Culture & Tribal tour of Orissa

Culture & Tribal tour of Orissa Day 01 Arrive Kolkata
Our executive will receive you at the Kolkata airport and escort you to the hotel for hassle free check in.Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is known as city of Joy. It was capital of India until 1911 during the Britsh Raj. Today Kolkata is the largest city in India, with a population over 10 million It is a city that shocks on first impression but eventually the visitor falls in love with it. This city was home of Metro rail system in India but now this city is economically decline than other metropolitan city in India. Overnight stay

Victoria Memorial Thumb for Kolkata Darjeeling & beyond Day 02 Kolkata-Sightseeing
We start our sightseeing to visit flower market followed by St. John’s Church, Raj Bhavan (the residence of the Governor of West Bengal), High Court, Legislative Assembly, Eden Gardens, Strand (River Side), Race Course. Visit the Victoria Memorial, (closed on Mondays) an imposing marble edifice, the picture-postcard symbol of Kolkata. It stands serene and unmindful of the bustling commercial quarter nearby, a tribute to Queen Victoria. Overnight stay

Statue of Godess Durga Day 03 Kolkata- Bhubaneswar (by train)
Today morning we board the train for Bhubneshwar for 02 nights stay Kolkata-Bhubaneswar Dhauli express 0600-1245 Hrs On arrival meet and transfer to hotel Bhubaneswar is capital of eastern state of Orissa which is renamed as Odisha. Bhubaneswar is known as temple city as here there around 600 Hindu temples. The modern Bhubaneswar is designed by German architect Otto Konigsberger. Bhubaneswar is important center in eastern India after Kolkata.Here we visit important temples Lingaraja Temple from the platform beautiful sight of the temples and their shikars.Mukteshwara temple. Visit to Raja Rani temple lit in the evening, a nicely manicured garden. The entrance is impressive for photographs.Overnight stay

Culture & Tribal tour of Orissa Day 04 Bhubaneswar (full day excursion to Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves)
Today we leave for full day excursion to visit Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves Udaigiri and Khandgiri caves scattered on various levels of two adjacent hill sides around Bhubaneshwar. The caves were occupied by Jain monks in the 2nd century BC. Later, proceed to Potters village of Malipada. An enclosure of the potters who work together is absolutely non-commercial and the potters are busy working and not trying to sell their products. Overnight stay

Day 05 Bhubaneswar –Puri (03 Hrs drive)
This morning head towards Puri for 02 nights stay. Enroute visit Dhauli, Pipli-applique craft village,Raghurajpur an artisan village, Heerapur 64 Tantrik-Yogini temple. Dhauli Elephant and the Buddhist stupa : Surrounded by paddy fields and cashew trees, the Dhauli hill brings back memories of the historic 'Kalinga war' which was fought around here. It is here that Ashoka, the terrible, was transformed into Ashoka, the compassionate and championed the cause of Buddhism.
Raghurajpur : One of the most famous artists village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not only of the exquisite pattachitra's and talapattachitra's, but also of being the native place of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer.
Yogini Temple : Idyllic setting and landscape Hirapur has the 11th century Hypaethral temple of sixty four Yoginis. Only 4 such temples of 64 yoginis survive in India. Overnight stay

Day 06 Puri –Konark-Puri
After breakfast, visit to Jagannath Temple, the magnificent 192ft high 12th A.D. temple with its enshrined deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Since entry for non-hindu is not permitted inside the temple, we will have a view from nearby multi-storey building.
Later, proceed to famous UNESCO world heritage site Konark . The Sun Temple at Konark and a poetry in stone is often described as the grandest achievement of the Eastern school of architecture.
Later, while we are returning, visit to fishermen’s village at Naulaisahi will be interesting. Hariharnanda’s Ashram for Yoga enthusiasts and meditation with beautiful surroundings and silence, will give you different experience and feeling.Overnight stay

Day 07 Puri –Gopalpur on sea (04 Hrs drive)
Today we leave for Gopalpur on sea enroute visit Chilka lake where you do the boat cruise at the lagoon to explore migratory birds on the island. Also visit typical Odishan villages. Overnight stay

Day 08 Gopalpur on sea
After breakfast, visit to Tara Tarini mandir up the hill. The temple is acknowledged as a significant one, being one of the peethams but the building is all new and one can see stone cutters and carvers still working with their chisels at the very entrance. Ashokan inscription Rock Edict at Jaugada, one of the major Rock Edict, a huge stone face has been carved with the Ashoka’s message to his people. The edict has 11 of his 14 famous welfare messages.Later, we drive pass by charming local villages to Berampur Weaving Colony-(30 kms) Visited the weaver’s colony (a prominent cottage industry), watched weavers at work, their wives working in a separate building, very quaint atmosphere of a small community.

Day 09 Gopalpur on sea- Rayagada (08 Hrs drive)
We start our journey to Rayagada en route visit Taptapani, hot sulpheric spring, and Saura tribal villages On the way to Rayagada a short detour from Mohana, takes you to Chandragiri a Tibetan settlement. The Tibetan settlement. This Tibetan settlement has been in existence for over 50 years. Colourful Tibetan flags, golden domes of temples, Red signage’s in the Tibetan style font, men and women wearing Tibetan clothing and an overall environment of being in Tibet was experienced. Overnight stay

Day 10 Rayagada- Bisamkatak - Raygada ( 06Hrs day excursion)
Drive to Bisamkatak 55km to visit weekly market of Desia Kondh tribe at Dukum (Weekly market only on Tuesdays)Later visit traditional craft village, after lunch soft walk on Niyamgiri hills to visit the original Dongaria Kondh hamlets on special permit. Overnight stay.

Day 11: Rayagada-Chhatikona-Jeypore (07hrs drive)
Wednesday morning drive to Chhatikona, the weekly, colourful Dongaria Kondh market. Dongari’s come down with their forest produce to sell/ barter with non-tribals, an interesting event to watch. (Weekly markets only on Wednesdays) Later continue drive to Jeypore for 02 nights stay

Day 12 Jeypore-Onkudelli-Jeypore (05Hrs day excursion)
Thursday drive to Onkudelli, the most interesting market of Bondos / Gadabas /Didayees, later visit Ollar Gadaba tribal villages & back to hotel. (Weekly markets only on Thursdays) Overnight stay

Day 13 Jeypore – Kunduli – Visakhapatnam (Vizag) ( 05hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Kunduli where the guests can witness the largest tribal market of the Paroja people (Weekly market only on Fridays).Later continue drive to Visakhapatnam. Overnight stay

Day 14 Leave Visakhapatnam/Kolkata (by flight)
Today morning board the flight to Kolkata airport to board connecting return flight to home. Visakhapatnam-Kolkata 9W-2842 0845-1100 hrs