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Jan-Feb Tour
Day 1: Meet in Delhi
Arrival in the evening. Transfer to hotel.
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Rajasthan
Day 2: Alwar
We start our journey into Rajasthan with a drive to Alwar. Nestled in the Aravalli Hills, Alwar is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan. Areas around Alwar have footprints of stone age men who lived in caves and drew sketches of animals on the walls. These prehistoric sites are an archaeologist's dream.
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Day 3: Nawalgarh (Shekhawati)-Mandawa
The towns of Shekhawati are known for their amazing painted havelis in rich artistic tradition and is dubbed the "open-air art gallery of Rajasthan.”
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February Tour
Day 4: Attend Naguar Festival
The Nagaur Fair aka the Cattle Fair of Rajasthan is the second largest cattle fair of India, and boasts of trading about 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. Thousands of animals, magnificently garlanded with accessories to provide a vibrant look to them, are gathered for trading. The owners, displaying their colorful turban and long mustaches, sell cows, bullocks, oxen, horses and camels.
In addition to the huge animal exhibition, the fair is popular for its Mirchi Bazaar (red chilly market), which is the biggest in India. The fair also trades for wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories.
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Day 5: Pushkar-Kishangarh
We stop in Pushkar for a walking tour and refreshments.
Another hour drive brings us to Kishangarh, a sleepy town founded by Kishan Singh, a Rathore prince in the first quarter of the 17th century.
Kishangarh is a treasure trove of art and handicrafts. The town claims one of India’s foremost schools of miniature paintings, founded in the 18th century. One of the most famous paintings representative of this school is that of Radha, Krishna’s consort who is portrayed as an exceptionally beautiful woman with enamoring almond eyes.
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Day 6: Bundi
Bundi, an oasis in the desert state, a serene civilization far from the maddening crowds and chaos.
In ancient times, the area around Bundi was inhabited by various tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent.
Bundi is one of the few places in India with an authentic school of painting, "The Bundi School." The splendid paintings in the Bundi Fort are par excellence.
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Day 7: Bijapur
On the way to Bijapur, we visit Bassi village, known for its marvelous historical forts, temples, 'Kurds,' sculptures and woodcraft.
This afternoon, we visit Bundi Palace and Chittashala Gallery which exhibits great Indian miniature paintings; and explore nearby villages.
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Day 8: Dungarpur
Morning drive to Dungapur, a picturesque town inhabited by the Bheel tribe.
The city of Dungarpur is well known for its distinguished style of architecture which has been extensively followed in the royal palaces and havelis (mansions).
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Day 9-10: Dungarpur-Ahmedabad
Morning drive to Ahmedabad.
This afternoon visit the Sabarmati Ashram, founded in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi.
Second day visit fascinating Calico Museum of Textiles, the Adalaj Step Well and enjoy a traditional Gujrati vegetarian dinner with local dance and music.
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Day 11-13: Jambugoda
We shall engage with the people in the tribal villages of Jambughoda. Most of the indigenous people living around Jambughoda are ‘Rathwas’ & ‘Nayaks.’
Attend Kavant Tribal Fair.
Excursions to villages.
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Day 14-15: Poshina
We will observe the potters making the sacred horses in terracotta and clay utensils.
Excursion to Poshina villages offers glimpses into rural Indian life.
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Day 16: Patan-Modhera-Bajana (Little Raan of Kutch)
We visit the exquisite Sun Temple in Modhera where you will see women of all ages dressed in bright yellows, orange and reds representing and honoring the sun.
Next stop is to visit the Salvi family, master weavers of the colorful Potala silk.
We continue to Bajana Village, surrounded by many tribal villages, making the stay here fascinating and especially exciting for photographers. It is famous as the world's last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (Khur).
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Day 17-18: Bhuj Villages
Visit various fascinating tribal villages surrounding Bhuj including Dhamaeka, the block printing village; Bhujodi to meet the nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool on pit looms into blankets and shawls and Banni settlements to see the traditional handicrafts of these Abyssinian settlers.
We also visit the Shrujan organization, a network of over 2500 craftswomen spread across 85 villages. Their excellent exhibit displays the various embroidery styles done by a variety of communities and tribal groups.
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Day 19: Bhuj-Mumbai-Depart
Morning drive to Bhuj and visit the Kutch Museum and Prag Mahal followed by a walk in the old city.
We’ll enjoy our last Indian meal, a traditional Gujarat Thali lunch and then a short visit to the house of Mr. Alli Mohamad Isha, a tie and dye specialist, for an interactive workshop on the art.
Afterwards, transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai and depart.
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November-December Tour
Day 1-3: Same as February tour.
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Day 4: Mandawa-Chomu Village
En-route to Chomu, we shall stop to visit Samode Village and enjoy lunch at the Samode Palace.
We stay at Chomu Palace, a reflection of the Royal Palaces of India, is a 300-year-old elegant fortified palace hotel.
