DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI: BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Arrive Delhi by International Flight.
Today you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you at the arrival terminal building and transfer to Hotel.
Delhi – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 02: DELHI
After breakfast you will proceed for visit of Old & New Delhi.
Enjoy unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic. You will visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Asia, followed by a private tricycle rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk, also known as Silver Street. Next we shall drive past the mighty Red Fort, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan – the builder of Taj Mahal. Conclude the tour of Old Delhi with visit to Gandhi Memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead.
Later visit New Delhi: The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. Our drive back to the hotel will be through one of the most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Presidential House and India Gate – a war memorial arch. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 03: DELHI- AHMEDABAD: BY FLIGHT:
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight to Ahmedabad. Flight TBA
Assistance on arrival at Ahmedabad Airport and transfer to Hotel. Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma (Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The city offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). The monuments of Ahmedabad mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the ‘Manchester of the East’.
Afternoon visit Calico Textile Museum (Limited visitors allowed) – It is housed in one of the exclusive and magnificent residence of the well-known Sarabhai family. Later visit Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi from where he launched the Independence struggle, starting with Dandi Salt March to Sea Coast, 240 mile away, on 12 March, 1930, with 79 selected followers to break the Salt Tax, imposed by the British. Also visit Heritage monuments like the Sidi Sayeed Mosque, located near Lal Darwaza and built in 1573. The olid stone carved jaalis in the windows of the Western wall, look like fine lace filigree work, but are hewn from solid stone. The craftsmanship of this mosque places it on a level unequalled in the world Another interesting architectural observation worth noting at the Siddi Bashir’s mosque outside the Sarangpur gate is, if the top portion of one of the two 20 metres high minarets, each with three storeys with carved stone balconies and joined by a flat terrace is shaken, the vibrations travel to the second minaret and that one too starts swaying back and forth. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 04: AHMEDABAD – ZAINABAD: BY: SURFACE:
After breakfast drive to Zainabad (225 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive) en-route visit Adlaj-Patan and Modhera. Visit the 450 years old Adalaj Step well – a water management system 18km away, as your first stop. The temperature inside the well would be about five degrees lower than the outside hot summer temperatures. The Salvi family. who are today the lone flag bearers of this traditional art will be happy to explain the complete process of the Double Ikkat Patolas – both sides of which have equal intensity of colour and design, there being NO reverse side.
Modhera: The 11th century Sun temple has 108 smaller shrines, an exquisite 52 pillared portico, beautiful domed central portion and a sanctum sanctoruim designed so that the sun light falls on the bejewelled statue of the God, especially at sunrise during the equinox.
After visiting we continue our drive to Zainabad, where the local Prince will brief you on the tribals in the Little Rann of Kutch and their handicrafts. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 05: ZAINABAD
After breakfast visit tribal villages nearby Zainabad in the Little Rann of KUTCH, meeting the Bharwad, Koli and Bajania tribals who still maintain their rich heritage…See the Rabariis on the move. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 06: ZAINABAD – BHUJ: BY SURFACE:
After breakfast drive Bhuj (Kutch) (260 kms, 06 Hrs Drive) en-route meet more Rabariis and others on the move. On arrival check in at Hotel. Later visit DSP/ Collectrate Office of Bhuj **.
** NOTE: Permit is must for the interior villages with personal presence, Will assist for the procedure. Timing of DSP/ Collector Office Monday to Saturday – 10.30 to 1700 Hrs except second Saturday/Sunday & Public Holidays. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 07: BHUJ – HODKA: BY: SURFACE:
After breakfast drive up north to Banni via visiting Kala Raksha Museum & Nirona village (rogan art, lacquer work and bell making depending on time and your interest) Lunch at Hodka resort, afternoon break, before go to Dhordo village to learn about Mutva embroidery and see the White Rann of Kutch (Salt plains). Leaving Bhuj for Banni, we visit KALA RAKSHA, just 25 km away- a museum of Kutch arts and a centre for promoting Kutch embroidery, as also training centre for the local people. BANNI area of the Rann of Kutch you would find to be the most interesting as also informative.
Embroidery: The embroidery craft is carried from generation to generation with embroidered articles forming an important part of ‘Dowry’ given to the brides. Some of the important embroidery works in Kutchis known as: Rabari embroidery, Ahir embroidery, Bavalia embroidery or ‘Kutchi Bharat’, Sindhi embroidery, Aari work, Soof embroidery. Mutva embroidery in Banni (Dhordo village) is famous for Gotam stich or Sindhi Kadai.
In Banni area the embroidery work is also done on leather shoes or ‘Mojdi’, purses bags, belts, wallets etc. Hodka village in Banni is famous for Meghwal embroidery and leather work. Take a late evening walk in the village you will see the villagers, busy with their normal chores. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 08: HODKA:
After breakfast leave for Dhordo village, and on to the White Rann of Kutch. (when the marshy salt flats become snow white after the shallow water dries up each season before the monsoon rains set in) Watch a demonstration on Mutva Embroidery by the grand daughter of Gulbeg, and also see Mud & mirror work…
Afternoon leave for Ludiya village, see painted huts, mud work and embroidery work, spending an hour there before going to Khavda. Before sunset around 1800 Hrs, reach the top of the Kalo Dungar (black hills-1500 ft highest hill of Kutch) to get a magnificent view of the great Rann of Kutch. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 09: HODKA:
After breakfast drive to visit Qasab (non-Governmental Organization working with local artisans) in KHAVDA (35 Kms from Hodka).
Afternoon re-visit any of village/community you want to spend more time or to learn more about any particular stitch/embroidery, as this is your last evening in Banni region. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 10: HODKA – BHUJ- MUMBAI: BY FLIGHT:
Early morning transfer to Bhuj Airport (60 Kms, 01 Hr Drive) to board flight to Mumbai. Flight TBA
Assistance on arrival at Mumbai Airport and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the local market. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 11: MUMBAI – BACK HOME: BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT:
Breakfast at hotel. On time transfer to Airport to board flight to Back Home.
***** Return For Another Memorable Trip With Us *****