Day 01: Arrival in Kolkata (Calcutta).
Our representative will meet you on arrival and escort to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 02: Kolkata to Bhubaneshwar in Odisha.
Fly to Bhubaneshwar, and prepare to be enchanted. A kaleidoscope of temples, markets, bicycles, tri-shaws and resplendent women in brilliant saris endow this state capital with a singular charm. This afternoon we visit the handicraft markets. Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.
Day 03: Bhubaneshwar.
Today explore the innumerable temples built around the Bindu Sarovar tank. Intricate and detailed carvings abound, from flowers to animals to gods and humans – all are sculpted with tremendous verve and delicacy. The female figures are particularly seductive and sensual. A tour of the nearby Udaigiri and Khandagiri caves that were occupied by Jain monks as early as the 2nd Century BC are a highlight of an afternoon excursion outside of Bhubaneshwar.Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.
Day 04: Bhubaneshwar. Day trip to Konarak and Puri.
Today visit Konarak’s famed Sun Temple ( a UNESCO World Heritage Site), erected in the 13th century as a glorious tribute to Surya, the sun god. Its intricate carvings around the exterior are so impressive that it boggles the mind! You will lunch at a local restaurant before visiting one of the four holiest places in India, the 12th century Jagannath Temple with its teeming market and bazaar which surrounds this living temple. On returning to Bhubaneshwar you will visit the artists village, Raghurajpur, renowned for their palm-leaf paintings. Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.
Day 05: Bhubaneshwar to Baliguda.
Today’s 10 hour journey takes us to Orissa’s tribal region, arriving first in Baliguda. The little-known, fascinating, seldom visited tribes are subjects of intense curiosity to anthropologists. Overnight in a lodge in Baliguda.
Day 06: Baliguda to Rayagada.
Today we’ll walk 5 hours on rugged, rocky terrain, stopping at hamlets along the way to meet members of the Kutia Kondh tribe. The women are readily identifiable by their geometric facial tattoos. These identifying marks ensure that they will recognize each other in the spirit world. This afternoon we drive 5 hours to Rayagada. Overnight in a hotel in Rayagada.
Day 07: Rayagada.
At Puttasingh Market, members of the Lanjia Saora tribe sell rice, corn, millet and tumeric. Their Manangul Village boasts immaculate adobe dwellings. They practice slash & burn agriculture and shifting cultivation, and believe in polygamy, shamanism and forest deities. Saora women insert increasingly larger balsa wood plugs into their pierced ears, until their lobes are so elastic, they nearly touch their shoulders. Overnight in Rayagada.
Day 08: Rayagada.
We explore scenes from daily life on the way to Dukum Market, which is attended by members of the Desia Kondh tribe. Our afternoon stops include the Zigidi handicraft village and a charming Desia Kondh hamlet. Overnight in Rayagada.
Day 09: Rayagada to Jeypore.
You will find this morning well worth another early wake up call. Arriving to Chatikona by 7:30 a.m. promises stunning images of colorful processions of Dongariya Kondh & Desia Kondh women entering the market. Women in brilliant saris are laden with tomatoes, tumeric, eggplant, jackfruit & bananas, balanced gracefully on their heads. This afternoon we drive 3 ½ hours to Jeypore. Overnight in Jeypore.
Day 10: Jeypore.
5:30 a.m. departure for the fascinating Onukudelli market, attended by the Bonda, Gadhaba and Didei tribes. A Bonda woman’s costume is a colorful cascade of strands upon strands of tiny yellow, orange and white beads, and a matching scullcap. A brass nose ring and silver ear hoops complete the ensemble. Afternoon finds us at a Gadhaba Village for a unique dance performance that’s sure to delight. Overnight in Jeypore.
Day 11: Jeypore to Gopalpur on Sea.
Drive 7 hours to Gopalpur on Sea. If you dig nosing about crumbling seaside resorts, Gopalpur-on-Sea, a seaside town the British left to slide into history until Bengali holidaymakers rediscovered its attractions in the 1980s, is your bygone living museum on the ocean. Its peaceful and relatively clean beach is great for a stroll and it’s oddly charismatic in its own strange, antiquated way. Overnight in Gopalpur.
Day 12: Gopalpur on Sea to Kolkata via Bhunaneshwar.
Drive 4 hours to Bhubaneshwar and fly to Kolkata. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 13: Depart Kolkata.
In time transfer to the airport to board your flight to onward destination.
Date and price to suit individual arrangements based on 2 people sharing. Breakfast included. Private air-conditioned car and driver with English speaking guides for sightseeing.
