Curated Tours

Our Gujarat textile and heritage tour was a great success and we look forward to putting a new tour together for Jan/Feb 2025.

If you have an interest in participating in one of our future tours
please contact us: 
Jaipurjoy.planet@gmail.com 

 

This was the full itinerary for the

Gujarat Textile & Heritage Tour held earlier this year.

This itinerary can be adapted to suit different interests and needs.

 

General overview

Although the tour will mainly concentrate on the handicrafts of the region and we will be meeting artisans to gain a more in-depth knowledge of textiles, especially weaving, embroidery, ikatbandhani and block printing, the trip will also cover other aspects of Gujarati & Kutch culture, the stunning architecture, amazing fauna and flora and the delicious & varied cuisine.  The trip will offer something for everyone and will, of course, allow for plenty of shopping opportunities.   A one-day Ajrakh workshop is also included this year.  

The trip is operated by Emma Horne Travel and led by Rachel Joseph who has an impressive background in textiles and is a great Indophile.

 

Just a little about our tour leader

Rachel Joseph Ba Hons, grew up with both parents in the Rag trade, her father from 5 generations of tailor and her mother, a model for Hardy Amies in the 60’s. 

She found her own way into the textile world through her travels to India and set up her own Textile business in 2008, and in 2014 opened her first shop on the South Bank in central London at Gabriel’s Wharf, called The House of Eunice ltd. Since the Pandemic she has since closed her shop and is now sharing her time between Somerset and India.

Initially sourcing her beautiful shawls from Kashmir, she ventured further into the interior of India in search of artisan communities and over the years has deepened her knowledge of the wonderful variety of textiles and techniques by which they are made. 

She is now working with many different communities who weave, embroider, and wood block print fabrics for her three clothing brands, Noor, Conscious Kantha and Jaipur Joy. 

Rachel brings this wealth of knowledge to all her tours and hopes to share the joys of the fabrics and communities that make them with you.  

 

February 2023

 

18 February -AHMEDABAD

19 February Arrive Ahmedabad either from Delhi, Mumbai or direct from an international flight. Most flights from Europe arrive in the very early morning, or late at night.  We therefore envisage your arrival to be either late on the 18th or early on the 19th.  You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel, the House of MG, and your room will be ready for immediate occupancy.

The tour will begin at 2pm on the 19th of February.

The House of Mangaldas Girdhardas (MG) was originally the home of one of Ahmedabad’s foremost businessmen; the property, built in 1924, is now an attractive and comfortable heritage hotel with an excellent in-house textile museum.

The tour begins in the afternoon with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi once lived and from which he launched his famous Salt March to Dandi. Through the museum display we will learn about swadeshi and the significance of khadi in the independence movement and the history of India.

On return a visit to the in-house textile museum can be included.  

Return to the hotel for dinner at their charming Garden Restaurant.

Overnight House of MG.

20 FebruaryAHMEDABAD

MondayToday starts with a morning visit to the Calico Museum; this world-famous museum houses an impressive private collection of textiles and pichwai paintings from all over India.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit the nearby Honeycomb International, a shop owned by Mazar khan, who has an impressive collection of antique textiles, much of which is for sale. He’ll give a short presentation on Kutch’s textile history. He also sells fine, well-priced modern work.

Dinner will be on the roof top of the House of MG in their famous restaurant,

Agashiye.

Overnight House of MG.

 

21 February​ AHMEDABAD

TuesdayWe will start the day with a walk through the ancient pols (residential

streets) of Ahmedabad, the walk begins at the Swaminarayan temple in time for morning prayers and ends at the impressive Jama Masji Mosque.  

Later in the day we will visit Siddi Saiyad’s Mosque, renowned for its Tree of Life jali (carved windows), which is located across the road from the House of MG.

The rest of the day will be available for some shopping and further exploration of Ahmedabad.  

Overnight House of MG.

 

22 February AHMEDABAD BAJANA

WednesdayDepart Ahmedabad on drive to Bajana with sightseeing en route.

First stop is at Patan, capital of this region between the 8thand 15th centuries.  The Ran ni Vav is a particularly impressive and well-preserved stepwell.  Patan is also famous for weaving patola—double ikat -- silk saris. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the House of Patan museum by a member of one of the few families who continue to practice this type of weaving. This family is also the only one to produce naturally dyed patola saris.  Many of the designs seen in the stepwell are recreated in the saris. The museum also showcases examples of ikat—both single and double—from around India and the world.

After lunch in a local restaurant we’ll drive to Modhera.  This beautiful 11th century Sun Temple is covered with intricate carvings depicting Hindu deities.

Continue to Bajana.

Overnight Royal Safari Camp.  

 

23 February​ BAJANA

ThursdayEarly morning jeep safari to the salt flats and grasslands of the Little Rann of Kutch, one of the last refuges of the Asiatic Wild ass.  The area is also home to many birds, including migratory demoiselle cranes, pelicans and greater and lesser flamingos.

Return to the hotel around 10.30 for breakfast and to rest until afternoon visit to the surrounding shepherds villages when we will have a chance to see kalamkari & Tangalia weaving.  

Overnight Royal Safari Camp.

 

24 February BAJAN/ BHUJ

Friday​ Depart for the drive to Bhuj in Kutch, stops will be made on route when something interesting catches our eye.  

