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GUJARAT TEXTILES & HANDCRAFTS
24 January – 7 February 2026
SCROLL DOWN to read testimonials from our previous Gujarat travellers
retreat|recreate is delighted to offer this exciting, trip-of-a-lifetime exploration of fascinating Gujarat, arguably one of India’s most textile-rich states. Located on India’s west coast, Gujarat is known for its superb textile and handcraft traditions, rich cultural heritage, impressive architecture and incredible landscapes. Our journey through Gujarat is sure to touch, inspire and leave you in awe.
JOIN US as for this textile and visual feast as we visit several specialist and highly acclaimed textile museums and galleries, artisan villages and ateliers, women’s co-operatives, colourful bazaars and fabulous tourist sites including stepwells, temples and the magical Great Rann of Kutch salt desert.
Participate in hands-on workshops in: Kalamkari cloth painting with a multi-generational family of Mata ni Pachedi artists, Ajrakh block printing, bandhani (tie & dye), a batik (wax resist dyeing), stitching and thread embellishment with a women’s organisation and embroidery and tassel-making with talented women artisans.
Observe skilled artisans as they demonstrate silk brocade weaving, wood block carving, patola (single and double ikat) weaving, mashru (silk-cotton) weaving, cotton spinning and weaving, Rogan art, several styles of embroidery, kharad wool rug weaving, bell making, lacquerware, woodcrafts and more!
Engage with local women and artisans, be inspired by incredible design and craftsmanship, marvel at stunning landscapes and architecture and experience traditional Gujarati culture and generous hospitality. Plus much, much more.
We’d love you to join our small group of like-minded textile and handcraft enthusiasts for this fabulous trip of a lifetime!
Click HERE to view the tour information and documents or HERE to register your interest for our India tours or enquire about a private tour for your group of friends/crafters.
This was my second trip with retreat|recreate and it did not fail to impress. The careful planning of the tour company is so important for me. The inclusive approach taken by Susan K to ensure we were a very cohesive and caring group made all the difference. This is especially important if you are a solo traveller. The tour was rich with experiences, learning and sharing of knowledge about textiles, India and life in general. I can’t wait for my next trip with retreat|recreate. Cathrine – India (Rajasthan & Gujarat) Feb 2025 (Morocco 2024 and Lembata & Sumba, Indonesia 2025)
This has been my third retreat|recreate journey (I have two more coming up!). I cannot say enough about how excellent these trips are … you should just go and see for yourself! The planning is meticulous and the itinerary is jam packed with extraordinary experiences. Seeing Rajasthan and Gujarat through the eyes of local, traditional textile and craft adds a dimension to travel that is not otherwise available. What are you waiting for?! Sign up now! Susan – India (Rajasthan & Gujurat) Feb 2025 (and Morocco 2023, Thailand & Laos 2025)
My recent trip to India on the retreat|recreate Textiles and Handcrafts tour was the trip of a lifetime. India had always been a place I longed to visit, and the idea of traveling safely with a group of like-minded women was appealing. Susan, along with the other experienced guides on our tour, made it easy to relax, embrace the special moments, and enjoy the vibrant mix of fun, colour, and chaos that India is known for. Throughout the trip, we had many hands-on craft experiences and connected with some extraordinary artisans. I began to understand how deeply textiles are woven into the fabric of India’s religion and culture. I also developed an appreciation for ancient traditional arts that were previously unfamiliar to me, such as double Ikat weaving, Rogan art and Mata ni Pachedi. In addition to the crafts, there were breathtaking sights to see (I’ll never forget the ethereal sight of the Taj Mahal in the early morning mist), lifelong friendships to be made (I’m sure many of the women on this trip will remain friends for life), and, of course, serious shopping to be done (I won’t reveal how many kilos of block-printed fabric I stuffed into my suitcase!). It was truly an unforgettable experience, made even more special by the company and guidance of our easygoing, fun-loving leader, Susan Keeble. I’m forever grateful for the incredible experiences she organised for us. I do hope to experience another retreat|recreate trip in the future. Sandy – India (Rajasthan & Gujurat) Feb 2025
I couldn‘t imagine a more creative, meaningful and culturally sensitive tour of India. Susan is so knowledgeable and has amazing social connections to the people of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The tour has enhanced my life immensely! Denise – India (Rajasthan & Gujarat) Feb 2025
Susan K’s calm demeanour and friendship with the local guides and with all the artists/artisans we met assured us of a warm welcome wherever we went. She also set the tone for a harmonious and good-humoured group dynamic as did our witty local guide Avdesh who freely and helpfully shared his cultural heritage during lengthy road trips. All these elements were essential on a sometimes challenging yet always engaging, stimulating and enjoyable tour. Silvia – India (Rajasthan & Gujarat) Feb 2025
I have been looking for a specific textile tour for a long time. I followed retreat|recreate on Instagram for several years . The trips looked so interesting with such a variety of artist visits and hands on activities. I was finally able to make a trip happen to India. The trip met all my expectations and more. We were invited into intimate artist work spaces to see first hand the work created. We had opportunities to purchase some of the art work directly from the artist. The hands on art activities were fun and we could appreciate the hard work of the artists. We were immersed into the culture with such a variety of experiences from museums , world heritage sites and home visits. I highly recommend traveling with retreat|recreate. This smaller travel company provided a one of a kind personal experience. I was so excited about the well planned and researched activities. Linda – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat), Jan-Feb 2024
