Tribes and Cultures of Gujarat
Tour Duration : 15 Nights & 16 Days
Highlights of the Tour: Mumbai – Bhuj – Hodka – Dasada – Modhera – Patan – Poshina -Adalai – Ahamdabad – Vadodara – Saputara – Mumbai – Departure for Home..!!
Highlights of the Tour: Mumbai – Bhuj – Hodka – Dasada – Modhera – Patan – Poshina -Adalai – Ahamdabad – Vadodara – Saputara – Mumbai – Departure for Home..!!
Day 01 – Arrive Mumbai
Upon arrival, transfer to “Hotel VITS” hotel in Mumbai. Rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel VITS.
Day 02 – Mumbai – Bhuj (by flight)
In time, transfer to the hotel to board the flight for Bhuj. On arrival at Bhuj, transfer to the hotel. Later proceed to obtain the permits from DSP Office. Visit the market, Bhujia fort, Darbargadh and Pragmahal palace, the Royal Cenotaph and the Aina Mahal museum in Bhuj. Overnight in the hotel Prince in Bhuj.
Day 03 – Bhuj
Today, visit Dhamadka (and Ajrakhpur if time permits) for block printing by the Khatri tribe, Dhaneti to observe the embroidery by the Ahir tribe (visit as well the old as the new part of this village) and Bhujodi to observe the weavers from the Vankar tribe. If time permits, also visit Ratnal near Anjar. Overnight in the hotel Prince in Bhuj.
Day 04 – Bhuj – Hodka (by road)
First, drive to Sumerasar to visit this village of the Khatri tribe, also visit the museum here. Afterwards drive to Jura where we can see Sodha Raiputs and the Maru Meghwar tribes. Continue to Nirona to observe the Rogan painting by the Khatri family, the copper bell making by the Lohar tribe and visit the Vadhas tribe who transform wood into household with bright lacquer colors. Drive to Hodka for check-in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit the nearby Hodka village where Meghwar /Harijan Community and Muslim Halepotra live. Diner and stay overnight at Shaam E Sarhad Resort.
Day 05 – Hodka
In the morning visit Jat people in Sararo, try to meet the chief (also in Bhagadiya there seems to be Jat people, when you buy something photo’s are allowed!). Afterwards visit Bhirandhiaro village with beautiful painted houses of the Meghwar tribe and the nearby village of the Raisipotra Muslim people. Have lunch at the resort. After lunch visit Ludia village of the Meghwar community and continue to Khavda where see some Meghwar but also Samma communities can be found. Later leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset at Indo - Pakistan border. (Last point for no man’s land), one can also see salt desert. Return, back to resorts. Today you will enjoy cultural program of Kutchi People at the resort. Diner and stay overnight at Shaam E Sarhad Resort.
Day 06 – Hodka – Dasada (by road)
After breakfast drive to Dasada visiting Chobari, May, Midiyara and Kumbhardi, all Rabari villages. The lunch can be taken in the Yoga center near Chobari. We will also drive via Dudhrej for a short visit to the most important temple of the Rabari people. By the end of the day reach Dasada. Diner and stay overnight in the hotel Rann Riders.
Day 07 – Dasada
In the morning drive to visit the national park of the Little Rann of Kutch to observe the birds (Siberian Crane, flamingos) and different animals like the wild Ass. Also make to small visit to the Agaria salt workers. In the afternoon visit some Vadiara Rabari, Koli and Bhairwad villages as Goriyawad and Ambala villages in the surrounding of Dasada as well as some semi-nomadic groups like the Mirs and Bajanias. Diner and stay overnight in the Rann Riders hotel in Dasada.
Day 08 – Dasada – Modhera – Patan - Poshina
In the morning, first drive to Modhera, situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River, visit the Sun temple. Later proceed to Patan, the old ancient city on the banks of the sacred Sarswati River, we first visit the Patola weavers and have lunch, afterwards visit the Rani Ki Vav step wells. After the visit, drive to Poshina. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 09 – Poshina – Ambaji – Poshina (By road)
First drive to Ambaji and make a heritage walk through the bazaar to witness the Koteshwar tribal fair, the walk ends at the Ambaji temple. Have lunch in a hotel at Ambaji. We will spend the complete day at Koteshwar fair. After lunch, we may also visit different villages around Poshina from the Gowala and Garacia tribes as there are Chatrang and Bedi village. Enjoy the traditional dance performed in the hotel. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 10 – Poshina
Before breakfast, visit the street of Poshina to see the Garcia girls carrying the woods from the jungle to sell the same in the market. After breakfast, we will go to the site of Chitra Vichitra fair. The Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribes in great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000. The site is believed to date from the time of the Mahabharata, when Chitraveer and Vichitraveer are said to have repented at the Shiva temple, around which the fair is centered. This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs is attended by around 60,000 to 70,000 tribal people. It takes place every year in the village of Gunbhakhari near Poshina. It is held a fortnight after Holi, the festival of colors. After lunch, take a tour of Poshina (walk through the village to see the Adivasi and Rabari tribes) and the villages around, including the Jain temple of Kumbharia, pottery and terracotta horse village of Saleka, tribal temple. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 11 – Poshina – Adalaj - Ahmedabad
Early morning, drive to Ahmedabad. Take lunch at Gandhinagar. Later en route visit to Adalaj Step well. Afternoon, visit Sidi Sayed Mosque, bookshop, Vidyapith tribal museum, Gandhi Ashram and the Calico Craft Center. Have dinner at Vishala with cultural program and visit to Utensil Museum in this compound. Stay overnight at the Sarovar Portico or Metroplole Hotel.
