Textile Art & Craft of India with Diwali

About The Tour: It is a 16 nights/ 17 days tour covering Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra & Jaipur) & Gujarat offering some of the amazing countryside, rural and urban lifestyle of India.

It is a journey that you all will be undertaking to explore parts of Incredible India The vibrant colors, weaving, printing, art and craft of India that will mesmerize you.

Come let’s explore the different patterns, designs, ancient techniques of printing and dying the fabrics that have been used for more than 5000 years ago.  The artisans who are still using the same old ancient technique and using natural dyes and organic colors to dye the fabrics.

You will also get to see various precious/semi-precious stone, how they are cut and turned in to beautiful designs and patterns along with amazing silver jewelry. Craftsmanship and their crafted items will leave you speechless. Lucky to be in India around the time when the whole country celebrates the festival of Lights DIWALI, so much to learn, delicious cuisine, fireworks, etc

Mind you this Journey is not just Textile oriented, but we have also included UNESCO World Heritage site as well. You will be visiting stepwells in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Start you day by witnessing the Sunrise along with your visit of Taj Mahal, I am sure it will double the fun of the tour. This tour is ideal for the people who have interest in art, textile and fashion. We kept one night in Jaipur free so that guest can explore the city in their own way and meet the  vendors if they have any business plans or in future they are planning to do some business.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BEYOND THE HOLIDAY THEN THIS TOUR IS FOR YOU>>>>>>>> COME EXPLORE THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY OF DESIGN, WEAVING, VIBRANT COLORS, HISTORY CULTURE, CUISINE AND FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS  WITH US.

11 Nov 2023 Saturday Day 01- Arrive Delhi by international flight

On arrival at Delhi International airport after clearing immigration formalities, you will meet our representative in arrival hall holding paging of your name. He will further assist you to your vehicle and then hotel check-in formalities. (Standard check-in time is 1200 hours)

Afternoon enjoy local shopping or rest at hotel.

Evening dinner will be at local restaurant. (On fixed menu basis).

Overnight stay at hotel.

12 Nov 2023 Sunday Day 02- Delhi

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast you will be proceed for combined full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. We start the tour from Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk this part of Delhi will take you in Old Mughal era, while walking through old lanes you can see big wooden carved antique doors, big havelis (mansion), narrow lanes and busy bustling life. You must taste lip smacking street food in Old Delhi market area. Then you will visit India’s largest Mosque “Jama Masjid” where at a time 25,000 can accommodate.

Post lunch visit New Delhi or Lutyens Delhi, beautifully designed by “Sir Edwin Lutyens”, drive pass India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Connaught Place. Later continue the sightseeing visiting, Humayun Tomb, the tomb was built in 1570 and was the first garden tomb made by Humayun’s son Akbar. It is Unesco world heritage site.

Conclude the sightseeing with the visit of “Qutub Minar”, the stunning red stone tower is 72.5 m high with 2.75m in diameter. It is also UNESCO site.

Evening dinner will be with a local family with Diwali Celebration. Diwali is a beautiful unique experience. which is about family, community and friends. Visit an Indian Home & prayer room. Be a part of the family prayer of a home, chant some mantras & immerse yourself in the purity & holiness of the biggest Hindu Festival.

Overnight stay at hotel.

13 Nov 2023 Monday Day 03- Delhi – Agra (approx. 203 Kms/ 4 hours)

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast drive to Agra. The land of the Taj is not only famous for the biggest allure “Taj Mahal” but also legacy of Mughals which they had left behind. Their legacy can be seen in mausoleums, tombs and magnificent fort.

On arrival check in at hotel. After check in proceed to visit Agra Fort.  It is an UNESCO heritage site. It is a major tourist attraction from all over the world. The fort is built in red stone to make it main residence of Mughals.

Later visit marble workshop and see the artist preparing different marble objects.

Overnight stay at hotel.

14 Nov 2023 Tuesday Day 04- Agra – Jaipur (approx. 260 Kms/ 5-6 hours)

Early morning sunrise visit of Taj Mahal. (Closed on Friday).

Return to hotel for breakfast. Post breakfast drive to Jaipur en-route visit Abhaneri Stepwell. It is one of the largest step wells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century. The Chand Baori is not an easy landmark to find, thus it is one of the hidden secrets of India Chand Baori one was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.

Centuries ago, the stepwells were built in the arid zones of Rajasthan to provide water all year through. Today, the construction is not used as a well anymore but its exquisite geometry attracts local and international visitors. About 64 feet deep, it is India’s largest and deepest stepwells with 13 floors and was built in the 9th century for water harvesting.

