ODISHA AND THE SUN TEMPLE

 

The temple city of India, Odisha is home to the World Heritage Site of the Sun Temple at Konarak and the Sree Jagannath Temple at Puri. The state also boasts of the famous Buddhist Triangle – the archaeological sites of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri. While the nature lovers can revel in the beauty of the Chilika Lake and the many nature reserves, the wildlife enthusiasts can seek an adventure in the Bhitarkanika National Park and spot rare dolphins, endangered sea turtles, and thousands of nesting birds. The beach bum has enough options of sand and sun, and for the foodie, the local cuisine tosses up a mix of regional flavours.
A quarter of the population is tribal, believed to be Aryan aboriginal inhabitants. In the remote corners of the state, hidden from tourism, these groups have retained their unique traditions and languages. You may visit their fascinating weekly markets and interact with the villagers to get a glimpse of their traditional lives.
An off-the-beaten-track favourite, Odisha rewards the soul fascinated with history, culture, and pristine natural beauty.

 

  • Day 01 - Flight

    Fly to Kolkata (on an indirect flight)

  • Day 2 & 3 - Kolkata

    Arrive Kolkata on a Wednesday; transfer to The Fairlawn Hotel (or Grand/Lalt); visit the sights, see Tagore's home, maybe take a cooking lesson with a local family.

  • Days 4 & 5 - Dhenkanal

    Early morning train from Howrah to Cuttack; transfer to Dhenkanal, stay at the Dhekanal Palace; drive to Joranda Ashram where the Sadhus of the Mahima Alekh Cult perform their rituals.

  • Days 6 & 7 - Bhitarkanika

    Drive to Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary visiting Ratnagiri & Udaigiri, Buddhist sites written about by Hiuen T'sang. Stay at Village Retreat or Sand Pebbles; explore the sanctuary by boat to spot the giant salt water crocodiles basking on the bank.

  • Days 8 & 9 - Bhubaneshwar

    Drive to Bhubaneshwar visiting Lalitgiri en route; stay at the Swosti (or Trident/Mayfair). Bhubaneshwar still has some 500 temples from the 5th to 11th century AD, including the famous Lingaraj; visit the temples and the Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain Caves, dating back from 3rd to 1st century BC.

  • Day 10& 11 - Puri

    Drive to Konarki via Heerapur Chaushathi Yogini Temple, the 3rd Century BC Dhauli Rock Edicts and Pipli applique village; visit of Sun Temple at Konark, then drive to Puri visiting heritage artisans' village of Dandasahi at Chandanpur. Also visit Raghurajpur, a heritage village. In Puri stay at the Mayfair or Toshali Sands; you can watch the sand art demonstrations on the beach.

  • Days 12 & 13 - Chilika

    Visit the Jagannath Temple from outside, as entry is restricted; drive to Chilika Lake for stay at the Swosti Resort. Spend a day in a boat on the lake, rich in birdlife with a chance to spot dolphins.

  • Days 14 & 15 - Rayagada

    A long drive to Rayagada (this should be a Monday) visiting the weekly market of Langia Saura at Puttasingh. Langia Saura live on hill slopes and do shifting cultivation. They are known for their peculiar cloth with long tail at the back; the women use big wooden plates in their ear lobes. Stay at Sai International; visit the villages of the tattoo faced Kutia Kondh, in Kotgarh & Tumudibandh.

  • Days 16 & 17 - Gopalpur on Sea

    Visit Dongariya Kondh weekly market in the morning; then drive to Gopalpur on Sea for some relaxation at the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort..

  • Day 18 - Kolkata

    Drive to Bhiibasneshwar adnd fly to Kolkata. Stay at an airport hotel.

  • Day 19 - Return Flight

    Transfer to the airport for the return flight.


Sunderbans Cruise
Take a three-night cruise on the Hooghly to Sunderbans, to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger in the mangroves.

Simlipal
Add a couple of nights at the Simlipal National Park, studded with beautiful waterfalls, with a chance to sight elephants, gaur, tigers.


Best Months: Nov to Mar
Avoidable period: Nov to Mar

Indicated Price: From £2995
(On twin-share excluding international flights)

 


Sun Temple, Orissa

Udaigiri

Bhubaneshwar

Tribal People

 

For the holiday of a lifetime...
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The India Travel Company London Ltd
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Email: info@titclondon.co.uk

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