On arrival at Ahmedabad transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay.

After Breakfast proceeds The Heritage Walk-The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided walk of two and a half hours. This daily affair by the AMC is extremely well designed in guidance and cooperation with CRUTA andSwaminarayan Trust, being operationalised by a group of young volunteers. There is also a half hour special slideshow running through pages of the city’s history unfolding back its birth from a 10th century AD ancient site known as Ashaval to the present Walled city founded during the period of Ahmed Shah and onwards.The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies the Jumma Masjid, covering in between the numerous pols,havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu andJain temples. Our walk effectively anchored by our volunteer Rajesh Gajjar, proceeded fromKavi Dalpatram Chowk – which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet – in Lambeshwarni Pole, to the classic reminisces of the city’s textile era – the Calico Dome to the century oldKala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni Pole with a unique idol of Lord Rama in dark colour and in a sitting posture.

 CALICO MUSEUM – closed on Monday & public holidays. Permission of visit is strictly subject to prior permission.

Indian Textiles influenced by the Mughal and Provincial Courts 17th-19th Century

Textile Trade of India with the outside world – 15th-19th Century

Indian Co Regional Embroideries of India 19th Century

Costumes in the Calico Collection – 18th to mid-20th Century (Sindh, Kutch, Kathiawad, Tamilnadu, Orissa, Mithila (Bihar), Bengal, Punjab, Chamba (Himachal Pradesh)

Indian Tie-Dyed Fabrics

Techniques of Weaving and Dyeing

Wooden Blocks for Printing on cloth

Gandhi Ashram : On a quiet peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati river, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years it was the nerve centre of India’s freedom movement. It was from here, in 1930, that Mahatma began his famous Dandi March to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. Hridaya Kunj, the simple cottage where he lived, is now a national monument and preserved as it was during the Mahatma’s life-time.

Hutheesingh Jain Temple : Built outside the Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hutheesing Temple is the best known of Ahmedabad’s many ornate Jain temples.

Adalaj Step-well : It is situated 17kms north of Ahmedabad. Adalaj Vav is richly carved, every pillar and wall surface covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes and friezes of ornamental designs.

Later we visit the beautiful handicraft market at Law Garden.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

Breakfast, departure to Jambughoda (about 190 km, approx. 4 h). Champaner to stop along the way.
Champaner – This city, located at 47 K in the north-east of Vadodara, was conquered in 1484 by Sultan Mahmud, and he renamed Begara Muhammadabad.

Named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, counts 114 monuments of historical and archaeological interest, among them stand the mosque of Jama Masjid, for its impressive interior courtyard, its porches, beautiful arches and slender minarets.

Worth a visit also Shahr Masjid, with its row of columns, domes and delicate mihrab (niche facing Mecca) and Nagina Masjid with a charming porch.

Later we drive to Jambughoda, hotel accommodations for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel.Full day excursion to the picturesque town of Chotta Udaipur and characteristic villages of the Bhil and Rathwa.

Chotta Udaipur – The essence of the town, however, is that it lies in the heart of a tribal area with rich indigenous history and culture.  Every Saturday there is a haat or tribal market. The town is a good base from which to explore the surrounding tribal villages, particularly in the Rathwa communities.  The Tribal Museum is also worth a visit, though of course not nearly as important as day-to-day interaction with people alive today.

Overnight at Jambughoda

After Breakfast Proceeds Vadodara on arrival  Visit The Laxmi Vilas Palace was the official residence of the erstwhile Maharajas of Baroda. Though a little down at heel and run down, the palace still has impressive interiors done up with Venetian glass, crystal chandeliers, Italian marble and mosaic and find porcelain and marble statues from Europe. The tiered step-well called the Naulakhi Baoli which got its name because of the fact that it could store 9million gallons of water is near the palace.

Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery-The famous museum was built in 1894 on the lines of Victoria & Albert and Science Museums of London. Major Mant in association with R.F. Chisholm who refined some of Mant’s finest works to make genuine Indo-Saracenic architecture designed the Building of this Museum. It preserves a rich collection of art, sculpture, ethnography & ethnology. Several of the paintings are not only original but masterpieces at the picture gallery. The picture gallery which offers an excellent collection of originals by famous British painters Turner and constable and many others attract tourists from every part of the country.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum        

The building was constructed as a school for the Maharaja’s children. Today a large number of works of art belonging to the Maratha Royal family are displayed in the museum. The museum contains works of art collected by Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III during his numerous trips out of India. The major works of art in this museum are the paintings by European and Indian artists including a collection of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, who was specially commissioned by the then Maharaja of Baroda. The collection includes portraits of the Royal family in addition to the paintings based on Hindu mythology for which Raja Ravi Varma was famous.

