The Slow Cloth Tour of India Delhi Bhuj Dasada Ahmedabad Jaipur Agra 4-17 April 2015
Slow Cloth A Textile Tour of India For thousands of years, traders from all over the world have clamored to India for its luxurious handcrafted textiles. From the dazzling mirror work on the fabrics of Rajasthan to the ancient Ajrakh prints of Gujurat, each region has evolved its own signature style and in certain remote areas these traditional skills are still in practice today. Through a specially tailored journey, Slow Cloth takes you off the beaten track to discover these fascinating living art forms and see how they are reinvigorating contemporary rural communities. On this two-week guided tour you will also gain exclusive access to some precious Indian textiles through a pre tour briefing with your tour leader, broadcaster Nell Schofield. With many trips to the sub-continent under her belt, Nell will take you into amazing world of luxurious silk saris and delicate hand-spun cottons, and help you explore the exotic textile terrain that is India. Delhi Jaipur Agra Bhuj Patan Dasada Ahmedabad 2
Tour Leader Your host is broadcaster and fabric fancier Nell Schofield who first travelled to India in 1986 on a mission to source textiles for Australian fashion icon Linda Jackson. In the mid 90s, Nell returned to India to present a documentary on an Australian/Indian cultural exchange program for ABC TV called Delhi Dreaming. She has since journeyed back to the subcontinent on several occasions, strengthening her knowledge of its remarkably multi-dimensional culture. A long-time friend of the Powerhouse Museum, Nell hosted DFactory, a series of monthly design focused forums, and presented the popular hypothetical Through Indian Eyes. With her passion for all things sustainable, Nell will guide you through the world of Indian textiles on an unforgettable, socially responsible tour. Itinerary Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 Day 04 Day 05 Day 06 Day 07 Day 08 Day 09 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Arrive Delhi Delhi Delhi Fly Delhi Mumbai Bhuj Bhuj (Explore Kutch Region) Bhuj (Explore Kutch Region) Bhuj Ajrakhpur Dasada Dasada Patan Dasada Dasada Ahmedabad Ahmedabad Fly Ahmedabad Jaipur Jaipur Jaipur Agra Taj Mahal Agra Delhi and departure 3
Day 1 Arrive Delhi Delhi is a fusion of ancient and modern. Standing along the Western side of the Gangetic Plain, the capital and the third largest city of India paints a picture rich in culture, architecture and human diversity. Upon arrival you are escorted directly to your hotel to rest up for the adventure ahead. Day 2 Delhi This morning we explore Old Delhi starting with the Red Fort and Mumtaz Mahal Museum which has on exhibition rare examples of clothing that give an intimate insight into Mughal culture. Next, we visit Chandni Chowk, the oldest heritage marketplace in Delhi and wander through the bustling lane where they sell colorfully embellished wedding trousseau. After lunch, we head off to the Crafts Museum which showcases fabrics from many different parts of India including some amazing tie-dye work from Rajasthan and Islamic costumes worn by Mughal royalty. There will be an opportunity to browse through lanes with saree and salwar kameez shops before returning to the hotel. Day 3 Delhi This morning s tour starts with New Delhi, the imperial city, designed and built by the British in the 1920s with beautiful trees shading spacious streets and imposing government buildings. We visit Qutab Minar and India Gate before proceeding to the house where Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days. Gandhi encouraged people not to use machine-made goods which threatened the survival of weavers, but to use hand made textiles instead. He led by example using a spinning wheel to spin yarn for his own clothing and this simple act revolutionized the Indian textile industry. A small section of the house has been reserved for teaching spinning, weaving and tailoring to women so that they can sustain themselves while working from home. After lunch we visit a design studio in the city, and later in the evening we meet a textile expert for a lecture on the history of Indian Textiles followed by a sumptous welcome dinner. 4
Day 4 Fly Delhi - Mumbai - Bhuj This morning we take a flight to Bhuj, the geographical centre of the remote district of Kutch in the western state of Gujarat. This semidesert area, situated on the border of Pakistan, is a unique environmental phenomenon surrounded by the salt marsh Rann, the gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea. Kutchis maintain traditional dress called Chania choli and each piece is intricately embroidered with remarkable mirror work. Day 5 Bhuj This morning we visit Kala Raksha, a grass roots cooperative of traditional embroiderers in Sumrasar Sheikh, 25kms north of Bhuj. Kala Raksha was conceived in 1991 as a new model for social development through handicrafts, preserving age-old traditions to help generate income for communities. Comprising artisans, community members and experts in the fields of art, design, rural management and museums, the organisation works hand in hand with the meticulous suf embroiderers. After lunch here, we visit the Banni villages and explore their specialised crafts of patchwork and gotadi quilts. The Banni are also renowned for the most exquisite mirror work, a technique which the girls learn from an early age making extravagant covers, tunics and scarves. Day 6 Bhuj Early this morning we visit Ali Mohammed Isha, Master Artisan of the ancient craft of bandhani, also known as shibori or tie dye. The Kachchhi Bandhani is renowned for its extremely fine dots and sophisticated sense of composition. Ali