Day 01: Arrive Ahmadabad
The beautiful tour begins from the day of arrival at Ahmadabad airport where our representative will welcome you and will escort you to the hotel premises. After quick refreshment, you will be heading for the first destination of our tour Gandhi ashram, which is also named as Satyagraha Ashram or Harijan Ashram, since it served as the major epicenter of national movement. Based near Ashram Road, on the banks of Sabarmati River, this is a quite peaceful location which served as a residence of Mahatma Gandhi, who stayed here for 12 years with his beloved wife Kasturba Gandhi. It is from residence that Mahatma Gandhi started Dandi March in 1930, which is considered as an Indian Independence Movement. Haridaya Kunj is the cottage where Gandhiji used to stay and Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya is the museum located here. The day concludes by returning back to hotel for the night stay.
Day 02: Ahmedabad – Poshina
The second day of the tour is dedicated for the villages of Poshina. After breakfast, our representative will take you to Poshina which is based at a distance of 178.5kms via NH8. It takes around 4hours time to reach the destination. On arrival, one can explore the tribal shrine Poshina which is majorly populated with the captivating tribal communities consisting of Garasias, Rabaris and the colorful Bhils. The village serves as the home for several craftsmen like blacksmiths, potters, arrow crafters etc. The market area is popular for the unique tribal jewellery that makes a significant collection for the travelers. It is a place with cultural variations, unique attires and significant jewellery.
Day 03: Full day in Poshina
Since it is quite difficult to conclude Poshina tour in one day, the next day is fully allotted to the numerous gorgeous villages of this area. The full day expedition starts with Danta village where we can get introduced to the Dungri Garasia Tribes. This tribe has a significant population which is majorly divided into two states, Rajasthan and Gujarat. One can explore the beautiful tribal temples of this region with the engrafted terracotta horses which makes it a delightful sight. If it’s a pleasant weather you can enjoy the tribal folk dance with no artificial lights. Even if the adventure mind supports one can try the cooked tribal meals available here with recipes which have been passed on for generations. The day ends by returning back to hotel in Poshina for the night.
Day 04: Poshina – Patan – Modhera – Dasada
On the 4th day, completing the breakfast the journey starts for Dasada. On the route you can enjoy a short visit to popular villages like Modhera and Patan which were famous for Patola weaving specifically done by the Salvi tribal people. One can visualize different weaving techniques and multi fabric woven and designed for use.
Further moving on you will reach the famous World Heritage site Rani Ki Vav which is a step well on the banks of Saraswati River in Patan. Built in memory of an 11th century King of the Solanki dynasty, this is an architectural brilliance with wonderful artifacts on the walls of the step well. Though much has been ruined but still the remnants declare the brilliance and elegance of the bygone era and our rich inheritance.
Engulfing the beauty of Patan we will move forward to Modhera where the elegant Sun temple, constructed in 1026 AD during the rule of King Bhima of the Solanki dynasty will be a major stop over. The Sun temple dedicated to Sun God, is positioned in a calculative manner where the san rays penetrate the main entrance and falls on the deity placed in the innermost shrine only during equinox.
From Modhera it’s a straight drive to Dasada where you will check in a hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 05: Dasada
Dasada is a place with many prominent attractions so the day after breakfast starts by visiting the Little Rann of Kutch on a jeep safari to explore wild animals available here. It’s great to visualize some of the interesting animals on the run like wild ass, Nilgai, Black buck, stylish chinkara, cunning Indian Wolf, sharp Desert Fox, Jackals, Indian Fox, Jungle Cats, hyenas etc. For the bird lovers there are migratory birds like Ducks, Flamingos, Pelicans, Cranes, and Storks etc.
