Rajasthan- A Tactile Textile Tour 2024 Itinerary

Tour:  Rajasthan: A Tactile Textile Tour 2024
Dates:  12 to 30 October 2024
Solo TravellerAU$ 6990 [approx US$4620]
Twin Share US$ 5770 – when booking two places at the same time,
twin or double room share [approx US$3820]
Deposit:   AU$ 2800 due today secures your place
Early bird rebate
Deadline:  
Deadline 12 April, 2024. Book in by this date and receive
AU$200 rebate and our appreciation
Date full payment due:12 June, 2024
  
Airport for arrivalIndira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India
Airport for DepartureIndira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India
All prices in Australian Dollars.
You can check online for equivalent in your currency.
A site like www.xe.com can quote on current exchange rates.
www.wise.com or www.xe.com also reliably handle funds transfer with low fees.

Booking link OPEN

When you need to update details use this link please.

Group size 8 to 14 people.
dayLocation & activity   NOTE workshopmeals
Day 1 Sat 12.10.24Stay New Delhi 
 Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India 
 Airport pickup any time night or day 
Day 2 Sun 13.10.24Stay New DelhiB,D
 Sightseeing Delhi and gently easing our way into India.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple- you always visit the Gods before a new undertaking and this temple, built by the Industrialist Birla in the 1930’s has a lovely feel. To the left of the main temple is a small description of the significance of the sacred swastika, it is an important Hindu symbol which is good to grasp at the outset as you see it everywhere and it can be a shock for Westerners (and the true depth of perversion of the Nazi’s use of it can be understood).
 
 Raj Ghatto pay our respects at the cremation site of Gandhi, the beloved hero of India. [Knowing the nation’s greatest hero is a man of vision and peace and their most recognised building is a monument to love tells you a lot about this place] 
 Akshardham – [www.akshardham.com] a modern temple complex [ opened Nov, 2005]- a superb example of stone and marble carving- I am sure a new wonder of the world in its workmanship. 300,000,000 man hours went into the carving and construction over 5 years- breath-taking! Great lunches here as well 
 Craft Museum- a wonderful display of textiles and many other craft items in a traditional style building. As the displays tend to be a bit dark, but are displayed in such a way that you can almost put your nose on them I would suggest a magnifying glass (some of the handwork is so fine you can hardly see the stitches!). 
 Welcome Dinner 
Day 3 Mon 14.10.24Stay MandawaB,L,D
 We are heading to the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, long famed for its beautiful painted Havelis.
A Haveli is a rich man’s palace, built with double walls and an internal courtyard it was all about trying to stay cool and private in a very hot environment. One way of showing status was to paint them very intricately, today many are neglected but some jewels still exist, some are old and crumbling, some lovingly restored, all quite magic.
 
 We will visit a Haveli, our castle is also beautifully painted. 
Day 4 Tuesday 15.10.24Stay JodhpurB,L,D
 We will visit Ramgarh- a sleepy little town with amazing Chhatris [memorials for the dead]
It is believed that Ramgarh Shekhawati in 1900 had the richest per capita income in the world! A town with eight centres of Sanskrit learning, patronage of the arts, architecture, building technologies.
 
On the way to jodhpur we will visit Nila Moti an inspiring Women’s Group at Khimsar.
 Arriving in Jodhpur in the afternoon we will wander the local area, there is a stunning stepwell and the Clock Tower markets. 
 Dinner tonight at our hotel boasts a stunning view of the Fort 
Day 5 Wed 16.10.24Stay PushkarB,L
 Off early to Meherangarh, the mighty Fort of Jodhpur is our awe-inspiring start to the day. This fort is all you have ever dreamed of as a castle on the mountain top from fairy tales. 
 On the road to Pushkar via the Salwas dhurry rug weaver family. Lunch is a treat made for us by the family- real Rajasthan hospitality 
 We will arrive at Pushkar at the end of the day and settle in for a few days- send your washing out and relax. 
Day 6 Thurs 17.10.24Stay PushkarB,L,D
 Workshop day… your wooden blocks will be ready [notes about design and instructions sent out when you book in, you send us your design and we will have them carved, oiled and waiting for you to use].
Print a scarf to take with you.
 
