Culture & Tribes of Odisha

Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Route: Kolkatta, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Dhauligiri, Raghurajapur, Gopalpur, Chilka Lake, Rayagada, Saora Tribal Villages, Bisamkatak, Chhatikona, Jeypore, Kunduli, Vishakhapatnam, Gupteshwar, Vishakapatnam, Hyderabad

Tour Description:

This fascinating tour of Orissa, on the eastern state of India takes the avid traveler slightly off the beaten tourist track to explore the tribal areas of India. The majorities of these tribes lives in forest and hilly regions of the state and still follow simple age-old lifestyles of their ancestors-living off the land, dependent on the forest for all their needs. We visit the bustling and colorful weekly tribal markets to which they bring forest and craft produce; visit magnificent temples in Puri and Bhubaneshwar; enjoy a boat ride on Chilka Lake- the largest brackish lake in Asia. The itinerary, an extensive journey of Orissan cultural background is exhaustive of this region and is not really for the first time visitor to India; accommodation is basic in the tribal belt; drives are long as we go into the interiors of the country. But there are rewards in terms of the sights not often seen by a tourist.

Itinerary

Day 01 (Sunday): Arrive Kolkatta (Calcutta)

Reception and welcome at Kolkatta( Calcutta) airport followed by transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 02 (Monday): Kolkatta

Spend a leisurely morning in the hotel. The afternoon is dedicated to visit Victoria Memorial, Kolkatta’s most imposing and monumental dream in marble opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj" of the British Raj, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, the largest in India, with one of the best collections of Indian art. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 03 (Tuesday): Kolkatta - Bhubaneswar

Take a morning flight to Bhubaneshwar which gives you afternoon to explore the temples in Bhunaneshwar. Of the different Shiva Temples, we visit the 11th century Lingaraja Temple, beautifully decorated 10th century Muktesvara Temple and Parsurameswara Temple. Spend two nights at Bhubaneshwar.

Day 04 (Wednesday): Bhubaneswar

The entire day today is devoted to visit Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udaigiri (Jain & Buddhist Monasteries). Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 05 (Thursday): Bhubaneswar – Puri en route Dhauligiri and Konnark

Leave early morning for Puri, visiting Dhauli Shanti Stupa- the place where Emperor Ashoka renounced warfare and embraced the teachings of Buddha and crafts village at Pipli Village en route. Continue our drive towards Puri and stop en route to visit Konark Sun Temple built in the 13th century AD, an ample testament to the artistic glory of the time. Check in at the hotel upon arrival for overnight.

Day 06 (Friday): Puri – Visit Raghurajapur

In the morning visit the 12th century Jagannath temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. We visit the temple from library roof terrace as non hindus are not allowed inside temple complex. Next we tour Raghurajpur village – considered as heritage craft village of the state. Almost every house in the village has an artist engaged in various activities like engraving on palm leaves, creating stone idols, wooden idols etc. Return to the hotel for overnight in the evening.

Day 07 (Saturday): Puri - Gopalpur -On-Sea en route Chilka Lake

Drive to Gopalpur on Sea in the morning en route stop for a boat ride on the pear-shaped Chilka lake, Asia's largest inland salt-water lagoon. Check in at the hotel upon arrival for overnight.

Day 08 (Sunday): Gopalpur -On-Sea - Rayagada

Today is a relaxed morning. In the afternoon we drive to the Tribal belt of Orrissa to Rayagada. Check in for three nights at the hotel upon arrival.

Day 9 (Monday): Rayagada – Visit Saora Tribal Villages

Spend the day to visit the Saora tribal villages one of the oldest tribes of Orissa and live in hilly areas. Overnight is at the hotel in Rayagada.

Day 10 (Tuesday): Rayagada – Explore Bisamkatak

Morning drive to Jeypore visiting the Dongariy Kondh weekly tribal market at Chatikona. Check into the hotel at Jeypore for three nights.

Day 11 (Wednesday): Rayagada – Jeypore en route Chatikona

After breakfast, drive to Jagdalpur, the administrative headquarters of Bastar which was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Bastar. On arrival check in at the Hotel. Later in the day visit the visit the Maria Gond Tribe and Chitrakoot which is the home of the "Chitrakoot" waterfall.

Day 12 (Thursday): Jeypore – Visit Onukudelli

An entire day dedicated to Ondukelli market famous for Gadaba and Bonda Tribes. The Bondas are ofter called ‘ The Naked People’, the women in particular preferring to wear only a scanty loincloth around their middle and flourish long rows of beads and metal necklaces. Return back to Jeypore for overnight stay.

Day 13 (Friday): Jeypore – Visit Kunduli

Spend the day in Kundli to explore the tribal villages of Paroja and Mali. The weekly market is among the biggest and most colourful in the region.

Day 14 (Saturday): Jeypore – Vishakhapatnam via Gupteshwar

Leave for Vishakhapatnam visiting the Dhuruba tribal village at Gupteshwar. They are one of the oldest tribes of Orissa We also visit the caves which were believed to have been the refuge of Lord Rama during his days in exile and the place he worshiped God Shiva.

Day 15 (Sunday): Vishakapatnam – Hyderabad

In the morning we visit Simanchalam Temple, one of the most important Vaishnav shrines of South India. With more than 252 inscriptions describring the antecedents of the temple, it is historically important. We take an afternoon flight to Hyderabad. In the evening you will be transferred to the airport for you onward international flight. (You have to the option to extend your stay in Hyderabad to visit the imposing Golconda Fortress , founded originally by the 13th century Kakatiyas, and expanded by the Qutab Shahi Kings into a massive structure)

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