Welcome to Odisha, an enchanting realm on India’s eastern coast that encapsulates a world of captivating contrasts and timeless traditions. With a coastline that embraces the Bay of Bengal, this state boasts some of the country’s most breathtaking beaches, where sun-kissed sands meet the rhythm of rolling waves. Yet, Odisha is not confined to its coastal allure; its interior landscapes unfold like chapters of a captivating story. The sacred hills, dense forests, and pristine rivers not only provide a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna but also harbor echoes of ancient legends and spiritual devotion. As you embark on a journey through Odisha, prepare to be captivated by its kaleidoscope of experiences, where every step reveals a new facet of this multifaceted gem.
Odisha is uniquely proud for the tinted spread of ethnic mosaic brought over by the 62 culturally vibrant tribes including 13 primitive tribal groups, who are found sprinkled all over the state.Across the Eastern Ghats, lies the hinterland of Orissa, the home of ancient tribes-the Didayi and the Bondas of Koraput, the Kondhs of Kandhmal(formerly name Phulbani). Here beats Orissa’s primordial heart. The tribal people showcase a rainbow of oriental culture and cultural trappings, which are held beautiful in an ethnic kaleidoscope. It is belived that the original inhabitants of Orissa were such primitive tribes akin to the Saoros and Juangs, groups living in the wooded hinterland. Here, in the dense jungles, any ambiguous essence is symbolized and made into ritual objects. Discover it the same way the primeval tribes of Orissa have passed it down – through art, dance, myths, music and the land itself.
Minimum 02 Persons travelling on Twin sharing basis in Aircond. Toyota Crysta Car on CP Plan (Room + Breakfast basis) | @ USD 2478 Per Person |
Minimum 02 Persons travelling on Twin sharing basis in Aircond. Toyota Crysta Car on MAP Plan (Room + Breakfast + Dinner basis) | @ USD 2690 Per Person |
Minimum 02 Persons travelling on Twin sharing basis in Aircond. Toyota Crysta Car on CP Plan (Room + Breakfast basis) | @ USD 2768 Per Person |
Minimum 02 Persons travelling on Twin sharing basis in Aircond. Toyota Crysta Car on MAP Plan (Room + Breakfast + Dinner basis) | @ USD 2994 Per Person |
Personalised Meet & Greet at Airports
10 Nights’ Accommodation inclusive of daily Breakfast / Dinner as the case may be.
Transfers / Tours & Excursions by Airconditioned Toyota Crysta
Services by English Speaking Guide during tours
Monument Entrance Fees
Day 2 Morning activities at Anandbana Park, Bhubaneswar -01 time
Day 5 Puri Auto-rickshaw ride from the parking bay to the main temple street approx 1.5 kms each way (01- 02 pax per auto)-01 time
Day 6 Morning Stand up Paddle at Chandrabhaga -01 time
Day 6 Raghurajpur heritage craft village – Gotipua Dance -01 time
Day 7 Chilka Lake Boating at Mangalajodi-01 time
Tribal Village Expenses
2 500 ml Mineral Water per pax per day for the entire tour
Current Government of India Goods & Service Tax (GST)
India Tourist Visa
Travel Insurance (if any)
Gratuities/Tipping (this is not mandatory and a prerogative of the guest)
Items of personal nature use such as laundry, phone bills, drinks etc.
Video camera fees at monuments and parks
Expenses of Personal Nature like laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic beverages, mini bar charges, tips, portage, camera fees ,shopping etc.
Supplements as applicable during Diwali / Christmas Eve / New Year Eve etc.
Early check-in and Late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in inclusions
Any other item not mentioned in cost includes column
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. Meet and greet on arrival at Biju Patnaik International airport and transfer to hotel.
Hotel check-in 14:00 hrs. / check-out at 12:00 hrs.
Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters. Later proceed for a heritage trail of the ancient temples in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar explore the temple city, where you see incredible architecture and connect with the locals for an immersive experience on their local lifestyles. As you wander through its labyrinthine lanes, you’ll encounter magnificent temples adorned with intricate carvings, each a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the past. Bhubaneswar’s Old town is a captivating journey through time, where the sacred Bindusagar Lake mirrors the skies and adds a tranquil touch to the surroundings.
Experience +
Later proceed for the heritage trail walk of the ancient temples in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar.
Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Bindusagar Lake lying to the north of the Lingaraja Temple, is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bhubaneswar. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside) .
Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Mukteshwar Temple belonging to the 10th -11th Century is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar. The 34ft high temple stands gracefully with an elegant torana(arch)in the front. In totality , the decorative designs present magnificent work of visual art . Parashurameswar Temple, built in 650 AD, is one of the oldest temples existing in Bhubaneshwar. The temple is profusely sculptured with amorous couples, animals and floral designs. It has a small but richly decorated shrine of Lord Shiva.
Experience +
Early morning enjoy your tranquil escape to Anandbana
Nestled in the heart of Bhubaneswar, **Ananda Bana** is a lush urban forest that offers a tranquil escape for travelers seeking nature, wellness, and adventure. Sprawling across acres of greenery, this serene retreat is perfect for a **refreshing morning walk, an energizing cycling session, or peaceful yoga amid nature’s embrace**. The well-laid **3.8 km trail winds through dense foliage**, passing over 10,000 trees and medicinal plants, making every step a rejuvenating experience. Thoughtfully designed with meditation zones, rain shelters, and an interpretation center, Ananda Bana blends relaxation with recreation.
Adding to its charm, visitors can savor a cup of **Koraput Coffee**, Odisha’s finest organic brew, making the experience even more delightful. Whether you’re a nature lover, fitness enthusiast, or simply looking to start your day on a calm and refreshing note, this hidden gem offers a perfect balance of **tranquility, vitality, and local flavors** before you set out to explore Bhubaneswar’s timeless heritage.
Experience +
Later proceed for visit of the ancient caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri which were carved and tunneled, to create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Odishan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC. Kharavela was a king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty, who is known for expansion of the Kalinga empire and his installation of public improvements, such as canal systems. His queen was evidently quite a patron of the arts, and probably had much to do with the impressive sculptural decoration of the caves.
Experience +
Afternoon visit the Tribal Museum with interaction amongst the local student researchers.
The Tribal Museum located at the CRP Square in Bhubaneswar, was established in 1953. Today the museum is a major site of tourist interest as it gives an insight into the life of a tribal. On display are immaculate replicas of tribal huts of various tribal communities and artefacts collected from different tribal groups in Odisha. On display are the way of life of a tribal in the region which includes their attire, traditions, ornaments, food habits. The museum also displays replicas of Tribal dwellings and artefacts. The museum displays elements of anthropological interest and gives an insight on the different stages of evolution of tribal cultures.
Opening and Closing Time – 10.00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Weekly Holidays: Closed on Mondays, National and State Government holidays. Photography restriction in the galleries.
Evening enjoy the food street corridor on the Janpath Street.
After breakfast drive to Dhenkanal en-route visit of Cuttack -Odisha State Maritime Museum.
Odisha State Maritime Museum
The Orissa State Maritime Museum, which has been set up at this Jobra Workshop, has 10 numbers of galleries along with its ancillary components, as required in a modern museum. This location, which has a beginning around 1869 has the unique distinction of being the only workshop, which catered to the requirement of three provinces of Bihar, Bengal and Odisha under the Bengal Presidency of British India. It was set up by the then PWD department of British administration through the efforts of one Scottish Engineer Mr. G. H. Faulkner immediately after the great famine of 1866 in Odisha, known as “Naa Anka Durviksha”.
The British administration took up th1QAwZe work of excavating the Coast Canal, Taladanda Canal and other irrigation projects to counter the effects of drought. This workshop was mainly catering to the need of anicuts, dams, canals and most important inland water transport system. At that time the access to Calcutta from Cuttack was only through a journey on river Mahanadi to the False Point near Paradeep and on sea up to Calcutta or from Chandabali to Calcutta.
Navigation is important for a vessel in high seas to chart its course properly. Sailing on high seas is almost coeval with the civilizations and ancient cultures. From very early time may take to sea voyages. Accordingly navigational skills were slowly developed. In the beginning the stellar bodies like the Sun, the Moon, the Starts and particularly the polar star on the North Star (Dhriva Tara) in Indian context were the guiding points for Navigation on high seas. In due course the compass, the latitudes and longitudes, the meridian and tropical lines were invented and used by Navigators.
In this gallery the history of navigation is illustrated through objects, charts, photographs and models.
Opening and Closing Time – 10.00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Weekly Holidays: Closed on 2nd Saturday, 4th Saturday ,State Government holidays.
Check-in to Dhenkanal Palace. A royal heritage home stay experience and not to be taken as luxury Rajasthan palace standard.
