Highlights: This tour takes you to the Orissa in eastern part of the country which boasts of one of largest variety of tribal communities. Visit tribal village in the area know about their custom and lifestyle.
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi Arrive IGI airport Delhi. Met by our representative at arrival hall meeting area and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : In Delhi Morning tour briefing and orientation followed by a full day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. In New Delhi visit Qutab Minar – built in red sandstone during early 13th century, tower of Qutab Minar is one of the tallest tower of its. 72.5 m tall, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32 m at its base, wall consists of the verses from Koran the holy book of Muslims. Complex also hosts mosques and Iron Pillar (Ashoka Pillar) in the courtyard of the mosque, whose quality of the iron is exceptionally pure and has not rusted even after 2000 years. Humayun Tomb – this 16th century monument is known as the first example of the monumental scale
that would characterize subsequent Mughal imperial architecture. Built in the middle of the garden Humayun's Tomb is now one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments in Delhi. Drive pass India Gate- built in the memory of 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their life during I World War fighting for British, this arch built on 1921 is a prominent site in Delhi. Parliament House – designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker the man behind the creation of master piece architecture all New Delhi, this 1927 circular building supported by a central dome is hub of world’s largest democracy. Stop at President House – Located on the Raisina Hills, Rashtrapati Bhawan as it is popularly called President House was originally conceptualized as House of Viceroy of India in1911 when British Empire decided to sift its capital from Calcutta to Delhi. This fortress like 340 rooms palace has been boasts of chandeliers from Belgium, Italian marble, Burmese teakwood, Dholpur stone inside.
In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid - the last architectural extravagance of Emperor Shah Jahan, which he built shortly after the completion of Red Fort. Highly decorative it is the largest mosque in India its courtyard can accommodate 25000 devotees to offer prayer at one time. Drive pass Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat - cremation site of Father of the Nation ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ now boats gardens and a memorial. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 –Delhi to Bhubaneshwar
Morning after breakfast. Transfer to the Airport to board flight for Bhubaneshwar. On arrival half Day Ciy Tour. Overnight at Hotel. Day 04 –Bhubaneshwar to Baliguda (305 Km)
Morning depart Bhubaneshwar by surface for Baliguda, visiting typical Orissan villages en route. Baliguda 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. No sooner you approach the neighbourhood of this beautiful district then you listen to the forests sounds, which are as if the fairy folk are calling you and as you drive up and down the roads you cannot escape the inviting warm smiles of the local people. Arrive Baliguda and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05–Baliguda to Rayagada
Morning depart Baliguda by surface for Rayaguda stopping by en route to visit famous Kondh tribes & their villages. Kondh is the larges tribe and were famous or rather notorious in history for their Meriah Sacrifice-Human Sacrifice (in present days humans have been replaces by buffalo). Kondhs life is full of festivities. 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. Kondhs women a re very fond of jewellery thus one can expect to see some good specimen of tribal jwellery in the
area. Hair pins, ear rings, nose rings, and head necklaces, bracelet etc. dominates the list. It is not very uncommon to see men also using Bracelets and ear rings in some section of Kondh communities. Kondh tribes also tattoo their face, body and hands. Also Visit the weekly tribal market. Arrive Rayagada and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6–Rayagada (Excursion Dongaria Tribes - 47 Km)
Morning proceed on a day return excursion to visit Dhongaria tribes. Dhogarias are part of Kondh tribes concentrated in the Niyamgiri hill ranges. Because of their good understanding of eco-dynamics of the area clubbed with mythological belief they have contributed immensely in the conservation of the area. Though their economy was based mainly on shifting cultivation, hunting and gathering, they along with the changing time has become skilled horticulturists. their annual hunting/sowing festivals. This tribe is great admirer of aesthetic romanticism and they also believe in decorating themselves using hair clips, ear rings neck rings, hand rings made up of brass, iron and Hyndalium prepared by themselves as well as purchased from local markets. Body tattooing is a cultural habit. Overnight at hotel.
ways, and during different time of the year. The session also includes tasting teas from other parts of India and the world, and examples of flavoured and blended teas. Overnight at tea bungalow.
