Gujarat & Lucknow Textile Tour Of India

Assistance on arrival at international airport

On arrival at Mumbai International airport, after clearing immigration and visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS Executive will meet you holding up a placard. He will assist you with a transfer to your hotel. Mumbai is a place where culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, music, and theatres. The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment, and nightlife, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other world capitals.

Full day city tour visiting Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat followed by drive past through Marine drive

Morning proceed for a city tour of Mumbai visiting The Gateway of India, one of the most popular tourist hotspots of Mumbai. Sitting proudly on the Apollo Bunder, it overlooks the Arabian Sea. It is one of the defining monuments of the city of Mumbai and was built in the year 1924. Next visit Victoria Terminus, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, which is the busiest railway station in India and also an architectural landmark. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum (Closed on Mondays), which ranks among the city's most distinctive Raj-era constructions. It stands rather grandly on its own, crowned by a massive white Mughal-style dome, beneath which one of India's finest collections of paintings and sculpture is arrayed over three floors. The other famous sites to visit are the Dhobi Ghats one of the more well-known open-air laundry facilities in Mumbai. Afternoon you may choose to stroll across Fashion Street, a stretch famous for its expert clothing and accessories. Conclude your day with a drive past through Marine Drive.

Flight to Bhuj

Morning assisted departure transfer (with packed breakfast) to Mumbai airport to board the flight to Bhuj, known as a desert city, with a history dating back to kingdoms and empires, palaces from the rule of the Naga chiefs, the Jadeja Rajputs, the Gujarat Sultans and the British Raj. With numerous temples, small streets, and traditional handicrafts, Bhuj is one of the unique historical sites in India.

Assistance on arrival at airport and later visit craftsmen (Khadi work, block print, tie and dye, colourful thread work and embroidery work) in and around Bhuj

Assistance on arrival at airport and later in the day visit the Kutch Museum and Bhuj market area. The craftsmen in and around Bhuj have good hands-on Khadi work, block print, tie and dye, colourful thread work and embroidery work. Also, the handloom products of Bhuj are famous all over because of its finished intricate mirror work and brilliant colour combinations.

Excursion to Nirona, Bhindriya & Dhordo, also visit The Great Rann of Kutchh

After breakfast, go on an excursion to Nirona village, home to six different crafts, most notably Rogan painting, bell-making and lacquer work on wood. This 300-year-old art form is now being taught to the village women and children to preserve the skill. In Dhordo, meet the Muthwa community. The women here create an extremely fine style of embroidery that is patterned around a tiny mirror. Continue onwards to the Great Rann of Kutch, which is one of the largest salt deserts in the world with an area of around 10,000 km sq. Rann of Kutch is a massive expanse of cracked earth, inland from the sea, that promises to take your breath away. The nothingness for miles is both nerve wracking and stunning with small oasis of water bodies and shrub forests doubling up as homes for pink flamingos and wild asses.

Travel to Bajana en-route visiting Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur Village

Travel to Bajana, en-route visiting Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur Village. The village of Bhujodi (nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool), is a village skilled in traditional Bandhani (tie & dye), block printing and weaving. Here you can view live demonstrations and buy anything from shawls to blankets from the artisans directly. Bhujodi is also a centre for Piltoom weaving, Mewada Embroidery & Wood Carving Villages of Ajrakhpur where you will see traditional block printing using natural dyes. Continue travel to Bajana and check-in at hotel.

Check in at Hotel

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to relax or for own activities.

Travel to Ahmedabad enroute visit Sarkhej Roza

Travel to Ahmedabad, legends say that the city owes its foundation to Sultan Ahmed Shah. While hunting Sultan Ahmed Shah encountered a warren of rabbits on the bank of the Sabarmati river. Astonishingly, the rabbits turned fiercely on his hounds and defended their territory. Considering this as an auspicious sign, Sultan Ahmed Shah built this area as his new capital and named it after himself- Ahmedabad. The epicentre of art, shopping and dining destination, Ahmedabad wear many crowns. It's a place where tourists will be left awestruck by world class sights, striking architecture and will experience the new face of modern India. From mosques to markets to theme parks, Ashrams, and galleries, Ahmedabad has a lot to offer. Brimming with history, culture and food, Ahmedabad has all the ingredients that make it a fun-filled holiday destination. Visit Sarkhej Roza enroute which is a mosque and tomb complex located in Markaba.

