Welcome to our North India Textile Tour!

 

Come and join us, Rani and Dilip on the adventure of a lifetime. The Indian subcontinent is a textile-lovers paradise with an incredible diversity of patterns, raw materials, textures and colours. Our tour provides a unique opportunity to meet and learn from skilled artisans, helping us to understand the intricacies in their work. During this tour, we visit bustling cities, remote rural regions and world heritage sites, meeting with and learning from textile specialists as your criss-cross North India.

We have provided accommodation in some of the best hotels of the area and have added a sumptuous thali lunch in Varanasi. Come and join us on an immersive tour, learning about the traditions of printing, tribal designs, weaving, embroidery and much more!

October 10: Arrive in Delhi

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

October 11: Delhi

After breakfast we proceed for sightseeing.  We visit historical places such as Jama Masjid (The largest mosque in India built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan), Chandni Chowk (One of the oldest markets in Old Delhi), a visit to Old Delhi and possibly Qutab Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a 72 m high minaret.  

Evening free for shopping. Overnight at the hotel.

October 12: Delhi – Rajkot by flight. Drive to Gondal (43km/1 ½ hours)

After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Rajkot. Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Gondal.

In Gondal, check into the hotel and then visit the Navlakha Palace, which houses the ruling family’s private collection of beadwork, textiles and other items. Other places to visit are the weaving centre in Gondal. Overnight at the hotel.

October 13: Gondal – Jetpur – Junagadh – Gondal (250km/5 hours)

After an early breakfast drive to Jetpur, famous for screen and block printing workshops and yarn-dyeing centre. We then continue to Junagadh, a historic city with much to explore, including the Nawab gem-encrusted carpets, wardrobes and tapestry at the museums. 

We return to Gondal in the evening.

October 14: Gondal – Rajkot – Jamnagar (130 km/2.5 hours)

After breakfast, we drive to Rajkot, the city being well-known for its Watson Museum which has good examples of Gujarat’s craftmanship skills and Rashtriya Shala, which works to revive handweaving. We then continue out drive to Jamnagar. On arrival check into the hotel.

In the evening, visit Vanzas, who are known for their Bandhani (tie-and-dye) sarees. Overnight at the hotel.

October 15: Jamnagar – Bhug (260km/5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Bhug. On arrival, check into the hotel.

In the evening, take a walk to explore the local Textiles Market. Overnight at the hotel.

 

October 16: Bhug

After breakfast, we visit the Aina Mahal Museum and the Pragmahal Museum. In the afternoon we visit the A.A. Wazir’s (National Award Winner Artist) Textiles Museum Shop.

The remainder of the day is free for leisure and shopping. Overnight stay at hotel.

October 17: Excursion around Bhuj (200 km/4 hours)

The villages around Bhuj are known for their distinctive styles of embroidery, tie dye effects and other handiwork such as weaving, block-printing and Rogan-painting. We spend the day visiting the villages and then return to Bhuj for the night. Overnight at the hotel.

October 18: Bhuj – Bhujodi Village – Bhug (30 km/45 minutes)

After breakfast, we drive to Bhujodi Village. On arrival, meet the National award-winning artists to see how they do traditional weaving and visit Shurjan Store for shopping. We then drive to Ashapura Crafts Park.

 We return to Bhuj for the night. Overnight at the hotel.

October 19: Bhuj – Little Rann of Kutch (260 km/5 hours)

After breakfast, we proceed to Little Rann of Kutch, where we check into an eco-resort designed using local materials and handicrafts to resemble a village. At the resort, witness the Rabari women at work on their distinctive embroideries. Overnight at the hotel.

October 20: Little Rann of Kutch – Patan – Ahmedabad (225 km/4.5 hours)

After breakfast we drive to Patan, an ancient, fortified colony which is now known for its exquisite double ikkat silk fabrics and Patola silk textiles, both holding considerable commercial importance in the world of textiles. Patola is one of the richest silk textiles in the world, woven using the rare double-ikkat technique.

We visit some of the Patola Silk Weavers to witness their weaving techniques, then drive to Ahmedabad, where we stay overnight. Overnight at the hotel.

October 21: Proceed for sightseeing.

We visit local attractions such as the Sidi Sayed Mosque, the Gandhi Ashram, the stepwell in Adalaj and the Calico Museum of Textiles. Overnight at the hotel.

October 22: Ahmedabad – Jaipur by flight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Jaipur. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we explore “dabu” or mud-resist printing. What makes the Dabu unique is their intricate motifs and premium-quality dye. The artisans hand carve the wooden blocks, giving each block an unmatched design. The premium quality dye extracted from plants and fruits make these fabrics bleed less than others. Overnight at hotel.

October 23: Jaipur

After breakfast visit the breathtaking Amber Fort, built in 1592, followed by a visit to City Palace & Musuem, in the heart of Jaipur City. This is followed by a visit to the Jantar Mantar, a very interesting collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built between 1727 and 1734.

While in the area, we visit the Anokhi Museum of Hand-Printing, a private museum dedicated to the art of hand-block printing. If time permits, we explore the local markets. Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise and is famous for jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and textiles. Overnight at the hotel.

     

October 24: Jaipur

After breakfast, drive to Bagru for a workshop on hand Block Printing, one of the most famous traditional arts of Rajasthan. During these workshops, we get to develop our skills in block printing alongside skilled craft persons. At the end of the workshop, we have an opportunity to see, and learn to prepare some of the plants that are used for printing and dyeing. Overnight at the hotel.

October 25: Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Day free for independent activities Overnight at the hotel.

October 26: Jaipur – Delhi- Varanasi by flight.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our flight for Varanasi. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. Varanasi is a spiritual city, a pilgrimage site. It is the religious capital of Hinduism and the oldest living city in India. Overnight at the hotel.

October 27 Varanasi:

We take an early morning boat ride on the sacred River Ganges to observe the pilgrims on the ghats. We also explore the temples of Varanasi such as the worlf famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. En route we visit the Anapurana Devi Temple- a temple dedicated to the Goddess of food.

In the afternoon we visit Rameshwar village, situated on the banks of the River Varuna.In the evening, we visit the Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river, a Hindu ceremony that is not to be missed. Overnight at hotel.

October 28 Varanasi – Chiraigaon – Sarai Mohana – Varanasi

After breakfast we visit the area known as Chiraigaon, where we meet the villagers and learn about their way of life. We then drive to the Sarai Mohana villages. The villagers are well known for their silk weaving which is the occupation of most of the lovals. The Beranasi sarees are among the finest in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade. During this visit, we get to understand the craftsmanship of the weavers, something that is not seen as much as it used to be as it sometimes takes up to six months to create a single saree. Overnight at the hotel

October 29 Varanasi – Delhi by flight.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Delhi to connect with flights for onward destinations.

 

HOTELS:

DESTINATION	HOTEL	CATEGORY
Delhi	Oberoi Maidens	Heritage - 02 Nights
Gondal	Riverside Palace	Palace Rooms  - 02 Nights
Jamnagar	Sayaji	Grande Room – 01 Night
Bhuj	Kutch Safari Resort	Kutch AC Cottage – 04 Nights
Little Rann of Kutch	Royal Safari Camp Bajana	Deluxe AC Cottage – 01 Night
Ahmedabad	ITC Narmada	Executive Club – 02 Nights
Jaipur	ITC Rajputana	Rajputana Chamber – 04 Nights
Varanasi	Radisson	Business Class – 03 Nights

 

Price of Textile Tour: AUD $12,800, excluding international airfares

Our price includes:

Meeting and assistance on arrival by our representative

Accommodation on a Twin Sharing basis

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided except during free time,

English speaking local guides

Transport using 13 seater AC Urbania, except in Varanasi, where an AC Mini Coach is used.

Fuel charges, interstate taxes, tolls and parking

Monument entry fees as per program

2 bottles of drinking water per day per person

Boating in Varanasi

GST

 

Our price does not include:

Air Fare

Visa Charges

Camera Fees

Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, drink, tips, etc

Any other item not included in the program and cost inclusions.

 

To be noted:

Non-refundable deposit, AUD $1500 per person

Gujarat is predominantly a vegetarian state, and some hotels only serve vegetarian food

Shoes need to be removed before entering sacred areas as well as some shops, it’s good to bring shoes that are easily removed

Tipping is expected by locals

Bring any medications that you may require

Gujarat is also a dry state – alcohol is not sold. If you would like to have alcohol, please purchase from Delhi or prior to arrival in India.

Indian Visa Online https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Please contact Rani for any assistance with visa application.