A textile tour of North-West India…

A fabulous textile tour, with the opportunity to take part in block printing day workshops and dig deep into the amazing textiles of Gujarat and Kutch. We explore the history of textiles within India, starting our tour in Delhi at the amazing Craft Museum (probably my favourite in Delhi), then onto Allahabad to the renowned Calico Museum. We spend a day on jeep safari in the Rann of Kutch, visiting weavers on the way, and then base ourselves in the region of Bhuj to have a long look at weaving, block-printing, indigo dying and specialised tie-dying. No hippie rubbish here - this has to be seen to be believed.

These are highly skilled artisans who are working to develop their craft and markets, and you will be in the enviable position of buying directly from the maker, should you wish. There are no middle men here. You’ll see the skill and process of these amazing artists, and we’ll be rolling up sleeves to have a go. The workshops are absorbing, interesting workplaces where you’ll need to watch your step and be prepared for cows in the courtyard and pesky flies. This is an India unwrapped. We’ll spend a day in the workshops learning how to block print.

This is limited to 8 places only, is currently running at about £3700 per head, depending on numbers.

I am with you 24/7 for the entirety of the tour, we have local guides and excellent accommodation. This is a fun, immersive tour with loads of history, fabric and a great opportunity to understand how the artisans of NW India are developing their craft.

Pachanbhai runs a weaving collective called Three Threads, formed by Pachanbhai and his two brothers. Seven centuries ago Pachanbhai’s community migrated from Rajasthan to Kutch, where they practiced traditional weaving. I met him through the NGO Somaiya Kala Vidya, set up to help artists develop their practice, reach new markets and sustain their tradition. The links with organisations I have in India are important to me as it allows my tours to have depth and meaning rather than Tuesday it must be the Taj Mahal. Which, if you’d like to visit, I can also arrange!