Overnight stay  at Hotel. 

After breakfast Proceeds to Bhavnagar  en-route visit  Lothal- A perfect place to get an insight of the Indus Valley civilization. The most dominating site at  Lothal is the massive dockyard spanning an area of 37 meters by 22 meters, perhaps the greatest work of Maritime Architecture. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, microbes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths’ workshops, potteries and underground sanitary drainage. It is located at a distance of 78kms from Ahmedabad.

Then Continue drive to Bhavnagar. On arrival check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Very early this morning you may wish to join the pilgrims and climb Palitana which is situated 50kms from Bhavnagar. The hills of Palitana are known as the ‘Abode of the Gods’ and are covered with 863 Jain temples spanning a period of over 900 years. Their finely carved spires and towers glisten in the sunlight as pilgrims make the uphill journey on foot. The climb will take about two hours each way so carry water and a sun hat with you.

Afterthat we will drive to Gondal . On arrival check in at  hotel.  If time permit will visit  Vintage Car Museum , Bhubaneswari  Ayurveda Hospital  & Swaminarayan Temple. Overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast proceeds to Bhuj . On arrival check in at hotel. Visit  Prag Mahal  : Prag Mahal was constructed by Rao Pragmalji II (1838-76 AD). Rao Pragmalji appointed a famous architect, Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins to design Prag Mahal, who had earlier designed Deccan College, Sasoon Hospital, Ohel David Synagogue. Prag Mahal took about 10 years to get built at the cost of 20 lakh rupees.

Aaina Mahal Palace : Aina Mahal Palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji in 1750 AD. Aina Mahal is a part of a large palace complex. It is a two storey building with Darbar Hall, hall of mirrors, and suites for royal family. In the 18th century, the Rao Lakhpatji sent a local craftsman Ramsingh Malam to Europe to perfect his skills in glassmaking, enamelling, tile making and iron founding.

Kutch Museum: The Kutch Museum, formerly known as the Fergusson Museum, was founded by Maharao Khengarji III in 1877 AD. The Kutch museum is the oldest museum in Gujarat. This museum is built in the Italian style and located in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the Hamirsar Lake. The museum has a large collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, various archaeological objects, arms and specimens of various crafts of the Kutch region

Evening enjoy aarti at  Swaminarayan Temple.

Overnight stay at Hotel. 

Full day excursion to Banni Villages. Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. These are the last villages on the India-Pakistan border. Here you will come across master craft people’ exposing their traditional art, turning our master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use – will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound.

Return to Bhuj for an overnight stay.

After breakfast Proceeds to Bajana En-route visit  Ajarakhpur : Ajrakhpur is a new village established by the traditional Muslim Khatri hand block printers after the earth quake that struck in 2001. This is a craft village where you will find artisans practicing traditional hand block printing in the resist technique on cotton/silk fabrics using the age old Ajrakh prints as well as new design motifs. Visit Ismail Khatri, a master artisan who has been awarded an honorary ph.D. Degree by De Montfort University for his knowledge of natural dye practices. You can also visit a number of block printing units like that of Abdul Rahim, Abdul Gani Hasam, Abdul Raheman Buddha, and Adam.

 Bhujodi: A small town just 8 km southeast of Bhuj, Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch, with the vast majority of the 1200 inhabitants involved in textile handicraft production. Here you can meet weavers, tie-dye artists and block printers, most of whom belong to the Vankar community. Many will let you watch them work; just ask around.

On arrival check in at hotel . Rest day free to explore by own. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, excursion to the little Rann of Kutch villages, the Indian province that lies between the deserts of Sind and Thar, near the border with Pakistan. Here, in remote villages in the desert of salt, interesting people live, the Rabari, Banni, the Koli, Harijan and the others, who live in round huts interior whitewashed and inlaid with many mirrors.

Rabari – Myths and legends haunt the history and origins of the Rabari in Gujarat, as mysterious as any other tribe, whose lifestyle has intrigued many researchers. Related to Shiva, which according to legend, descended through their ancestor Sambal, are one of the last nomadic peoples of the world. Even today, ancient routes traverse through the arid plains of the Thar Desert, in northwest India in search of pasture for their flocks. Ethnicity from Afghanistan, is the largest pastoral community of Kutch. The men, tall, thin, often with long mustaches, their heads wrapped in turbans predominantly light in color, wearing white pants tight at the ankles and a jacket, also white, tight and pleated chest. Ear, as a distinctive sign, a gold earring filigree (tolyia).