After visiting step well continue drive to Jaipur.  Jaipur also known as pink city because of its wall color which are exclusively painted in pink color. This colorful city has chaotic streets, colorful auto rickshaw and lively culture. It is the gateway to Rajasthan vacation, here you can still see royal life, forts and Palaces reflecting glorious past.

On arrival check in at hotel. Evening will be at leisure to relax or to pursue independent activities.

Overnight stay hotel.

15 Nov 2023 Wednesday Day 05- Jaipur

After breakfast proceed to visit Amber Fort en-route stop at Hawa Mahal for clicking some pictures.it is a stunning 5 story building. It was built to enable royal ladies see daily lives of the city or some function or procession as those days ladies had to cover their faces. Later visit Birla Mandir.

Later visit beautiful Jaipuri Mojri (Sandals) showroom. After see the fascinating design of traditional Jaipuri Sandals, we will visit textile showroom showcasing amazing textile products like cushions, bedcovers, art objects etc. Here you can see carpet weaving and many craftsman doing block printing preparing different awesome designs with different color theme.

Then we visit workshop of semi-precious and precious stone jewelry, how the craftsman are cutting and shaping the stones. Check out the amazing jewelry collections too. Later also visit silver jewelry showroom, stone showcasing modern, contemporary and traditional jewelry designs.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Later visit Blue Pottery shop in Jaipur is one of the well-known crafts of Jaipur. It was once a native craft of Persia that was brought to India by Mughals and later got patronized by Indian ruler (mostly Rajput).  This blue pottery technique is an imported one. It is a mix of Chinese glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. Blue pottery caught the local people’s interest and many started learning this craft soon, most of the Kumbhar (pottery) families also shifted from working on red clay to blue pottery later, on a larger scale. Eventually blue pottery craft flourished in and around Jaipur. Blue pottery has made its mark among few of other crafts

Later visit making of Lac Bangles. Bangles are known by many different names across the country.  There is a high demand for lac bangles mostly during festivals and occasions in India. Even foreign people has started adorning these Lac bangles and are even exporting these bangles to foreign countries. Many tourists from foreign countries comes to India in search of Lac Bangles, stays in India for few months practicing this craft and after learning goes back to their countries to produce lac bangles. Jaipur is recognized as a chief center of art and crafts in India.

Evening you will visit bustling yet colorful market showcasing beautiful handicraft, Rajasthan jewelry and shoes. You can get your hand painted with traditional Indian design of henna.

On this day you can give your fabric to get stitched and on the departure day on the last night in Jaipur you can get you suit/ Kurta ready. (Optional)

Overnight stay at hotel.

16 Nov 2023 Thursday Day 06- Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast drive to Bagru Village. Bagru village is about 30 kms from Jaipur. (01 Hour)

Earlier block painting was famous in large parts of Rajasthan but due to modern printing technology and demand the work is limited and done at some places only. Bagru village is one of those places where still traditional Hand block painting work is done. Get in touch with your creative side, or develop your skills, while learning side by side our skilled craftsperson. Be fascinated by the prints made with small wooden blocks and colors extracted from nature.

Check in at Local artist workshop to prepare your own hand block print cloth using Bagru and Dabu techniques. During the workshop we will provide you light snacks.

We will also walk around the village and witness the people doing this craft, here you can click beautiful photos. It will be a random walk. Return to Jaipur.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

17 Nov 2023 Friday  Day 07- Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel

This day will be free to explore Jaipur in your own way. If guest have any prior appointment with vendors in Jaipur, you can meet with them.

Evening enjoys cooking demonstration followed by dinner with local family. This year has been declared as Millet year and this part of India people use millet a lot in their daily food. It has very good health benefits since it is gluten free, you will also come to know about it. You will also get know about spices and our food habits. It will be wonderful session along with cultural exchange.

Overnight stay at hotel.

18 Nov 2023 Saturday Day 08- Jaipur – Ahmedabad by flight Deaprture

Early morning pick up with packed breakfast and transfer to airport to board the flight for Ahmedabad.

