Village accommodation in Gujarat, India

Designed in local style, and exquisitely decorated with mirror work, textiles and native crafts, this community-owned, built, and run resort in the desert village of Hodka, is an ideal location from which to discover the captivating lands and culture of Kachchh, in north-west India.

This Rural Resort is one 36 “Endogenous Tourism Projects” being launched throughout India by the Government of India – Ministry of Tourism and the United Nations Development Program. The purpose of these 36 projects is to create community-run models of tourism that are culturally and ecologically sensitive, promote local heritage and art/craft, and generate employment opportunities for local communities vis-à-vis eco-tourism.

Your hosts will be the Hodka community who set up this resort with the support of a local women's group (Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan). Hodka Village is comprised of 11 hamlets, where both Muslims (Halepotra) and Hindus (Meghwals) live and work amicably together. The Resort was built and is owned and managed by the village of Hodka. Profits from the Resort are reinvested in social development projects though the Panchayat – the locally elected governing body.

Accommodation is comfortable, simple and clean, designed to showcase local style and decorated with a collection of crafts from the area creating an authentic atmosphere. There are 6 tents (sleeping 2 persons each), 2 family tents (sleeping 4 persons each) and 3 Bhungas (sleeping 2 persons each), with a maximum capacity of 26 persons. Extra beds are available on request. The lovely Bhungas, (circular mud huts with sloping grass roofs, typical of the Banni region), have a private open space with arm chairs, an ideal place to relax or watch the perfect Kachchhi sunrise.Exploring the villages and windswept lands of northern Kachchh is a thrilling experience. Visits around the Hodka village are organized regularly, accompanied by local bhomiyas (interpreters / guides) who acquaint you with the people's way of living, crafts and traditions.

Handicraft workshops, where you can learn a range of techniques directly from Hodka’s master artisans, can also be organized upon request at additional cost. We offer ½ day, full day, 2-day and 3-day workshops in embroidery/patchwork, leatherwork, and decorative mud/mirror work. The latter workshop is especially fun for children.

Music workshops where you can learn to play traditional desert instruments such as Jodiya Pava, Bhorrindo, Morchang or Surando can also be arranged.

Further afield there is a rich and varied choice of activities:

• Visit nearby villages, each specializing in a particular craft/skill: embroidery leatherwork, decorative mud & mirror work, lacquerwork, copper-bell making, lacquer work, wood, rogan painting, block-printing, bhandani (tie and tye), weaving, pottery.
• Embark on a camel or jeep safari through the edge of the Great Rann of Kachchh to see wild animals like the wild ass (rare), flamingos, pelicans, blue bulls, foxes, and the evasive leopard. Or enjoy a bird watching in the wetlands of Chhari Dhandh with more than 50,000 waterfowl, 55 distinct animal species, 32 species of raptors, and 30,000 birds.
  
  
• Relax at Karo Dunghar (Black Hill), Kachchh’s highest hill from which you can view the desert, sea, and grasslands. At the hilltop is the Dattatreya Temple and if you arrive at sunrise or sunset, you can witness an unusual site as the priests call the nearby foxes for a feeding. 
• Amble through the 500 year-old Than Monastery, home to the exclusive Kanfata sect of Hinduism, whose founder is believed to have stood on his head for 12 years as penance for a sin. Then climb the 999 steps leading up to Dhinodhar, a nearby inactive volcano atop from which you will see spectacular views of the Great Rann and Chhari Dhandh wetland, especially after a good rain season.
  
  
• Cool off in the beaches of Mandvi after paying a visit to its ship-making port and the Vijay Vilas Palace – where a scene from Hum Dil de Chu Ke Sanam was shot.
• Travel back in time with a day-trip to Dholavira, India's largest archaeological site belonging to the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization.
• Drive to India-bridge, the last civilian point before the border and gawk at dramatic landscape changes as you near the great white salt desert.
• Experience Kachchh in the pre-human era by exploring the Ashmi Mandir fossil collection dating back to the Jurassic period.
  
  
• Take time to appreciate Kachchhi communal harmony with a visit to Hajipir Temple, named after Haji, a Muslim fakir who sacrificed himself to save a cow (sacred Hindu animal).

Every trip can be customized to individual interests and is designed to create a unique and unforgettable experience for the crafts expert, naturalist, history buff, or the simply curious. Back at the resort, the experience continues with traditional dinners, folk music performances, bonfire nights and star-gazing activities.

 
• All accommodation types have a private bathroom with western-style toilet and shower.
• Rooms have double beds (extra beds available on request)
• Mosquito nets and fans provided.
• Front desk and room service (6am-11pm), phone service for local calls, wake up service, laundry
• Restaurant (7:30-9:30am, 12-3pm, 7:30-10:30pm), packed lunches arranged by request.
• Open parking
• Guides and drivers stay free of charge
• A map and booklet with information about historical, social, cultural environmental aspects of the area provided in every room.
• Rooms have a "Do's and Don’ts" list with guidelines on how to behave within the local community, save water, dress etc.

Hodka is 63 km or one hour by road from Bhuj. There are 4 daily buses connecting Hodka with Bhuj. Bhuj is accessible by road, rail or air from all the Indian metropolises.
By plane: Jet Airways has daily flights between Mumbai and Bhuj, both ways.
By train: There are daily trains connecting Bhuj to Ahmedabad and Mumbai and trains connecting Bhuj to Delhi four days a week.
By bus: There are comfortable overnight sleeper buses from Ahmedabad. The cheaper option is to fly into Ahmedabad and then take an overnight bus to Bhuj. (For bus tickets contact Swaminarayan travels – 09825804762).