasured family recipes—thoughtfully veganized just for us—that have been passed down through generations.

We’ll also visit a stunning 11th-century Jain temple and explore the ancient fort of Idar, adding yet more layers to our understanding of this fascinating region.

Highlights of the Day: 

• Traditional morning yoga sessions.
• Visit the epic Rani-ki-Vav stepwell! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rani-ki-Vav translates to “Queen’s Stepwell”. Located on the banks of the Saraswati River this stunning stepwell was built by a local queen in the 11th century as a memorial for her husband. 64 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 27 meters deep, the stepwell has 500 main sculptures and over a thousand carvings.
• Enjoy the sunset overlooking the beautiful palace gardens, accompanied by some of our favorite local snacks. As night falls, delight in a sumptuous dinner featuring an array of delicious vegan dishes, and live performances of traditional folk music and dance!
• Introduction and lesson to India’s favorite national pastime – cricket, where we’ll join the locals to play this most beloved of India’s games.
• Explore the local villages and bazaars of Himmatnagar.
• Visit the world-famous Archaeological Museum of Vadnagar.
• Visit the ancient fort of Idar.
• Visit marvelously carved local Jain and Hindu temples dating back to the 11th century.
• Cultural culinary experience with our hosts, who also happen to be great chefs. Join them for a mouthwatering cooking class, where we’ll learn to cook up a Gujarati vegan feast!
• A festive farewell party complete with striking views, traditional folk music and dance, local snacks, cold beverages, and a delicious vegan feast for dinner!

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfasts (x2), Lunches (x2), and Dinners (x2)

After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to our wonderful hosts and the serene countryside of Gujarat, making our way back to Ahmedabad where our adventure concludes in the vibrant heart of the city.

On the way, we’ll make a special stop on the outskirts to visit one of Gujarat’s most iconic stepwells—Adalaj Vav. Built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai, this magnificent five-story structure features intricate carvings that beautifully blend Hindu and Islamic symbolism.

From there, we’ll head into the city for a delicious vegan lunch at one of our favorite plant-based eateries. Our journey comes to a close as we return to our hotel after lunch.

If your flight is scheduled for today, we recommend booking an evening departure to allow for any unforeseen delays.

Thank you for choosing Gujarat, and thank you for traveling with Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages!

Highlights of the Day: 

• Traditional morning yoga session.
• Explore the very impressive Adalaj Vav Stepwell! 5-stories deep, this incredible stepwell descends 75 meters to the well at the bottom with carved pillars all along the way. Adalaj Vav (or Wav) was not just a beautifully artistic engineering achievement, but it was very practical to supplying water for weary travelers, pilgrims, and caravans alike who plied these early trade routes. In addition to water, Adalaj Wav was designed to provide cool chambers within its walls along with the steps – a welcome retreat from Gujarat’s hot summer days.
• Vegan lunch of delectable fusion dishes at one of our favorite vegan eateries in the big city of Ahmedabad.

Vegan Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch