Bespoke Gujarat

02/04/2024

Drumroll, please! We are thrilled to announce that Bespoke Gujarat has joined the prestigious ranks of TravelAgents10, the ultimate travel directory.
Dive into our listing at https://www.travelagents10.com/AU/Unknown/150627088850042/Bespoke-Gujarat to explore a world of responsible, immersive, experiences that focus on the culture and heritage of this diverse and fascinating part of India that lies off the well worn tourist track.
Join us on this exciting journey and share our listing with fellow explorers. Together, let's turn dreams into reality and create memories that will last a lifetime.

31/03/2024

Ramgarh in the Shekhawati region of northern Rajasthan is another off the beaten track destination to add to future tours of Rajasthan. It was once the richest town in India and still retains the glorious mural encrusted Haveli (mansions) of its earlier days. Many - like the one we stayed in - have been restored while others await the money or will of the current owners.

05/03/2024

Bespoke Gujarat travellers will remember the magnificent stepwells of Gujarat. There are also many fine examples in the hot, dry state of Rajasthan, although I have never seen a completely dry one until today, as they are usually built down to the water table. The bottom one, at Naharlarg Fort is built on top of a mountain so is presumably spring fed.

02/03/2024

We're back in India after a four year hiatus. We're currently in Rajasthan and although we haven't operated tours here before we are always on the lookout for new opportunities. If you are interested in small, fully escorted, off the beaten track tours of this fascinating and diverse part of India, DM us and we'll be in touch. 🇮🇳

20/12/2023

Usually when our desert rose blooms we are busy planning tours to India. However due to Covid we have watched it bloom for three years without a a tour to look forward to. This year however we are busy planning and looking forward to returning to India. We won't be running a tour but we will be on the lookout for new tour opportunities in Rajasthan.

05/10/2023

For anyone interested in India - or life itself. I have only been following Vagaboots for a day but I am already addicted to his posts and the chance to live vicariously through his journey until I can return to my beloved India.

03/10/2023

Woops! - Only a day late (although still 2/10 in some places) for the International Day of Non Violence - dedicated to the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Mohandas Gandhi was born in the Guajarati town of Porbandar and spent much of his life in Ahmedabad from where he led the Indian Independence Movement. A visit to the Gandhi Ashram and Museum is one of the highlights of Bespoke Gujarat's Heart of Gujarat tour. The ashram, situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, provides a green and serene respite in the bustling city of Ahmedabad, and includes Gandhi's former home. The nearby hand made paper factory upholds Gandhi's ethos of recycling and all the paper is made from recycled textiles.

11/06/2023

Some more insights into the Modhera Sun Temple. You can visit Modhera on Bespoke Gujarat's Heart of Gujarat tours.

27/05/2023

One of my favourite stepwells - but not the only one we explore on Bespoke Gujarat tours. We also visit the ancient stepwells located inside the fort at Junagadh and a beautiful 'secret' stepwell near Sayla. We can also incorporate a day trip to Rani ki Vav (the queen of stepwells) dating from 11th century.

21/05/2023

Beautiful Patan, beautiful Patola. We can incorporate Patan into our existing tour experience or design a bespoke tour around the textiles of Gujarat.

12/03/2023

Gondal is one of my favourite places in India (I do have a few) and the Navlakha Palace is always a highlight. The former home of the progressive Maharaja of Gondal is crammed with treasures. Guests on Bespoke Gujarat tours receive a private guided tour of the palace and accompanying museum and associated buildings.

11/03/2023

The magnificent Sun Temple at Modhera is well worth a visit. I can't wait to see the Light and Sound show upon our return. Modhera also recently became India's first solar powered village 😎.

26/01/2023

Happy 74th Republic Day.

10/01/2023

This year's Kite Festival in Ahmedabad has an international theme to celebrate India's current role chairing the G20. Here is the kite from Australia. G'day mate.

30/12/2022

The ashram was Gandhi's home during his time as leader of India's independence movement. His original home is still there together with a museum and cultural centre. On our tour we also visit the nearby paper factory where paper is hand made from waste fabrics.

15/12/2022

With 2 beaches in the list we might need to squeeze in a beach visit on our next tour of Gujarat 😎🇮🇳

From Shivrajpur beach in Gujarat to Kadmat beach in Lakshadweep, here are some of the cleanest beaches in India recognised with the coveted Blue Flag tag.

