Meeting the Rabaris in Rajasthan & Gujarat
€3690
per person
Embark on a 23-day immersion into the heart of Rabari culture. This journey invites you to explore the lands of Rajasthan and Gujarat for a privileged encounter with a warm and fascinating people with centuries-old traditions.
The Rabari are a people of ancient origins, probably originating from the Iranian plateaus and arriving in India around the 4th century, first in Rajasthan (Marwar region) and then in Gujarat.
Historically, the Rabari were nomadic camel herders, moving from village to village. Today, only about 30% of them are still semi-nomadic, leaving their villages mainly during the dry season. As camel herding became less profitable, they turned to sheep, goat, and cattle farming to survive…
The journey begins in Udaipur and takes us to meet the fascinating Rabari.
We’ll begin in the Jawai Bandh region, where we’ll meet the Raika Rabaris, recognizable by their red turbans, and visit sites like Sirohi and Ranakpur.
Then, we’ll head to Gujarat, with a first stop in Poshina to meet other Raika Rabaris and the Garasia community.
The journey to Dasada will include architectural stops in Siddhpur, Patan, and Modhera. In Dasada, we’ll explore a Rabari village and meet the Mir women.
The journey continues to Bhuj in the Kutch region. From there, we’ll explore the region to meet the Vagadiya and Dhebariya Rabaris, renowned for their mastery of embroidery.
We’ll then head to Devpura to discover the Kasi Rabari women and their unique coiled snake earrings.
After a stopover in the Rann of Kutch, we will head to Dwarka, where we will meet the Saurasthra Rabaris while exploring the region’s historical monuments.
The return to Ahmedabad will be smooth, with a stop in Gondal, a former principality of Kathiawar.
This tour is the result of years of in-depth encounters with the Rabari community. The names of some villages are not specified to preserve the exclusivity of our tour and offer you some unexpected discoveries.
Who is this trip for?
Anyone who enjoys human encounters and traditional arts.
When is the best time to undertake this trip?
From October to March
The price indicated above is an estimate. As we only offer tailor-made services, this budget depends on the services chosen: hotel standard, number of people, type of car, time of year, etc. The final price is the one provided by your personalized (free) quote, obtained after an in-depth discussion with you.
THIS STAY INCLUDES (for 2 people):
- Stay in a double room in a 3* and 4* hotel
- All breakfasts
- Full board in Poshina / Dasada / Devpur / Hodka
- All transportation by Toyota Innova Crysta with private driver (all expenses included)
- English-speaking Rabari guide in Jawai / Devpur / Dwarka
- Jeep safaris in Rawla Bisalpur / Poshina / Dasada
- 24/7 concierge service, we are in constant contact with you.
THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Any arrangements not included in the program that result in additional costs (itinerary changes, hospitalization, etc.)
- Any personal expenses
- Tips
- Anything not listed in the “included” list
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Day 1
Arrival in Udaipur, the romantic city of lakes
Namaste! Welcome to Udaipur, the city of lakes. We warmly welcome you at the airport then transfer at your hotel.
Depending on arrival time, visit to the historic center of the city.
*
At the end of the day, we will leave for a boat trip on Lake Pichola to admire the palatial architecture of the city magnified by the soft color of the sunset. Night in a heritage boutique hotel on the banks of Lake Pichola.Day 2
Udaipur - Narlai
After breakfast, we will leave for Narlai, a small idyllic village located at the foot of a huge rock and with several ancient temples.
*
Along the way, we will stop in the village of Molela, famous for its unique style of ceramics represented by votive wall plaques not found anywhere else.*
Arrival at Narlai at the end of the day. Overnight at the boutique hotel Rawla Narlai, a former hunting mansion belonging to Jodhpur royaltyDay 3
Narlai - Nadol - Garhbor - Narlai
In the morning, we will take a stroll through the streets of Narlai and visit its beautiful Jain temple dedicated to Shri Adeshwar, then we will leave for the Garhbor region.
*
Garhbor, stronghold of the Gujjar rural community, is known for its Charbuja temple, located in the center of a typical village where time seems to have stood still. We will then stroll through the village to meet its charming inhabitants. (NB: this village is particularly interesting during the Holi festival).*
Return to Narlai in the afternoon and visit the ancient Ashapur temple of Nadol, dedicated to the Shakti “who fulfills the wishes of sincere devotees”. Night at the Rawla Narlai boutique hotelDay 4
Narlai - Rawla Bisalpur
Departure for the Jawai Bandh region known for its leopard reserve and stronghold of the Rabari pastoral community.
*
On the way, we will make several stops in typical Rabari villages all around Jawai bandh.*
Arrival at Rawla Bisalpur where you will be welcomed like great lords by the Singh Deora family in their old family fort converted into a boutique hotel. Overnight in Rawla BisalpurDay 5
Visit of Jawai Bandh
After a tasty breakfast at the fort consisting of local produce, we will go on a safari in the Jawai leopard reserve, then wander through several Rabari villages.
Overnight in Rawla Bisalpur
Day 6
Rawla Bisalpur - Sirohi - Ajari - Poshina (Gujarat)
We leave this beautiful region for Poshina, our first leg in Gujarat.
*
On the way, we will stop at Sirohi, to visit the temple fort of Sarneshwar dedicated to Shiva and Kuldevi of the Deora Chauhans royal family. In addition to its impressive architecture, the sacred building has a historical link with the Rabaris: it is there that they fought alongside the Maharaja of Sirohi against the Sultan of Delhi Alauddin Khalji to recover the deity (a lingam) which had been stolen in the Siddhpur sanctuary in Gujarat.*
We will make a second stop at Ajari which includes several interesting Hindu temples including the one dedicated to Saraswati, more than 500 years old.*
Arrival at the end of the day at the Poshina Palace where you will also be welcomed as honored guests by the descendants of the sovereigns of the region.Day 7
Visit of the region of Poshina
After a hearty breakfast served in the courtyard of the old ladies' quarter, we will set off, with the owner of the place as our guide, to discover the famous sanctuaries of terracotta horses lined up by the hundreds under century-old trees. This is a unique feature in India.
*
We will also visit some indigenous villages. On the road, it is very likely that we will meet several women from the Garasia community who wear outfits worthy of great designers.*
We will end the day on the banks of the tranquil Lake Lakhia. Night at Poshina PalaceDay 8
Poshina (continuation)
We continue our discovery of the region and, today, we will go to lunch with a Rabari Raika family and spend some quality time with them.
*
On the way back, we will stop at Ambaji, one of the most revered Hindu temples in Gujarat, as well as Koteshwar Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Shiva.*
We will end the day at the Garasia community market in Poshina village itself. Night at Poshina PalaceDay 9
Poshina - Siddhpur - Patan - Modhera - Ahmedabad
In the morning, we will leave the elegant Poshina Palace for Ahmedabad.
*
On the way, we will visit Siddhpur, a town that is still not very touristy but which nevertheless has a singularity: the Bohra havelis, residences built in a very colorful Victorian baroque style.*
We will also stop at the magnificent Modhera Sun Temple and Patan, famous for its world heritage stepwell and its patoli saris. Arrival in Ahmedabad at the end of the day*
Night at the Mangaldas haveli, an extravagant 150-year-old villa, renovated in a contemporary style, sister to the House of MG.Day 10
Visit of Ahmedabad
The “city of Ahmed” retains a unique heritage from its past as a merchant city. The old town and its numerous pols with finely carved wooden mansions bear witness to its former wealth.
*
We will first visit the old city: the Pols (partitioned districts), the havelis and chabutros, the Jumma Masjid mosque, the Swaminarayan Kalupur temple and the Siddi Saiyyed mosque.*
In the afternoon, we will continue our visit to the Hatheesingh Jain temple and Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram.*
In the evening, Gujarati dinner at Manek Chowk in the old town. Night in AhmedabadDay 11
Ahmedabad - Dasada
We leave to Dasada
*
Along the way, we will stop at Dada Harir Vav, a splendid five-story gallery well built in 1485 by King Bai Harir.*
Night in Dasada in a typical resortDay 12
Visit of the "Little Rann of Kutch"
In the morning, we will visit the "Little Rann of Kutch" sanctuary, the last refuge of Asian wild donkeys. We will also go and observe the salt workers in the Agaria salt pans.