Mohammed will demonstrate his art and you can try your hand at Bandhani too, if you wish. We continue our journey south to the old port of Mandvi where we see ship building as it has been done for generations. These hand-made wooden dhows are still used for transporting cargo, including textiles, to and from Africa and the Middle East. On the pristine beach of the Gulf of Kutch, we enjoy lunch at The Beach, a tented resort at Vijay Vilas, the summer palace and current residence of the Maharao and Maharani of Kutch. Next we pay a visit to Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, an educational institution open to the working artisans of Kutch (conservatively estimated at 50,000). Here we meet last year s graduates from the nomadic Rabari tribe and visit their nearby village which is world famous for its traditional round mud huts. Bold mirrored work nearly replaced the Rabari s repertoire of delicate stitches but Kala Raksha has thankfully helped to revive it. 5
Day 7 Bhuj to Dasada This morning we drive towards Dasada, stopping at Ajrakhpur just outside Bhuj to explore the crafts of block printing and natural dyeing. Ajrakh prints are among the oldest textiles in the world, traceable back to the Indus Valley civilizations. This is the signature cloth of the Khatri families and it has been at the heart of their community for over nine generations. The patriarch, Siddique, led the family back to the use of natural dyes, and each of his three sons has continued and strengthened these traditional techniques. We will spend time with these master craftsmen before arriving at Dasada village near the Little Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary. Check in to our traditionally-designed eco-resort where there is a special space provided for weavers to demonstrate Ikat and Tangalio. (7 Hours drive) Day 8 Dasada Patan - Dasada This morning we will drive to Patan, the ancient capital of Gujarat, famed for its now rare double ikat patola weaving. The patola sari is one of the finest hand-woven saris produced today, famous for extremely delicate patterns woven with great precision and clarity. A patola sari takes 4 to 6 months to make, depending on the complexity of the design. The weaving is done on simple traditional handlooms, and the dyes are made from vegetable extracts and other natural colours, which are so fast that there is a Gujarati saying that the patola will tear, but the colour will not fade. Late in the afternoon we drive back to Dasada. (2 Hours drive) Day 9 Dasada - Ahmedabad This morning we visit the women of the Rabari & Dherwad tribes who are noted for their exquisite embroidery. Dasada is also the perfect base from which to explore the Rann of Kutch, the last refuge in India of the Asiatic Wild Ass. We enjoy a slow-paced camel ride through the desert here before our drive to Ahmedabad. 6
Day 10 Ahmedabad In Ahmedabad we take a tour of the famous Calico Museum of Textiles, a pilgrimage site for textile lovers. The Museum is justly regarded as among the foremost textile museums in the world and an important Indian institution. Its outstanding collection of Indian fabrics exemplifies handicraft textiles spanning five centuries. Most significantly, it has become a major reference for surviving handicraftsmen and also for the Indian machine textile industry. In the afternoon, we visit Sabarmati Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi, lived for twelve years, pursuing his search for truth and fearlessness. Then we meet the Mata Ni Pachhedi painters of the Vaghris, or wandering caste, who make beautiful shrine cloths. These pachedi are an expression of the divine cosmic energy of the mother goddess and the unified manifestation of the creative and the destructive principles in her person. Day 11 Fly Ahmedabad Jaipur Day 12 Jaipur To offset the barren landscape, the people of Rajasthan show a distinct preference for bright costumes. Today we see many examples of these as we explore the monuments of Jaipur s golden age including the Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar, the largest of the five remarkable observatories built between 1727 and 1734 by Jaipur s founder, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. We will also visit City Palace and the Textile Gallery which has a vast collection of costumes and ornaments worn by royal family members. After lunch we visit The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of this living art form. We also take in the Albert Hall Museum which houses an exhibition of costumes of the Rajputs and wealthy merchants as well as garments of the varied tribes of Rajasthan including the Bhils, Meenas, Bhopas, Gadoliya and Lohars. This evening we visit a local family and enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dinner. Today we fly to Jaipur, known as the Pink City because of its many pink sandstone monuments. Jaipur s vibrant culture is on dazzling display in all the streets and bazaars. We take time exploring the many impressive forts and palaces through the city s winding streets. 7
Day 13 Jaipur - Agra Today we drive from Jaipur to Agra, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, the palace where great Mughal Emperor Akbar reputedly played chess using slave girls as pieces. The complex was completed in 1574 but abandoned only fourteen years later due to a lack of water. In Agra we celebrate the last night of our tour with a farewell feast at the hotel. Day 14 Agra - Delhi & departure After breakfast, we reach the climax of our journey at Shah Jehan s monument to love. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor as the final resting place for his favorite Queen, Mumtaz, who wore clothing embellished with so many jewels that she had to be carried around on a palanquin! After exploring this iconic architectural wonder, we see examples of Mughal attire on display in the craft museum s textile section. Then we check out from the hotel and drive to Delhi where rooms are reserved at an airport hotel before our transfer to the airport for the flight back home. 8
