Textile and Handicraft of Gujarat

Day-1: AHMEDABAD

Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace. Dinner nad o/n halt at the House of Mangaldas.

DAY-2: AHMEDABAD - PALACES OF GONDAL (Five hrs)

We drive to Sayla for lunch at a heritage hotel and visit nearby villages to watch weavers at work and to see local beadwork. Continue our drive to Gondal, known for its beadwork, silver jewelry and brassware. Visit cottage industries of Gondal to watch spinners, weavers and other artisans at work, and the Naulakha Palace with beautiful beadwork, brass utensils, silverware and hand-painted wooden toys from the princely collection. Overnight stay and dinner at Riverside Palace/ Orchard Palace.

DAY-3: GONDAL - JETPUR - JUNAGADH - GONDAL (One hour driving time + sightseeing trips)

Today we visit Jetpur which is known for its screen-printing factories, block-printing and textile units.Continue driving to Junagadh tovisit the various museums exhibiting textiles of the erstwhile Nawabs. Return to Gondal for night stay and dinner at Riverside Palace/ Orchard Palace.

DAY-4: GONDAL - RAJKOT - HOTEL PRESIDENT, JAMNAGAR (Four hours)

From Gondol, we drive to Rajkot to see the textiles at the Watson Museum and the Rashtriya Shala where attempsts are being made to revive rare weaves and handicrafts.Later we visit Jamnagar famous for its bandhini (tie-and-dye) fabrics. Overnight at Hotel President.

DAY-4: JAMNAGAR - SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH (Four hours)

Today we visit visiy Anjar and its nearby town of Gandhidam. While Anjar is an important centre for textile and metal handicrafts, Gandhidam has an excellent textile market. Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-5: EXPLORE KUTCH

Today, we drive to Bhuj calling in on the way at various villages known for their ajrakh block printing, Ahir embroidery,and Rabari embroidery. Spend the rest of the day at the markets, and monuments .Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-6: FULL DAY VILLAGE TOUR

Today we visit the villages of the Sodha Rajputs, Muslim pastoral groups like the Jaths and Muthwas and their sub-groups, Hindu pastoral groups like the Rabaris, Meghwal Harijans and other communities known for their exquisite embroidery. Night stay at: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star in the Kutch District.

DAY-7: SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH - RANN RIDERS SAFARI RESORT, DASADA Four hours

Early morning we drive to the Dasada village, known for its Rabari and Bharwad embroidery, weaving and other handiwork. Also, visit weavers and other artisans.

Night stay at the Rann Riders at Dasada, a resort imaginatively designed using local materials and handicrafts.

DAY-8: DASADA - PATAN - DASADA

Today we drive to Patan known for Patola Silk Weaving, a rare double-ikat weaving technique. Night stay at the Rann Riders at Dasada, a resort imaginatively designed using local materials and handicrafts.

DAY-9: DASADA - AHMEDABAD/MT ABU

EXTENSION TO RAJASTHAN

Udaipur - Kumbhalgarh - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Pushkar - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi