Sacred Stitches & Stone: A Cultural Textile Trail of west and south India
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day cultural odyssey across Western and Southern India, from 27th September to 9th October 26 designed especially for lovers of traditional textiles, crafts, and heritage. This immersive journey begins in the coastal metropolis of Mumbai, winds through the ancient cave sanctuaries of Aurangabad, explores the rich temple art of Badami and Hampi, and culminates in the regal elegance of Mysore and the creative urban pulse of Bangalore.
Travelers will explore iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit historic weaving villages, interact with master artisans, and take part in hands-on workshops including Paithani saree weaving, banana fiber and cotton handlooms, Lambani tribal embroidery, wooden lacquer toy making, Mysore silk weaving, block printing, and even saree draping. Special experiences like a Siddhi tribal lunch, stone carving demos, cooking classes, and visits to textile NGOs and emporiums ensure a deep, curated connection to India’s living craft traditions.
Every day blends heritage and hands-on learning, with time to appreciate local markets, village life, and India’s artistic soul—all while staying in carefully selected 4-star hotels and boutique heritage resorts.
Let this journey inspire your creativity, deepen your cultural understanding, and offer rare access to India’s most authentic and enduring textile legacies.
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day cultural odyssey across Western and Southern India, from 27th September to 9th October 26 designed especially for lovers of traditional textiles, crafts, and heritage. This immersive journey begins in the coastal metropolis of Mumbai, winds through the ancient cave sanctuaries of Aurangabad, explores the rich temple art of Badami and Hampi, and culminates in the regal elegance of Mysore and the creative urban pulse of Bangalore.
Travelers will explore iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit historic weaving villages, interact with master artisans, and take part in hands-on workshops including Paithani saree weaving, banana fiber and cotton handlooms, Lambani tribal embroidery, wooden lacquer toy making, Mysore silk weaving, block printing, and even saree draping. Special experiences like a Siddhi tribal lunch, stone carving demos, cooking classes, and visits to textile NGOs and emporiums ensure a deep, curated connection to India’s living craft traditions.
Every day blends heritage and hands-on learning, with time to appreciate local markets, village life, and India’s artistic soul—all while staying in carefully selected 4-star hotels and boutique heritage resorts.
Let this journey inspire your creativity, deepen your cultural understanding, and offer rare access to India’s most authentic and enduring textile legacies.
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day cultural odyssey across Western and Southern India, from 27th September to 9th October 26 designed especially for lovers of traditional textiles, crafts, and heritage. This immersive journey begins in the coastal metropolis of Mumbai, winds through the ancient cave sanctuaries of Aurangabad, explores the rich temple art of Badami and Hampi, and culminates in the regal elegance of Mysore and the creative urban pulse of Bangalore.
Travelers will explore iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit historic weaving villages, interact with master artisans, and take part in hands-on workshops including Paithani saree weaving, banana fiber and cotton handlooms, Lambani tribal embroidery, wooden lacquer toy making, Mysore silk weaving, block printing, and even saree draping. Special experiences like a Siddhi tribal lunch, stone carving demos, cooking classes, and visits to textile NGOs and emporiums ensure a deep, curated connection to India’s living craft traditions.
Every day blends heritage and hands-on learning, with time to appreciate local markets, village life, and India’s artistic soul—all while staying in carefully selected 4-star hotels and boutique heritage resorts.
Let this journey inspire your creativity, deepen your cultural understanding, and offer rare access to India’s most authentic and enduring textile legacies.
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Suggestive itinerary it may change
Craft & Textile Traditions Covered
Maharashtra: Paithani, Himroo, Mashru
Karnataka: Banana fiber, Karnataka cotton, Siddhi embroidery
Hampi region: Lambani tribal embroidery & jewelry
Mysore: Silk weaving, Zari, Kalamkari printing
Channapatna: Wooden lacquer toys
Bangalore: Contemporary textile design & Khadi handlooms
· Itinerary at a glance: inclusions
· o Domestic flights
· o All transfers with airconditioned coach
· o Accompanying escort and guide
· NOT INCLUDED —- International flights, any meals not in the Itinerary, Visa, insurance, gratuities and any personal expenses
13-Day Textile & Craft Heritage Tour of West & South India
Dates: 27 September – 08 October 2026
Group Size: 10–15 Participants
Accommodation: 4-Star Hotels & Heritage Resorts
DAY 1: 27 SEP 2026 – ARRIVAL IN MUMBAI
• Arrival: International guests arrive in Mumbai. Warm welcome at the airport.
• Check-in: Fariyas Hotel or similar 4-star hotel near Colaba, central to heritage and cultural sites.
