Kutch has a rich variety of semi-nomadic pastoral communities whose life-styles have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Their dress is colourful and ornate and the women are often laden with jewelry. Their unique and beautiful mud houses have walls decorated with interesting textured patterns.
Day 1 - Bhuj
Drive to from Ahmedabad (or Dasada) to Bhuj, the capital of the Kutch province. On arrival you will acquire a permit to visit the villages of Banni and Bhujodi located on the outskirts of the north side of Bhuj. Bhuj is a perfect base for visiting villages in Kutch where the tribal people turn out exquisite, hand loomed woolen and cotton clothes decorated with dye or embroidery.
If time permits, you can visit Bhujodi village, just 10 km from Bhuj. Rabari men weave thick shawls, colourful traditional blankets known as dhablas and woollen durries on pit looms dug into the floors of squat mud houses. You can buy their products from a small shop run by the Bhujodi Handweaving Co-op Society.
Day 2 - Hodka
Today you drive to a village 63 km north of Bhuj where the local people built a resort consisting of colourful, hand painted mud huts and white tents that blaze in the clear sunshine. The villagers used only local building materials and natural products used also in their own houses. A night in this village is therefore like spending the night in the local's shoes, or in this case house!
Exploring the villages and windswept lands of northern Kutch is a thrilling experience. The resort will arrange a local guide who will help you to interact directly with the people of Hodka and acquaint you with the people's way of living, crafts and traditions. You can see embroidery, leather work, lacquer work, weaving and block printing.
Day 3 - Bhuj
You drive back from Hodka to Bhuj where this trip ends. You can continue via Gondal to Sasangir & Palitana to see lions and hilltop temples, or take a train or flight to Mumbai.
Note: if you do not continue to Gondal, then there is a surcharge as the car will have to return empty to Ahmedabad.
