Jaypore Journeys, in collaboration with Breakaway, presents a curated journey to the enthralling and storied cultural landscape of Ahmedabad and Kutch. Back on demand, the seats for this journey are filling up fast, don't miss out!
From soaking in the sights and sounds of the walled old city, the historic center of Ahmedabad, to being captivated by the real-life experiences awaiting a curious traveller in Kutch, this journey promises you a unique view of the rich textile heritage and skilled craftsmanship of Gujarat.
Come indulge your senses in an opulent , diverse cultural journey, complete with historical context, immersed in local interactions and cuisine - a journey filled with new friendships, fonder appreciation and understanding of Indian textiles and some great stories to take back home with you.
Ahmedabad stands at the centre of Gujarat’s eclectic milieu, rooted firmly in the varied cultural traditions of the region. Its streets carry the sights and scents of mouth-watering treats while the old quarter offers a charming walk down memory lane.
From the few surviving creators of the coveted Mata-ni-Pachedis to a book store that houses rare textile tomes, a visit to this capital city is a roller coaster ride through mounds of unmatched treasures. Kutch is a study in colors, with the white, stark desert juxtaposed against the array of vibrant textiles adorning the tribes from this desert-island.
The villages that dot Kutch’s arid landscape are home to tribes that produce some of India’s finest handicrafts, with their textiles glittering with exquisite embroidery and mirror-work. The geometric patterns of Ajrakh play alongside the tie-dye wonder of Bandhani or the Rabari embroidery. The Rann of Kutch leaves every visitor awestruck and this journey will do the same.
This guided journey offers the opportunity to get exposed to the crafts and meet artisans and influencers who are driving the local communities to produce globally desired textiles and artwork. A textile designer will further enhance this rich cultural experience through a layer of educated facilitation.
At Ahmedabad, take a curated walk around the world-renowned Calico Museum of Textiles among a display of intricate dyeing, weaving, printing and embroidery techniques from across India. Prepare for a heritage walk in the old city exploring old havelis and ranino hajeero, the quintessential Aamdavaadi' market. Don't leave without a visit to the Art Book Centre, where you will meet Manohar Bhai who will wax eloquent about the best books ever written on Indian textiles and offer some in the bargain!
Savor treats such as panki and sugarcane juice or thaleepeeth, and khichu cooked to spiced perfection! Also dig into the special Khansa Thali at Agaashiye, a charming house where we soak in the cool evening breeze. Gather around for a delightful conversation with Villo Mirza, who has done some pioneering work with craft and textiles for SEWA and now runs her own trust working with women on appliqué and patchwork based design. Also offer yourself up to the magic of a hand-painted Pachedi, a Kalamkari art form traditional to Gujarat. Made on cotton or silk fabric, a hand-painted Pachedi worked as a personal shrine for communities forbidden from visiting temples.
The deep dive into the textile heritage culture of Kutch takes us through a demonstration of Ajrakh with the textile master Dr. Ismail Khatri, a pioneer in the art. Craftsmen work in harmony with their environment, where the sun, river, animals, trees and mud are all part of its making. In Bhuj we are exposed to the tie-dyeing technique known as Bandhani, a laborious tie-dye printing process,done completely by hand. The highlight of the Bhuj visit will be meeting the Vankars, known for their extra weft wool weaving, over a discussion of challenges faced by them. Also interact with artisans involved in creating wood, leather, pottery and metal crafts of Kutch and the single Ikat patola tradition that transforms textiles into art.
No visit to Kutch is complete without an interaction with the Rabari community known for their mud homes decorated with royal colors and mirror-work. Neither can one return from this magical land without a safari around the Little Rann of Kutch, an Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary rich in biodiversity. You could either be a tourist or be on a forever journey and experiencing the captivating real life and challenges of the local textile craftsmen will be the line dividing the two. Come and indulge your senses with a deeper, richer journey into the quality of craftsmanship that Gujarati textiles are all about.
Trip Dates:
11th to 17th December, 2017
How do we get to the location?
The best way to get to Hyderabad is to fly in from Bombay or Delhi. We can help you with flight bookings if need be. All travel within Telangana state for the 4 days is organised by us and built into costs.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
Great in terms of accessibility to the groups we want to visit, comfortable place to stay at, the property is in the heart of the city.
How do we book this breakaway?
Email us at journeys@jaypore.com with your details and we will call you back.
What if we are not coming from Delhi?
You could fly straight into Hyderabad from your city, or maybe a hopping flight via Delhi and we will make arrangements for you from there.
Will we get vegetarian food?
Yes, we can cater to vegetarians as well. Please do mention during booking or before travelling of the same.
FAQ's
How do we get to the location?
The best way to get to Ahmedabad is to fly in or take the train from Bombay or Delhi. We can help you with flight/train bookings if required. All travel within Gujarat for the 6 days is organised by us and built into costs.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
Great in terms of accessibility to the places we want to visit, comfortable places to stay at.
How do we book this breakaway?
Email us at journeys@jaypore.com for details and we will call/e-mail you back.
What if we are not coming from Delhi?
You could fly straight into Ahmedabad from your city, or maybe a hopping flight via Delhi and we will make arrangements for you from there.
Will we get vegetarian food?
Yes, we can cater to vegetarians as well. Please do mention during booking or before travelling of the same.
Is it safe to travel to Kutch?
Yes it is. We work with partners who are sensitive to these issues and committed to ensuring our guests are safe and secure in knowing they're in good hands.
What are the facilities available at the properties?
If you have the inclination to want man-made distractions in the midst of the natural beauty, some of the properties may have TV and the internet but that's really not what you're looking for on this journey.
What are we expected to bring?
We will circulate a travel advisory before you go on the trip.
Is this trip one I can do with my family?
Our journeys are usually designed to cater to people with an average fitness level.
A slow paced, introspective, meditative and workshop oriented breakaway may not appeal to kids. Information on the journeys will be detailed enough for you to determine which might appeal to the whole family. If there is a lot of long travel, walks on undulated terrain required, it will be specified in our detailed itineraries. If looking for wheel chair friendly travel, please check with us on what options we can recommend.
The dates don't suit me but I really want to travel to Kutch.
We completely understand this. We can customize the dates for you subject to a minimum group size of four people.
It is a one of a kind experience and over the years we have received lots of positive feedback. So here are a few testimonials of people who went on these curated trips and see what they have to say...
“The most important factor in the textile tour was our wonderful facilitator, Durga. It was indeed a privilege to be with her - her character, her knowledge and her general competence. Every textile location we visited was fascinating and inspiring. Also the tour of the old city of Ahmedabad was great.”
- Judith Green, on their Kutch Textile Trip, Feb 2015
“thank you for organising such a well-curated trip. I really enjoyed every moment of the trip. I must say that the trip was well planned out and all our needs were taken care of. Durga was the perfect facilitator, guide and friend. All in all, the trip lived up to my expectations.
- Aliya Ladhabhoy, Textile Trail to Kutch, Feb 2015
“The various outings to see craftspeople and their work were very instructive, and without an exception the people were kind and more than willing to share their technical prowess.”
- Bernard & Rashna Imhalsy on their trip to Kutch, January 2015
