Gujarat & Lucknow India Textile Tour
The northern state of Gujarat is home to remote villages where tribal communities have been living for centuries and are still practicing an ancient way of life. In Gujarat, you will meet people from the Kutch, Rabari, Meghwal and Muthwa communities and see first-hand how they produce their renowned intricate and delicate textiles. Other highlights in Gujarat include a visit to Gandhi’s former residence and salt marshland of the Rann of Kutch. Take a guided tour of the historic cities of Bhuj, Ahmedabad, enjoying ancient sights and beautiful textile displays. Visit the amazingly jeweled Taj Mahal and delight in the spectacular sights. The tour also takes you to Lucknow to discover some fascinating historical sights and see exquisite embroideries being worked by local women. This wonderful tour takes you off the well-worn tourist path to discover the hidden gems and beautiful fabric treasures of India.
Holiday Inclusions:
- 11 Nights deluxe accommodation
- Travel by chartered air-conditioned vehicle
- Group assistance and transfers
- Sightseeing as specified
- Meals as specified
- Tour Manager (minimum 07 people)
- Monument entrance fees
- Walking food tour in Lucknow, Airfare Mumbai – Bhuj and Ahmedabad – Lucknow in economy class
- Bottled water while travelling
- All current collectable taxes.
Tour Dates: 13th – 24th March 2024
Tour Cost: Share with a friend NZ$6,349
Single occupancy NZ$7,899
Deposit to pay on confirmation of your place 20% of the tour price
Final payment is due 3 months before the tour commences.
** Book your place on this tour before 31 December and receive 25% discount off your
travel insurance
These tour rates are guaranteed for a minimum 4-6 travellers.
If numbers increase (12-14 max) the costs will reduce. We will confirm this as bookings
are made and deposited.
Itinerary
Day 1 - DAY 1: Wednesday 13 Mar 2024
Arrive Mumbai On arrival at the airport, meet your Tour Manager who will assist with the transfer to the hotel for two nights stay in Mumbai. Rest of today is at leisure at the hotel. Hotel: Trident Nariman Point Hotel (2 nights)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Thursday 14 Mar 2024
Mumbai Morning explore India’s city of superlatives on a full-day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Cross the Gateway of India, overlooking Mumbai’s busy Harbour. See the Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive, and the extraordinary Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai’s unique and outdoor laundry. Afternoon you may choose to stroll across Fashion Street, a stretch famous for its export clothing and accessories. Later drive past Marine Drive also known as the Queen’s Necklace.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Day 3 - DAY 3: Friday 15 Mar 2024
Mumbai - Bhuj (flight included) Morning with packed breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for an early morning flight to Bhuj. Later in the day, visit the Kutch Museum and Bhuj market area. The craftsmen in and around Bhuj have good hands-on Khadi work, block print, tie and dye, colourful thread work and embroidery work. Also, the handloom products of Bhuj are famous all over because of their finished intricate mirror work and brilliant colour combinations. Stay two nights in Bhuj.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Hotel: Regenta Resort (2 nights)
Day 4 - DAY 4: Saturday 16 Mar 2024
Nirona, Bhindriya & Dhordo Excursion After breakfast, go on an excursion to Nirona village, home to 300-year old crafts. The women here create an extremely fine style of embroidery that is patterned around a tiny mirror. Continue onwards to the Great Rann of Kutch, which is one of the largest salt deserts in the world with an approx. area of around 10,000 km sq.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Day 5 - DAY 5: Sunday 17 Mar 2024
Bhuj – Bajana Travel to Bajana en-route visiting Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur Village: Travel to Bhuj, en-route visiting Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur Village. The village of Bhujodi (nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool), is a village skilled in traditional Bandhani (tie & dye), block printing and weaving. Here you can view live demonstrations and buy anything from shawls to blankets from the artisans directly. Bhujodi is also a centre for Piltoom weaving, Mewada embroidery & wood carving villages of Ajrakhpur where you will see traditional block printing using natural dyes. Continue travel to Bajana and check-in at hotel. Afternoon, visit a bit of wildlife, flamingos and wild asses.
