Gujarat - The Kutch Craft Tour

Drive at dawn from Hotel to Bhuj. Lunch at Hotel Prince/equivalent. Visit the museums of Bhuj and tour the town. You may also need to sign for permits to visit villages to the north. Overnight at Hotel Prince / Ilark.

Drive north from Bhuj to Sumrasar Shaikh where an NGO, Kala Raksha, has a fascinating heirloom collection of embroidery pieces. Continue to other villages known for their distinctive embroidery styles - Muthwas, Meghwals, Sodha Rajputs, Jaths, each community has its own style. Stay at Shaam-e-Sarad, an imaginatively designed, village community managed resort. There are many opportunities for photography, and viewing Kutchhi life-style in the nearby villages.

Drive from Hodka to the heritage village of Tera via Nirona where the dying art of rogan-painting is done by just one extended family. Nirona is also known for its lacquered woodwork done on hand-made lathes and copper bell hand-casting. Stay at Kutch Ecological Research Centre’s guesthouse at Tera and tour the interesting old buildings in the villages.

Activities : Heritage

Drive to Mandvi and stay at luxury tented resort on the beach. Visit the Design School at Tunda Vandh working to teach artisans skilled in tie-and-dye, block-printing, embroidery and other handiwork how to value-add to their expertise by designing finished products. Tunda Vandh is one of the most picturesque Rabari villages in Kutch and is known for its fine embroidery artisans. Enjoy the beach in the evening and walk around historic Mandvi town centre.

Activities : Heritage

Return to Bhuj. In the afternoon, visit Bhujodi known for its pitloom weaving, the Hindusthan Craft Park and the Shrujan handicraft retail outlet, Paddhar for Rabari embroidery, Dhaneti for Ahir embroidery, Dhamadka for block-printing and Anjar for metalwork.Catch train to Ahmedabad from Gandhidham, or fly Mumbai from Bhuj.

Activities : Heritage