Gujarat Crafts & Culture

Ahmedabad On arrival at Ahmedabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel check in.Later city tour of Ahmedabad home to several interesting museums. Many of Ahmedabad buildings bear the signatures of world-renowned architects like Le Corbusier, Louis Khan, Doshi and Correa. Visit the Shaking minarets, Sabarmati ashram, Vishala vichar museum, Kite museum & Hatheesing Jain Temple. Overnight at hotel. Overnight stay at Ahmadabad

Ahmedabad - Little Rann of Kutch (280kms/ 5hrs approx) Breakfast at hotel drive to Little Rann of Kutch via visiting Rani Ki Vav Step-well – one of the nicest monuments of Gujarat. Rani Ki Vav was built by Queen Udayamati in the 11th century in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev. This stepped monument has marvellous sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Your next stop would be Modhera Sun temple constructed in 1026-27 AD, the complex has shrine hall, assembly hall and the reservoir. The pillars and exteriors of the halls are intricately carved, there are many beautiful small shrines in & around the reservoir and has numerous steps to go down the bottom. Continue to Little Rann of Kutch – Dinner, and overnight at The Royal Safari Camp. Overnight stay at Kutch

Little Rann of Kutch - Bhuj (330kms/ 6hrs approx) Early morning Safari in Little Rann of Kutch to spot the Asiatic Wild Ass and other mammals - this area is also good for spotting migratory Birds. You can also do a village safari to see communities like Mir, Bharwad, Rabari, and Bajanias. Return to your Lodge for Wash and change then drive to Bhuj. This panoramic drive to salt pans and wind mills. You may also see some migratory birds at salt pans, you will be visiting Dhaneti village for Embroidery by Ahir community. Ahir embroidery of Gujarat is a rhythmic row of embroidered patterns, circular mirrors encircled with stitches enriching the fabric and material of this kind can be used for home decor, clothing, and other utility. The bright colours of the threads and glittering pieces of mirrors embellish fabric and it is a feeling of grandeur appeal to every soul and remains in the heart. Later you will be visiting the Block Printers at Ajrakhpur village are known worldwide, for the art of Ajrakh, block-printing uses colours derived from nature, such as indigo, henna, turmeric, pomegranate, iron, and mud. In some cases, the fabrics are washed up to 20 times. The printing blocks are hand-carved. The Khatri’s are a community of block-printers adept in the 3,000-year-old art of Ajrakh. The process is complex and involves 16 different processes. Ismail Mohammed Khatri has gained critical acclaim for his innovative use of natural dyes that include a mixture of camel dung, soda ash and castor oil, waste iron, myrobalan, madder, indigo, pomegranate peel boiled in water, sprays of turmeric water and the root of rhubarb.Further, you will be visiting the most wonderful Textile and Tribal Museum in Ajrakhpur – LLDC Museum “Living and Learning Design Center” - LLDC is, however, much more than a museum. It is envisioned as a multi-dimensional crafts education and resource center, where craftspeople can meet and learn from one another. Our hope is that it will help us do for the other crafts of Kutch what we have been able to achieve for hand embroidery. Drive to Bhuj. Dinner and overnight at Bhuj. overnight stay at Bhuj.

Bhuj - Hodka (65kms/ 1.3hrs approx) Breakfast at hotel, visit Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal and Bhuj Museum and then continue to Banni Region of Kutch visiting Nirona Village - for Rogan arts on a piece of cloth - The word Rogan comes from Persian and means ‘oil-based’. The process of making the natural colors used in art gives it such a name. Castor oil is heated on a fire for about 12 hours and then cast into cold water to give a thick residue called the Rogan. This is then mixed with stone pigments to lend it different hues. Next, the artisan uses a six-inch metal stick to paint with a fine thread of Rogan on cloth. Seeing it live made us realize how delicately the Rogan thread has to be led with precision to give shape to one’s imagination. Copper Crafts - The Luhars in Nirona have been preserving the craft of making copper bells over seven generations. From the 65-year-old head of the family, Luhar Husen Sidhik, to his 18-year-old grandson, Faruk, the Luhars are passionately taking the art forward. Faruk who is pursuing his college education is keen on giving a new spin to the art. As a result, you can see some heart-shaped wind chimes, a xylophone made of bells and even a few fauna inspired bell pieces. And Lacquer Works on wooden utensils. Continue to Hodka – Lunch at Shaam E Sarhad. Evening enjoy the breathtaking views of the White Rann. Return to the Hodka. Dinner and cultural evening at Shaam E Sarhad. Overnight at Hodka

Hodka - White Rann of Kutch Today very early in the morning drive to White Rann of Kutch to see the sunrise, later you will be visiting Dhordo village – This area which has White Rann, You can see Mutwa Muslim Community here in at Dhordo. Return Hodka for breakfast and later visit a small Pathan community hamlet engaged in Embroidery. Continue to Khavda to see Potters and Samma tribe. Later leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at Hodka. Overnight stay at Hodka

Hodka - Mandvi (125kms/ 3hrs approx) Breakfast at hotel, drive to Mandvi enroute visit Sumarasar Village for Weaving of Shawl and Stole Weaving in Kutch a traditional profession and skills are passed on from father to son. After having an experience of Weaving drive to Bhuj to meet Abu Baker Wazirs, Museum of Quality Textiles for over 50 years. Being collectors of antique Indian textiles and embroideries for over 45 years. Continue to Mandvi check in at resort.Later visit Vijay Vilas Palace and Mandvi Town - known for its shipbuilding centre. The local carpenters still make ocean-going Dhows in much the same way that their ancestors had done a century ago. One can go and visit the men at work, shaping the great vessels with hand tools and coaxing the seasoned timber into shape. The carrying capacity of these boats can vary from 250 tons to 1000 tons. The predecessors of these very same ships had roamed the Indian Ocean and made Kutch a maritime power. Handmade models of these Dhows can also be procured from local artisans. Rest of the day at leisure on a private beach. Dinner and overnight at Beach Resort. Overnight stay at Mandvi

Mandvi - Mundra - Anjar - Wankaner (250kms/ 5hrsa approx) Breakfast at hotel drive to Wankaner via visiting Mundra & Anjar. Mundra had some of the finest Batik workshops. Today, there are 4-5 Batik workshops in Mundra. The process starts with the removal of starch from the plain white fabric. The fabric is soaked in soda and with thorough rinsing; the starch from the fabric is removed. A work table is prepared by spreading river-bed sand on a long rectangular surface. The printer begins block-printing with wax once the plain fabric is laid out on the table. On the way back to Mandvi – Visit Bidada village for the wooden architecture balconies of Kutchi homes. Further drive to Anjar claimed to be the oldest town in Kutch. Many earthquakes have devastated the region of Anjar, but the legendary capacity to overcome hardship and disaster, the people lost no time in rebuilding their lives out of the debris around them. It's impossible to come to Anjar and return home empty handed as the markets of the city offers an exciting range of metal handicrafts.Continue drive to Wankaner check in at your hotel. Overnight at hotel. Overnight stay at Wankaner

Wankaner - Rajkot / Ahmedabad Breakfast at hotel drop off to Rajkot or Ahmedabad airport for onward flight.