Ahmedabad Crafts and Textiles Tour

Duration: 4hrs approximately. Can vary.

What this tour is about:

The state of Gujarat is famous for its textile crafts, including several styles of weaving, embellishment, dyeing and printing. Luckily, these crafts still survive, thanks largely to continued patronage by the modern Indian woman. Several non-profits have emerged as catalysts, providing financial, technical and social support for textile craftspersons. Indian haute couture designers are also showcasing these crafts in their work. As a result, Indian textiles today are in the midst of an exciting phase, adapting themselves to modern tastes and lifestyles, while maintaining a strong sense of tradition in motifs, colours and designs.

For those interested in crafts and textiles Ahmedabad provides the ideal stomping grounds. It is home to what is possibly the world's best textile museum (The Calico Museum). It has another excellent museum – the Shreyas Museum of Folk Art and Culture that goes beyond textiles to include toys, crafts, and the performing arts. Several non-profits have outlets in Ahmedabad and the city's street markets are a great place to see a wide range of textiles, both traditional as well as modern.

Places we will visit:

In this tour, we will see the following places:

The Calico Museum (closed Wednesdays and bank holidays) – the Museum has an outstanding collection of handicraft textiles spanning five centuries, beautifully displayed in a heritage mansion. A guided tour is offered by the Museum, in groups of 20. We will obtain an appointment for you.
The Shreyas Folk Art and Culture of Gujarat Museum (closed on Mondays and bank holidays)
Hansiba, the retail outlet of the non-profit SEWA (run as a co-operative by women, offering fair prices and good quality)
A small bookshop with one of the best collections of books on textiles and crafts that we have seen
Street shopping at Law Garden (remember to bargain!)

When:

All days of the week except Mondays, Wednesdays and bank holidays.

Where:

Starts and ends at your hotel.

Cost:

INR 9500 using Tata Indigo (can take 2 adults + guide + driver)
INR 12500 using Toyota Innova (can take 4 adults + guide + driver)
INR 17500 using Tempo Traveller (can take 6 adults + guide + driver)

Includes:

Knowledgeable guide, AC transport, driver with cell phone, fuel, parking charges, tolls, bottled water and all taxes.

Excludes:

Meals/refreshment, tips, entrances.

Prior reservation is mandatory. Email deepa@magictoursofindia.com or WhatsApp wa.me/+919867707414.