• Dinner: Hosted welcome dinner featuring Indian cuisine. Introduction and tour briefing by a textile historian.📍 Overnight in Mumbai
DAY 2: 28 SEP 2026 – MUMBAI – TEXTILE TRAILS & ART DECO
• Morning: Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) with special focus on historical textile and costume exhibits.
• Next: Visit the iconic Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat to witness traditional methods of washing, dyeing, and drying textiles.
• meet Dibbawalas and see fish market , panoramic tour of the city . 📍 Overnight in Mumbai
DAY 3: 29 SEP 2026 – MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD (FLIGHT)
• Morning: Flight to Aurangabad.
• Check-in: Vivanta Aurangabad or similar.
• Visit: Drive to Paithan village – home of Paithani silk sarees. Interact with weavers and witness the intricate handloom process.
• Evening: Visit local crafts bazaar for Himroo and Mashru fabrics.📍 Overnight in Aurangabad
DAY 4: 30 SEP 2026 – AJANTA & ELLORA CAVES & TEXTILES
• Morning: Excursion to Ajanta Caves (UNESCO site) – noted for murals that inspired Indian textile motifs.
• Afternoon: Explore natural dye and hand-painting demonstrations in a local craft village nearby.
• Evening: Visit Ellora Caves (UNESCO site) – marvel at Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain carvings.📍 Overnight in Aurangabad
DAY 5: 01 OCT 2026 – AURANGABAD – HAMPI VIA HUBLI
• Morning Flight: Fly to Hubli via Hyderabad.
• Drive: Scenic drive through Gadag/Ankola region to reach Siddhi tribal areas.
• Experience: Meet African-Indian Siddhi women artisans. Enjoy live music, beadwork, and embroidery demos.
• Lunch: Home-cooked Siddhi meal in the village.
• Drive to Badami: Evening arrival.
📍 Overnight at Krishna Heritage Resort (Best Available), Badami
DAY 6: 02 OCT 2026 – BADAMI & TEXTILES
• Morning: Explore Badami Cave Temples – unique sandstone carvings that inspire temple textile motifs.
• Afternoon: Visit Aihole and Pattadakal (UNESCO Site). Interact with handloom weavers and banana fiber artisans.
• Craft Focus: Temple-themed Karnataka cottons and local motifs in weaving.
📍 Overnight in Badami
DAY 7: 03 OCT 2026 – BADAMI TO HAMPI HERITAGE & CRAFTS
• Morning Drive: Travel to Hampi (~4 hours).
• Check-in: Heritage Resort Hampi or similar.
• UNESCO Tour: Visit Hampi’s Vijayanagara ruins – Virupaksha Temple, Royal Enclosure, and Hampi Bazaar.
• Workshop: Visit Kishkinda Trust for Lambani embroidery or tribal jewelry workshop.
• Evening: Enjoy sunset at Hemakuta Hill and optional classical dance performance (subject to schedule).📍 Overnight in Hampi
DAY 8: 04 OCT 2026 – HAMPI
FULL DAY AT HAMPI DOING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES
DAY 9: 05 OCT 2026 – HAMPI TO HASSAN
• Drive: Depart Hampi and head south to Hassan (~6 hours) via beautiful countryside.
• Enroute Visit: Stop at silk farms in the region and interact with silk rearers.
• Check-in: Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan – a heritage-style retreat.
📍 Overnight in Hassan
DAY 10: 06 OCT 2026 – HASSAN TO MYSORE VIA CHANNAPATNA
• Morning: Drive to Mysore with en route visit to Channapatna – famous for its lacquerware wooden toys. Watch live demos and shop.
• Check-in: Royal Orchid Metropole or similar 4-star hotel.
• Evening: Visit Devaraja Market – for flower garlands, incense, spices, and textiles.
📍 Overnight in Mysore
DAY 11: 07 OCT 2026 – MYSORE TEXTILES & HERITAGE
• Morning: Guided tour of Mysore Palace – known for its Indo-Saracenic design.
• Visit: Mysore Silk Factory – watch silk weaving and zari work in action.
• Afternoon: Kalamkari block printing workshop with local artisans.
•📍 Overnight in Mysore
DAY 12: 08 OCT 2026 – MYSORE TO BANGALORE
• Drive: Depart Mysore and travel to Bangalore (~3.5 hours).
• Check-in: St. Mark’s Hotel or similar in central Bangalore.📍 Overnight in Bangalore
DAY 13: 09 OCT 2026 – DEPARTURE FROM BANGALORE
• Morning: Visit Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium or Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan for final shopping.
• Departure: Transfer to airport for onward international flights.
