Gujarat Textile Tour

11^th -21^st November 2024

02^nd– 12^thMarch 2025

11-21^st November 2024 —- Tour Leader Ms. Jan Lang, Australia

I’m from Wollongong, Australia – Wollongong is a city nestled between the ocean and the ancient Illawarra Escarpment.

I have worked with people with disability my entire career. I love art, music, literature and creativity.  I design knitwear and love seeing colors blend as a garment develops.

I have visited India many times over the past 25 years, and she continues to draw me back.  India is a magical place, full of vitality, color, tasty cuisine, spirituality, magnificent buildings and wonderful hospitality.

It is a land of contrasts – from the lush greenery of Kerala to the salt desert of the Rann of Kutch to the Artisan Centre in Mumbai or the French Quarter in Pondicherry.

Each state, each city, each village has its own unique characteristics. My challenge is always whether to visit the places I know and love, and where I’ve established friendships, or explore those places I’ve not yet visited – I’m always very happy to combine both options.

02^nd -12^th March 2025——– Tour Leader Ms. Monicca Bambi, India

Hi, I am Monicca your host on this vibrant journey of colors, textile and art. I am the curator and organizer of the tour.

I am an art graduate from Delhi university and also completed master degree in Tourism from one of pioneer institute of Delhi.

My aim is to give the best travel experience to my clients which they can cherish for a lifetime. I have more than 15 years of experience catering overseas guests to India.

We have repeat guests who would love to travel with us again and again.

Day 01- 11^th November 2024 Monday

02^nd March 2025 Sunday

Arrive Ahmedabad by International flight.

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

(Breakfast is not included on this day and will be on a direct payment basis).

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

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 is named for the river on which it sits River Sabarmati. (Also known as Gandhi Ashram/ Sabarmati Ashram/ Harijan Ashram).

Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02- 12^th November 2024  Tuesday              

03^rd March 2025  Monday             

Ahmedabad

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast proceed to visit Calico Museum. (CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND STRICLTY SUBJECT TO PERMISSON IN ADVANCE)

In the 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 was 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 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 will visit the studio of the 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)

Evening visits local market and shop like a local.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03- 13^th November 2024  Wednesday       

04^th March 2025  Tuesday             

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.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Resort.

Day 04- 14^th November 2024  Thursday            

05^th March 2025  Wednesday   

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 winters 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 enjoy Biryani cooking demonstration.

Dinner & overnight stay at a resort.

Day 05- 15^th November 2024   Friday 

06^th March 2025  Thursday          

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 center 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).

Evening dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay at a resort.

Day 06- 16^th November 2024  Saturday  Bhuj

07^th March 2025   Friday  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 workshop on Block Printing (approx 4 hrs workshop) 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.

Evening dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 07- 17^th November 2024   Sunday   Bhuj

08^th March 2025   Saturday   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.

Evening dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 08-  18^th November 2024  Monday   Bhuj

09^th March 2025   Sunday  Bhuj

Post breakfast we drove 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 colorful mud bhungas.

Drive back to Bhuj. Evening dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 09- 19^th November 2024  Tuesday  Bhuj

10^th March 2025   Monday  Bhuj

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, enrich any garment or home furnishing with natural simplicity. Lunch en-route in a local restaurant.

The rest of the day is free to explore the local market area and to meet the vendors.

Evening dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 10- 20^th November 2024   Wednesday

11^th March 2025    Tuesday 

Bhuj – Ahmedabad by flight

Breakfast at the hotel

Post breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Ahmedabad. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Evening will be at leisure to relax or to pursue independent activities.

Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 11- 21^st November 2024  Thursday           

12^th  March 2025   Wednesday     

Depart Ahmedabad by international flight.

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

Leave the hotel positively between 07:30 to 07:45 hours for the heritage Walk. Later enjoy the heritage walk along with local street food tasting at a local eatery.

Later visit Pethapur a wooden block making workshop (Demonstration ONLY).  Here the artist showcases 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 a very exciting and interactive session; you can see how the elder generation pass on this art to their young generation.

Later you will be transferred to the airport.

(No accommodation envisaged in Delhi on this day)

End of our services…

Hotel envisaged:

10 Nights staying in a 4-star hotel.

Breakfast & dinner is included.

01 Biryani cooking demonstration is included.

Seat in coach basis included.

English speaking accompanied guide service is included.

Secure your seat by depositing USD 50 per person/ AUD80/ Euro 50/ GBP 42 which will be non-refundable in-lieu of cancellation.

Since this tour involve air-travel from Bhuj to Ahmedabad hence we would be requiring airfare amount in -order to issue air-ticket well in advance. The air fare will be refundable in-lieu of cancellation as per respective airline policy after deducting the handling charges.

We would require full and final payment 70 days prior the arrival in India.

Cost includes:

• Accommodation for 10 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.
• 01 Lunch is included with a Muslim family in Sidhpur en-route to Bajana.
• 01 Biryani Cooking demonstration in Bajana.
• In Bhuj we have included dinner at a 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.
• (Please note that on the arrival day breakfast is not included)
• (LUNCHES WILL BE ON A DIRECT PAYMENT BASIS)

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 do using following vehicles:
• SEPRATE ARRIVAL TRANSFER SERVICE ON ARRIVAL AT THE AHMEDABAD AIRPORT TO HOTEL.
• 6 pax using mini-Van.
• 07 pax-12 pax mini coach.
• 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 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 USD 50 per person/ AUD80/ Euro 50/ GBP 42 which will be non-refundable in-lieu of cancellation.
• In case of internal flight ticket is involved we would require air-fare amount to issue the
• ticket well in advance.
• We would require full and final payment 70 days prior the arrival in India.
• In case of air tickets involved, we need payment to issue the tickets as ticket always issue in advance.

Cancellation terms:

• 49 days prior to arrival in India: 10% of total billing
• 30 days prior to arrival in India: 50% of total billing

10-15 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.