Day 12 – Ahmedabad – Vadodara (by road 114 kms)
In the morning reach Swami Narayan Temple in Kalupur from where the heritage walk of the walled city of Ahmedabad starts. The walk ends at the Jami mosque. Later, visit to the Calico Museum. After the visit and on the way to Vadodara visit first the Hutheesing Jain Temple. Later, transfer to Vadodara and check in and have lunch. After lunch, start a tour of Lakshmi Villas Palace & Art museum (if access is granted). Diner and stay overnight at Hotel Express Towers.
Day 13 – Vadodara
Visit the weekly market at Rangpur/ Sajadi where different tribes as the Rathwas, Bhils and Nayaks can be seen. In Chotta Udepur visit the tribal museum. Have lunch at Jambughoda. On way back first visit some painted houses afterwards visit Champaner (Pavagadh) with the Jami Masjid mosque, the walls of the old Fort and the Sahar Ki Masjid mosque. Diner and stay overnight at Hotel Express Towers.
Day 14 – Vadodara – Saputara (by road 301 kms)
After having breakfast, transfer to Saputara. First visit Dabhoi to see the different Gates and make heritage walk through the old town. Arrive at Saputara and check in to the hotel. After having lunch, visit the Nageswara Mahadev Temple which has the idol of the Lord Shiva. The temple is visited by a lot of people because of its religious sanctity. Also visit the museum of Saputara - it is a well-kept museum which provides the information about the tribes of Dangs. The tribal ornaments and musical instruments are exhibited in the museum. Stay overnight at Shilpi Hill Resort.
Day 15 – Saputara
Today visit the villages to see the tribes of Dang area. Main tribes found here are Bhils, Kunbis, Warlis and Gamits. We will also visit Ahwa to see the local market as various tribal people come here for shopping and sell their items. In the evening enjoy the Dangi Dance at the resort.
Day 16 – Saputara – Mumbai (by road 268 kms) – Departure for home..!!
In time, transfer to the Mumbai. Arrive at Mumbai and check in to the hotel for fresh up and dinner. Later, transfer to the international airport to board the flight back to home.
Upon arrival, transfer to “Hotel VITS” hotel in Mumbai. Rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel VITS.
Day 02 – Mumbai – Bhuj (by flight)
In time, transfer to the hotel to board the flight for Bhuj. On arrival at Bhuj, transfer to the hotel. Later proceed to obtain the permits from DSP Office. Visit the market, Bhujia fort, Darbargadh and Pragmahal palace, the Royal Cenotaph and the Aina Mahal museum in Bhuj. Overnight in the hotel Prince in Bhuj.
Day 03 – Bhuj
Today, visit Dhamadka (and Ajrakhpur if time permits) for block printing by the Khatri tribe, Dhaneti to observe the embroidery by the Ahir tribe (visit as well the old as the new part of this village) and Bhujodi to observe the weavers from the Vankar tribe. If time permits, also visit Ratnal near Anjar. Overnight in the hotel Prince in Bhuj.
Day 04 – Bhuj – Hodka (by road)
First, drive to Sumerasar to visit this village of the Khatri tribe, also visit the museum here. Afterwards drive to Jura where we can see Sodha Raiputs and the Maru Meghwar tribes. Continue to Nirona to observe the Rogan painting by the Khatri family, the copper bell making by the Lohar tribe and visit the Vadhas tribe who transform wood into household with bright lacquer colors. Drive to Hodka for check-in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit the nearby Hodka village where Meghwar /Harijan Community and Muslim Halepotra live. Diner and stay overnight at Shaam E Sarhad Resort.
Day 05 – Hodka
In the morning visit Jat people in Sararo, try to meet the chief (also in Bhagadiya there seems to be Jat people, when you buy something photo’s are allowed!). Afterwards visit Bhirandhiaro village with beautiful painted houses of the Meghwar tribe and the nearby village of the Raisipotra Muslim people. Have lunch at the resort. After lunch visit Ludia village of the Meghwar community and continue to Khavda where see some Meghwar but also Samma communities can be found. Later leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset at Indo - Pakistan border. (Last point for no man’s land), one can also see salt desert. Return, back to resorts. Today you will enjoy cultural program of Kutchi People at the resort. Diner and stay overnight at Shaam E Sarhad Resort.