Meeting and assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Later attend Waghri community(Now more commonly known as Chittaras) demonstration and workshop of Mata Ni Pacheri kalamkari work, Mata Ni Pachedi also known as Kalamkari Work: The holy cloth used as an offering to the goddess; the community that is making the painting is known as Vaghari. We visit the studio of National award winner artisan to see his work (Demonstration Only) then drive back to the Hotel.  (We take part in the workshop and spend approx. 2- 3 hrs at the studio)

Overnight stay at hotel

19 Nov 2023 Sunday Day 09- Ahmedabad

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast proceed to visit Calico Museum. Later visit Calico Museum (CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND STRICLTY SUBJECT TO PERMISSON IN ADVANCE) in Morning, experience one of

India’s best Textile Museum. The collection of fabrics spanning varied and remote regions of India and exemplifies handicrafts spread across five centuries. The textile were collected with vision to conserve build awareness and empower the vast and deep textile heritage of India There are some astoundingly beautiful pieces, displaying incredible virtuosity and extravagance. You’ll see Kashmiri shawls that took three years to make, and doubleikat cloths whose 100,000 threads were each individually dyed before weaving.

Later visit Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram:- Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the

Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement towards passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. Sabarmati Ashram named for the river on which it sits River Sabarmati. (Also known as Gandhi Ashram/ Sabarmati Ashram/ Harijan Ashram)

Later visit Pethapur a wooden block making workshop (Demonstration ONLY).  Here the artist showcase us the prepared wooden blocks by them and their designs. They also show us the techniques how they prepare and which kind of wood they use to make these beautiful wooden blocks. It will be very exciting and interactive session, you can see how the elder generation passing on this art to their young generation.

Overnight stay at hotel

20 Nov 2023 Monday Day 10 Ahmedabad – Little Rann of Kutch (approx. 250 Kms/6 hrsdrive)

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast drive to Little Rann of Kutch enroute visit Sidhpur to see the Bori Muslim haveli (Mansions) lunch can be organized with one of the Bori Muslim family at Sidhpur, after lunch we drive to Patan to see Rani Ki Vav also known as Queens Step well (UNESCO Listed Monument) Rani Ki Vav (UNESCO listed monument) at Patan: it is a beautiful and painstakingly restored seven-storied step well. Built in 1050 for the Solanki queen Udaimati, it is the oldest and finest stepwell in Gujarat. It boasts some 800 individual, elaborately carved sculptures.after that we visit the Patola Museum to see Double Ikat weaving Patola Weaver: Patan was an ancient Hindu Capital before it was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024. Now a pale shadow of it remains, Patan is also famous for its beautifully designed Patola silk saris and after the visit we drive to Modhera village to see the beautiful Modhera Sun Temple Sun Temple at Modhera: SunTemple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the time of the equinoxes and continue our drive to Dasada or Bajana.

Overnight stay at Resort.

21 Nov 2023 Tuesday Day 11- Little Rann of Kutch

Breakfast at hotel

Morning visit Wild Ass Sanctuary at Little Rann of Kutch. Little Rann of Kuttch.

Little Rann of Kutch, a sanctuary for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass. the mammals of the Rann other than the wild ass, there are chances of seeing nilgai, chinkara gazelle, white-footed desert and Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat (occasionally also desert cat), pale and long-eared hedgehogs and hare.

Crested and Sykes larks, Oriental skylark, , greater short-toed lark, singing and Indian bush larks, ashy-crowned and black-crowned sparrow-larks, are likely sightings and greater hoopoe lark is possible. Desert and variable wheatears, southern grey, long-tailed, rufous-tailed and bay-back shrike, common woodshrike are also likely sightings and the desert warbler is among the many winter visiting warblers. We will also look for chestnut-bellied and spotted sandgrouse, Indian courser (cream-coloured visits occasionally), quails, yellow-legged and barred buttonquails, grey francolin, wryneck, brown-rock chat, pied bushchat, rufous-tailed scrub robin, blue-headed rock thrush, black redstart and buntings in the scrubby areas. At sunset, it is possible to watch marsh, Montagu and pallid harriers, aquila eagles, falcons and buzzards heading for their roosting sites.

Post lunch visit Kharapati Rabari community to see some embroidery work. Later visit the nearby village and see Tangaliya weaving.

Evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay at resort.

22 Nov 2023  Wednesday Day 12- Little Rann of Kutch – Bhuj (approx. 250 Kms. 5.5 Hours drive)

Breakfast at hotel

Morning, we drive to Bhuj on arrival check in at hotel.

After check-in proceed to A small town just 8 km southeast of Bhuj, Bhujodi is a major textile canter of Kutch, with the vast majority of the 1200 inhabitants involved in textile handicraft production. Here you can meet weavers, we visit Vankar Community, watching them doing weaving using traditional techniques and methods.

We will also visit the house of Rabari. Later watch Kharad Weaving done by Meghwal community

(Demonstration only).