After the small wildlife visits you will return to the hotel for a filling lunch to get reenergized for another round of tribal village visit. This time our representatives will take you to explore the Bhairwad and Rabari villages of Dasada. In this area you can discover the lifestyle and culture of the Vadiara and Kharapat Rabaris of Dasada much acclaimed for their excellent silk embroidery works popular throughout the country. Other co-operatives like Bhajana are also quite popular here for their excellent weaving techniques and other artistic works. Other tribes based in this location include Mirs, Jaths, Siddis and Padhars. Their living style and ideas and thoughts are also extremely interesting. After exploring the area you will return back to hotel at Dasada for night stay
Day 06: Dasada – Bhuj
The next day is comparatively a more relaxing day since the agenda includes travelling to Bhuj and collecting permit for the next two days. So in the morning after having breakfast the tour continues for Bhuj which is based at a distance of 276 km from Dasada. It will take around 5 hrs or more to reach the destination. Once in Bhuj, check-in the hotel and then after refreshment, will collect permit from Collector’s office for the visit. In Bhuj apart from enjoying the ambience one can also utilize the time after lunch to shop around the tribal markets and fetch some authentic handicraft works. The day ends with an overnight stay at the hotel
Day 07: Bhuj – Bani Village – Bhuj
The tour for the 7th day has been organized for a full day excursion where you come in touch with the lives and people of specific tribes of Gujarat like Harijan, Meghwal, Jat, Mutva and many others by visiting the remote and rural villages like Banni, Ludiya, Hodka and Dhordo.
Banni: Bannia area in the Kavada region of Kutch is popular for its diversity serving an abode for the Meghwals, Sodha, Muslim, Mutwa, Rabari, Jats and other similar tribes who are known for their excellent artistry and hand crafted works which are simply charismatic. Using Kudi, Kharek and kambira stitches or satin embroidery or artistic mirror work almost like the Mutwa embroidery, they have created excellence in various house décor goods, clothing’s and accessories.
Hodka: Another prominent village Hodka in Gujarat is famous for its rich artistry and excellent handwork. Living in Traditional bhungas, the families based here are for generations involved in this trade making excellent embroidery work, mud work and even leather crafting. Travelers can interact with the people based here and purchase goods directly from the artisans
Luria or Ludiya Village: The major population of the village is controlled by Harijan and Muslim people. Wood crafting and wall painting are quite preferred job for them as they design their huts with these works of art. Copper bells, embroidery works, mud works, cattle rearing and wood carving are the major occupation of people here.
Dhordo: This is another village which exhibits the traditional excellence of artistry among the tribal people based here. The best visuals in this village are the exclusive homes with Mutwa embroidery and wall paintings
The day concludes by returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 08: Bhuj
The tour today includes visit to the exclusive village of Bhujodi where one can visualize creative artists engaged in weaving blankets and shawls. For the visitors it is an excellent experience to be in touch with the exclusive Rabri community or the grazing community and the Vankars or the weavers who have been continuing for generations the tradition of utilizing sheep hairs.
The next visit of the day is Tundav which is majorly populated by Rabaris and then Nirona village which also provides a glimpse of unique craftsmanship like lacquer work, embroidery, weaving, bell making etc.
The day ends by returning back to the hotel for the night.
Day 09: Bhuj – Dholavira – Wankaner
From Bhuj the next day it’s a journey to Wankaner via village Dholavira where you can explore archeological sites. . Once reaching Wankaner, will check in the hotel and rest for the night there.
Day 10: Wankaner – Jambughoda
The next day you will visit the Lothal ruins of Harrppan civilization at Jambughoda and continue touring at Champaner which is another city with the great attraction of Champaner Fort which dominated the pages of Indian history in 15th century. Once the spots are visited return back to hotel for the night.
Day 11: Jambughoda (Chhota Udaipur)
The next day is kept for the excursion at Chota Udaipur visiting some more rural tribes of the area and enjoying the famous Udaipur market.
Day 12: Jambughoda – Ahmedabad
After breakfast, get ready for a travel back to Ahmadabad where check in the hotel for a relaxing day spent in leisure
Day 13: Ahmedabad – Departure
The last day of the tour can be spent enjoying Ahmadabad city a bit and leaving for homeland with loads of memories of a wonderful trip.