Assistance on arrival at hotel, later visit Gandhi Ashram and the Law garden market followed by Gujarati thali meal for dinner

Assistance on arrival and check-in at hotel. Later proceed to visit Sabarmati Ashram which was the first Satyagraha Ashram set up by Gandhi, still makes spinning wheels, handicrafts and handmade paper. Visit Law Garden is a beautiful oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. This is one of the most fascinating places to see in Ahmedabad. It is a public garden both locals and tourists love to visit this place to indulge in some relaxing and recreational activities. The Law Garden Night Market offers a unique shopping experience as the goods sold here are handcrafted by local artisans. The Garden also serves as a venue for several cultural and music festivals, concerts and other activities. This area is famous for street shopping and delicious Gujrati Street food and snacks. Later in the evening enjoy Gujarati thali meal in the dinner.

Full day city tour with Heritage walk in the morning, Calico Museum, Dada Hari Vav (Stepwell), Huthee Singh Jain temple

Early morning enjoy the Heritage Walk starting at Swaminarayan Temple and ending at Jama Masjid in Old city. Later visit the Ahmedabad’s most edifying attraction, the Calico Textile Museum (closed on public holidays), houses a spectacular collection of ancient and modern Indian textiles. The Museum comprises of two wings: the ‘Haveli’ which houses religious textiles, as well as south Indian bronzes, Jain art, and Mughal and other miniature paintings; and the ‘Chauk’, which houses royal tents, carpets, furnishings and costumes of the Mughal and regional courts; textiles for India’s export trade; as well as a wide range of ethnographic textiles. Next visit Dada Hari Vav (Stepwell), built-in 1501, is an octagonal shaped intricately carved well, located below the ground level. Visit the famous Huthee Singh Jain temple, the temple is known for its excellent architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings using beautiful white marbles.

Excursion to Patan

Morning an excursion to Patan to see the Patola weaving of double Ikat (by the Salvi family who is a national award winner and the only ones in India to do this work). Patola very appearance lures the connoisseur of fine textiles. It has no reverse side, both sides have equal intensity of colour and design.

Flight to Lucknow

Assistance on departure and transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Lucknow. Known as ’The City of Nawabs’, this bustling city is home to some fascinating bazaars and amazing food.

Assistance on arrival at airport, in the evening food walk

Assistance on arrival at Lucknow airport, TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive will meet you at the arrival lounge holding up a placard. He will assist you with a transfer to your accommodation. In the evening, embark upon a Cuisine Walk of Lucknow to indulge into the never before pampering of taste buds visiting the roadside eateries (these eateries are very traditional, and none can copy the taste that they offer.) Start with Shri Lassi and move to Kaleji Kabab, Rahim's Kulche Nihari, Mobeen's Pasanda Kabab, Tunde's Gilawat Kabab and finally to sweeten the mouth the Silver foiled Malai Gilori at Radhey's. If you feel heavy after such a heavy diet, we still have a solution to try out the Paan.

Full day city tour visiting The Residency, Bada Imambara, Asfi Mosque, Chikan Kari embroidery works, later in the evening enjoy Awadhi cuisine

Morning proceed for the city tour of Lucknow starting with Bada Imambara a famous monument of Lucknow that is of historical, cultural and heritage importance. The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-Bhulayah (the labyrinth) and a summer palace with running water. Then also visit Government Museum, a must-see for all the tourists is situated in a modern three-storied building at the Banarasi Bagh area of Lucknow. Visit a chikan workshop that will mesmerise you as you watch skilled workers delicately working in unique styles and stitches on very light cotton cloths. Enjoy Awadhi cuisine the cooking pattern of Lucknow.

Travel to Agra

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

Assistance on arrival and afternoon visit Agra Fort

On arrival, you will be assisted with a transfer. Afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the large 16th century Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar, made with red sandstone, the forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise which is a labyrinth of Mahals, Court Rooms, Gardens, secret passway exhibiting an amazing mixture of Islamic and Hindu style of architecture. The splendid structures within the fort, the ramparts and majestic gateways signify the immense power, wealth and confidence of the Mughal empire.

Morning visit Taj Mahal and travel to Delhi

Early morning visit India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The epitome of love, standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his queen. Made in pure white marble, ornated with semi-precious stones and built around a beautiful four gardens plan split by watercourses, it is universally admired as the greatest achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Later assistance on departure and travel to Delhi.

Direct departure to airport

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be assisted by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive for a direct transfer to the airport to board flight for onward journey.