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- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Hotel: Royal Safari Camps (Deluxe Cottage) (1 night)
Day 6 - DAY 6: Monday 18 Mar 2024
Bajana – Ahmedabad Morning enjoy safari at Little Rann of Kutch's wild ass sanctuary: Enjoy morning safari to little Rann of Kutch to see the rare species. The sanctuary was set up in 1973 with a purpose to protect the endangered Indian wild ass. The sanctuary is also home to 32 other types of mammals including chinkara(Indian gazelle), two types of Desert Fox (Indian and White-footed), Jackals, Caracals, Nilgais (the largest antelope of Asia), Indian Wolves, Blackbucks, and Striped Hyenas. Every year, the Wild Ass Sanctuary attracts 75000 birds, including some migratory birds as well. Later in the afternoon visit the pastoral Vadiara and Kharapat Rabaris of Dasada, known for their embroideries, the silk-weavers colony at Dasada, and Ambala village of the Bharward shepherds and goatherds. Travel to Ahmedabad enroute visit Patan: Travel to Ahmedabad. Enroute we take an excursion to Patan to see the Patola weaving of double Ikat (by the Salvi family who is a national award winner and the only ones in India to do this work). Patola's very appearance lures the connoisseur of fine textiles. It has no reverse side, both sides have equal intensity of colour and design.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Hotel: Pride Plaza Hotel (3 nights)
Day 7 - DAY 7: Tuesday 19 Mar 2024
Ahmedabad Full day city sightseeing of Sarkhej Roza, Gandhi Ashram, Law garden and its nearby market. Enjoy Gujarati thali meal in the evening: Morning proceed to visit Sarkhej Roza which ia mosque and tomb complex located in Markaba. Also, visit Sabarmati Ashram - was the first Satyagraha Ashram set up by Gandhi, still makes spinning wheels, handicrafts and handmade paper. Visit Law Garden which is a beautiful oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. This is one of the most fascinating places to see in Ahmedabad. The Law Garden Night Market offers a unique shopping experience as the goods sold here are handcrafted by local artisans. This area is famous for street shopping and delicious Gujrati street food and snacks. The lush greenery of Law Garden is a wonderful place to enjoy an evening stroll. We also get to enjoy a Gujarati thali meal this evening.
- BREAKFAST
- LUNCH
Day 8 - DAY 8: Wednesday 20 Mar 2024
Full day city tour with Heritage walk in the morning, Calico Museum, Dada Hari Vav (Stepwell), Huthee Singh Jain temple. Early morning enjoy the Heritage Walk starting at Swaminarayan Temple and ending at Jama Masjid in Old city. Later visit the Ahmedabad’s most edifying attraction, the Calico Textile Museum houses a spectacular collection of ancient and modern Indian textiles. The Museum comprises of two wings: the ‘Haveli’ which houses religious textiles, as well as south Indian bronzes, Jain art, and Mughal and other miniature paintings; and the ‘Chauk’, which houses royal tents. Next visit Dada Hari Vav (Stepwell), built-in 1501, is an octagonal shaped intricately carved well, located below the ground level. Visit the famous Huthee Singh Jain temple, the temple is known for its excellent architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings using beautiful white marbles.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Day 9 - DAY 9: Thursday 21 Mar 2024
Ahmedabad – Lucknow Morning transfer to board a short flight to Lucknow. Known as ’The City of Nawabs’, this bustling city is home to some fascinating bazaars and amazing food. In the evening enjoy a walking food tour which allows you to hop in, hop out of the world-famous traditional roadside eateries. Stay two nights in Lucknow.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Hotel: Novotel Lucknow (2 nights)
Day 10 - DAY 10: Friday 22 Mar 2024
Lucknow Morning city tour of Imambara, Asfi mosque, Summer palace, Government museum, Chikan workshop, and evening enjoy Awadhi cuisine: Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Lucknow and visit Bada Imambara and a chikan (traditional embroidery) workshop as you watch skilled workers delicately working in unique styles and stitches on very light cotton cloths. Conclude your day by relishing Awadhi Cuisine the cooking pattern of Lucknow
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Day 11 - DAY 11: Saturday 23 Mar 2024
Lucknow – Agra Travel to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon visit the impressive 16th century Agra Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Itmad-Ud-Daula mausoleum will stun you with ‘Pietra Dura’ inlay and lattice marble screens. Enjoy live music with dinner offering varieties of cuisine from Amritsar to Lahore, cooked in their unique style. Stay overnight in Agra.
- BREAKFAST
- DINNER
Hotel: Trident Hotel Agra (1 night)
Day 12 - DAY 12: Sunday 24 Mar 2024
DAY 12: Sunday 24 Mar 2024 Travel to Delhi airport: Assistance on departure and travel to Delhi airport. Agra – Delhi Departure
- BREAKFAST