 We will welcome you to our workshop and introduce you around, lots to do. Raid the sari scrap or khadi for a stitch project, we have a number of ideas to explore. 
 In the afternoon take a camel [or camel cart] to our place for dinner and gypsy dancers performance 
 Dinner is a cooking class, and we will supply recipes for you to take home and recreate some of the flavours of India later. 
Day 7 Fri 18.10.24Stay PushkarB
 Indigo morning, in our natural dye unit. We can share our recipe for a natural indigo vat and show some other plant colours. You’ll have a piece of cloth to dip, which we can start folding and tying the previous day. 
 Pushkar itself is also a lovely little bazaar to wander, so the afternoon is free 
 Note the Special Lassi you will see on menus is very special. Pushkar, a Holy town, can sell bhang lassi- it will make you high. 
Day 8 Sat 19.10.24Stay UdaipurB,L
 Early start, off to Udaipur, sometimes called the Venice of the East…. No canals but lovely lakes, our hotel perched on the top of the hill has great views. 
 We’ll pile into tuk-tuks and visit the Old Town, get you orientated and have a free afternoon to explore. 
Day 9 Sun 20.10.24Stay UdaipurB,L
 City Palace, this morning, early before it is too busy, 
 then a wander down through the market to Sadhna Women’s Co-operative, and further, along to look for turbans if you are interested. 
 Free afternoon 
Day 10 Mon 21.10.24Stay UdaipurB,L,D
 Bandhani workshop day– Tie and dye that is,   
 then an afternoon visit up, up into the clouds to the Monsoon Palace 
 and let’s put on a bit of Glitz for dinner the Garden Restaurant in the old palace that was once home to the Dowager Queens. 
Day 11 Tues 22.10.24Stay BundiB,L,D
 Akola village is not far off the highway along a busy country lane, famous for its indigo work and making the wax resist blue and red country women’s’ skirts- great to poke around and then onto Bundi. 
 Bundi in the afternoon, and dinner by the lake beneath the Castle. 
Day 12 Wed 23.10.24Stay RanthamboreB,L,D
 There is a lovely stepwell nearby, we’ll take a peek on our way out of town. 
 Driving across country we will visit Ranthambore National Park 
 Afternoon jeep safaris and hope to see tigers 
Day 13 Thurs 24.10.24Stay RanthamboreB,L,D
 Early start to the day- out at sunrise looking for tigers and 
 we will return to our hotel to have breakfast 
 Then visit Ranthambore Dastkar, take a tour and spend the rest of the day on the veranda stitching patchwork with the women, sometimes a little singing or dancing with the ladies- Praveen is very good helping translate so we can all chat and ask questions. Fun times 
Day 14 Fri 25.10.24Stay JaipurB,L
 There are some great galleries and exhibitions in Jaipur these days, so we will see what’s on. It will be a cultural afternoon. 
 Then our palace for the next few nights. 
Day 15 Sat 26.10.24Stay JaipurB,D
 Anokhi Blockprint Museum this morning, and a look around Amber Old Town 
 Lunch in Anokhi Café – [ right next door to the flagship shop],
a visit to Nila House
Then an unstructured day- you might want to relax at our hotel… or we have the bus and can poke around at places like a vintage textile merchants and other treats found in Jaipur
 
 Dinner at a well-loved Tandoori Restaurant 
Day 16 Sun 27.10.24Stay AgraB,L
 Off early to Agra, lunch on the way, 
 Goldwork Embroidery Workshop in the afternoon 
 followed by a visit to a Goldwork museum and jewellery display 
Day 17 Mon 28.10.24Stay DelhiB
 Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, watch as the colours change, and the dome starts to glow as the sun lights it up and the colourful crowds of people start to arrive 
 Then across the river to the Little Taj or Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah 
 Evening free 
Day 18 Tues 29.10.24Stay DelhiB,D
 Last day we will start at the serene Lodhi Gardens for a stroll, then out and about to the chaos of Delhi. 
 We will drop into upmarket Khan Market for a little last-minute research into top end textiles and garments…. OK- retail therapy and lunch 
 In the evening let’s put on all our sparkle for our Farewell Dinner. 
Day 19 WedDepartures Departures from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, IndiaB
30.10.24We’ll drop you to the airport 
   

Trip Includes

  • pick-up & dropping to airport ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT
  • accommodation on twin share basis [or choose single supplement]
  • group transport during trip- bus, ferry and train
  • all sightseeing and workshops listed in itinerary.
  • A wooden block carved to your design to pick up at our workshop.
  • breakfast and meals mentioned in itinerary

Trip Excludes

  • Shopping!!
  • airfares
  • visa
  • travel insurance
  • laundry
  • meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • drinks and bottled water
  • gratuities/ tips

Creative Arts Safaris Tours are fully escorted, small group tours that focus textiles, arts and culture and yummy local cuisine.

On tour we like to get our hands dirty taking workshops, exploring locations and culture, in addition to including lots of local experiences.

Our friendly groups are inclusive. They are companionable and well organized allowing a relaxed adventure and great for solo travellers.

Tours include pickup & drop to airport, accommodation, group travel, sightseeing, workshops, and most meals; almost everything EXCEPT the shopping – that is your job.