Day 01: Arrive Kolkata (Calcutta)
On your arrival at international airport, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
The city was established in 1686 when British moved to the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and Kalikata from their trading port of Hooghly. The city got its name from the last of the settlements mentioned above. The city progressed well until 1756 when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked the town and drove away the British. Lord Clive retook Calcutta- Kolkata and until 1911, Calcutta- Kolkata remained the capital of the British government in India. Being the center of power for so long created a unique culture and heritage of the city, totally unlike any other city of India. Calcutta is today a sprawling city of strange contrasts. Palatial houses, huge monuments, a center of active politics, film and theatre, culture and art, the city offers another picture of herself in its hustle-bustle, its over crowdedness, its noisy streets and narrow lanes.
Day 02: In Kolkata
Morning proceed for city sightseeing of Kolkata
Visit the Jain Temple, Zoological Gardens, St. Paul Church & Victoria memorial - Victoria Memorial has been built in a sprawling 26 hectares of land and is the best education one can possibly have of the British East India Company's rule in India. Later drive past Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square, Fort Williams, Secretariat Building and Old Court House Street. A visit to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity would also be interesting.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 03: Kolkata - Bhubaneswar
In time transfer to airport to board Bhubaneshwar flight and on arrival in Bhubaneshwar transfer to hotel.
Bhubaneswar - the temple city of India. Once the capital of ancient Kalinga, the city has a long history & is today a bustling centre for commerce & religious activity. These temples are unique in themselves, not only in their architectural beauty but also in the wonderful sculptures. These temples epitomize a comprehensive history of Orissan style of temple architecture from its very inception to perfection spreading almost to 2000 years from 3rd century BC to 16th Century AD. Today this bustling centre of commerce and religion is Orissa's modern capital.
Afternoon full day Temple visit
Visiting Lord Shiva Lingaraja Temple, the 11th century temple of Bhubaneswar has been described as "truest fusion of dream & reality." A rare masterpiece, the temple has been rated one of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple. Every inch of the 55 m-high Lingaraja temple is covered with elaborate carvings. Sculpture & architecture fused elegantly to create a perfect harmony The Vital Deul-tantric temple located closeby Linagaraj Temple. also visit Mukteshwara Temple, a 7th-8th century AD is one of the most ornate temples in Bhubaneswar. The intricate carvings of the deities stand testimony to the influence of Hindu, Buddha & Jain style of architecture. Later visit Parashurameshwara Temple, a small but richly decorated shrine of Shiva that was built in the 7th century. It is one of the best examples of the Orissa style of temple architecture.
Evening you will enjoy the Oddissi dance performance.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 04: Bhubaneshwar – Konark – Puri
Morning proceed to Puri by surface via visiting Konark
Konark- The temple chariot of the Sun God on the sands of Bay of Bengal is a 13th century architectural marvel has been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Monument. The temple, 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 and symbolizing the march of time, lies in partial ruin at Konark beach.
After visit the Sun Temple continue proceed to Puri and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay.
Puri is one of the four holiest points of pilgrimage for Hindus. The reigning deity of the city, Lord Jagannath, whose temple was built way back in the 12th century, is revered by thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. The other important feature of Puri is its beautiful beach, which has offered pleasure to both pilgrims and swimmers for centuries. Puri is also famous for its Golden beach ideal for swimming and surfing. But the fame of Puri emanates most from the Jagannath Temple, which contributed the word Jurrernaut to the English language. The 12th century temple is known for its annual Car Festival.
Day 05: In Puri
Morning sight-seeing of Puri
Visiting to Jagannath temple, Gundicha temple, Narendra Tank and Bada danda (The local market in front of the temple) and Afternoon free to relax on the beach.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Puri – Baliguda (310 Kms/ 08 Hrs)
Morning you will leave for Balliguda, Enroute visit typical Orissan villages and local markets.
Balliguda falls in the district of Phulbani - a land of beautiful mountains, numerous villages echoing with the rythms of tribal culture and forests full of adventure and wildlife, this is beautiful area to listen to the forests sounds, which are as if the fairy folk are calling you and as you drive up and down the ghat roads you cannot escape the inviting warm smiles of the local people.
On arrival at Balliguda you will check –in into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07: Baliguda – Rayagada (220 Kms / 06 Hrs)
Morning proceed for Rayagada by surface enroute visit Kondh tribes and their Villagers.
Kondh tribes are famous in history for their Meriah Sacrifice-Human Sacrifice (Now days buffalo’s are sacrificed instead of humans) Kondhs life is full of festivities. The women are readily identifiable by the geometric tattoos worn on their faces and hands. These identifying marks ensure that they will recognize each other in the spirit world. We will visit a hamlet of the Dongariya Kondh, where women dress in white cotton togas and adorn themselves with a flashy array of hairpins and ornaments, ear and nose rings and geometric tattoos. The important festivals are at the time of sowing and harvesting. The Kodhs belong to the Dravidian group and speak Kui language. Their weapon is bow and arrow by which they defend themselves from wild animals.
On arrival at Rayagada, check-in into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 08: Rayagada - Chatikona – Jeypore
Morning you will proceed for Chatikona to see the colourful weekly tribal market of Dhongria Kondh tribes.
Later continue drive to Jeyapore and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09: In Jeypore (Excursion to Bonda)
Morning proceed for full day excursion to Bonda & Gadaba Villages to see the Orissan tribes and their life style.
The Bonda has been described as the wildest, rudest and possibly the most interesting tribe. Known as the naked people, the Bonda are a fascinating group. They are named after the Bonda hills of Orissa's interior and are known for their stubborn, independent and often ferocious spirit.
Return to Jeypore enroute visiting the Gadaba tribe.
Gadaba tribes are the Austro origin at Lamptaput. The women wear a long strip of cloth tied around the waist and a second piece of cloth is worn across the breasts and tied over one shoulder. They also wear a number of ornaments including necklaces, earrings, nose rings, large silver hoops in their hair. Older Gadaba women also wear two very thick silver neck rings which are not removed until they die.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Jeypore – Gopalpur (360 Kms / 08 Hrs)
Morning you will proceed for Gopalpur and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 11: Gopalpur - Chilka Lake - Bhubaneshwar (180 Kms / 05 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Bhubaneshwar enroute visiting Chilka Lake.
Visit famous Chilka Lake-this lake covering an area of 900 sq. km is Asia's largest salt and fresh water lake. It attracts a large number of migratory birds, like the flamingo, teal, bar headed goose, shoveller and white - bellied sea eagle. For bird-lovers, Chilika is best visited in winter when the migratory populations wing in from places as far as Siberia. Close to the mouth of the lake, is a large population of Gangetic dolphins.
After visit the Chilka lake continue depart for Bhubaneshwar and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay
Day 12: Bhubaneshwar – Kolkatta – Onward Journey
In the morning you will be in leisure and later as per the scheduled time departure transfer to the airport for flight to Kolkatta. After reaching the airport of Kolkatta take the connecting flight to your onward destination. |