Day 06 – Hodka – Dasada (by road)
After breakfast drive to Dasada visiting Chobari, May, Midiyara and Kumbhardi, all Rabari villages. The lunch can be taken in the Yoga center near Chobari. We will also drive via Dudhrej for a short visit to the most important temple of the Rabari people. By the end of the day reach Dasada. Diner and stay overnight in the hotel Rann Riders.
Day 07 – Dasada
In the morning drive to visit the national park of the Little Rann of Kutch to observe the birds (Siberian Crane, flamingos) and different animals like the wild Ass. Also make to small visit to the Agaria salt workers. In the afternoon visit some Vadiara Rabari, Koli and Bhairwad villages as Goriyawad and Ambala villages in the surrounding of Dasada as well as some semi-nomadic groups like the Mirs and Bajanias. Diner and stay overnight in the Rann Riders hotel in Dasada.
Day 08 – Dasada – Modhera – Patan - Poshina
In the morning, first drive to Modhera, situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River, visit the Sun temple. Later proceed to Patan, the old ancient city on the banks of the sacred Sarswati River, we first visit the Patola weavers and have lunch, afterwards visit the Rani Ki Vav step wells. After the visit, drive to Poshina. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 09 – Poshina – Ambaji – Poshina (By road)
First drive to Ambaji and make a heritage walk through the bazaar to witness the Koteshwar tribal fair, the walk ends at the Ambaji temple. Have lunch in a hotel at Ambaji. We will spend the complete day at Koteshwar fair. After lunch, we may also visit different villages around Poshina from the Gowala and Garacia tribes as there are Chatrang and Bedi village. Enjoy the traditional dance performed in the hotel. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 10 – Poshina
Before breakfast, visit the street of Poshina to see the Garcia girls carrying the woods from the jungle to sell the same in the market. After breakfast, we will go to the site of Chitra Vichitra fair. The Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribes in great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000. The site is believed to date from the time of the Mahabharata, when Chitraveer and Vichitraveer are said to have repented at the Shiva temple, around which the fair is centered. This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs is attended by around 60,000 to 70,000 tribal people. It takes place every year in the village of Gunbhakhari near Poshina. It is held a fortnight after Holi, the festival of colors. After lunch, take a tour of Poshina (walk through the village to see the Adivasi and Rabari tribes) and the villages around, including the Jain temple of Kumbharia, pottery and terracotta horse village of Saleka, tribal temple. Diner and stay overnight in the Darbargarh Poshina.
Day 11 – Poshina – Adalaj - Ahmedabad
Early morning, drive to Ahmedabad. Take lunch at Gandhinagar. Later en route visit to Adalaj Step well. Afternoon, visit Sidi Sayed Mosque, bookshop, Vidyapith tribal museum, Gandhi Ashram and the Calico Craft Center. Have dinner at Vishala with cultural program and visit to Utensil Museum in this compound. Stay overnight at the Sarovar Portico or Metroplole Hotel.
Day 12 – Ahmedabad – Vadodara (by road 114 kms)
In the morning reach Swami Narayan Temple in Kalupur from where the heritage walk of the walled city of Ahmedabad starts. The walk ends at the Jami mosque. Later, visit to the Calico Museum. After the visit and on the way to Vadodara visit first the Hutheesing Jain Temple. Later, transfer to Vadodara and check in and have lunch. After lunch, start a tour of Lakshmi Villas Palace & Art museum (if access is granted). Diner and stay overnight at Hotel Express Towers.
Day 13 – Vadodara
Visit the weekly market at Rangpur/ Sajadi where different tribes as the Rathwas, Bhils and Nayaks can be seen. In Chotta Udepur visit the tribal museum. Have lunch at Jambughoda. On way back first visit some painted houses afterwards visit Champaner (Pavagadh) with the Jami Masjid mosque, the walls of the old Fort and the Sahar Ki Masjid mosque. Diner and stay overnight at Hotel Express Towers.
Day 14 – Vadodara – Saputara (by road 301 kms)
After having breakfast, transfer to Saputara. First visit Dabhoi to see the different Gates and make heritage walk through the old town. Arrive at Saputara and check in to the hotel. After having lunch, visit the Nageswara Mahadev Temple which has the idol of the Lord Shiva. The temple is visited by a lot of people because of its religious sanctity. Also visit the museum of Saputara - it is a well-kept museum which provides the information about the tribes of Dangs. The tribal ornaments and musical instruments are exhibited in the museum. Stay overnight at Shilpi Hill Resort.
Day 15 – Saputara
Today visit the villages to see the tribes of Dang area. Main tribes found here are Bhils, Kunbis, Warlis and Gamits. We will also visit Ahwa to see the local market as various tribal people come here for shopping and sell their items. In the evening enjoy the Dangi Dance at the resort.
Day 16 – Saputara – Mumbai (by road 268 kms) – Departure for home..!!
In time, transfer to the Mumbai. Arrive at Mumbai and check in to the hotel for fresh up and dinner. Later, transfer to the international airport to board the flight back to home.
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