A Journey Through the Culture and Tradition of Orissa and Chhattisgarh

DAY 01 : Arrival in Bhubaneswar

Arrival in Bhubaneswar, welcome and assistance, private transportation to your hotel you will discover with your guide the fabulous temples of Bhubaneswar: Parsurameswar, the Mukteswar, the Lingaraj and the Rajarani temple. You will be able to observe the Hindu ritual activities of the locals near the Bindu Sagar tank. Later you will be transferred towards Hirapur to observe the unique tantric temple popularly known as the 64 yogini temple, and on the way back, pass by the Ashokan rock dating back to 2nd century BC, along the banks of the Daya river. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bhubaneswar.

DAY 02 : Dhenkanal Royal Palace

This morning after breakfast you will visit the Khandagiri and Udayagiri rock caves dating back to the 1st century BC, as well as the town’s tribal museum and its colorful local market. Later, drive to Joranda, the international headquarters of Mahima sadhus, the unique sect of Hinduism not believing in idol worship and keeping away from the material way of life, join their prayers at their puja. Then head to your Palace for the night at the Royal Palace of Dhenkanal located in the Garhjat Hills of the Eastern Ghats of Odisha. This royal palace built in the 19th century by the Singhdeo dynasty is the present residence of the former Raja of Dhenkanal. The palace is surrounded by rich flora and fauna. Observe the nearby forest for wild elephants, buffalo and royal farms, etc… Dinner and overnight at the palace (Drive: 120km- 3 hrs)

DAY 03 : Konark Sun Temple

Departure for Puri, en route visit the village of Pipili, famous for its sconces, the villagers practice a unique craft with different patchworks of fabrics. Then finally arrive at Konark temple, a world heritage site, a specimen of the Kalingan school of architecture dedicated to the sun god Surya. Later, visit the stone carving village of Chaitana. Arrive and check into your hotel in Puri for dinner and overnight. (Drive: 120 km – 4h00)

DAY 04 : Fishing villages & Patta painters

Early in the morning, visit a fishing village, where you can watch hundreds of local boats disembark. Then you will be invited with your guide to a walk in the alleys of the typical Hindu downtown of Puri, especially around the Jagannath Temple to see the devotion of its Hindu pilgrims, you observe it from a roof terrace as it is not open to non-Hindus. On the way, see the devout potters, making clay pots in the effigy of the temple. Later visit the folk painting village of Raghurajpur where you can see some of the artists creating the famous patta style paintings, or palm leaf prints. Return to the hotel in Puri for dinner and overnight. (Journey : 50 km – 1.30hrs)

DAY 05 : Phulbani Tribes

After the breakfast, road towards Phulbani, territory of the tribes Rasul Kondh and Kutia Kondh: the women of this tribe tattoo their face to differentiate themselves from the other tribes and to recognize of theirs after their death. They live from the harvest of fruits in the jungle and from the products that they cultivate. Continuation towards the weaving village of Itamati and stop in the semi-tribal villages. Installation and night in Phulbani (Journey: 250 km – 6hrs).

DAY 06 : Women with tattoos

After the breakfast in car in the area of Baliguda, visit the Kondh villages and their inhabitants with ethnic tattoos. You will discover the pillar of the sacrifice, the women having tattoos on the face such as mustaches of tigress. Thanks to your guide you will be able to interact with these totemic groups and enjoy an evening demonstration of their rites. Return to your hotel in Phulbani for dinner and overnight (120km-4hrs drive).

DAY 07 : Desia Kondh tribal villages

After breakfast, check out from the hotel towards Rayagada, en route you will visit again with your guide the tribal villages of Desia Kondh, and spend your night at hotel in Rayagada. Dinner at the hotel. (Distance: 210 km – 6.5 hours).

DAY 08 : The markets of Puttasing

Excursion to Puttasing hill and participate in its weekly market of Lanjia Soura tribes and visit their village. The Lanjia Soura hill people are one of the oldest tribes of Orissa. They are itinerant farmers, a polygamous society, the old ladies wear wooden ear plugs and tattoos on the front head. The shaman makes the “idital” paintings made of natural pigments, to free their living places from evil spirits. Today, some of them are influenced by missionary activities. Dinner and night at your hotel in Rayagada (Duration: 150 km – 4 hrs).

