We start our tour from the Gandhi Ashram and visit the Calico Museum, the National Institute of Design, markets, traditional eateries, and private museums and also attend a hands-on tribal art workshop.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The House of MG

From Ahmedabad, we travel north to Patan to visit an 11th-century stepwell, a UNESCO world heritage site and visit weavers undertaking the complex double IKAT weaving. From Patan, we continue our journey to Bajana in the southwest to the next accommodation. However, on the way, we take a break at a wooden block maker’s workshop and visit the Modhera Sun Temple (an ancient & beautiful architectural marvel built in 1026AD).

Bajana is located in the ‘Little Run of Kutch,’ famed for its Wild Ass sanctuary. We embark on an early morning safari in the hopes of catching a glimpse of these shy creatures in their natural habitat. Our stay also involves a visit to a salt farm/factory, where we get to meet the tribal people and groove to their music. Above all, we get to witness the art of Tangalia- a supplementary-weft beaded textile, being woven at the artisan’s home.

Meals:   B | L | D
Accommodation:  The Royal Safari Camp

From this base, we will embark on daily journeys to explore the nearby areas of Kutch district. This region is home to numerous communities of artisans who specialise in various forms of textiles and crafts. We will witness how they use natural dyes, block printing, tie and dye, embroidery and patchwork to create stunning patterns and colours. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to interact with these artisans and learn about their unique stories, traditions, and the challenges they face. One of the artisans expressed, “Our crafts are our identity and our pride. We want to share them with the world and keep them alive for future generations.”

During our travels, we will also visit organisations and museums that aim to support and promote the textiles and crafts of Kutch. Examples include Kala Raksha, Shrujan, and Kutch Museum. These institutions showcase Kutch’s textiles and crafts’ diversity and beauty while highlighting their social and environmental impact. Kala Raksha’s founder stated, “We believe that crafts can be a source of empowerment and sustainability for the artisans and their communities.”

We will visit the Rann of Kutch; an impressive salt marsh that covers a significant portion of the Thar desert in northwestern India. This salt desert is among the largest in the world, spanning over 10,000 square kilometres. The Rann of Kutch is a unique environment that transforms with the seasons. During the monsoon, it is submerged in water and becomes a wetland that attracts millions of migrating birds, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, and storks. In the winter, it dries up and becomes a vast expanse of white salt that sparkles under the moonlight. The best time to visit the Rann of Kutch is during the full moon when the salt marsh resembles a lunar landscape.

Meals:   B | – | D
Accommodation:  Kutch Safari Lodge

Today we will stay at the picturesque Mandvi Beach in Gujarat. Situated on the Gulf of Kutch, this beach is ideal for unwinding and soaking up the sun, sand, and sea. The beach is known for its clean and clear water, white sand, and serene atmosphere. During our time here, we’ll explore the old shipyards where large wooden boats were built for millennia. We will also visit the 72 Jainalaya Jain temple, a splendid example of architecture and art. This temple is made of elegant white marble and decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures. Here we will have a chance to taste a delicious Jain lunch served on the temple premises. This is a rare opportunity to experience the culture and cuisine of this ancient religion, which follows the principles of non-violence, truth and compassion.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  Vijay Villas Heritage Resort

After departing from Kutch in Gujarat, we’ll head to Delhi, where we’ve already booked a hotel in the city centre. This location is perfect for us to explore the numerous attractions on foot. We’re thrilled to delve into India’s capital city’s rich culture and history. Our itinerary includes visits to several sites such as The National Craft Museum, The Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the architectural brilliance of the Mughal dynasty, the Jama Masjid, the textiles and spice market, as well as The Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. This Sikh temple provides free meals to thousands of people daily. Additionally, we plan to shop at Khan Market, which is home to some of the best boutiques in Delhi, such as Good Earth, Anokhi, and Fab India, all of which offer high-quality products with an ethnic touch.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The Park Delhi

Welcome back to guests from the previous tour, and Welcome to India for all those new guests! We’re thrilled to delve into India’s capital city’s rich culture and history. Our itinerary includes visits to several sites such as The National Craft Museum, The Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the architectural brilliance of the Mughal dynasty, the Jama Masjid, the textiles and spice market, as well as The Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. This Sikh temple provides free meals to thousands of people daily. Additionally, we plan to shop at Khan Market, which is home to some of the best boutiques in Delhi, such as Good Earth, Anokhi, and Fab India, all of which offer high-quality products with an ethnic touch.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The Park Delhi

Along the way, we will stop at Sheros Cafe, a unique place run by survivors of acid attacks. These brave women have overcome their trauma and stigma and created a space of empowerment and solidarity.

We continue our journey to Chambal. This region is known for its rich cultural and natural heritage and its notorious history of banditry and lawlessness. Our lodge is situated in a restored woodland area, where we can enjoy the peaceful green scenery and the birdlife from our unique cottages.