A truly royal eastern retreat, Palace Dhenkanal, the residence of the former Rajas of Dhenkanal is now a heritage homestay where you could experience the history, tradition, art, culture and heritage of Dhenkanal, one of the Feudatory States of Orissa styled “the Gurjat mehals of the Eastern States Agency. Dhenkanal is bounded on the north by the Pallahara and Keonjhar Feudatory States and the Sukinda Zemindari in the Cuttack district, on the west by the district of Angul and the States of Talcher and Hindol; on the south by the Baramba, Tigiria and Athagarh States and by the Balarampur, Madhupur, Darpani, Kalkala and Dalijora Zamindaries in the Cuttack district, on the east. The area of the State, which stood third in position among the Feudatory States of Orissa, is 1463 square miles in extent.
The last ruler, Raja Shankar Pratap Mahindra Bahadur (1925 – 65), was the seventeenth ruler since the foundation of the State and the first ruler in Orissa to merge with India in 1948. The present Raja of Dhenkanal is Brig Raja Kamakhya Prasad Singh Deo Mahindra Bahadur ( 1941- ).
Later in the day visit Joranda and nearby villages to interact with the local community. The world famous headquarters of ‘Mahima Dharma’, Joranda is the holiest place for its follower s. The Gadi Mandir, Dhuni Mandir, Jyoti Mandir & the Ashrams all are the attractive spots within the exquisite temple complex.
The believers of Mahima Cult or Alekh Brahma (Who believe that god does not have any shape, so they don’t worship any image) are an obscure Nath cult, the saffron clad naked sadhus chanting “alekh Niranjan ”The Mahima cult preaches universal brotherhood, non-violence, good neighbourliness, peaceful co-existence, freedom from greed, kindness to all including birds, animals and insects.
The two famous lines of a song written by the saint-poet that find a place in the main hall of the United Nations in New York are as follows-
“Praninka Arata Dukha Apramita Dekhu Dekhu Ke Ba Sahu Mo Jibana Pachhe Narke Padithau Jagata Uddhara Heu”
(Boundless is the anguish and misery of the living who can see it and tolerate Let my soul be condemned to Hell But let the Universe be redeemed)
Today morning after breakfast explore the Nuapatna weaving cluster and the Sadeibarni dhokra crafts village.
Nuapatna weaving village.
This village with many co -operatives of weavers, where centuries of tradition woven into fabric. The weavers of this village are a class by themselves. The TIE & DYE patterns popularly known as ‘IKAT’ is a unique mechanism of texturing. One can watch all the steps of Ikat Bandha. As per the tradition they weave in silk.
Experience +
We will have an exclusive interaction with a local weaver family to know about their craftmanship and an opportunity to learn their weaving technique.
Also visit the Sadeibarni – Dhokra crafts village .
The Dhokra casting, a variety of metal casting is essentially a folk craft and is limited to a few pockets of Orissa. In Sadeiberni, in Dhenkanal district, it is being practiced by an aboriginal caste called Sithulias. While the lost wax process is followed, the raw materials used are not pure brass but contain miscellaneous scraps of other metals which give it an antique look. Its motifs are mostly drawn from folk culture.
After breakfast checkout from the palace and drive to Puri en-route visit Dhauli and Pipli applique village .
Experience +
Dhauli
Dhauli-Ashoka (reign ca. 272-231 BC) was the most illustrious king of the Maurya dynasty. After hi s conquest of the kingdom of Kalinga in modern day Odisha, struck with remorse at the suffering he caused, Ashoka converted to Buddhism and spent the rest of his life propagating his dharma (law). In order to achieve this, he had numerous edicts inscribed on rocks, pillars and caves, throughout his vast empire. These are written in various vernaculars and represent the earliest written document from the Indic regions. From these edicts it would appear clear that Ashoka was an extremely tolerant and benevolent monarch. Near Dhauli, south of Bhubaneshwar, there is a rock inscribed with the edicts of the emperor Ashoka. The front of the rock is sculpted as the head, trunk and front legs of an elephant. The Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hills is a significant symbol of love and peace. The pilgrimage is significant because here King Ashoka resigned from violent wars. After witnessing the devastating sight of blood filled land and the Daya River that obtained red color because of the merciless slaughter of around 1,50, 000 warriors, King Ashoka was filled with sheer grief and therefore decided to renounce wars completely all through the rest of his life. It is at Dhauli that Ashoka resorted to Buddhism and presented his sword in front of Lord Buddha.
