My Indian friends and colleagues are undergoing extensive lockdown and increases in the Covid virus (as of September 2020), and although I would like to take guests to India to support the tourism industry, I cannot do so at this time. Tourism is having catastrophic downturns globally. Our presence in the Indian tourism industry really counts, and for every guest there are easily seven or more jobs fulfilled, formal and otherwise. Please keep an eye on the website for updates, as we will be returning to India as soon as it is sensible to do so. To all my Indian colleagues, please don’t think we have abandoned you.

Not going ahead at the moment, but as a taster:

The Rann of Kutch is not wide open for tourism and is still relatively undiscovered. The artisan textiles of this region have been saved from extinction by locals keen to pass on their knowledge to the next generation, and working with local NGO’s we will have an insider’s view into this extraordinary world of skill and traditional existing in the modern world.

This is a tiny group (8 max) being led by Ali into the Rann of Kutch, Gujurat, taking an focused look at the villages still making traditional textiles. Working with local NGO’s in the region to develop sustainable tourism, Ali is keen that the photographs you take will be stronger, with a deeper understanding of the artisan’s traditional way of life. No scattergun approach to photography here.

The itinerary is roughly Delhi, Ahmedabad, some time in the Rann of Kutch exploring the desert biosphere, and then into the villages surrounding Bhuj on two open studio days. We will have a day learning to do traditional textile techniques, a great opportunity to get hands on, and we end with an afternoon hand-binding a photobook before departing for Delhi. Some of the hotels are absolute gems, some sightly less developed.

Hurrah for hand made.