Surat Circuit 

Surat circuit consists of the old historic city of Surat, India's ancient trading centre. Since long traders from across the seven seas had links with this region. The Saputara and the Dangs regions are filled with tribal villages where you can witness the lifestyle, traditions of the indigenous people living the life their ancestors lived years ago. 

Get away for a retreat in lush green surroundings of the Saputara hills or take a dip in the Gira falls at Waghai and Mahal. The Surat circuit is ideal if you are looking for a tranquil place to get away for a while. 

The Purna Sanctuary dominates the Mahal region situated 60 km from Saputara. The longish drive passes though the most beautiful parts of the Dangs with high wooded slopes of bamboo. It is endowed with rivers and bamboo glades and is a must for picnics, walks and treks.

At the southern tip of Gujarat, folded in to the densely wooded Dang forest area in the Sahyadri Mountains lies Saputara, a picturesque hill station perched on a plateau at an altitude of about 1000 metres above sea level. Saputara is situated 160 kms. from Surat. Legend has it that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile in these very forests. 

Saputara has been developed as a planned hill resort with hotels, parks, swimming pools theatres and a museum. It has several gardens, picturesque locations and a cool bracing climate even in the hot summer months making it an ideal getaway. The resort is equipped with adventure sports facilities like paragliding.

Nature's beauty is at its best throughout the year at Saputara, which means the Abode of Serpents. A snake image on the banks of the river Sarpaganga is worshipped by the Adivasis (aboriginals) on festivals like Holi.

Surat, the capital of South Gujarat, was India's most prosperous port and ancient trading centres in the 17th and 18th centuries. Located on the southern bank of Tapti, Surat is renowned for its fine silk and exquisite brocades like the Tanchoi, Gajee and Kinkhab styles sometimes woven with gold and silver threads. It is also famous for spices and its diamond market as well as ivory and wood artwork of rare beauty. 

Surat has the distinction of being the first European settlement in India besides being host to the Dutch and the Portuguese, a fact reflected in its little streets, which are charmingly European. The East India Company established its initial warehousing facility here in 1612 A.D. Sir Thomas Roe landed at the port of Surat before proceeding to the court of Emperor Jahangir to present his credentials as the Ambassador of England.

It is popularly believed to have been founded by Gopi, a Nagar Brahmin, who rose to be the Prime Minister in the Sultanate of Gujarat under Mahmud I and Muzaffar II. On account of this belief, Gopi is generally called the patron of Gujarat. In ancient days, Surat was the main port for Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca for Haj. Vir Narmad one of the great literary and social reformers hailed from Surat.

Historically Surat is intimately connected to the freedom struggle.

Located 49 kms from Saputara, the town of Waghai is surrounded by many delightful tourist spots. The drive from Saputara to Waghai itself is scenic and the air is pure and refreshing.