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Tribes, Textiles, Crafts and Festivals of

November 17-December 1, 2018 Includes Katik Purnima Festival and Vautha Mela Early announcement, dates subject to change by 1-2 days

Nov 17 Day 1: Arrival in Bombay. Met at airport and transfer to hotel Kohinoor Continental.

Nov 18 Day 2: Bombay - - Jambughoda / Hotel Jambughoda Palace (B,L,D)

Transfer to airport for flight 9W349 dep. 0935 / arr. 1035 to Vadodara.

On arrival drive to Jambughoda (75 km), en-route we visit the World Heritage Site of Champaner (the site of Pavagarh Archeological Park) to see the vast complex of mosques built by Mahmud Begada.

Check into Jambughoda Palace, a simple royal mansion in the midst of mature gardens - a beautiful retreat for nature lovers.

Nov 19 Day 3: Jambughoda –Excursion to Tribal Villages / Jambughoda Palace (B,L,D)

Full day excursion to the tribal villages of Jambughoda.

Most of the people living in and around Jambughoda are ‘Rathwas’ & ‘Nayaks.’ They are superstitious and God-fearing people. The entrance to their home is through a richly carved wooden door with figurines and tribal icons. The front is usually decorated with Pithora paintings for which the Rathwas are known. They do not live in hamlets. Their dwellings are separated from each other by considerable distance.

We will visit the tribal museum of Chhota Udaipur, which has a large collection of tribal artifacts. Many tribal artifacts are also brought for sale in the ‘haats’ (weekly markets) in the city and nearby villages.

Nov 20 Day 4: Jambughoda – (320 km/6-7 hrs) / Vijay Vilas Palace (B,LD)

We depart at 8 am for the 4 hour drive to Lothal, to visit the excavations of a Harappan site dating back to 2400 -1600 BC, known for its town planning, scientifically designed harbor and sophisticated drainage system. In the dialect of the local language, Lothal means 'the mound of the dead. The site was discovered in the year 1957, followed by excavations done by the Archaeological Survey of .

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue approx. 3 hours drive to Palitana. Our accommodation, Vijay Palace, is located inside the village, about 6 km from Palitana town. Dinner at Vijay Vilas Palace.

Nov 21 Day 5: Palitana / Vijay Vilas Palace (B,LD)

In the morning we visit the Palitana located atop Hills and crowned with 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its beauty and magnificence. This is one of the most awe inspiring sights to devotees and visitors alike. The peak is a 3 km climb of over 3500 steps from the base, while on each one can see detailed carvings, beautiful idols and images, jeweled statues and intricate torans. The climb to the top of the temple takes approx 2 hrs. Those who cannot climb Doli / Lift chairs are available (pay direct).

Lunch stop at traditional restaurant.

This afternoon, we will have a walk in the village and visit the evening market of Palitana. Dinner at Vijay Vilas Palace.

Nov 22 Day 6: Palitana - (220 km/5 hrs) / Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad (B,D)

Depart at 8 am for the drive to Ahmedabad. On arrival, check-in to hotel and lunch on your own. This afternoon we visit the Sabarmati Ashram, situated on the western bank of the . This ashram, founded in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi, who revitalized the textile industry here, became the headquarters during the struggle for Indian Independence and it is befitting that it is now primarily a spinning wheel factory.

This evening we enjoy a traditional Gujrati vegetarian dinner with local dance and music at Vishala, an authentically created Gujrati crafts village complete with traditionally decorated mud huts where potters and weavers are at work. Here we visit the Vechaar Utensils Museum with its collection of 2500 Gujrati utensils.

Nov 23 Day 7: Ahmedabad - Fair / Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad (B,L)

Full day excursion to Shymalaji (120 km one way). Attend Katik Purnima festival. A large number of devotees arrive to the Shamlaji Fair on foot or on camel carts, singing devotional songs, some even dancing and carrying banners bearing sacred symbols. They go to worship the and bathe in the sacred waters of the . Among the Adivasis, the Bhil community has incredible faith in the powers of Shamlaji who they lovingly refer to as Kaliyo Dev (Dark Divinity). The fair is an important trade destination for people to buy silver ornaments, metal-ware, cloth and garments, along with many other annual household items.

