10-Day Odisha Tribes and Temples Tour from Delhi to Visakhapatnam
About This Tour
Sign up for this tour and explore the rich cultural heritage, dance, music, and vibrant bazaars of Odisha. Marvel at Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, visit Rajara...
Duration: 10 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Visakhapatnam, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Gopalpur, Rayagada, Konark · Languages: English
About Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Enlist the help of a local guide to Bhubaneswar if you really want to make the most of this one’s 400 temples and shrines, Jain worshipping spots and sacred Buddhist sites, not to mention the beautiful countryside of the Dhauli Hills.
What's Included
- Flights from Delhi to Bhubaneshwar and from Visakhapatnam to Delhi in economy class, with a 15 kg luggage allowance
- Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in the selected category hotels as per the itinerary
- Half-board meal plan (breakfast and dinners)
- Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Local English-speaking guides as per the sightseeing programme
- For a group of 6 or more travellers, an accompanying tour escort for the whole tour will be provided
- Entrance fees to monuments and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Local permits to enter tribal areas
- Two bottles of water per person per day
- Local taxes, parking, tolls, and driver expenses
- Travel kit (travel documents, mask, hand sanitiser)
Not Included
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Additional visits or extra use of vehicles
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Itinerary
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1Day 01
Arrival in Delhi
Arrive at the airport in Delhi, meet our staff representative, and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
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2Day 02
Flight to Bhubaneswar and Temple Tour
Transfer to the airport and board your flight to Bhubaneswar. On arrival, receive assistance and transfer to the hotel. Later, tour the capital city of Odisha, once the capital of the Kalinga Empire. Visit some of the medieval temples among the 500 temples around the sacred Bindu Sagar Lake. Pass by the Lingaraja Temple, which can only be visited externally. It stands 54 metres high, is dedicated to Tribhuvaneswar, the Lord of the Three Worlds, and is surrounded by more than 50 temples and minor shrines. Visit the Mukteswar Temple, which dates back to the 10th century and features refined and elaborate decorations that reflect a mixture of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu styles. Explore the Parsurameswar Temple, dedicated to Shiva and built in the 7th century. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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3Day 03
Bhubaneswar Temples, Caves, and Tribal Museum
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to the city of Bhubaneswar. Explore the Rajarani Temple, striking for the elegance of its sculptures and its series of nymphs of amazing sensuality. Head to the Hindu and Jain caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri, located about 5 km from Bhubaneswar. Visit the Tribal Museum, which showcases the culture and traditions of the tribes of Orissa. Dinner and overnight.
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4Day 04
Konark Sun Temple and Puri Pilgrimage
Drive to Puri, one of the four important pilgrimage centres for Hindus, also known for the Rath Yatra Festival. Along the way, stop at Konark to visit the famous Sun Temple, a wonder of Hindu religious art. Arrive in Puri and go for a walking tour around the famous Shri Jagannath Temple, the Lord of the World, built in the 12th century and boasting a 65-metre-high tower. Only Hindus can visit the temple from inside. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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5Day 05
Mangalajodi and Chilika Lake to Gopalpur
After breakfast, drive to Gopalpur. En route, stop at the fisherman's village of Mangalajodi, located on Chilika Lake and known to birdwatchers. This is one of India's most fascinating landscapes, including land, sea, lagoons, canals, and lakes, where peasant-fishermen live on plots of land and water. Continue southwest through rural landscapes and traditional Hindu villages along Chilika Lake, an extensive lagoon coast of India separated from the Bay of Bengal by a 60 km long strip of sand. Arrive in Gopalpur, where you can enjoy the sunset on the beach. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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6Day 06
Into Tribal Odisha at Baliguda
After breakfast, depart for Baliguda. The tribal area of Orissa starts here, and you may see the Malliah Kondh tribes. In the afternoon, go on an excursion to the Malliah Kondh villages. These tribes are famous for the tattooed-faced women, whose drawings represent the snout of the tiger. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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7Day 07
Malliah Kondh Villages, Bisamkatak, and Rayagada
After breakfast, visit other nearby villages of the Malliah Kondh. Continue to Bisamkatak to visit villages inhabited by the Desia Kondh tribes. They used to make human sacrifices a few years ago, but now the ritual has been replaced by animal sacrifices on special occasions only. Continue to Rayagada for dinner and overnight.
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8Day 08
Chatti Kona Market and Drive to Semiliguda
Breakfast and drive to Chatti Kona. The route is full of landscapes and natural views. Reach the market of Chatti Kona, held on Wednesday only, and witness the ladies and gents of the Dongariya Kondh tribe. In the afternoon, continue to Semiliguda, the commercial centre of Koraput. Arrival in Semiliguda. Dinner and overnight. Please note: Chattikona Market is held only on Wednesday.
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9Day 09
Excursion to Onukudelli Weekly Market
Spend the day on an excursion to the weekly tribal market of Onukudelli. See and admire the Bonda and Gadhaba women in their traditional costumes. They belong to Tibetan-Burmese origin. The Bondas, also known as the 'Pygmies of Orissa', are among the most primitive and warlike tribes, keeping their customs and traditions intact. The Gadaba are among the oldest tribes of Odisha. Dinner and overnight in Semiliguda. Please note: Onukudelli Market is held only on Thursday.
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10Day 10
Kundali Market, Visakhapatnam, and Return to Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Visakhapatnam. En route, stop at the Kundali tribal market, the meeting point of all ethnic groups and the main tribal market of Orissa. Arrive in Visakhapatnam and transfer to the airport. Board the flight to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the international airport. Please note: Kundali Market is held only on Friday.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: New Delhi · Tour start: Delhi, India — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.