Join artist Ai Kijima and the Textile Society of America for an extraordinary 21-day journey through India’s vibrant textile regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. From Udaipur’s lakeside palaces to the desert communities of Kutch and the design studios of Ahmedabad, this immersive study tour offers unparalleled access to living traditions, master artisans, museums, and contemporary innovators shaping India’s textile future.
Led by expert guides Dr. Chiman Dangi (Udaipur–Jodhpur) and Shokat Ali (Jaisalmer–Ahmedabad), participants will engage directly with craftspeople, scholars, designers, and cultural leaders who carry forward centuries-old textile knowledge.
This is not simply a tour, it is a deep cultural exchange rooted in learning, community, and hands-on experience.
Program Highlights
Immersive Workshops & Demonstrations
- Bandhani (tie-dye)
- Ralli quilting with Sindhi women artisans
- Ajrakh block printing in Ajrakhpur
- Patola double-ikat weaving in Patan
- Rogan art in Nirona Village
- Jacquard weaving, indigo dyeing, and woodblock carving
Meaningful Cultural Exchange
- Collaborative textile art project with Bhil tribal schoolchildren
- Saree & ghagra-choli celebration
- Henna ceremony and Sindhi attire fashion walk
- Sufi and devotional singing
- Traditional cooking class and desert sunset gathering
Museum & Institutional Access
- City Palace Museum, Udaipur
- Mehrangarh Fort (optional), Jodhpur
- LLDC Museum (Living and Learning Design Centre), Bhuj
- Arvind Indigo Museum & Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum, Ahmedabad
- The renowned Calico Museum of Textiles (Chauk & Haveli Galleries)
- Lecture at National Institute of Fashion Technology Gandhinagar (NIFT)
Destinations Include
Udaipur • Jodhpur • Jaisalmer • Barmer • Patan • Bhuj • Ahmedabad
Why Join This Textile Study Tour?
Experience Living Textile Traditions
Travel beyond tourist pathways into artisan homes, village workshops, and community studios. Learn directly from Bandhani dyers, Ajrakh printers, Patola weavers, Rogan artists, embroiderers, and quilters whose knowledge has been passed down for generations.
Learn Through Hands-On Practice
Participants don’t just observe, they create. Workshops are thoughtfully designed to provide meaningful, skill-based engagement while honoring local traditions and techniques.
Engage Contemporary India
In addition to heritage crafts, the tour includes conversations with leading designers, studio visits, and an academic lecture at NIFT Gandhinagar, offering insight into how India’s textile future is evolving.
Cultural Immersion & Celebration
From trekking in the Aravalli Hills to sharing meals in artisan homes, from temple visits to desert sunsets, each experience is designed to foster connection to place, to people, and to fellow participants.
A Journey Through Rajasthan & Gujarat
Udaipur
Begin in the “City of Lakes,” visiting temples, markets, and the City Palace Museum. Participate in a collaborative textile art project with Bhil tribal children in Badanga village, weaving environmental and heritage themes into Gavri masks and costumes. Yoga, satsang, and charpai weaving deepen cultural immersion.
Jodhpur
Explore blue-washed lanes, Bandhani workshops, and vibrant markets. Celebrate Rajasthani dress traditions with a saree and ghagra-choli gathering. Optional visit to Mehrangarh Fort.
Jaisalmer & the Thar Desert
Engage with Sindhi women artisans through Ralli quilting workshops and embroidery demonstrations. Enjoy henna, Sufi singing, traditional cooking, and a sunset camel ride into the Thar Desert.
Barmer & Patan
Visit Ajrakh block printers and embroidery artisans. In Patan, witness the intricate artistry of Patola double-ikat weaving and visit Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell), a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bhuj & Kutch
Explore Bhujodi weaving village, Ajrakhpur, Nirona (Rogan art), and the LLDC Museum. Visit artisan markets and private textile collections.
Ahmedabad
Concluding in India’s historic textile capital with heritage walks, fabric markets, museum visits, brocade weaving studios, and guided tours of the Calico Museum’s exceptional collections. Enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating three transformative weeks together.
Accommodations
Accommodations are carefully selected to reflect local character while ensuring comfort, cleanliness, and security. Stays include heritage hotels, boutique properties, and centrally located city hotels in:
- Udaipur (Mahendra Prakash Hotel)
- Jodhpur (Haveli Inn Pal)
- Jaisalmer (Hotel Grand Khalifa)
- Barmer (The Haveli Resort)
- Patan (Hotel The Grand Piano)
- Bhuj (Click Hotel Bhuj)
- Ahmedabad (Hotel Nalanda)
Ground transportation is via private deluxe motor coach. Airport transfers on arrival and departure days are included.
Small Group Experience
In keeping with TSA’s educational mission, group size is intentionally limited to foster meaningful dialogue, personalized workshop experiences, and deeper engagement with artisans and guides.
Participants frequently form lasting professional and personal connections that continue well beyond the journey.
Room Options
Single and double occupancy rooms are available.
Traveling independently but interested in sharing accommodations? TSA offers a roommate matching option to help connect participants seeking double occupancy.
Our Goal
The Textile Society of America is committed to providing a study tour that combines scholarly depth, hands-on practice, cultural respect, and authentic exchange all at an exceptional value.
This program is designed for artists, scholars, collectors, educators, and textile enthusiasts who seek more than sightseeing: it is for those who wish to learn directly from the communities who sustain India’s extraordinary textile heritage.
Important Information Before Registering
- A passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the program end date is required.
- An Indian visa is required for most travelers and is the responsibility of each participant.
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- The itinerary may adjust due to weather, artisan availability, or unforeseen local conditions.
- Participants should be comfortable with moderate physical activity, including walking tours, uneven terrain, and extended travel days.
Pricing & Enrollment
Tour Price: $5,900 per person (Based on double occupancy)
The tour price includes all listed program elements, including lodging, workshops and demonstrations, museum admissions, scheduled group meals, and private ground transportation throughout the program.
Included in the tour price is a $600 tax-deductible donation to the Textile Society of America, supporting TSA’s mission and ongoing programming.
Single Occupancy
Single supplement: $1,000
TSA Member Benefit
Current TSA Members receive 10% off the tour price (discount applied before the single supplement, if applicable).
Payment Schedule
- $560 non-refundable deposit due at the time of registration
- Final payment due on or before August 1, 2026
Registration is confirmed upon receipt of deposit and availability.
Limited Availability
Space is limited to maintain the integrity of workshops and village visits. Early registration is strongly encouraged.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime textile journey through the vibrant colors, patterns, shared experiences, history, and artistry of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Join us as these elements of community come together in an unforgettable adventure.