The temple of Shamlaji stands on the banks of the river Meshwo, in veneration of Lord . The river Meshwo meanders over its rocky bed in the valley immediately below, and the waters of a splendid natural lake, of great beauty sparkle amid the well-wooded hills. It is believed that this shrine has existed for at least 500 years. Built of white sandstone and bricks, it has two stories supported on rows of pillars. It is profusely carved and episodes from sacred epics of the and are engraved on the outer walls. It’s beautiful domed ceilings and a traditional north Indian spire over the main shrine add to the magnificence of its open courtyard accompanied by the carving of a life-size elephant.

Sakshi Gopal or Gadadhar is a black representation of Lord Vishnu worshipped at the Shamlaji Temple. This is one of the rare temples of Lord in which cow idols are also worshipped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. For the Vaishnavites, Shamlaji is one of the hundred and fifty four most important places of pilgrimage in India.

Return to Ahmedabad for overnight. Dinner on your own.

Nov 24 Day 8: Ahmedabad- Vautha Fair / Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad (B, L)

This morning we drive 40 km 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.

The Vautha Mela site is 3 square miles in area. Legends say that Swami or Kartikeya, the son of Lord , visited the site. This is why the fair is held during Kartika Purnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik, corresponding with November. The site is also known as Saptasangam, at the confluence of seven rivers. The most important Shiva temple here is the temple of Siddhanath.

What is most significant about this fair is that it is the only major animal trading fair in Gujarat. About 4,000 donkeys are brought every year for sale, usually by 'Banjara' (gypsy) traders. These donkeys are painted in an array of colors and decorated. Camels are also well decked out and sold on the sand dunes by the river shores. NOTE: the presence of the donkeys during this day of the fair cannot be guaranteed.

We return to Ahmedabad and visit the Adalaj Step Well, built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai, wife of the Vaghela chief, Veersinh. This five-story step well was not just a cultural and utilitarian space, but also a spiritual refuge. It is believed that villagers would come everyday in the morning to fill water, offer prayers to the carved into the walls and interact with each other in the cool shade of the well.

Dinner on your own.

Nov 25 Day 9: Ahmedabad - Poshina (210 km/ 4 hours) / Darbargadh Poshina (B,L,D)

We start the day with a visit to the excellent Calico Museum of Textiles, (it is private museum and restricted to very limited number of entrances per day and they do not allow advanced booking). The museum exhibits spectacular antique and modern textiles including rare tapestries, wall hangings and costumes from all the regions of Gujarat as well as the rest of India. See a variety of textiles ranging from incredibly long, colorful embroidered wall hangings to Zari saris embroidered in gold and weighing 9kg. Also on display are old weaving machines. NOTE: bring your own water inside, it is stuffy, no vendors inside.

Lunch and then we drive to Poshina, a beautiful place surrounded by Garasia and Bhil villages.

Our Accommodation: Darbargadh Poshina - A Heritage Home set in the tribal lands of the Arravallis. The owners of this ancestral fort invite you to explore the Adivasi and Garasia tribal culture of North Gujarat and South , enjoy fresh home cooked meals, featuring recipes passed on from generation to generation, and indulge in the hospitality of a family that ruled Poshina for eight generations before independence.

Dinner and evening at leisure.

Nov 26 Day 10: Poshina / Darbargadh Poshina (B,L,D)

Today’s excursion by jeep offers fascinating glimpses into rural Indian life. The drive through the picturesque countryside will include visits to the remote villages of the ‘Adivasi’ and ‘Garasia’ tribals who will also give you archery demonstrations and pastoral people like the ‘Rabaris’ who keep camels, sheep and goat.

We shall walk through Poshina village. Imagine a market bustling with activity where you can watch colorful women from the tribal hamlets and tribal men unloading their produce. You will be able to observe craftsmen at work-forging swords, daggers, bows and arrows, potters making terra cotta horses and other figurines, besides clay utensils, jewelers sell chunky ornaments to the tribals. The Jain temples built in 1214 A.D and the ancient richly carved Shiva temple are also worth a visit.

Next, travel to Chatrang and Bedi Villages of Gowala and Garacia tribes. You will also visit the Kumbharia , pottery & terracotta horse village of Saleka and few tribal temples.

Nov 27 Day 11: Poshina – Patan- Modhera – Bajana (240 km/ 5 hrs) / Royal Safari Camp (B,L,D)

Morning drive to Patan to visit some of its 100 Jain Temples and the UNESCO Rani Kava Steps (ancient step well).

A short 10 km further, we stop to visit the exquisite Sun Temple in Modhera, situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River. Here you will see women of all ages from very young girls to elderly, dressed in bright yellows, orange and reds representing and honoring the sun.

