Orissa is one of the states in India which can boast of a huge tribal population belonging to various races and cultures. It has the second largest concentration of Tribals which constitute an impressive 23 percent of the total population of the state. As this is a special interest tour guests should be flexible and the guide is at liberty to change the program with the best and most suitable alternatives. Photography is not allowed in Bonda Market. The guide will advise you on taking photographs, throughout the rest of the tour.

Day 01: Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kolkata.

Day 02: To Bhubaneshwar
Morning sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Later transfer to airport for flight to Bhubaneshwar. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bhubane-shwar.

Day 03: Bhubaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Konark, the three temple towns of Orissa make up the glorious golden temple triangle of Eastern India. The capital of the eastern Indian state of Orissa has many sites worth visiting. Many of the Hindus and the Buddhists flock to the city, a religious centre. We will have a full day tour highlighting the most important sites of Bhubaneshwar. We visit Parashurameshwara Temple, one of the best examples of the Orissa style of temple architecture. This temple followed very rigid parameters
set by the ritualistic books. The temple has some exquisite carvings and sculptures.

Mukteshwar Temple (7th-8th century AD) is one of the most ornate temples in Bhubaneshwar. The intricate carvings of the deities testify the influence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain styles of architecture. The carvings on the roof are especially striking.

The 10 th or 11 th century Lingaraja temple of Bhubaneshwar has been described as “the truest fusion of dream and reality”. A rare masterpiece, the Lingaraja temple has been rated one of the finest examples of a purely Hindu temple in India. Every inch of the surface of the 55 m high Lingaraja temple is covered with elaborate carvings. Sculpture and architecture fuse elegantly to create a perfect harmony.

Later we travel to Udaygiri and Khandgiri caves (7 km / 4.3 miles), which are two of the most important sites in the archeological history of India. There are 15 caves in Udaygiri, out of which Hathigumpha (elephant cave) is the most important. A 117 line inscription on the walls of the cave relates the exploits of King Kharvela who ruled Orissa from 168 to 153 AD. Khandgiri, on the other hand, gives a hilltop view of the city of Bhubaneshwar and most of the caves inside have a definite Jain influence. Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.

Day 04: Bhubaneshwar - Konark Sun Temple - Bhubaneshwar
Today we make an excursion to the Sun Temple at Konark, a World Heritage Site, located about 65 km / 40 miles from Bhubaneshwar. Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.

Day 05: To Taptapani
Morning drive to Taptapani (235 Kms) famous for its natural beauty and hot sulphur spring.

We pass by Chilka Lake, the biggest brackish water lake of Asia and famous for the migratory birds to its birds island during winter. En route, we visit Digapahandi and Chikiti villages to witness the interesting and typical south Orissan villages.

Orissa contains the largest concentration of tribal people in the subcontinent. There are more than 62 tribal communities who have retained their traditions in spite of the onslaught of modern civilization. They continue to inhabit their traditional dwelling places in remote areas of the deep forests and hilly interiors. Overnight in Taptapani.

Day 06: To Rayagada
Morning drive to Rayagada (225 Km) with stops enroute at Lanjia Soura and Desia Kondh tribal villages.

The Orissan tribes enjoy a rich and varied cultural heritage, the most powerful instance of this being in their music and dance, which are as colourful as they are rhythmical. Overnight in Rayagada.

Day 07: Rayagada
Today we drive to Bisamkatak & visit a Desia Kondh market and craftsman village. This afternoon we visit one of the original Dongoriya villages. Evening return to Rayagada. Overnight in Rayagada.

Day 08: To Chatikona to Jeypore
This morning we proceed to Chatikona (40 km / 25 miles) to witness the interesting and colourful Wednesday market of the Dongaria Kondh tribes, a sub-section of the Kondh community who are expert horticulturists and maintain a quite distinct cultural heritage. They reside in the mountains known as the Niayamgiri Hill Range. Free time in the market. Afternoon we drive to Jeypore (160 Km / 100 miles). Enroute we visit a Mali village. Jeypore is the commercial nerve centre of Koraput district, endowed with falls and forests and facilities to serve as a convenient base for visiting places of interest in and around.Overnight in Jeypore.

Day 09: Jeypore Area
Early morning we depart for Lamtaput and visit the Thursday weekly market at Onkadeli, visited by the Bondas who trek down the Bonda hills. We then visit one of the Gadaba villages followed by their Surcha dance. After lunch at Lamtaput, we visit a Paraja village. Overnight in Jeypore.

Day 10: Jeypore Area
After an early breakfast we depart for a day excursion to Ankadelli (70 km / 44 miles) to witness the most interesting and unique tribal weekly market of the Bonda tribes. The River Machkund, with interesting waterfalls, thick vegetation, mountains and forests, divides this place at the border state of Andhra Pradesh. Free time in the market. Overnight in Jeypore.

Day 11: To Vishakhapatnam
Today we travel to Vishakhapatnam (Vizag).

According to history, this city was named after the god of 'Valor-Vishakha'. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka's rule in 260 BC. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of 'Vengi'.

On arrival, we will do some area sightseeing, including Kailasagiri, located on a hilltop on the seafront, which affords a breathtaking scenic view. Overnight in Vishakhapatnam.

Day 12: To Kolkata
Transfer to airport to board flight from Visakhapatnam to Kolkata and connect with your onward flight.