Before entering Bhuj we will stop at Bhujodi; most of the inhabitants of this village are involved in textile or other crafts, mainly weaving and dyeing & leather work.  We will visit Shamji, a national- award winning weaver.   We’ll allow some time to explore this village on foot and indulge in some retail therapy before continuing into Bhuj town!  

Overnight The Prince Hotel – a comfortable 4-star property centrally located

 

25 February​ BHUJ / AJRAKPUR

Saturday​ The next 4 days will be spent exploring in and around Bhuj & the Little Rann, with particular emphasis on the elaborate crafts still worked in this area, and the history of textiles in Kutch.  The exact itinerary will be a bit flexible depending on local conditions and the particular interest of the group.  There will be plenty of opportunity for purchasing some of the fabulous textiles but there is no pressure to buy, and alternative arrangements can be made for those not wishing to shop.

 Today begins with a visit to Ajrakhpur to see the intricate dying process of the ajrakh block printing. 

We will first visit the workshop of Dr. Ismail Mohammed Khatri and his two sons to see a short film which gives a good account of the history and process of Ajrakh printing.  This will be followed by a workshop with Abdulrahim Khatri which will enable you to get a full understand of the process and hopefully return home with something beautiful of your own creation.  

Overnight Prince Hotel.

 

26 February​ BHUJ

Sunday​ The day will begin with a visit to the LLDC - Shrujan museum; launched by an NGO that has worked with local women embroiderers for    

more than 40 years. It’s well worth spending time browsing this stunning

and informative collection with its state-of-the art displays.

We will have lunch at the Museum café.

On our return to Bhuj we will visit the workshop of Jabbar Abdul Khatri, for a presentation on bandhani (tie & dye) and a chance to purchase some of the exceptional work. Next, we’ll visit the Qasab NGO, where we will be given a detailed presentation on the different styles of embroidery practiced by the different communities in Kutch, as well as the business model and corporate structure Qasab follows that provides textile artisans with control over what is produced, on what terms and at what price.

Overnight Prince Hotel.

27 February​ BHUJ / HODKAH

MondayDepart hotel for visit to the Aina Mahal & Prag Mahal followed by a walk in the old City of Bhuj. After the terrible earthquake in 2001 much of the city was destroyed but there is still merit in a wander through what remains of the old part of town, including a nineteenth-century covered market.

Depart Bhuj and drive to the Great Rann of Kutch or the White Desert named for the thin layer of salt that covers the desert and has the appearance of a, 'Moon scape. We will travel into the Great Rann on Camel cart for a chance to take some extra ordinary photos of the desert in time for sunset. Depending on time available we may have the opportunity to visit some villages and see how the women are still working on the traditional skills in their homes.

Overnight Mahafeel-e-Rann a simple but comfortable resort run by the village community.

 

28 February​ HODKABHUJ

Tuesday​ Today we head back to Bhuj with various stops en route.  

The village of Nirona, is important for several crafts.

The centuries old craft of Rogan art, painting on fabric, is only practiced by a few.  It is a highly decorative art and requires great precision and a steady hand.

Bells are part of a living craft that are still used by the farmers to keep track of their livestock. We’ll see the process of hand manufacturing these copper-clad bells fashioned from scrap iron.

Lacquer work is another speciality of this village, used to make colourful toys, furniture, and kitchen implements

We will continue on to Kalar Raksha, one of the well-established NGO’s working in the area, who were particularly active in assisting the artisans after the devastating earthquake.  

Return back to Bhuj for a final dinner at the Prince Hotel.

Overnight Prince Hotel.

 

01 March​ BHUJ TRAIN / AHMEDABAD

Wednesday Morning at leisure prior to transfer to the station for the train to Ahmedabad. As the hotel is centrally located there will be time for some last-minute personal exploration.

The train will depart Bhuj at 13.25 and reaches Ahmedabad at 19.55.

Met on arrival and transfer hotel.  

Overnight House of MG.

 

02 March​ DEPARTURE

Thursday​ Transfer to the airport for international departure flights or onward flights to Delhi & Mumbai.  

End of arrangements.

 

Price:

INR 210,000 per person based on sharing a double occupancy room with a group of 6 people travelling (using a Tempo Traveller)

£2,200 approx. (allowing for fluctuation in the exchange rate)

 

INR 189,000 per person based on sharing a double occupancy room with a group of 10 people travelling (using a mini coach)

£1,999 approx. (allowing for fluctuation in the exchange rate)

 

Single room supplement:  INR 52,000 per person

£550 approx. (allowing for fluctuation in the exchange rate) 

 

Price Includes: 

All arrangements, transfers and transport as per itinerary

Full board accommodation, starting with dinneon 19 February and ending with breakfast on 2nd March

Transport in AC vehicle with chauffeur exact vehicle dependent on group size

Services of accompanying English-speaking guide

Monument entry fees

Visits to artisan’s workshops & demonstrations

1-day Ajrakh workshop

Jeep ride into Little Kutch at Dasada

Train ticket from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in best available class

Local government taxes per current rate (subject to change)

 

Price Excludes:​ 

International flights

Domestic flights

Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, personal

gratuities, insurance, visa fees, camera fees

Extra costs incurred due to change of itinerary due to

circumstances beyond our control

 

 

Emma Horne Travel Private Ltd.

D-10, 2nd Floor, Chattarpur Enclave, Phase – I, Chattarpur, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110074, India.

Phone 011 6400 0546/47/48/49| Email info@emmahornetravel.com

www.emmahornetravel.com