We then visit the Salvi family, master weavers of the colorful Potala silk including the ancient art of double ikat. This is quite a special treat!

We continue to Bajana Village in Little Raan of Kutch. Little Raan (desert) of Kutch is a salt marsh located near the Great Rann of Kutch in Kutch district. The area is also known as Dasada. It is famous as the world's last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (Khur) for the conservation of which it has been declared as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds.

The Little Rann of Kutch is a birding paradise and has been declared a Ramsar Site. Birds here include Steppe, Imperial, and Short-toed Eagle, Houbara Bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. The best birding is during the winter months from October to March when waterfowl gather in vast numbers. These are the months when Demoiselle and Common Crane, and Lesser Flamingo are seen in incredibly large numbers.

Though a bleak landscape, it is rich in biodiversity and is an ecologically important area for wildlife. It is also home to various unique mammals apart from wild Ass such the Indian Wolf (Canis indica), Desert Fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla) and Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus).

The area is surrounded by tribal villages, making the stay here fascinating and especially exciting for photographers.

Overnight at Royal Safari Camp (cottages, western toilets, running hot/cold water). A fantastic mix of rustic comfort in a rural setting in Bajana Village.

The Kutch District (aka The Banni) runs from Bajana to Bhuj. Over the next three days we will visit diverse tribal villages. They share some similarities but have distinctive differences in their lifestyles and artisan talents.

Nov 28 Day 12: Bajana / Royal Safari Camp (B,L,D)

Early morning safari across the Little Rann visiting the ‘bets’, islands on the ancient seabed that are now higher grounds covered with grass and scrub. These ‘bets’ support a variety of wildlife including gorgeous lesser flamingos , great white pelicans , common cranes , water birds ( bharami duck, gray leg goose, home duck, bar headed goose), black buck, blue bull, hyenas and the Gudkhur (Asiatic wild ass) that are not found elsewhere.

Return to resort for breakfast. Afterwards, we will embark on an excursion to the 'Rann of Kutch' to visit the pastoral settlements and villages of the Kutchhi Tribes.

The Banni (aka The Kutch) grassland in the Kachchh District of Gujarat is an area of 2500 km and is often referred to as the largest tropical grassland in Asia. The Banni is home to great biological diversity, having 37 grass species, 275 bird species, and domesticated animals, like Banni Buffalo, Kankrej Cattle, sheep, goat, horses and camel, as well as wildlife. Banni grasslands also support at least three species of threatened plants, three species of reptiles, five species of birds and five species of mammals. Due to its’ numerous large, medium and small sized wetlands, the Banni attracts migratory birds to breed and rest in winter. The Banni is also home to 22 pastoralist communities. The Maldharis, ethnic group is spread across 48 settlements in 19 Panchayatis (ancient governing system; village council) and with a population of close to 40,000 people. The Maldharis rights to graze the Banni are derived from historical rulers of the region who granted these rights in return for a grazing tax. Today around 80,000 animals, mostly Banni buffalo and Kankrej cattle, graze in the Banni and close to 100,000 litres of milk are produced in the Banni every day. The region also serves as a breeding ground for the Banni buffalo and the Kankrej cow, for sale in many others parts of the country.

There are about 16 different types of embroidery in the Kutch, each belonging to a different community, with different motifs and patterns that give them a visual identity. The most well known, with its chain stitches and countless mirrors, is the Rabari embroidery.

The Rabaris are a wandering community known for their extraordinary capacity for survival and adaptation in the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. We visit the pastoral Vadiara and Kharapat Rabaris.

Nov 29 Day 13: Drive Bajana - Bhujodi - Bhuj / Hotel iLark. (B, L) Departing at 8 am we drive (190 km/4.5 hrs) to Dhamdka, the block printing village. We stop for lunch at a restaurant in Shyamakyali 30 minutes before arrival to the village.

Afterwards, we continue 1.5 hr drive to Bhujodi Village to meet the nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool on pit looms into blankets and shawls.

Close to Bhujodi Village, (pending their open hours) we visit Chandaben Shroff's project, the Shrujan organization which started as a small family project, and now has a network of over 2500 craftswomen spread across 85 villages. Currently, Shrujan works with 16 different styles of embroidery, done by a variety of communities and tribal groups. Their excellent exhibit displays the various embroidery styles.

Continue 15 km/ 30 minute drive to Bhuj. We estimate arrival in Bhuj to be 4:30 pm

NOTE: Bring toilet paper for the drive today. There are very clean roadside toilets, traditional style.

