TIMELESS TRADITIONS
Immerse yourself in our north western Indian odyssey into textiles and the culture that surrounds them. Please join me as we travel from Ahmedabad the cultural capital of Gujarat to bustling Bhuj and into the heart of one of the world’s great textile hubs. From the Ranns of Kutch to the Arabian Sea we visit artisan villages, explore historic sites and enjoy natural wonders before flying to Mumbai for our big city experience. Along the way we mix with the locals, hear their music, sample their cuisine, witness their textiles being crafted into life and, above all, experience the ‘timeless traditions’ of a culture second to none.
GUJARAT: TIMELESS TRADITIONS
Apart from experiencing the highlights of Ahmedabad and Kutch, our trip includes Dasada where rare animals roam, Dholavira, the Indus Valley site where our textile story begins and the one thousand year old sun temple and queen’s stepwell at Modhera near Patan, home of double ikat weaving. On this program we discover from museums, markets and makers that textiles are a celebration of life. We’ll be meeting local artisans and internationally recognised practitioners of loom, dyepot and needle and have opportunities to try our own hands. We will also meet others who keep tradition alive from shepherds, shop keepers and shoemakers to dyers, dancers and designers – all vital parts of the bigger picture. We make sure to take time out and enjoy dinner under the stars, travel by camel (cart) into the desert and dip our toes or more into the fabled Arabian Sea. Our tour also takes in the ancient walled cities of Mundra (home to Vasco de Gama) and Mandvi where the great wooden ships that once plied the global textile/spice trades are still being built. When we finally farewell Kutch we greet the megalopolis of Mumbai where mondernity rubs shoulders with antiquity and we will enjoy a taste of both worlds!
YOUR TOUR LEADER: New Zealand born Australian Carole Douglas has organised and led more than twenty tours with a focus on textiles and their relevance to culture. Having worked on several major projects in the region she is at home with most things Gujarati and is a well-respected figure in the community. Her professional background in the arts, environment and education add depth and creativity to her tours. A practising textile artist, Carole currently operates a shop and gallery that offer handmade organic clothing, gift wares and textile arts.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAYS 1 to 6
FRIDAY 7 MARCH to WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH
AHMEDABAD
Accommodation: Hotel Cama on the banks of the Sarbamati River
Transport: private coach, Uber, tuk tuk
Activities include
Calico and Indigo Museums
Day excursion: 11th Century Modhera sun temple, Rani Ki Vav stepwell and Patan for double ikat weaving
Artisan visit: Mata ni Pachedi (mother goddess cloth) demonstration/workshop with master artisan Kirit Chitara
Designer visit: master embroiderer and social entrepreneur Asif Shaikh
Heritage and cultural sites: Gandhi Ashram, Darpana Dance Academy, Heritage walk
A little shopping at favourite haunts
Welcome Thali dinner, cultural event and traditional lunch
DAYS 7 & 8
THURSDAY 13 MARCH and FRIDAY 14 MARCH
DASADA (by road 2.5 hours)
Accommodation: Rann Riders on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch
Transport: by private coach (2.5 hours)
Activities include
Nature and village safaris
Traditional textiles
Dinner on the Rann and time out to relax
DAYS 9 to 16
SATURDAY 15 MARCH to SATURDAY 22 MARCH
KUTCH (by road 5 hours to Dhamadka, 2 hours to Bhuj)
Accommodation Hotel Prince Bhuj, Hodko desert camp
Transport: private coach, tuk tuk
Activities include
Traditional artisan visits and demonstrations /workshops; embroidery, cloth and carpet weaving, block printing, resist dyeing – batik, Bandhani, Namda (felt)
Visits to rural villages: Rabari, Jat, Megwhal communities
Antique textile collector and story teller: Salim Wazir
Cooking class – Kutch Cuisine with Teena Solanki, Mandvi
Living and Learning Design Centre (textile museum and crafts education)
Excursions to Great Rann of Kutch, Dholavira (Indus Valley), Arabian Shores (Mandvi Beach)
Local markets, designer studios and heritage sites
Traditional Gujarati dinner, dining on Arabian shores, two lunches
DAYS 17 to 21
SUNDAY 23 MARCH to THURSDAY 27 MARCH
MUMBAI (one hour early morning flight from Bhuj)
Accommodation: Hotel Godwin (or similar) Colaba
Transport: private coach for excursions, Uber for local
Activities include
Visits to museums, galleries
Day excursion to traditional seaside village, city tour
Markets, malls and time to browse and shop at your own pace, prepare for departure
Farewell dinner, special lunch
DAY 22
FRIDAY 28 MARCH
DEPATURES
Please note that our hotels are 3-4 star and are clean, comfortable and safe with in house dining. All are conveniently located. Rann Riders is an eco resort, Banni Desert Camp is a traditional experience and all meals are included in both places. I have worked with our transport company Krish Travels for 20 years. They have an unblemished safety record and are with us 24/7. We give drivers time off when appropriate and use local cars and tuk tuks. We move at a leisurely pace to absorb our surroundings and in this land of the unexpected if something does not occur due to circumstances beyond our control I can guarantee that something equally as good will take its place.