23/11/2022

Can't wait to go again.

18/08/2022

Explore Khadi - from the Gandhi Ashram to Ahmedabad's best fabric stores and a new addition to our tours, the Khadi factory, where every process in the textile life cycle from spinning to retail occurs under the one roof.🇮🇳

How the cloth of the country became the most poignant tool of liberation and powerful archetype of non-verbal communication

12/07/2022

Wonderful to see Ahmedabad getting the recognition it deserves.

Introducing the World’s Greatest Places of 2022—50 extraordinary destinations to explore https://ti.me/3AEY3lt

05/07/2022

Yummy! Theplas and methi theplas are my favourite Indian breads. We can't wait to share them with you when tours resume.

These quintessential Gujarati flatbreads are the ultimate blend of taste and nutrition. The varieties of flours baked into the soft Theplas are breakfast delights you simply can't miss!

Dip it in yoghurt and accompany it with some tang from pickles to relish the simplistic flavours of the meal.

Purnesh Modi Arvind Raiyani Hareet Shukla ALOK KUMAR IAS

13/06/2022

Among the highlights of the Heart of Gujarat tour is a visit to the Ashoka Rock Edicts in Junagadh.

31/03/2022

Happy World Idli Day. Although idli are originally from southern India they are very popular in Gujarat. The fermented and steamed rice cakes are lighter than many other Indian dishes and traditionally served with fiery sambal and cooling coconut chutney.

12/03/2022

Visit Gandhi's ashram and museum in Ahmedabad when we return to Gujarat. Stay tuned for updates 🇮🇳

You know that iconic silhouette of Mahatma Gandhi etched in the mind of every Indian, the one defined by his spectacles and staff? Well, here’s the story of Bapu’s unassuming lathi that became a symbol of the Dandi March and of the Mahatma himself

17/02/2022

21/01/2022

Mmmm ... dhokla, fresh buttermilk, shrikhand ... my mouth is watering over these Gujarati thali plates. Check them out below and stay tuned for information on future Bespoke Gujarat tours where we sample a range of thali from some of Ahmedabad's top thali restaurants.
https://www.livehistoryindia.com/films/living-culture/gujarati-thali-celebrating-food

It is one of India’s greatest food exports - the Gujarati thali - giving Indians across the world a feel of home. But how old is it? And how have geography, faith and culture shaped it?...

18/04/2021

Another highlight of the Heart of Gujarat tour that we hope to share with you one day. 🇮🇳💕

15/02/2021

We will return

Built in the Solanki style of architechture, Adalaj ni Vav (an ancient stepwell in Gujarat) is a beautiful structure, descending five stories deep. It was built in 1499 to hold water and provide refuge to travelers.

Interestingly, Adalaj ni vav is unique in that it is the only stepwell with three sets of entrance stairs. They all meet on the first level down, at a large square platform. As you continue to descend, down to the fifth story, the air grows noticeably cooler. The stepwell was built to keep the harsh sunlight out, and provide a cool refuge.

There is a lot of room for people to gather on each level, and no doubt travelers would have spent the night here—back in the days before hotels. The small town of Adalaj was on a key trade route through Gujarat, and would have seen many travelers pass by.

PC: Vastuchitra - anupgandhe

25/10/2020

A highlight of Bespoke Gujarat tours is the tour of Gondal's Naulakhar Palace which combines Indo-Saracen and European architecture and contains the treasures of the forward thinking Maharaja of Gondal. Read more about him here and his innovative approach to education and women's rights.

A trained doctor, Maharaja Bhagvatsingh of Gondal in Gujarat contributed greatly to women’s liberation. He ended the culture of Zenanas, the separation of women’s wings in his palaces. By 1918, he had compulsory education for girls even at the village level!
Read more- https://bit.ly/3kqAulF

02/10/2020

In Ahmedabad, he transformed the freedom struggle from a small scale, upper class initiative to a mass movement

27/09/2020

Happy World Tourism Day! We would normally be organising our next tours however in the current environment we are working on our virtual Gujarat tours - complete with food, music and film. Stay tuned for more details or if you are on our mailing list expect your invitation soon. In the meantime here is a taste of virtual Gujarat - a puppet show at the eco-restaurant Vishalla. Unfortunately I can't upload food but imagine the best Indian vegetarian thali experience you've ever had then add traditional Indian village atmosphere and entertainment and enjoy World Tourism Day.