We have two full days to explore the Chambal Valley and its surroundings. We can visit the local village and interact with the friendly people, who will share their stories and traditions with us. We can also go on a bird-watching tour and spot some of the rare and endangered species that inhabit the area, such as the Indian skimmer, the black-bellied tern, and the sarus crane. One of the highlights of our stay is a river safari on the Chambal River, where we can see the unique wildlife that thrives in its pristine waters, such as the gharial, a crocodile-like reptile, the mugger crocodile, and the Gangetic dolphin. If we are feeling adventurous, we can also cycle around the village or relax under the shade of ancient trees. Every meal at our lodge is a culinary delight, prepared with fresh and organic ingredients.

Guests on 20 days tour will be transferred to Delhi in a private vehicle. A night’s stay in Delhi and airport drop-off are included in the package.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  Mela Kothi – Chambal Safari Lodge

We drive east on the four-lane highway to princely Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh and a city with a rich cultural heritage. Lucknow was once the seat of the Mughal Empire and later the Nawabs of Oudh, who left behind many splendid monuments and buildings that reflect their refined taste and grandeur. In the evening, we’ll indulge in the culinary delights for which Lucknow is famous. Its Persian and Awadhi-influenced cuisine blends aromatic spices and herbs, and we’ll walk through lively areas where the locals eat to sample delicious dishes like kebabs, biryanis, chaats, and kulfi.

In the old part of Lucknow, we’ll stroll through narrow streets and see the artisans who practice different types of embroideries, such as Chikan, Zardozi, and Aari, to adorn clothes and fabrics with intricate patterns. We’ll also witness block printing that uses wooden stamps to create colourful designs, metal crafts that shape brass and copper into utensils and ornaments, perfumeries that use local rose petals to make fragrant attars, and costume jewellery making that creates dazzling accessories with beads and stones. Whenever we feel like it, we’ll stop and taste the local specialities that vary from sweet to savoury.

Be the guest of the erstwhile royal family of Mahmudabad, who live an hour away from Lucknow in a splendid palace. We will also visit one of their projects that empowers local women who make beautiful embroidered materials using traditional techniques. We will hear their stories and skills and have an opportunity to buy unique souvenirs supporting their livelihoods.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  Ramada by Wyndham

We fly from Lucknow to Kolkata, the cultural hub of West Bengal and the former capital of colonial British India. We arrive in the afternoon and check into our hotel, which is located in the heart of the city. After a short rest, we will explore the neighbourhood on foot and get a glimpse of the local life. We walk along the busy streets, admiring the colonial architecture and the vibrant markets, where we see a variety of goods and crafts. Stop at a roadside stall and sample some delicious street food, such as puchkas, which are crispy hollow balls filled with spicy water and potatoes, jhal muri, which is a mix of puffed rice, peanuts, onions and spices, and kathi rolls, which are flatbreads stuffed with meat or vegetables and sauces. We enjoy the sights and sounds of this lively city and feel its pulse.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The Astor

Our next destination is Itachuna, a charming village in rural Bengal that dates back to the 18th century. We will leave our hotel after having a delicious breakfast of luchi, aloo dum and sandesh, and drive through the scenic countryside to reach Phulia, a famous weaving cluster that produces some of the finest handloom sarees in India. There, we will meet a master jamdani weaver and learn about his craft and the history of this exquisite fabric that originated in Dhaka and was patronised by the Mughal emperors. We will also have a chance to see some of his creations featuring intricate floral and geometric patterns and buy souvenirs if we wish. After that, we will continue our journey to Itachuna, where we will stay in a stunning heritage mansion that has been restored to its former glory by the descendants of the original owners. The mansion is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a peaceful retreat from city life. It has spacious rooms, antique furniture, a library and a courtyard where we can relax and enjoy the breeze. In the morning and evening, we will explore the village and interact with the local people, who are very friendly and hospitable. We will also enjoy some authentic Bengali cuisine, such as ilish macher jhol, kosha mangsho and mishti doi, listen to traditional music, such as baul and kirtan. We’ll also visit the Kalna Terracotta Temple, which showcases exquisite terracotta sculptures and provides insight into the culture and history of the region.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  Itachuna Rajbari

Our journey to Kolkata takes us through Saharanpur, a town with a Dutch colonial past. We admire the Dutch architecture and the culture of the town. We visit an artists’ colony where we see the amazing skill of clay idol makers who create idols of gods and goddesses for various festivals throughout the year. They demonstrate how they shape, paint and adorn the idols with intricate details. We enjoy a delicious lunch of Bengali delicacies at a local home. We also visit Weavers Studio, New Market, a social initiative that supports deprived women and then Mother Teresa’s home.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The Astor

Today marks the end of our journey together, and it’s time to bid our farewells and part ways. We feel grateful for the opportunity to share with you the rich textile traditions of both ancient and modern India.

Meals:   B | – | –