Nov 30 Day 14: Bhuj / Hotel ilark (B, L, D) A full day to visit various fascinating tribal villages surrounding Bhuj. Each tribe can be identified by its traditional attire and specializes in a different form of handicraft. You will see a variety of handicrafts, including textiles, vegetable color dye printing, Rogan art (wax printing), glass beadwork, woolen shawls, leather articles and more.

The Banni area surrounds the Great Raan of Kutch; the villages of Hodka, Khawda and Ludiya are located in the Banni area. Ludiya is the most beautiful of the Banni settlements.

The Banni (aka The Kutch) tribal dwellings are made of round mud huts called `bhungas‚ with a single central support pole and a thatched or tiled roof, all surrounding a large community courtyard. The women tend to be shy with male visitors, but are hospitable and will welcome you into their homes. They have an exquisite personal collection of embroidered quilts and garments. Walls, shelves, grain containers and cupboards are fashioned in mud with decorative designs washed with lime paste and embedded with mirrors that throw hundreds of shimmering reflections.

Depart the hotel at 8 am.

We start with a visit to Nirona Village (40 km/1 hr drive) with its fabulous Rogan art (wax printing) & bell making. Next, approx 35 km/50 min from Nirona, we visit Bhirandiyara Village, a beautiful Kutch village where every member is an artisan in some medium of art.

Continuing approx 15 km/25 min, we stop for lunch in Hodka village.

After lunch, we visit the picturesque Ludiya (aka Ghandi Gram) village of the Meghwai tribe of the Kutch with its decorative circular huts, 25 km/40 min drive.

Continuing, a 60 km/1.5 hr drive, we’ll visit some local weaving families in Sumarsar village, famous for Scoof Embroidery.

In this area, we also visit the Kala Raksha Trust in Sumrasar Sheikh village, a grassroots social enterprise, dedicated to preservation of traditional arts. Kala Raksha produces some of the most exquisitely hand embroidered and patch-worked products made in Kutch. Their museum exhibits excellent samples.

In addition, time-permitting, we stop by the Kala Raksha Vidyalaya (Institute of Design).

Return to Bhuj 30 km/45 min, approx 5:30 pm. We enjoy a farewell traditional Thali dinner (all veg) at Hotel Prince.

Dec 1 Day 15: Bhuj – Bombay-Depart Bhuj, the major town of Kutch, is an old walled city. There are walls within walls, attractive gateways, old palaces with intricate carvings, and striking brightly colored Hindu temples. This is India before the tourist invasion.

This morning we visit the Kutch Museum and Prag Mahal followed by a walk in the old city.

We’ll enjoy our last Indian meal, lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch there will be a short visit to the house of Mr. Alli Mohamad Isha, a tie and dye specialist, for an interactive workshop on the art.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to , 9w340 dep 5:15 pm, arr 6:35 pm. On arrival, transfer to hotel by hotel shuttle bus. Rooms for wash/change. Take hotel shuttle to airport for flight home.

PRICE: $4110 based on minimum 4 people. Single room Supplement: $915 Plus Airfares (estimates/exact TBD when booked) Bombay - Vadodara $125, Bhuj - Mumbai $135

Includes: Accommodation with daily breakfast. One night Bombay at Kohinoor Continental Two nights Jambughoda at Jambughoda Palace http://jambughoda.com/ Two nights Palitana at Vijay Vilas Palace http://www.heritagehotelsofindia.com/gujarat/vijay-vilas- palace.html Three nights Ahmedabad at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad https://ahmedabad.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Two nights Poshina at Darbargadh Poshina http://www.poshina.com/ Two nights Bajana at Royal Safari Camp http://www.theroyalsafaricamp.com/ Two nights Bhuj at Hotel Ilark http://www.hotelilark.com/ Room for wash and change at Kohinoor Continental on last day

Meals: Daily Breakfast, 12 Lunches, 10 Dinners Transport for 2 -3 people in A/C Toyota Innova; 4-6 people in A/C Tempo Traveler as per itinerary Arrival / departure transfers as per itinerary on the tour dates Professional accompanying guide in Gujarat throughout from Vadodara - Bhuj Local Tribal guides in Chota Udaipur & Poshina Monument entrance fees Still camera fees Jeep Safari, Naturalist & entrance in the Little Rann of Kutch Portage at hotels and domestic airports Bottled water in the vehicle (2 litre bottles per day per person) India Gov Service Tax 5%

Does Not Include: International air, visa fee, travel insurance, tips, video fees if any, meals other then mentioned, personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks