Magic Of Orissa 15D/14N
15 days
All Months
Day 1: Kolkata
Arrival in Kolkata at the airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms available from noon). Guided city tour.
Lunch
Walk across the Maidan, a large green space in the city center, leading to the Victoria Memorial, which houses a vast collection from the British Raj (closed on Mondays). Then visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most important churches in India.
Dinner
Day 2: Kolkata
Early morning walk on the impressive Howrah Bridge, followed by a visit to the flower market. Continue to Howrah Botanical Garden, created in 1786 on the western bank of the river.
At Dalhousie Square, see beautiful Victorian-style buildings, including the Bengal government headquarters.
Lunch
Visit the Indian Museum in Chowringhee, a colonial building with remarkable sculpture collections, including Gandhara art (closed on Mondays).
Dinner
Day 3: Kolkata / Bhubaneswar (Flight)
Flight to Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha. Discover one of India’s most fascinating religious cities, once home to 7,000 temples (8th–13th centuries). Visit Parasurameshwar and Mukteshwar temples.
Lunch
Admire Lingaraj Temple (11th century) from a nearby platform (non-Hindus not allowed inside).
Dinner
Day 4: Bhubaneswar / Puri
Drive to Puri. Stop at Dhauli Stupa to see Ashoka’s edicts and visit the tantric Chausath Yogini Temple (9th century).
Lunch
Continue to Puri, a seaside town and one of India’s holy cities. Evening stroll through the beach market.
Dinner
Day 5: Puri / Konark / Puri
Day dedicated to the pilgrimage city of Jagannath (an avatar of Vishnu/Krishna). Visit a potters’ village.
Excursion to Konark Sun Temple (13th century), dedicated to Surya. Its intricate sculptures make it one of the finest examples of Hindu religious art.
Lunch
Evening among pilgrims near Jagannath Temple. Attend a dance festival at Konark Temple.
Dinner
Day 6: Puri / Raghurajpur / Gopalpur
Drive to Gopalpur (5h). Visit Raghurajpur heritage village, known for mural paintings and palm-leaf engraving.
Lunch
Continue to Chilika Lake for a boat ride to see migratory birds. Overnight in Gopalpur, a peaceful seaside town.
Dinner
Day 7: Gopalpur / Rayagada
Drive to Rayagada (5h), in Odisha’s tribal region. Visit silk weaving workshops in Berhampur and hot springs of Taptapani.
Lunch
Stops in Saura tribal villages.
Dinner
Day 8: Rayagada / Bisamkatak / Rayagada
Visit the Desia Kondh tribal market in Bisamkatak.
Lunch
Explore villages and a copper artisan settlement.
Dinner
Day 9: Rayagada / Chhatikona / Jeypore
Visit Chhatikona market of the Dongria Kondh tribe, known as guardians of forests and rivers. Photography is not allowed.
Lunch
Drive to Jeypore with stops to see woodcraft artisans.
Dinner
Day 10: Jeypore / Onkudelli / Jeypore
Visit Onkudelli market (Thursday), where Bonda, Gadaba, and Didayee tribes gather. Bonda women wear traditional bead jewelry and unique attire.
Lunch
Visit Gadaba villages. Photography restrictions apply.
Dinner
Day 11: Jeypore / Kunduli / Jagdalpur
Visit Kunduli market (Friday) of Paroja tribes and nearby villages.
Lunch
Drive to Jagdalpur with stops at weaving villages and tribal markets.
Dinner
Day 12: Jagdalpur
Excursion to Kanger Valley National Park. Walk through sal and teak forests.
Lunch
Visit Kutumsar caves (stalactites and stalagmites) and Tirathgarh waterfalls.
Dinner
Day 13: Jagdalpur / Kondagaon / Kanker
Drive to Kanker (4h), a forested tribal region. Stay in a former royal palace.
Watch the Maria tribe’s “Bison Horn Dance.”
Lunch
Visit Kondagaon to see traditional lost-wax metal casting artisans.
Dinner
Day 14: Kanker / Raipur / Kolkata
Visit temples in Kanker.
Lunch
Transfer to Raipur for flight to Kolkata.
Dinner
Day 15: Kolkata / Return Flight
Transfer to airport for return flight.