DAY 09 : Tribal jewelry making

This day you will be driven to Dukum, and its local weekly market, then later visit the traditional handicraft village of Jhigidi where you can see the making of tribal bronze jewelry by the lost wax method. Dinner and overnight in Rayagada. (Distance: 100km – 2hrs)

DAY 10 : Jeypore

Morning drive to Chhatikona to visit the weekly market of Dongariya Kondhas which were once infamous for human sacrifice, now the substitute is water buffalo. The Dongariyas are horticulturists, strong in their traditions, of marriage by dormitory system, their supreme deity is mother earth. Later, drive to Jeypore en route, visit the village of the Kuvi Kondh tribe, “kuvi” meaning the Hole in the Mountain, which protected them from the wrath of their God as the human sacrifice had not been carried out. You will spend the night at your hotel in Jeypore and dinner. (Journey: 210km – 5hrs)

DAY 11 : Onukudelli region and the Bonda people

In the morning, drive to Onkudelli. You will have the chance to see the Bonda people, only 12,000 Bondas live in the remote hills to this day. They speak a different language called Remo which belongs to the Austro-Asian language group. Bonda women with shaved heads cover their nudity with colorful beads and ornaments. The small Bonda men always go out with a bow and arrow. You can also taste different homemade alcohols in the market. Later, visit the tribal villages of Gadaba and interact with the group. Overnight and dinner at the hotel in Jeypore. (Drive: 150 km – 4 hrs)

DAY 12 : Kunduli

This morning you will be driven to Kunduli, one of the largest weekly markets of the tribal of Rana, Paroja and Mali, then visit the tribal museum of Koraput and the temple of Jagannth. Dinner and overnight in Jeypore. (Round trip: 120 km – 4 hrs)

DAY 13 : Chhattisgarh state

Drive to the Kotpad weaving village of Jagdalpur, in the Baster district of Chhattisgarh, en route you will see the dyeing of cloth with natural pigments. Later, drive to the natural waterfalls of Chitrakut (horseshoe shape). Installation and night in Jagdalpur (Journey: 80km – 2hrs)

DAY 14 : Narayanpur area

Excursion in the area of Narayanpur and visit the tribal villages of Muria Gond and their dormitories. The Murias live in the plains and are used to civilization. They are very superstitious and believe in the practice of witchcraft. Drinking traditional Mahua drinks rather than using western medicines to heal themselves. The visit to the market is optional. Your guide will inform you about the situation that day as the market is not safe due to the Maoists. Return to Jagdalpur for the night. (Round trip : 280km – 6hrs)

DAY 15 : Kanger Valley

Drive to the Kanger Valley to see the Tirathgarh waterfalls, caves and the tribal villages of Dhurua Gond and Maria Gond, near the Indravati River. Interact with these isolated people living in the forests and return to your hotel in Jagdalpur in the evening. (Round trip: 80km – 2 hrss)

DAY 16 : Paknar and Kondagaon

The day is dedicated to Bastar handicrafts: You can see different handicraft villages of the Bastar region near Kondagaon, special focus will be on the unique Ferro handicraft villages of Bastar tradition. Overnight stay at a local’s house. (Distance: 75km – 1h30)

DAY 17 : Kanker

Transfer to Kanker, upon arrival you will be invited and received by the Royal family of Kanker. Night and dinner with the family. (Trip 86km – 2h)

DAY 18 : Lush region of Bhoramdeo

Long drive to Bhoramdeo through beautiful landscapes of hills and forests, en route visit the Rajim Temple. On arrival, visit the Bhoramdeo Temple in the evening, dedicated to the god Shiva. At the edge of an artificial lake, it has similarities with the temples of Khajuraho. The situation of the temples in the middle of the hills and the dense vegetation is of any beauty and invites to relaxation. Spend night at your lodge in the middle of the nature. (Journey : 250km – 5h30)

DAY 19 : Bhoramdeo area

This day is dedicated to the visit of Baiga tribal villages and in the afternoon visit the unique market of Teregaon. The tribe is famous for its tattoos on their bodies. (Trip : 120km – 4h)

DAY 20 : Departure

After breakfast, proceed to Raipur airport to catch the flight to Delhi / Mumbai.

Selection of Your Hotels or Similar:

Bhubaneswar : Hotel Trident 5* or Mayfair Lagoon 5*.

Heritage Denkhal Palace

Puri: Mayfair Heritage Puri 4* or Mayfair Waves 4*.

Phulbani : Hotel KP Salunke

Jeypore : Hotel Heritage Desia Koraput

Rayagada : Chandoorisai Tribal Homestay

Jagalpur: Namam Bastar 3* (in French)

Kanker : Kanker Palace

Kondagaon : Homestay

Bhoramdeo : Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat or Kawardha Palace

The Trip Included : Full board, superior hotels, tour guide, transportation by air-conditioned bus and entrance fees.

Not included : international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide