Day 01: BHUBNESWAR
Arrival at Bhubaneswar airport and transfer to hotel. Then city tour of Bhubaneswar. The city has some stunning temples clustered around the Bindusagar Tank. Of the original 7000 only 500 remain today. Out of these, the most outstanding is the 11th century Lingaraja Temple which represents the peak of Orissa art and the late 10th century and beautifully decorated Muktesvara temple which belongs to the end of the phase of temple building. In the evening visit the great temples of Lord Shiva: The Lingraj Temple and Parusurameshwara Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.
 Day 02: Bhubaneswar- Lalitgiri - Ratnagiri - Udaigiri -Bhubaneswar (170 KM, 4 HOURS)
Early morning leave for full day excursion to Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri. These Budhist excavation sites are of 7th century AD when Budhism was a prominent religion practiced in Orissa. You can see ruins excavated monasteries, Budhists icons and Stupas on hills near river. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03: Bhubaneswar – Konark – Puri (110 KM, 3 HOURS )
Morning drive to Puri, en-route visiting Dhauli and Pipli villages, then visit Konark, famous for Sun Temple, built by King Langula Narasimha Deva in the thirteenth century A.D. in the golden era of Orissan art. This crowning piece of Orissan architecture and sculpture is sheer poetry in stone. Everyday the Sun rises from the lap of the blue ocean close by and casts  its first gentle rays on the sanctum sanctorum and then circles the temple during the course of the day, illuminating the three magnificent images of the morning Sun, the mid-day sun and the setting sun. Continue drive to Puri for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 04: Puri
Morning visit famous Jagannath temple in Puri ( entry inside the temple is not allowed for non Hindus ). The extraordinary form Jagannath takes in this famous temple is said to be the unfinished work of the craftsman God, Vishvakarma. This 12th century temple is known for its Annual Rath Yatra or Car Festival. Afternoon is free to relax on beach. Overnight stay.
Day 05: Puri - Chilka Lake - Gopalpur -On-Sea ( 340 km/ 8 hrs)
Drive to Gopalpur en-route visiting Chilika Lake, famous for bird sanctuary. The drive to Chilka Lake takes us through scenic countryside and attractive villages. The pear-shaped lake, spread over 1,100 sq km, is Asia's largest inland salt-water lagoon. It is dotted with small islands and has an impressive array of bird life, both native and migrant. Afterwards drive to Gopalpur on Sea, an ancient sea port. Upon arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 Gopalpur -On-Sea – Bataguda (200 km / 5 hrs)
Drive to Bataguda, the territory of Kondha tribal group. On arrival check in to eco cottage. later soft walk to visit maliah kondha tribal villages. Maliah kondh is a subgroup of kondha tribe who were infamous for human sacrifice. You can see the tattoo faced women having tattoo pattern like the whiskers of tigers. Also visit the sacrifice pillar while visiting their villages. Intereact with kondha people in the village, see their totemistic culture with aesthetic houses. Overnight stay.
Day 07 Bataguda – Rayagada ( 150 km / 4 hours )
Early morning drive to the base of belghar hills to visit kutia kondha tribal villages. Later visit kotgarh weekly market on the way to Rayagada. Kuita kondhas are one of the micro section of kondhas who live on Belghar hills. The tribals are docile and believe in shamanism. The women have small tattoos on faces and wear many ornaments specially waist belts. Overnight in hotel at Rayagada (This day has to be Tuesday )
Day 08: Rayagada – Chatikona - Jeypore (240 km / 8 hrs)
The morning drive today takes you to chhatikona weekly market. Here you will be taken to the hill path where Dongariya kondhas from their villages trek down with forest produce to sell or barter with non tribal.  This is a good photographic opportunity. Dongariya kondhas are independent, stubborn, clan exogamous and one of the original ethnic group of Orissa who have retained their culture and tradition till date. After market drive to Jeypore, en-route visit Kuvi kondha villages. Overnight stay at hotel in Jeypore
Day 09: Jeypore - Onukudelli - Jeypore (180kms / 5 hours)
After breakfast visit the home of the approximately 6000 members of the fierce Bondas (naked people) of Tibetan-Burmese origin. They live in the remote hills and keep themselves isolated. They grow rice by shifting cultivation and keep domesticated cows and goats. They can only be seen when they come to trade at the local weekly market. The Bonda women are noticeable by their bead necklaces, striking brass and silver necklace and their shaved heads decorated with colourful beads. Also visit the colourful Godabas, who speak Gutab a Dravidic language group. The Gadabas are one of the very primitive and colourful tribe. Return to Jeypore hotel for overnight stay. (This day has to be Thursday)
Day 10: Jeypore – Kunduli – Jeypore (130 km / 5 hrs)
Drive to Kunduli which is 65 km from Jeypore, via Sunabeda, to visit the tribal villages of Paroja and Mali. The weekly market is among the biggest and most colourful in the region. The Parojas are one of the well-known major tribes of Orissa. They are broadly divided into two sections, Bada Paroja & Sana Paroja. Men usually wear lion cloths, napkins and women wear coarse and cheap sarees. Overnight stay at hotel in Jeypore. (This day has to be Friday)
Day 11: Jeypore – Gupteswar – Vishakhapatnam (225 km / 7 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Gupteswar to visit the Dhuruba tribal village. They are one of the oldest tribes of Orissa and found in Koraput. The income of the family members goes to the headman and it is the head man's duty to fulfill the needs of the family members. Both nuclear and joint families are found among the Dhurubas. Continue drive to Vishakhapatnam and after arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay. (This day has to be Saturday)
Day 12: Vishakhapatnam
Morning, visit Simanchalam Temple near Vishakhapatnam which is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines of South India. It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity. Eastern Ganga King Narasimha built the central shrine in 1267 A.D. With more than 252 inscriptions describring the antecedents of the temple. Later transfer to airport to catch flight for onward destination. |