Odisha Culture and Tribal tour

Day 1 - Welcome to Kolkata! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrivals hall at the airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. At the hotel, check in and freshen up as you get ready for the exciting days ahead. The rest of the day is free to visit the erstwhile capital city of India, with interesting colonial architecture and fascinating street culture - hectic, chaotic, and yet brimming with life and creativity. You may choose to take a leisurely walk in the evening to explore Kolkata’s nearby market area. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - In the morning we drive to the airport to catch a flight to Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Known as the 'Temple City of the East,' Bhubaneswar has plenty of attractions. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel and then leave for the guided temple tour around Bhubaneswar. We first visit the 11th Century Lingaraj Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva it is also the biggest temple in Bhubaneswar. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, carved on the spire. Next, we explore the Bindu Sarovar and Kedareshwar Temple. The evening is free to explore this amazing multihued city. Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - Early in the morning, after breakfast, we leave for an excursion to see the architectural heirlooms of Lalitgiri, Khandagiri and Udayagiri. These sites exhibit picturesque Buddhist attractions surrounded by magnificent scenery. We first visit Lalitgiri to witness the quaint lifestyle of the people, alluring crafts and exquisite pottery of older times. Next we visit 2nd Century caves in Khandagiri and Udaygiri, the largest Buddhist complex in Odisha. These partially natural and partially artificial caves hold historic, archaeological and religious importance. The caves were built during the reign of King Kharavela and served as the residence of Jain ascetics. Return to the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - Today we head to Puri, a city full of culture and heritage. On the way we stop at the Dhauli Buddhist Stupa. Surrounded by paddy fields and cashew trees, the Dhauli hill is where the historic 'Kalinga war' was fought. It is here that Ashoka, the terrible, was transformed into Ashoka, the compassionate who championed the cause of Buddhism. Our next stop is in Pipli, a colourful village known for its artisans and appliqué handicrafts and our final stop is in Raghurajpur, an artisan village known for ”Pata Chitra“ paintings and palm leaf drawings. From here we proceed to the holy and spiritual city of Puri, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Puri is an amalgamation of sacred temples, stunning beaches, charming dances and interesting shops. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - In the morning we visit the famous Jagannath temple in Puri, which is one of the four Dhams (places of sacred pilgrimage) – Note: Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. The unique appearance Jagannath, an incarnation of lord Vishnu, takes in this famous temple is considered to be the unfinished work of Vishvakarma, the artisan God. This 12th Century temple is known for its Annual Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival. In the afternoon we leave for an excursion to Konark, famous for its Sun Temple built by King Langula Narasimha Deva in the golden era of Odishan art. This 13th Century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments in the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way back, we stop at a stone carver’s village. In the evening we drive back to Puri and enjoy our time at the beach. Overnight stay in Puri.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - Post breakfast we begin our drive towards the beautiful town of Gopalpur, located along the Bay of Bengal. On the way we stop at the famous Chilka Lake to see the migratory birds and Olasingh weaving village. Spread over 1,100 sq. km, Chilika is the country’s largest inland lake. Dotted with islands, it has the richest diversity of aquatic fauna and is a bird watcher's paradise when migratory birds arrive in winter. After the visit we continue our journey to Gopalpur. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Later, we visit the beautiful beach and relax. The town is popular for its striking sea side and gorgeous temple devoted to Lord Krishna. Overnight stay in Gopalpur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - Early morning we drive to Raygada where we get to see tribal people in their unique traditional clothing and ornaments which distinguished them from the rest of the population. While travelling through the green forests of Odisha, we stop at a tribal area to have lunch at a local restaurant. Then we proceed towards "Taptapani," a traditional town famous for its hot sulphur springs. Gradually we cross over to the small village hamlets of the Saora tribes, who also find a mention in the Ramayana. The Saoras are skilled in art, painting and crafts. Trees, animals, indigenous people, and situations from their daily lives serve as motifs for their paintings. After the visit, we continue to drive to Rayagada. At Raygada we first visit Hathipathar, an elephant-shaped rock. Then we check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at Raygada.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - After breakfast we head to Kotagarh for a full-day tour where we visit the Kutia Kondh tribe's weekly tribal market, held on Tuesdays. We walk around the villages to get a firsthand glimpse of the Kutia Kondh tribe’s way of life. The Kutia Kondh tribe is a Dravidian-speaking, hunter-gatherer tribe. Kutia women have several nose rings and earrings, as well as a tattooed face. They used to perform human sacrifice rituals in the past, but this tradition is no longer practised. We enjoy a picnic lunch at a beautiful rural location. By the evening, we return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Raygada.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - In the morning we drive to Jeypore, known for its rich vegetation, cultural heritage and waterfalls. It is a spectacular destination drowned in pristine natural beauty with stupendous hills and fantastic lakes. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Then we leave for an excursion to two ancient temples - the Kali temple and Neelkantheswar temple. Later, subject to availability of time, we also make an OPTIONAL visit to the Jeypore Fort.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - Today we visit Onukudelli, a must-visit village endowed with picturesque landscape. The area is proud of its natural surroundings - lush green forests, a cluster of hills and tranquil surroundings with rich flora and fauna. An isolated village, mostly tribal communities reside here. Onukudelli also has an enormous hydroelectric power plant. At Onukudelli we explore the appealing and intriguing markets of the Bonda, Gadaba, and Didayee tribes and purchase some typical adornments and souvenirs related to these tribes. After relishing the enchanting beauty of Onkudelli, we drive back to Jeypore.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - We drive to the Kunduli weekly market near the town of Similiguda. The market is considered as one of the largest weekly marketplaces and is frequently visited by the Paroja tribes. Among the tribes, the Parojas are thought to have the highest population and are known for their clan symbols. They are further classified into Sana Parojas and Bada Parojas. We visit this grand market with Parojas selling fruits, vegetables and cattle. Later we drive to Visakhapatnam and check-in at hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 12 - Today we take a city tour of Visakhapatnam, including a visit to the Submarine Museum. We also visit the Simhachalan Temple situated among hills covered with cashew trees, shrubs, and mango groves. Many pilgrims undertake a journey to the hill on auspicious days. Late afternoon we leave for the airport to catch flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 13 - After breakfast we leave to explore the city. We begin with a visit to the flower market near the famous Howrah bridge. Next we visit Kolkata's most popular building, the grand Victoria Memorial made of white marble in European architectural style. It houses a number of rare and one-of-a-kind antiquities. Next we head to the first Episcopal Church of the Orient, built in the Indo-Gothic style followed by the tranquil Saint Paul's Cathedral, the spectacular Paresnath Jain Temple, the holy Kali Temple, and the lush green Botanical Garden. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 14 - Our cultural and tribal tour of Odisha comes to an end and it’s time to pack our bags and head back with the memories of a lifetime. We check out of the hotel and get a transfer to the international airport or any point of convenience in Kolkata for the journey to our next destination.

Tour Ends