Tour Prices Per person twin-share AUD $8,950.00 Single supplement* AUD $1,950.00 Final payment due 3 February 2015 Deposit per person AUD $1,000.00 Fitness level Above average Please see terms and conditions for fitness level definitions. Tour Dates: 4-17 April 2015 Note: Tour group size is a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 people. Tour price includes Accommodation in superior 4 and 5-star hotels with private facilities and daily breakfast Meals as per itinerary (Lunch, Dinner) including special welcome and farewell dinner. Transfers on arrival and departure if travelling on group flights Domestic flights in India Sight seeing and excursions Entrance fees as per itinerary Lectures and talks Gratuities for local guides and drivers Tour price does not include International flights Drinks with meals Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry, taxis etc. Airport porterage Camera and video fees Travel insurance Visa Hotel Information: Delhi - Trident Bhuj - Kutch Safari Lodge Dasada - Rann Riders Ahmedabad - Taj Residency Jaipur - ITC Sheraton Rajputana Agra - ITC Mughal 9
Terms & Conditions How to Book Complete, sign and return the Booking Form available from Revolve Communications/Worldwide Adventures India Pty. Ltd. with your deposit and copy of your passport. Deposit / Final Payments Your deposit is due at the time of booking and is used to pay hotel, airline, or other deposits. It is non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. Final payment is due 60 days before departure. Failure to make the final payment by the due date may result in cancellation of your booking and loss of deposit. Payments are accepted by bank transfer, and online payment by credit card. A 3% service charge applies for payment by credit card. Cancellation & Refunds a) Cancellation by You - Cancellation charges will be applied as shown below, calculated from the day written notification is received by Worldwide Adventures. In addition to cancellation fees for tours operated by Worldwide Adventures as shown below, airlines, hotels and other third parties may impose up to 100% cancellation charges. 60 days or more Forfeit of deposit 59 45 days 25% of tour cost 44 31 days 50% of tour cost 30 15 days 75% of tour cost Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost In addition to the above, cancellation charges may apply for additional arrangements booked by Worldwide Adventures, such as air tickets, hotels. If the reason for cancellation is covered by your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. b) Cancellation by Us - We reserve the right to cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to reach minimum tour participant numbers). Except for force majeure, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure. No further compensation will be paid in the event of cancellation by Worldwide Adventures. A full refund of monies paid for tour costs will be the full extent of our liability. Cancellation and/or amendment fees may apply for additional travel arrangements booked by Worldwide Adventures. Passports, Visas and Vaccinations All travellers must be in a possession of a valid passport most countries require a 6-month validity from your date of entry or exit. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the valid visa. You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary inoculations and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour. Tour Prices Prices quoted in our tour information are based on exchange rates, cost of services and applicable taxes at the time of publication. Prices may be subject to change in the event of significant currency fluctuations or the introduction of new taxes, up until final payment is received. In the event of a price increase, whether because of a currency fluctuation, increase in taxes or a correction in advertised prices, we will advise you and you have the option of accepting the amended prices, inclusions and booking conditions or withdrawing from the tour and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. Once final payment is received, all prices will be guaranteed and no surcharges will apply. Fitness and Participation Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to have a doctor s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate. Moderate For the overall benefit of the group, all tour members must possess a moderate level of mobility, including the ability to: negotiate airports without wheelchair assistance use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities) undertake walking tour of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces stand for long periods in museums and other sites embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance handle your own luggage Above average In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to: Undertake walking tours of 1 2 hours Challenging In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to: Handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or above 35 degrees) 10
Allison Barclay Revolve Communications Balu Menon Worldwide Adventures India Pvt. Ltd WE3, 75-85 O Riordan Street NSW 2015, AUSTRALIA Suite 211 - Tower A Spazedge Sohna Road - Gurgaon - Sector 47 Mob: +61 (0)410 231 285 Haryana - (NCR-DELHI), INDIA E-mail: allison@revolvecommunications.com.au Tel: +91 124 4387371/372/373 11