*
In the afternoon, we will stroll through a few villages to meet the Rabaris, Bharwad and Banjara communities. Night in Dasada in a resortDay 13
Dasada - Bhuj
In the morning, we will head towards Bhuj known to be the capital of Kutch district
*
Night in BhujDay 14
Bhuj - Rabari villages - Bhuj
We'll begin the day with a visit to Bhuj, including the Swaminarayan Temple and the Aina Palace. We'll also spend time in the city's bazaars, where many different communities come to shop: Rabaris, Ahirs, and Fakranis, among others.
*
We'll then head to several villages where we'll meet different Rabari communities, particularly the Vagadiyas, who will show you their meticulous embroidery.*
Overnight stay in BhujDay 15
Bhuj > Anjar > Devpar (2h)
Departure for Devpar, an off-the-beaten-track place, home to the Rabari Kasi community, whose women wear long, coiled snake earrings.
*
On the way, we'll stop in Anjar to see a village of the Rabari Dhebariyas community.*
Arrival in Devpar mid-afternoon.
Day 16
Devpar, Rabaris Khasis and unknown temples
In the morning, you will visit the village of Devpar on foot with a guide to meet the Khasi Rabaris.
*
You will also discover the mysterious Jakh Botera temple, which houses 64 statues of mythical horsemen.*
Overnight in DevparDay 17
Devpar > Than Jagir > Nirona > Hodka (4h)
Departure for Banni, an area of Kutch comprising several typical villages.
Along the way, we will make several stops:
*
In Dhinodhar, where the ancient Hindu monastery of Than Jagir stands. You can sometimes encounter Kanphata sadhus. Even without the sadhus, the monastery, with its feel of a small Rajasthani palace, is definitely worth a visit.*
To Nirona to admire the “rogan” textile paintings, a unique art form in India created by the Khatri community. In the same village, you can also observe the making of bronze bells and lacquerware created by the Vadha community, all typical crafts of the region.*
Check-in at your hotel.Day 18
Banni & Rann of Kutch
Today, visit several villagesof the Meghwal community. Meghwar women wear intricately embroidered, colorful dresses and impressive nose rings. The interiors of Meghwar houses are simply unique, painted all in white with embossed patterns and inlaid mirrors, truly fairytale dwellings.
*
You will also stop in Khavda, a village renowned for its pottery of the same name, which is still kept alive by a single family. The history of Khavda pottery dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished in the region around 2500 BCE.*
At the end of the day, we will depart for the Rann of Kutch, the great salt desert of Gujarat, to watch the sunset. Overnight at a resort.Day 19
Hodka > Rajkot (6h)
We bid farewell to the Kutch district and head towards the Saurashtra region.
*
We will stop for the night in Rajkot, staying in a historic fort converted into a boutique hotel.Day 20
Rajkot > Dwarka (3h)
This day takes us to Dwarka, one of the seven oldest and holiest cities in India (Sapta Puri). It is also one of the four most revered pilgrimage sites in India, known as the "Char Dham". It is said that Lord Krishna migrated from Mathura to Dwarka to found his capital 5,000 years ago.
*
Depending on arrival time, stroll on the ghats of Dwarka. Overnight stay in Dwarka.Day 21
Dwarka and the Rabari Bhopa
We will start our day with a visit to Dwarka and its many temples including that of Dwarkadeesh, the most revered of all.
*
Then, we will go to several surrounding villages to meet the Saurashtra Rabari, who have other customs, particularly clothing, than the other Rabaris communities that we have met before. Return to Dwarka at the end of the dayDay 22
Dwarka > Gondal
Departure for Gondal, our final stop on this journey.
*
Arrival in Gondal in the afternoon. Gondal was one of the eight princely states of the "Kathiawar Agency," ruled by the Rajput Jadeja dynasty.*
We will stay at the "Orchard Palace," built as an annex to Huzoor Palace, the family residence of the princes of Gondal, in the late 19th century to accommodate the personal guests of the Maharajas.Day 23
Gondal - Ahmedabad
After visiting Gondal's Naulakha Palace and several other places of interest, we will leave for Ahmedabad.
End of the journey... Unless you continue the adventure with us! Namaskar.