The 21-day India Textiles and Handcrafts Tour (January-February 2024) was absolutely wonderful. The trip was all that I hoped for and a whole lot more! I didn’t really expect to fall in love with India and its people. Some days were long but we had the most amazing hands-on activities (stitching, weaving, block-printing, and dyeing) and visits (artisan workshops, museums, private collections) far beyond my expectations. We visited the old cities of Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bhuj, often tearing about in auto-rickshaws drinking in the sights, sounds, and smells of historical and contemporary India. We visited remote villages in Gujurat, learned traditional embroidery stitches, ate the most amazingly wonderful meals, learned about current and historical sustainability practices, and watched the sun set over the Great Rann of Kutch. I’m home now and I’m seriously missing our great group of women, our awesome host Susan, and the tastes of India.. especially multiple masala chai in the morning and tasty masala dosa for dinner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this truly special textiles and handcrafts tour, Susan and fellow travellers! This was my seventh retreat|recreate tour (seven before seventy) and I can honestly say that every single trip has far exceeded my expectations and been a wonderful and truly special life-expanding experience. Louise – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat), Jan-Feb 2024 (and Japan 2019 & 2023, Tasmania 2022, Top End 2022, Morocco 2023 and Thailand & Laos 2023)
I thought I knew quite a lot about India, having travelled for business in Rajasthan some years ago, but I was so wrong. This trip through Rajasthan and Gujurat was one of the most interesting, stimulating and fun things I have ever done. The planning and organisation was excellent, all the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, very caring and great company too; they really added a great deal to the whole experience. We spent 18 days discovering the heart of two great states famous for their textile heritage and the amazingly talented craftsmen and women living there who are still creating beautiful pieces of art, preserving their traditions and their way of life. Embroidery, dyeing, printing, weaving, pottery, wood turning, metalwork. We saw it all. And it was a joy to be able to spend time learning about their skills and trying my hand at them, skillfully guided by such talented people. The tour took us to places most tourists don’t get to experience, and every day became a new adventure. Susan has forged wonderful relationships with the people we visited and everywhere we went we were genuinely welcomed with smiles, great courtesy and of course cups of chai! So, if you want something more than a tour that just whisks you around the usual tourist spots and you enjoy travel that is ‘up close and personal’ then this is the tour for you. It delivers in the most unexpected and delightful ways. Anita – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020
The trip to India was beyond all expectations. Truly amazing to see so many famous sights and incredible museums but it was meeting the craftspeople and visiting the villages that were the real highlights of the tour. Whether you’re a lone traveller or travelling with a friend you’ll soon have a group of new friends with common interests. Looking forward to becoming a repeat traveller with you. Gail – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020
I have always wanted to travel to India and I couldn’t have gone with a better company or been in more capable hands. I met so many interesting people and saw so many amazing sights. The textiles and crafts were fabulous and meeting the people who made them was a highlight of the trip. I can’t wait to sign up for the next one. Carol – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020
This was my second time as a solo traveller travelling with retreat|recreate. The tour organisers, tour guides, fellow travellers, accommodation, itinerary, food, workshops and experiences were even better than I could ever have hoped for. If you’re thinking about traveling through India you will not be disappointed with retreat|recreate. Looking forward to trip number 3! Marianne – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020 (and Bali 2019)
A wonderful trip: I just completed the India tour. The itinerary was a mix of must-see points of interest – like the Great Rann desert and the Rani ki Vav stepwell – and delights for textile artists including museums, demonstrations, and workshops. My best memories though are the personal interactions within our group and with the people we met. The artist’s relationships with Susan and our local guides made us welcome guests, sometimes even in their homes. Thank you Susan and Anant for keeping us organized, safe, and happy and for your warm caring nature. Susan – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020
India is a country with a rich and ancient textile tradition. It was wonderful to be able to experience many of these crafts first hand with local artisans in small villages. retreat|recreate leads an amazing tour which delves deep into textiles but also includes key cultural sites. As a designer I have admired and referenced the beautiful fabrics of India for decades but this trip has taught me the origins of these handcrafts. I look forward to exploring another part of the world with retreat|recreate. Katherine – India (Rajasthan and Gujarat) 2020
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