Pipli
The famous town of Pipli in Odisha, halfway between Bhubaneswar and Puri, is known for its exquisite applique work. An enchanting form of fabric based patchwork, well known for its geometric motifs and stylized birds, animals and flowers cut out of brightly coloured cloth and sewn on contrasting backgrounds. The typical traditional motifs are varied yet fixed in their colours and representations. Motifs ranging from geometric, abstract, schematized actual life forms to stylized versions of social, natural, astral and mythological characters and objects. Closed on last Tuesday of every month.
Later in the day proceed to Puri and check-in to hotel. Most hotels in Puri have check-in/check-out at 08:00-08:30 hrs.
Puri, a coastal gem nestled on the Bay of Bengal, weaves together the threads of spirituality and serenity in a seamless tapestry. Home to the revered Jagannath Temple, this town. Nestled along the shimmering Bay of Bengal, Puri is a coastal haven that beautifully marries spirituality, scenic splendor, and cultural vibrancy. At its heart lies the revered Jagannath Temple, a timeless symbol of devotion and inclusivity.
Explore the town of Puri.
Visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. This 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath –“The Lord of the Universe”. The wooden figures of the three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra stand in the sanctorum garlanded and decorated by the high priests. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple and to be viewed from outside across the street. ).
Experience +
Wander away into the narrow lanes of the old Puri roads. Interact with the local temple priest and immerse yourself in the religious fervor of this holy city.
Chandrabhaga Beach – Located near the famous Konark Sun Temple, this beach offers a mix of gentle waves and open waters, making it ideal for paddleboarding. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for a peaceful ride
Experience +
After breakfast proceed for the visit of the magnificent Sun Temple, Konark local fishermen village and later in the day visit Raghurajpur heritage crafts village located near to Puri town.
Konark Sun Temple.
Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark conceived as a massive chariot hauling the Sun God across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses, standing aloft on 24 chariot wheels-intricately carved – symbolizing the march of time, lies in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand three kilometers from the sea, but originally it was reported to be closer for which it was used as a navigational point by European sailors, who referred to it as the ‘Black Pagoda’. This 13th century architectural marvel is one of the most magnificent monuments of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nobel Laureate & Poet Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘here the language of stone surpasses the language of man’. It is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words.
Experience +
Also visit the local Fisherman’s village and interact with the local community
Experience +
Afternoon visit Raghurajpur heritage crafts village by walking and experience the local artisan’s crafts village with community interaction to know more about the skillful art and techniques
The big attraction at Raghurajpur and nearby villages is that the whole village community is involved in making some kind of handicraft. Many have even won national awards for their work. There are just over 100 households and 300 artisans in the village. The economic, social and cultural life of this village revolves around arts and crafts with at least one member from almost every family involved in the arts. There is an informal division of work in the family and every member is engaged in doing something or the other related to paintings. While the men folk and the boys work on the paintings, the women are busy preparing the canvas, boiling the gum or powdering the pigments in a mortar. You can wander around, check out the beautiful painted murals on the houses, chat to the friendly artisans and see them in action -! Pattachitra traditional cloth paintings are a specialty in the village, but the artisans make a wide variety of items including the palm leaf engravings, stone carvings, wood carvings, and wooden toys.
Interact with the Chitrakars as they demonstrate their craftsmanship.
Experience +
Optional- Gotipua Dance- To be arranged with prior intimation to the local community.
Interact with the Chitrakars as they demonstrate their craftsmanship. And witness an exclusive Gotpiua dance performed by the village boys. An opportunity to witness the Gotipua dance – In Oriya language, “Goti” means “single” and “Pua” means “boy”. For centuries, the Gotipua dance has been performed in Orissa by young boys who dress up as female to praise Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna.The actual form of the dance is executed by a group of boys who perform acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha & Krishna.
The boys start to learn the dance at an early age until the adolescence, when their androgynous look s fading.It is also the native place of Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the tutelage of renowned Guru’s, young boys can be seen practicing the Gotipua dance here.
After breakfast we checkout from the hotel and drive to Daringbadi en-route visit Chilika Lake-Manglajodi
Lake Chilika
A vast lake along the eastern cost of Odisha with beautiful islands, migratory birds wading in the shallow waters and the air echoing with the chirping of birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central and South-East Asia, that’s the breath-taking beauty of Chilika-Asia’s largest brackish water estuarine lake. Lake Chilika sprawls over an area of 1100 sq.km covering parts of three districts of Odisha i.e. Puri on the east, Khurdha on the North and Ganjam on the South. It’s a haven for bird-watchers / nature lovers. Abounding in unique flora and fauna, Chilika supports the livelihood of more than hundred thousand families living in and around it.