Day 7 Rayagada to Jeypore (220Km)
Morning proceed to visit weekly tribal market at Chatikona where colourful Donghria Kondh tribes which occurs once every Wednesday. It is a unique opportunity to witness such a colourful concentration of typical tribes at one place. More interesting would be to watch women in their colourlful costumes and jewellery and ofcourse their barter system. After the visit of market return to hotel. Post lunch depart for Jeypore- in Koraput district. Enroute brief halts to visit the low land tribes and their settlements. Arrive Jeypore and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 –Jeypore(Day return excursion to Onukudelli -75Km oneway)
Morning proceed on a day return excursion to Onukudelli area to see the fabled Didayi Bonda tribes. This must wildest, rudest tribes are certainly very interesting tribe known about. The scanty dress of Bonda women and homicidal tendency of Bonda males make them most fascinating people. Thus they stand in sharp contrasts from the neighbouring castes and tribes of Orissa. The Bonda call themselves-Remo and speak a very difficult Austro-Asiatic language.they are generally agriculturists and expert cultivators. The irrigated and terraced paddy fields on high hills prove their skill in rice cultivation. Inspite of their primitiveness and so called poverty, the Bondas enjoy a high degree of economic sufficiency. Return to hotel in the afternoon or early evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 –Jeypore (Day return excursion to visit Praja & Sana Tribes - 75 Km one way)
Morning proceed on a day return excursion to visit Paraja and Sana tribes. Found in Koraput district this tribe has reliance on totem and one of the reason preaching the fear of totem was to contribute to the cause of conservation. They revere animal like tiger, goat, dog birds like dove as sacred and they refrain from harming them. They are nature worshipers and worships various Gods and Goddesses residing in hills or forests. They are fond of music and dances which could be seen during village wedding. Every Friday weekly market takes places in the village and people from surrounding villages come here to buy and sell.
Return to hotel in the afternoon or early evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10–Jeypore (Day return excursion to Lamtaput - 75 Km one way) Morning proceed on a day return excursion to Lamptaput area to visit the Gadabba tribe and their weekly tribal market on Saturday. The Gadabba tribes are one of the most colourful and most primitive tribe of Orissa. They are one of the early settlers of the country and trace their origin to the time of Ramayana. They are generally seen in the adjoining mountain tracts of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Their main concentration is in the Koraput district and their maximum population is in Lamptaput. They have their own language Gutab and are not a migratory folk.They live permanently in large villages. You may have an opportunity to watch
their famous dance Demsa during your visit their villages. Return to hotel in the afternoon or early evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 – Jeypore to Rayagada (140 Km)
Morning depart Jaypore by surface for Rayagada stopping by en route to visit some of the tribal village/ settlements of the Desia Kondh tribes who are mostly concentrated in Ganjam district of the State. They also belong to the famed Kondh tribes and are expert cultivators. The whole area is an intricate labyrinth of precipitous hills and valleys, which are part of the Eastern Ghat-the height of the hills varying from 2000 to 4000 ft above sea level. They trace their origin to the Ramayana there is a reference of Savari, a Saora women whom Ram and Laxman met while moving about in the Dandaka forests in search of Sita. Witness the weekly market. Arrive Rayagada and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12– Rayagada to Taptapani (165 Km)
Morning depart Rayagada by surface for Taptapani stopping by en route to visit Saora tribes and their lifestyles.The Saora tribes are also one of the early settlers and trace their origin to Mahabarat. Known by various names such as "Savara", "Sabara", "Sora" and "Soura" and concentrated in parts of Gunupur area they are second most prominent tribes in Rayagada area. Polytheist by belief the revere large number of deities and ancestral spirits. Soras are very artistic people and are famous for their wall paintings called EDITAL, music and dance also are a very integral part of their rich aesthetic life. Main source of livelihood is agriculture.
Arrive Taptapani and check in at hotel or tourist bungalow. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 – Taptapani to Puri (225 Km)
Morning depart Taptapani by surface for Puri stopping by en route to visit Chilka Lake- the largest brackish water lake in Asia-spreading over 1200 sqkms and is famous for its migratory birds which comes from as far as Siberia during winter months. You will also have the opportunity to see Irawaddi Dolphins. Arrive Puri and check in at hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 - PURI
Full day leisure or free for optional activities or relax on the beaches of eastern coast. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13–PURI to BHUBANESHWAR (110Km) Morning visit Jagannath Temple - built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Every year during the month of June/ July, Jaganath Festival takes places here when thousands of devotees from all over gathers here for massive chariot procession.
Later in the morning depart Puri by surface for Bhubaneshwar stopping by en route to visit Sun Temple at Konark - 13th century temple dedicated to sun god is zenith of temple architecture in Orrisa. Designed in the shape of a massive chariot it appears as if sun god (Surya) is traversing to heavens in his divine chariot, drawn by seven horses. Now in ruin remains of the temple walls still depicts exquisite sculptures derived from the royal to daily life of those days such as religious, social, domestic etc. and Pipli – on the way to Puri from Bhubaneshwar Pipli is a centre for applique work, which depict the essence of local culture of Orissa. Known for colourful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. the cocktail effect of the colours seen on the fabrics here is certainly a feast for the eyes. Arrive Bhubaneshwar and check in at hotel.
Day 16 - BHUBANESHWAR to DELHI and DEPART
In time transfer to airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to international airport to board the flight for onward destination.