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Day 5: Chomu-Pushkar-Kishangarh
Kishangarh is a treasure trove of art and handicrafts. The town claims one of India’s foremost schools
of miniature paintings, founded in the 18th century. We visit school of miniature paintings and have lunch.
Afterwards, an excursion to Pushkar to attend the Pushkar Camel Fair.
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Day 6: Bundi
This morning an exploration of Kishangarah village, visit a traditional bazaar and a
cotton-weaving center.
Depart to Bundi, an oasis in the desert state, a serene civilization far from the maddening crowds and chaos.
In ancient times, the area around Bundi was inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent.
Bundi is one of the few places in India with an authentic school of painting, "The Bundi School." The splendid paintings in the Chitrashala in the Bundi Fort are par excellence and can be compared with probably the best anywhere in the world.
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Day 7: Bijapur
On the way to Bijapur, we visit Bassi village, known for its marvelous historical forts, temples and 'Kurds' as well as for its sculptures and woodcraft.
This afternoon, visit Bundi Palace and Chittashala Gallery which exhibits great Indian miniature paintings; and explore nearby villages.
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Day 8-9: Narlai
Stop enroute to visit Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex, one of five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. Noted for its grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation, it is surrounded by tangled forests with monkeys abounding in the courtyard.
Continue to Narlai - a royal hunting retreat, located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, amidst dramatic boulders and ancient temples.
A full day to explore the surrounding region including villages and bustling bazaars.
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Day 10: Dungarpur
Morning drive to Dungapur, a picturesque town inhabited by the Bheel tribe.
Dungarpur is well known for its distinguished style of architecture which has been extensively followed in the royal palaces and havelis (mansions).
Afternoon tour the town.
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Day 11: Dungarpur-Kartik Purnima-Ahmedabad
We’ll depart at 8 am and stop after two hours drive to attend Kartik Purnima Festival in Shamlaji.
Kartika Poornima (Kartika purnima) is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day
or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartika (November–December). It is also called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali - the festival of lights of the gods. The Kartik Purnima festival is also a holy day for the followers of Jainism and Sikhism.
Continue 60 km to Ahmedabad.
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Day 12-14: Ahmedabad
First day, we drive 40 km/approx one hour, southwest of Ahmedabad to attend the Vathua Fair held
every year where two rivers, the Sabarmati and the Vatrak meet. Like most fair sites in India, this
also has both mythological and contemporary religious associations.
What is most significant about this fair is that it is the only major animal trading fair in Gujarat.
However, most of the time, the only animals traded here are donkeys! Apart from the trading fair, the site is a bustling scene, with a variety of handicraft and food stalls, and active street hawkers and merchants selling everything from trinkets to machinery. This fair is considered to be one of the largest fairs in Gujarat.
Next day, enjoy a Heritage walk of Ahmedabad; Institute of Indology Museum, National Institute of Design and Hazrat Bai Harir Vav (stepwell) subject to permission; the Sabarmati Ashram; Law Garden, the evening market which displays beautiful textile handicrafts of Gujarat. traditional Gujrati vegetarian dinner with local dance and music at Vishala, an authentically created Gujrati crafts village.
3rd day, visit the fascinating Calico Museum of Textiles and the Adalaj Step Well.
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Day 15-16: Jambughoda
We stop en-route and visit the World Heritage Site of Champaner (the site of Pavagarh Archeological Park) to see the vast complex of mosques built by Mahmud Begada.
Excursions to tribal villages
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Day 17-18: Poshina
Drive to Posina, a beautiful place surrounded by Garasia and Bhil villages.
We'll drive through the picturesque countryside and enjoy fascinating glimpses into rural Indian life with visits to remote tribal villages.
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Day 19: Patan-Modhera-Bajana (Little Raan of Kutch)
We visit the exquisite Sun Temple in Modhera where you will see women of all ages dressed in bright yellows, orange and reds representing and honoring the sun.
Next stop is to visit the Salvi family, master weavers of the colorful Potala silk.
We continue to Bajana Village, surrounded by many tribal villages, making the stay here fascinating and especially exciting for photographers. It is famous as the world's last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (Khur).
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Day 20-21: Bhuj Villages
Visit various fascinating tribal villages surrounding Bhuj including Dhamaeka, the block printing village; Bhujodi to meet the nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool on pit looms into blankets and shawls and Banni settlements to see the traditional handicrafts of these Abyssinian settlers.
We also visit the Shrujan organization, a network of over 2500 craftswomen spread across 85 villages. Their excellent exhibit displays the various embroidery styles done by a variety of communities and tribal groups.
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Day 22: Bhuj-Depart
Morning drive to Bhuj and visit the Kutch Museum and Prag Mahal followed by a walk in the old city.
We’ll enjoy our last Indian meal, a traditional Gujarat Thali lunch and then a short visit to the house of Mr. Alli Mohamad Isha, a tie and dye specialist, for an interactive workshop on the art.
Afterwards, transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai and depart.
