Curated Tours
Gujarat textile and heritage tour Feb 2025
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, ikat, bandhani 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 2025
05 February - AHMEDABAD
06 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 05th or early on the 06th. 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 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 will begin at 2pm on the 06th February.
06 February 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 arranged.
Return to the hotel for dinner at their charming Garden Restaurant.
Overnight House of MG – modern heritage grand room.
07 February Today starts with a morning visit to the Calico Museum; this world Friday 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 Mazarkhan, 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.
08 February AHMEDABAD/BAJANA
Saturday Depart 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 – deluxe cottage.
09 February BAJANA
Sunday Early 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 to rest until afternoon visit to the surrounding shepherd’s villages when we will have a chance to see kalamkari & tangalia weaving.
Overnight Royal Safari Camp.
10 February BAJANA/BHUJ
Monday 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 dying & 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.
11 February BHUJ/AJRAKPUR
Tuesday 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.
12 February BHUJ
Wednesday 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 and taking in the 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.
13 February BHUJ/HODKAR
Thursday Depart 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, as it is colloquially known, reaching 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 Mahefeel-e-Rann – a simple but comfortable resort run by the village community.
14 February HODKA/BHUJ
Friday 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.
15 February BHUJ/TRAIN/AHMEDABAD
Saturday 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 16.05 and reaches Ahmedabad at 22.00.
Met on arrival and transfer hotel.
Overnight House of MG.
16 February DEPARTURE
Sunday Transfer to the airport for international departure flights or onward flights to Delhi & Mumbai.
End of arrangements.
Price:
INR244,000 per person based on sharing a double occupancy room with a group of 6 people travelling
INR236,000 per person based on sharing a double occupancy room with a group of 8 people travelling
INR228,000 per person based on sharing a double occupancy room with a group of 10 people travelling
Single room supplement: INR73,000 per person
Price Includes: All arrangements, transfers and transport as per itinerary
Full board accommodation, starting with dinner on 05 February and ending with breakfast on 16th February
Transport in AC vehicle with chauffeur – exact vehicle dependent on group size
Services of accompanying English-speaking guide
Monument entry fees
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
If you are interested in booking this tour with us, please get in touch by email at Jaipurjoy.planet@gmail.com and we will send you the booking forms.