Pastoral Groups of Gujarat

Enjoy Ahmedabad in Gujrat tour itinerary

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Located on the banks of the river Sabarmati, Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmad Shah, who attracted traders and skilled artisans, and established a formidable merchant class. Today it is Gujarat’s largest city (with a population of around six million) and is an immense repository of tradition, history and culture.

Enjoy Gondal in Gujrat Tour Itinerary

Travel 250 kms to Gondal. This afternoon visit Naulakha Palace, the oldest extant palace in Gondal, dating back to the 17^th century; it houses the ruling family’s private collection of beadwork, textiles, brassware, hand-painted toys and silver crafts. In the evening take a tour of Bharwad and Rabari villages around Gondal.

Gandal’s Top Attraction

Take an excursion to the small city of Junagadh. Visit the ancient fort of Uparkot; built in the 4^th century, it contains mausoleum complexes, palaces, Hindu temples, a mosque, two fine 11^th century step-wells, and a nearby cluster of 2^nd century Buddhist caves.  Also visit Junagardh’s main attraction – Girnar Hill, a holy site for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus since the 3^rd century, and an Ashokan Rock Edict dating back to 250 BC.

Discover Bhuj on an 18-day Gujarat Tour Itinerary

Drive 260 kms to Bhuj, stopping off at Rajkot to visit the richly endowed Watson Museum; its collections include textiles and jewellery depicting Bharwads, Ahirs, Darbars and other indigenous people of the province. Also visit Rashtriya Shala, where Mahatma Gandhi went to school and which now promotes one of his ideals, working to revive hand-weaving.

Top Attraction Points of Real Bhuj

The arid grasslands to the north, south and west of Bhuj are home to several pastoral tribes. Spend today visiting villages of Hindu pastoral groups such as the Ahirs and Rabaris, Islamic pastoral groups including the Muthwas and Jaths and Meghwal artisans.

Best Of Bhuj – Visiting the Sodha Rajput

Spend today visiting the Sodha Rajput immigrants from the Thar Parker area (now in Pakistan) at their respective villages; meet artisan families, learn about their livelihoods and customs and admire their unique and beautiful embroideries.

Discover Mandvi on a Gujrata Tour Itinerary

Travel 60 kms to Mandvi, known for its 400 year old ship building centre; ships constructed here roamed the Indian Ocean and made Kutch a maritime power. Local carpenters still make ocean going dhows in much the same way that their ancestors did. Observe them at work, shaping the great vessels (their carrying capacity ranges from 250 to 1000 tons) with hand tools and coaxing the seasoned timber into shape.

Best of Mandvi on a Gujarat Tour Itinerary

Spend today exploring Rabari villages around Mandvi, including some of the most picturesque in Gujarat. Traditionally Rabaris are camel herders and wanderers, and were once nomadic people. These days they are said to be semi-nomadic; some live in small hamlets of round huts with mud walls and thatched roofs. Also visit a Samma village at Pragsar.

Drive 320 kms from Mandvi to Dasada passing through picturesque old towns and villages. Visit Vadiara and Kharapat Rabaris, Jaths, Bajanias, Mirs and other semi-nomadic communities in and around the Rann. Though a bleak landscape, it is rich in biodiversity and is an ecologically important area for wildlife; it is most well known as the world’s last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (khur).

Travel 200 kms to Danta with a stop en route at Patan where you can observe the Salvis at work on the Patola, one of the richest silk textiles in the world, woven using the rare double-ikat technique. Also visit 11th century monuments at Modhera’s Sun Temple complex, and the 12th century Jain temples of Taranga.

Depart Danta for the 70 km drive to Poshina. Visit the tribal villages of the colourful Garasias located around Poshina – where you can observe artisans at work.  There is a wonderful collection of terracotta horses here (up to 2000).  Also stop at a tribal shrine visited by Bhils and Garasias from about ninety villages.

Drive 180 kms to Ahmedabad.  Visit the Tribal Research Institute Museum, which houses collections of weapons, implements, wall art, terracotta figurines and textiles – as well as recreations of tribal hamlets.  Also visit the Shreyas Museum, which has a comprehensive collection of contemporary rural textiles from all over Gujarat and various folk art items.

Travel 190 kms to the World Heritage Site of Champaner to visit the majestic 15^th and 16th century mosques and palaces with their unique blend of Islamic and Jain traditions. Afterwards proceed to Jambugodha, located at the foothills of the Vindhyas.  This is the site of a sanctuary, home to large populations of many kinds of wildlife and plants and herbs of medicinal value. [Image: Pavagadh Suman Wadhwa].

Depart Jambugodha for the 60 km drive to Chhota Udepur, the capital of a tribal district where Bhils and Ratwas live in secluded hamlets. Visit the tribal museum which has interesting examples of wall paintings and collections of folk costumes, artefacts, weapons and handicrafts. Afterwards explore the Ratwa tribal villages around the town featuring picturesque houses with painted walls and terracotta horses.

Drive 100 kms to Baroda, which was once the capital of one of India’s most powerful and wealthy princely states. Visit some of the many palaces and museums here,  filled with the magnificent treasures of the Gaekwad dynasty, established by the 18^th century Maratha General, Damaji.

Leave Baroda this morning and drive to Silvassa, a place of spectacular natural beauty, considered to be the home of Warli culture. From here you can explore the tribal villages of the Warlis, Gamits, Kunbis, Kukmas and other groups.

Visit the tribal museum. Set up to preserve the local tribal culture, it offers a fascinating insight into beliefs, life, customs and traditions through its collections of masks, musical instruments, traditional jewellery and hunting tools. You may like to do some last minute shopping for souvenirs such as Warli paintings, bamboo crafts and palm leaf mats.

Transfer to Mumbai or Surat for domestic or international flights.