23 Nov 2023  Thursday  Day 13- Bhuj

Breakfast at hotel

Morning we drive to Ajrakhpur, on arrival visit Ajrakhpur Village and participate in a Block Printing workshop (Approx 3-4 hrs): Ajrakh Block printing by the use of natural Dyes. The Khatri community, whose ancestors have been printing with Ajrakh blocks for centuries, migrated to Dhamadka, Kachchh from Sindh and then moved to Ajrakpur we visit the studio of block printer and today will be a work shop on Block Printing (approx 4 hrs work shop) you will try your hand on Block printing .

The word Ajrakh is derived from the word Azarukh which means Blue in Arabic and Persian.  There are more than 16 stages and it takes up to 25 days or more to complete all the stages.  Some of the stages are mentioned below for your reference which the clients will be taught during the workshop.  It’s not possible to see all the stages in 04 days but the artisan will explain to them various stages.

Lunch (Either we go back to Hotel In Bhuj for Lunch or you can Have Box Lunch from your Hotel) and then visit LLDC Museum LLDC Museum (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays). (On Direct payment basis)

Later while driving back to hotel visit the house of Late Mr AA Wazir and His sons to see the beautiful collection of the textiles which they also have some of the pieces for sale.

Overnight stay at hotel

24 Nov 2023  Friday Day 14- Bhuj

Post breakfast proceed to participate Tie & Dye workshop for approx. 3-4 hours. After lunch visit the Swami Narayan Temple. In Bhuj also visit the cenotaph of the royals of Kutch, later visit Bhuj local market.

If time permits visit the Pragh Mahal and Aina Mahal complex and Museum.

Drive back to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel

25 Nov 2023  Saturday  Day 15- Bhuj

Post breakfast we drive to Banni region it’s a full day excursion and we visit villages in this region to see different art and craft of the region. Nirona Village Copper Bell Making or visit Zura Village to see Copper Bell Making: See the musical crescendo signals a phoenix like birth of a new bell emerging from mud and fire. Iron bells enameled in copper and bronze, so many shapes and size emitting melodies which are soft yet carry sonorously through the desert air.

Visit Nirona village to see Rogan Painting: A traditional textile art form involving painting on fabric. The art of Rogan originated in Syria and is practiced through Peshawar, Lahore, Sindh and Kutch. The colour making process itself is time consuming and involves great skill. http://www.roganartnirona.com/

Bhirandiyara village to see Meghwal Embroidery: Meghwal people are known for their fine embroidery and colourful mud bhungas.

Drive back to Bhuj and overnight stay at hotel.

26 Nov 2023  Sunday  Day 16- Bhuj – Ahmedabad (approx. 7 hours drive)

Early breakfast at hotel

Later visit a village to see Ahir embroidery Ahir Embroidery: Ahir community from Dhaneti is famous for their embroidery & they use mirrors in various shapes: round, lozenge, rectangular, square, triangular, and beak shaped. Little mirrors encircled with chain stitch forming geometrical and abstract patterns, enriches any garment or home furnishing with of natural simplicity. Lunch en-route in a local restaurant.

Later continue drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival check in at hotel.

Evening will be at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at hotel

27 Nov 2023  Monday  Day 17- Ahmedabad

Early breakfast at hotel and proceed for a heritage walk. Later enjoy Old city tour of Ahmedabad. This walk will let you know insight story of Gujrati culture their food habits, history and insight about their life, daily routine, custom etc.

Leave the hotel positively between 07:30 to 07:45 hours for Heritage Walk. Later enjoy the heritage walk along with local street food tasting at a local eatery. After the walk the guests will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Delhi.

(No accommodation envisaged in Delhi on this day)

End of our services

Photo courtesy of Gujarat portion by Mr. Gautam Popat

Gautam is a Bombaite by birth and  lived  in Bombay before  joining Indian Air Force (IAF).

After serving  the nation for  20 years he retired in 2005. While serving in the Air force he got chance to  travel the length and breadth of the country including 2 years stay in Siachen Glacier.

In Airforce he was commanded by the Chief of the Air Staff in 1998 and also by the Air officers commanding in chief Western Air Command in 2001. He was into athletics and his main events were 20 and 50 kms fast walking, cross country running 12.5 kms.  His passion in tourism and dedication he got his Red Card  RLG Guide license for Western Region in 2006 and started working as a free Lance  in bound Tour Guide in Gujarat and Trip Leader/Tour Manager.