While men lead their flocks to pasture, the women always treated with great respect within the family, dealing dell’allestimento of huts and children wearing colorful damask coats and baggy trousers. The women, who wear beautiful clothes elaborate, are very skilled in embroidery fabrics and blankets and even leather, while the men inlay work on wood and silver and copper crafts is a very rich, whose techniques were passed down generation to generation, making the famous Kutch. Each village has its specialties: Hodka to the Harijan work the leather in the KoliNerona produce beautiful works of lacquer and dye the fabric with the technique of “roghan”.

Characteristic of Rabari are voluminosissimi turbans and colorful, embellished with embroidered waistcoats, men and women wearing jewels of gold and silver finely crafted, rings, bracelets and earrings of various forms. Often men who are less vain women, than women in the ornaments themselves. These, however, beat them for their beauty and poise delicate and elegant.

After breakfast, depart for Poshina enroute visiting Modhera, Patan & Sidhpur

 Modhera Sun Temple, Modhera Sun Temple dates bake to early 11th centuary CE and was built by King Bhimdev I in 1026 CE. The temple at modhera is the most important of all sun temples built in the whole Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to the Sun God. The temple is magnificent and the finest example of the Hindus architecture in Gujarat. One of the most striking features of the Modhera Sun Temple that the first ray of the sun falls on the deity at the time of the equinoxes. In front of the temple is a colossal tank, which was once known as Surya Kund or Rama Kund.The tank has a series of the carved steps leading to the bottom.

PATAN – Rani kiVav (Step well). It was built by the Queen Udaymati the wife of Bhimdev during 11-12th Century. It is the most magnificent and spectacular step well and the best example of such architecture for water wells. The Vav measuring about 64 mts. The stepwell has long stepped corridor descending down to the underground tank, it is having four pillars. The Pillars which support the roof have squire base decorated with GhatPallavas. It was one of the largest and the most sumptuous structure of its type.

Later visit Patan Patola of weaving, patan is Famous for patola weaving, Salvi family is one of them who has continued this traditional art and has preserved it even today. Patola silk is often termed as the queen of all silk. The special technique of the handmade silk patola uses the same special technique for weaving from raw silk to the completion of the patola fabric. The weaver makes the special patola loom and colouring from indigenous natural materials. Patola from the area of patan in the north Gujarat region of western India glorifies this heritage with its unique gem like qualities, gorgeous colours, designing & durability Different colour and pattern matched exactly on horizontal and vertical threads in weaving. The patola was traditionally woven in a sari length of 5 to 9 yards by 45” to 54” width. The range now extends to include tablecloth borders scarves handkerchief.

Siddpur

Sidhpur is a sacred town, around 103 kms. north of Ahmedabad. It is situated on the left bank of the River Saraswati, around 24 kms upstream of Anhilwad Patan, the old capital of Gujarat before Ahmedabad was founded in the first quarter of the fifteenth century.  The town is a revered destination, flanked by temples, kunds, ashrams and other sacred structures.  Around the 10th century, under the Solanki rulers, this town was at the pinnacle of prominence and glory. It derived its name from the great ruler of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh from the Solanki dynasty.

Later drive to Poshina

Dinner and overnight  at Poshina

Days entirely dedicated to the visit of tribal villages around Poshina. You will have the opportunity to discover the customs of ethnic groups and Garacia Bhil and visit the temple of Ambaji, dedicated to the mother goddess Amba.

Garasia – Contrary to other ethnic groups, living in the GarasiaPoshina, at the confluence of the rivers and Aakar Sabarmati, in north Gujarat, bordering Rajasthan. Among Garasia is generally widespread monogamy marriages are contracted between persons of the same clan, but not among members of the same village and among people with family ties. Can be combined or occur as a result of a leak. It ‘s customary for couples to escape for a trial period, in which case the bride’s father is given as compensation a sum of money, if the union fails, the wife comes home with another sum to be delivered to its parent .Garasia I believe in Bhagwan, the figure of the supreme God, which is never personified. Their traditional offerings are small horses in red clay, which are usually placed under trees or near sacred rocks or water sources, elements that are associated with the strength of spirits. Little is known about these sanctuaries, religious observances and rituals related to the terracotta horses are given in case of need and help maintain peace in the life of the village.

Later Afternoon Drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival check in at hotel. 

After breakfast transfer  to airport  for onwards destinations.

                              Tour Ends with Happy  memories