Winter (mid Nov-mid Feb) is the best time to visit Chilika as over hundred species of migratory birds flock the islands during this time of the year.
Experience +
Manglajodi – Lake Chilika
A community owned and managed wildlife conservation venture, Mangalajodi Ecotourism is your destination to get a peep into Mother Nature. Mangalajodi is a village located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha, ‘The Bird’s Paradise’ hosts more than 3,00,000 birds in its marshy waters, especially in winters. Mangalajodi also represents one of its kind ecosystems, whose protection is epitomized by a sustainable lifestyle that is at a brink of extinction in urban settings. Enjoy the walk into the marshy lands for a country boat ride with interaction – an hour with the local fishermen community. After enjoying a boat ride on the lake, we drive to Daringbadi and check-in to hotel.
Later proceed to Daringbadi – The tribal heartland of Kutia Kondh tribe and check-in to hotel.
The Kondh ethnic group; they are one of the most ancient tribes, direct descendant of the pre-Aryan world, which still faithfully preserves the culture and traditions, and is totally dedicated to rituals and ceremonies. Mainly settled farmers, they cultivate rice and vegetable s, own numerous buffaloes from which they obtain milk and cheese, live in long, low houses built on the hills and arranged around a square dominated by a sacrificial altar.
After breakfast explore the region with visit to the local Kutia Kondh tribe community, indigenous turmeric plantation The Kondh ethnic group; they are one of the most ancient tribes, direct descendant of the pre-Aryan world, which still faithfully preserves the culture and traditions, and is totally dedicated to rituals and ceremonies. Mainly settled farmers, they cultivate rice and vegetable s, own numerous buffaloes from which they obtain milk and cheese, live in long, low houses built on the hills and arranged around a square dominated by a sacrificial altar.
Experience +
The utilization of forest wood is an integral part of their heritage. Their houses are made of wooden posts plastered with mud. Their settlements are fenced with wooden posts erected in a line, some time for hundreds of meters. you will be surprised to discover most of their material objects, such as plough, yoke, spade, pounding posts, and bells for cows and goats, are made of wood. However, what strikes you most is their Meriah Sacrifice wooden posts. The Kondhs in the interior hills practices Meriah sacrifice (earlier they would sacrifice a human, now a buffalo).
After breakfast checkout and proceed to Gopalpur-On-Sea en-route see the endangered blackbucks at Bhetnai.
Bhetanai is truly a home for the magical blackbucks.
Also it is one of the most unique tourist spots in India. You can see these amazing deer very close here in Bhetnoi. Not only are these magical blackbucks extremely endangered but also rare to spot elsewhere in India.
Bhetnoi is a small village in Ganjam district of Odisha (Odisha). The flocks of blackbucks or Krishnasar Mriga roam without any fear from any hunters or villagers. In fact you will be amazed to see how much the villagers love
Gopalpur – On-Sea which is a sleepy hamlet that betrays no traces of its glorious past. The ruins of an old port speak of a time that won Gopalpur its prominent place in Odisha’s history. You can forget yourself at Gopalpur and have a lovely, lazy holiday. This virgin beach with coconut groves, casuarina coppices and gentle sand dunes is deserted for miles and perfect for an ultimate relaxation before commencement of your adventurous tribal trail.
Visit : -Gopalpur-On-Sea-Chandragiri- Taptapani Hot Sulphur Spring-Gopalpur-On-Sea : 195 kms / 4 hrs
Chandragiri
Visit Padmasambhava Mahavihara Monastery & Temple and interaction with the resident monks ,children and the local community. The Padmasambhava Mahavihara monastery, located at Chandragiri, Gajapatidistrict, in the state of Orissa, India, is the largest Buddhist monastery in South Asia. It was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in January 2010. It was built in the Atanpuri style of architecture of Nalanda by architects from Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan assisted by local masons. It is 70 feet (21 m) and five stories high, and is built on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land. It features a 23 feet (7.0 m) high Buddha statue and 17 feet (5.2 m) Buddha Padmasambhava. 200 monks are resident in the monastery, which is named after Acharya Padmasambhava who was born in Orissa and who is believed to have spread Buddhism to Tibet in the 7th Century.
Taptapani
One of the many marvels of nature, hot springs are generally said to be endowed with curative properties. Taptapani is actually a small hot spring, and according to local folklore, has been around for more than 300 years. Also visit the local Saora community in the region.
After breakfast checkout and proceed to Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik International airport for departure with lots of memories to cherish for a lifetime!
This is the end of the Trip!
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