He also lead Out bound tours from India to Europe, Dubai, Uzbekistan, Japan stayed in  Sri Lanka for almost 4 monthsHis intellectual skills and zeal for unfolding unique experiences in tourism has fruitfully placed his name in London Times, SAVEUR and the renowned book “India Exposed – 100 Faces of India” written by Clive Limpkin Travel writer and photographer from UK. He has also travelled extensively with Christine Manfield, Judge for Master Chef Australia. He did Archaeological tours in Gujarat  with professor Jonathan Mark Kenoyer , an American archaeologist, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He received the Best Travelers Award in 2016 from La Vida Travel Cafe.

Currently he works as a freelance tour manager, tour conductor. Other than English he  can speak 8 Indian languages. He is a great collector of antique textiles and has around 300 pieces including from Japan, Sri Lanka, England, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan ,Australia and many more countries to name . Gautam made a  documentary on tourist destinations of Gujarat along with the production team from Taiwan TV and acted in the documentary, too.

Tour Quote

The below rates are valid from 11^th November 2023 till 27^th November 2023

Please note that below rate will not be applicable from 20^th December’2023 till 10^th Jan’2024

Hotel envisaged:

Cost includes:

• Accommodation for 16 nights based on above mentioned hotels on DOUBLE/TWIN sharing basis.
• Meals are included as follows:
• Breakfast is included at all the hotels at hotel’s coffee shop on buffet basis.

(Please note that on the arrival day breakfast is not included)

On 1^st day dinner will be at local restaurant.

• On 2^nd day dinner is included with local Indian family along with Diwali Celebration in Delhi.
• On 7^th day enjoy cooking demonstration followed by dinner with local family in Jaipur.
• 01 Lunch will be on fixed menu basis at Jaipur’s local restaurant.
• 01 Lunch will be at Sidhpur while driving towards Barjana.
• In Ahmedabad dinner will be at hotel’s coffee shop/ restaurant on fixed menu basis.
• In Bhuj we have included dinner at local hotel in Bhuj as the hotel where will be staying does not serve non-veg food. In Gujarat you will find the culture where maximum eateries are vegetarian.

Total meals >>>>>> 16 Breakfast/ 16 Dinners/ 02 lunches/ 01 heritage walk in Ahmedabad with street food tasting.

Please note that at Bhuj hotel vegetarian breakfast will be served.

Other lunches will be on direct payment basis.

• All transportation i.e.airport transfers, sightseeing and interstate drives will done using following vehicles:
• 6- 12 pax Mini coach. (18seater)
• We have envisaged the cost of English-speaking local guide for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
• For Gujarat portion we have included the services of English speaking accompanied guide.
• We have included 01-time entrance fee as per the itinerary.
• Bottled water and wet tissue throughout in the vehicle.
• All currently applicable taxes. (5% Goods & Service Tax)

Note

At Calico Museum 20 pax are allowed in one go & will remain closed on Wednesday and government holidays. (VISIT WILL BE PURELY SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)

Cost Does Not Include:

• International airfare
• Domestic airfare or Internal flights
• Visa charges
• Any room service, telephone charges, mini bar, gratuities, tips.
• Any expenses of personal nature & Insurance of any kind.
• Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
• Any item not specified under ‘cost includes’.
• Any bank charges during transferring the payment.

Special Notes

• The flight timings and FARES are subject to change at the time of issuance.
• The check-in time at hotel is 1400 hrs and check-out time is 1200 noon. Incase if you have flight arriving or departing during midnight, we suggest the book room for pre-night/late check-out to avoid any inconvenience.
• The vehicle will be as per the itinerary only and not available during leisure time and strictly as per the itinerary.
• The hotels mentioned are indicative and will be booked only once we get go ahead from your end. The rooms will be subject to availability.
• Incase if any of the guest/s are allergic to any particular food or have any dietary restrictions, we request you to please advise in advance to update hotels/restaurants accordingly.

Visa process:

• Now you can obtain e-visa online for India. The details and process are available on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html Please check the eligibility and apply for Visa accordingly.

Booking terms

• At the time of booking: 12% on total amount. (Non-refundable)
• 60 days prior to arrival in India: 88% (full and final)
• In case of air tickets involved, we need payment to issue the tickets as ticket always issue in advance.

Cancellation terms:

• 45 days prior to arrival in India: 8% of total billing
• 30 days prior to arrival in India: 50% of total billing

10-14 days or less prior to arrival in India: No refund

Flight ticket cancellation:

• 30 days prior to arrival in India: internal/international flights (if issued non-refundable ticket), will refund as per airline policy after deducting our handling charges.

We strongly recommend having travel insurance before leaving for the holidays.

All hotels check-in 1400 hrs and check-out time 12 Noon.

Note: Distance / approximate drive time based on Indian Road conditions.  Drive time may reduce / exceeds depends on the traffic conditions city to city on that particular day