After breakfast, the guests will check out of the hotel and be driven to Modhera Sun Temple. Situated at a driving distance of approximately 100 kms from Ahmedabad, the Sun Temple in Modhera is dedicated to the Hindu Solar deity, Lord Surya. Built by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty during 1026-1027 AD, the temple complex & the sculpted kund are magnificent pieces of the dynasty (950-1300 AD). This temple was designed keeping in mind the Shilpa & Vastu shastras, the ancient science of architecture & design, and the entire temple structure seems to be floating on a base resembling a blooming lotus. A guided walk in the Sun temple decoding the Heritage of the Sun worship and its association in community history with the myth of the Ramayana.

Following the visit, the guests are driven to Patan (an approximate 50 kms drive from Modhera). The historic town of Patan, founded in 796 AD, is located on the banks of Saraswati River & is best known for Rani Ki Vav – an astoundingly beautiful step-well, made in the form of an inverted temple, showcasing the superior craftsmanship of that era, with steps leading down through multiple levels with lines of carved pillars & more than 800 sculptures, mostly on Vishnu-avatar themes, as well as striking geometric patterns. The stories in the frozen yellow sandstone in the form of a variety of spectacular iconography captures the mind of the spectator. Patan is also home to Patola Sarees, a centuries-old double Ikat weave, involving a very intricate and complex process of tie-dyeing on the warp and weft before weaving.

After lunch at Patan, guests are driven to Dholavira, the larger of the two most remarkable excavation sites of the Indus Valley  Civilization in the country, dating back to almost 4,500 years ago. The drive from Patan to Dholavira is approximately 275 kms and as we drive from the eastern side of the Rann of Kutch, the guests are greeted with a glimpse of the white dunes!

Upon arrival in Dholavira, the guests are escorted to check-in.

After breakfast at the hotel, the guests are escorted to visit the excavation site in Dholavira.

Dholavira, surrounded by Rann of Kutch, offers a unique insight into the pioneering Harappan mind, with one of the world’s earliest and best-planned water conservation systems and what might be the world’s first signboards, written in ancient Indus script. The remains here show an imposing citadel in the center, with a middle and lower town, each fortified separately, built with pleasingly smoothed structures of sun-dried brick and stone masonry, and with remarkable town planning. Well laid out lanes lead outward systematically from the citadel, with a thoughtfully constructed underground drainage system for sanitation. The excavation also tells the story of the 7 stages of the civilization, from development to maturity to decay. After the peak of the civilization, Dholavira was temporarily abandoned, after which it seems that the settlers returned with a markedly deurbanized culture. There are hints that they  willingly chose to simplify their lives, rather than try to ride the collapse of their once glorified civilization.

After an early lunch, the guests will then be driven to Bhuj (approximately 215 km, 4-5 hours drive). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Evening visit the Swaminarayan Temple and witness the evening prayer ceremony.

The aarti is a form of worship and is one of the most prominent rituals in the Sanatan Dharma

This morning, after breakfast, we will drive towards the Rann! En-route we visit the Nirona village, approximately an hour’s drive from Bhuj.

Nirona is famous for Rogan painting. The Rogan painting is an inherited art form that has been around for 400 years. It is to have originated from Muslim Khatris and was practiced exclusively in the Gujarat region. The Abdul Gafur Khatri family has been trying to revive the art form since the 1980s by painting things other than ceremonial clothing, hosting exhibitions and spreading awareness about the art form. Besides Rogan painting, the village of Nirona is also famous for bell making & lacquer work.

Following this visit, the guests will be driven to Hodka. Hodka Village is one of the growing areas of rural tourism known for its rich art and crafts and strong cultural backgrounds. The village is home to the Harijan community, who are traditional craft and embroidery artisans from further north. A traditional lunch will be arranged for our guests in this tribal village.

After lunch, the guests will be escorted to the White Rann, approaching the salt lands from the western side. En-route, we stop at the Dhordo Village, famous for extraordinary embroidery & mud mirror work, and at Khavda Village, which is famous for pottery.

Following these experiences, we then proceed to witness the grandeur of the white dunes of Rann while being serenaded as we catch the sunset at the Rann. Guests are then driven back to Bhuj (approximately 2 hours drive)

After breakfast, the guests will be escorted to visit Ajrakhpur & Bhujodi Handicraft village.

Ajrakhpur is famous for Ajrakhi printing or the Hand Block printing and originated in Sindh. The artisans migrated from ancient Sindh and settled in this village in Kutch. Guests will interact with Dr. Ismail Khatri & his sons to get detailed knowledge on the Ajrakhi  printing. The print is now very much part of modern fashion shows and it is a delight in the manner that tradition lives vibrantly with the contemporary.

Further, visiting LLDC – Living & Learning Design Centre. Dedicated to the craftspeople of Kutch, LLDC is a multi-dimensional crafts education & resource center that trains & supports craftsmen.

After lunch, the guests will be escorted to visit Bhujodi Handicraft village: Hiralaxmi Craft Park, was built with a vision to preserve, restore and promote the art and craft of Kutch and make them accessible to the public. Here, guests can observe the craftsmen  working live & interact with them, experiencing the priceless weaving traditions of shawls, where music and rituals permeate the weaving world.

Also, the visit of Aina Mahal. This museum was originally built under Rao Lakhpatji and now stands as a storehouse of the culture and history of Kutch. Prag Mahal, situated on the other side of Aina Mahal, was built in 1797. The Museum, established in 1877 is the oldest in Gujrat & has the largest collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions and displays textiles, armory, gold and silver ornaments and
other exhibits belonging to the region.

Following breakfast, the guests are escorted to the respective airports to board flight to onward destination.