Your detailed daily itinerary with hotel contacts will be sent to you shortly before departure.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS
TOUR PRICE:
Land Only (Own Room) AU$10,500
No Single Supplement: Reduction for partners.
LAND ONLY TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• Transport in comfortable air conditioned coaches
• Transfers, touring and entry fees as per itinerary
• Single accommodation in comfortable hotels with private facilities
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• English speaking local guides
• Applicable tipping and gratuities for group arrangements
• Services of Tour Leader
• Tour booklet
LAND ONLY TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• International air travel from Australia to Greece
• Airport taxes
• Beverages with meals (excl. tea and coffee at breakfast)
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Airport to hotel transfers if not travelling on suggested flights
• Visa requirements of the tour member
• Items of personal nature (phone, laundry etc.)
AIRFARES:
Please contact Tony@outandabouttravel.com.au for the best fares available at the time of booking.
I’M INTERESTED…HOW DO I BOOK?
Fill in the online Booking Form, read and agree with our Terms & Conditions, select your payment option for your deposit of $1500.00 per person to Alumni Travel and Submit. Upon receipt of your Booking Form and deposit, you will receive a confirmation of your place in writing.
DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT:
The deposit is accepted as a first installment of the tour cost and will be fully refunded if the arrangements can not be confirmed or the tour is cancelled by Alumni Travel. Final payment for the tour needs to be received at least 60 days prior to tour departure. An invoice will be sent to you about a fortnight before the final payment becomes due.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS:
Any cancellation from the tour needs to be done in writing. The cancellation date will be taken from the day your written cancellation is received by Alumni Travel. Because of the tour cancellation charges imposed by our various suppliers, the following cancellation charges apply, per person:
Over 60 days $100.00 – Administration Fee
59 – 40 days 25% of tour cost
39 – 10 days 50% of tour cost
Within 10 days 100% of tour cost
If a difference occurs between these cancellation conditions and those imposed by our suppliers, then the conditions of the supplier shall apply.
There is no refund before or after travel has commenced or for any unused portion of the tour, either in regard to the standard group arrangements or separate independent arrangements.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS:
Any payments by credit card will be subject to a 2% non-refundable Merchant Administration Fee.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
It is now standard policy with our company that all our international travellers have some type of international travel insurance, so that you are covered for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. A comprehensive Insurance brochure is available from Alumni Travel. The insurance brochure contains the terms and conditions under which insurance cover will be offered to you.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
If you would like Alumni Travel to assist you with any additional arrangements pre or post tour, please contact our office for assistance at time of booking. All arrangements need to be finalised at least 30 days prior to your departure.
AMENDMENTS:
An administration fee of $30.00 per amendment will be charged for any changes made to any reservation within 30 days prior to your departure. Any additional charges imposed by our suppliers will also be payable.
PASSPORT AND VISAS:
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that they possess the necessary travel documentation for the tour, such as a valid passport and any required visas. Your passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond the end of your journey and have two clear pages for each country to be visited in your journey.
FORCED CANCELLATION:
In the event that passenger numbers do not reach the minimum number of tour participants (approximately 10, excluding the tour leader) required for the tour, it may be necessary to either surcharge or cancel the tour. If such an event does occur, you will be notified at least 60 days prior to the tour departure.
TOUR PRICES:
This tour price has been calculated on the basis of exchange rates and tariffs at time of print and is subject to change up until final payment has been received. At the time of final invoicing (approximately two months prior to the tour departure date), Alumni Travel reserves the right to re-cost the tour based on actual exchange rates. This could mean an increase or decrease to the above listed prices. Should you decide to cancel your arrangements on the basis of a change in the tour price, normal cancellation charges will apply.