Day 01: Arrive Delhi: By: International Flight
Arrive Delhi by International Flight
Today you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Delhi – Bhubaneswar: By: Flight
After early breakfast you will be check out form the hotel and proceed for combined city tour of Old & New Delhi.
Delhi – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy.
Enjoy unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic.
You will visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Asia. Next we shall drive past the mighty Red Fort, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan – the builder of Taj Mahal.
Later visit New Delhi: The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun’s, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Later visit Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top.
On the way visit most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Presidential House and India Gate – a war memorial arch.
Later drive to Airport to board flight to Bhubaneswar. Flight TBA
Welcome to Bhubaneswar – The Temple city of India. Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel
Day 03: Bhubaneswar:
After breakfast visit Bhubaneswar – Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or ‘Lord Lingaraj’, Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. It is the temple city Bhubaneshwar that calls for attention, dotted as it is with temples — big, small, ancient and in clusters. Visit the Temple City of Bhubaneswar.
Among the finest of its 600 temples is the Lingaraj Temple of Shiva built in the 11th century, it is also the biggest in Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as ‘Lingaraj’. It is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been carved on the spire. Lingaraj Temple (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. To be viewed from a platform outside). Mukteshwar Temple, is one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar and has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. Rajarani Temple is one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.
Afternoon visit the ancient caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri which were carved and tunneled, to create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Odishan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04: Bhubaneswar –Puri : By: Surface
After breakfast leave for Puri (120 Kms, 03 Hrs Drive) enroute visiting Pipli appliqué village and Konark.
The Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hills is a significant symbol of love and peace. The pilgrimage is significant because here King Ashoka resigned from violent wars. After witnessing the devastating sight of blood filled land and the Daya River that obtained red color because of the merciless slaughter of around 1,50, 000 warriors, King Ashoka was filled with sheer grief and therefore decided to renounce wars completely all through the rest of his life. It is at Dhauli that Ashoka resorted to Buddhism and presented his sword in front of Lord Buddha.
Pipli – It’s a centre for appliqué work, which depicts the essence of Oriya culture. It is also known for colorful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. The cocktail effect of the colors is certainly a feast for the eyes. Pipli, Odisha’s appliqué capital, announces itself with loud colourful splashes of bright colour in the shop fronts.
Konark – The third link in the Odishan Golden Triangle, Konark is the site of one of the most spectacular examples of religious architecture in the world. The Sun Temple at Konark 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 – symbolizing the march of time, lies in solitary splendor surrounded by drifting sand three kilometres from the sea.
Also visit the local Fishermans village and interact with the local community.
Proceed to Puri. For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt. The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Odisha, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretch of the beach to themselves is not uncommon. The local fishermen, with their catamarans and wide brimmed cane hats are welcomed by tourists.
Later in the afternoon visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. This 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath –“The Lord of the Universe”. The wooden figures of the three deities, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra stand in the sanctorium garlanded and decorated by the high priests. The wide Bada Danda, the road which leads up to the majestic temple, provides a view of the grandness of scale and proportion that typifies Puri. This is also the path to Nirvana, where the chariots of the much-loved divine siblings, Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra, roll down in the famous annual Rath Yatra (Non Hindus are not allowed inside the Jagannath temple). Overnight at Hotel
Day 05: Puri – Gopalpur: By: Surface
After breakfast drive to Gopalpur-on-Sea (200 Kms, 04 Hrs drive) en-route visiting Raghurajpur and Chilka Lake – The big attraction at Raghurajpur is that the whole village community is involved in making some kind of handicraft.
Later drive to Chilika Lake-Mangalajodi community village Mangalajodi, Chilka Lake- A vast lake along the eastern cost of Odisha with beautiful islands, flamingoes wading in the shallow waters and the air echoing with the chirping of birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other parts of Mongolia, Central and South-East Asia, that’s the breath-taking beauty of Chilika-Asia’s largest brackish water estuarine lake.
Enjoy a boat ride in the lake and then proceed to Gopalpur. Gopalpur – On-Sea which is a sleepy hamlet that betrays no traces of its glorious past. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06: Gopalpur –Rayagada: By: Surface
After breakfast leave for Rayagada (235 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive) en-route visiting Taptapani which is famous for its Hot Spring. One of the many marvels of nature, hot springs are generally said to be endowed with curative properties. Taptapani is actually a hot spring, and according to local folklore, has been around for more than 300 years.
Gradually we cross over to the small village hamlets of the Saora tribes who also find mention in the epic Ramayana. The Saoras are adept in art, painting and crafts.
Proceed to Rayagada. Arrive and Check into Hotel. Overnight at Hotel Rayagada.
Day 07: Rayagada- Chatikona – Semiliguda:
Breakfast at Hotel and visit their markets locally called ‘haat’ and make your way through the swarm of buyers and sellers, buy fresh produce and enjoy a traditional local cuisine experience. Visit the Kondh tribal community which were once famous in history for their Meriah-Human Sacrifice. Explore their lifestyle and the varied handicraft villages. Swing to the rhythmic moods of the tribal people who enjoy their lives through dance and music.
Visit the weekly Wednesday market of the Dongriya Kondhas at Chatikona – Here the Dongariya Kondhas trek down from their villages up the Hill with forest produce to sell or barter with non-tribals. Dongariya Kondhas are one of the original ethnic tribal groups of Odisha who have retained their culture and tradition till date. The Dongria family is often nuclear, although extended families are found.
After lunch at Hotel in Rayagada proceed to Semiliguda (225 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive). On arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08: Semiliguda – Onukudelli – Semiliguda:
After breakfast visit the weekly Thursday market of the Bondas at Onkudelli (165 Kms, 3 ½ Kms drive). Nature has showered its bounty on the undivided Koraput district replete with meadows, forests, waterfalls, terraced valleys and darting springs.
Today visit the home of the approximately 6000 members of the famed Bonda Tribes–one of the most fascinating tribes of the Country. They live in the remote hills and keep themselves isolated.
Visit another ethnic tribal group of the Gadabbas. Both men and women tie their long hairs with linseed oil and decorate it with forestry flowers and different ornaments. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09: Semiliguda – Kunduli – Vishakapatnam:
After breakfast visit another interesting Paraja tribe assembles at Kunduli every Friday.
The Parajas are divided into different sub-groups viz., Sodia, Jadia and Parenga; each of them seems to be a separate ethnic group. The Parajas have a number of totemistic septs like Bagh-tiger, Bokda-goat, Netam-Dog, Pandki-Dove, and the like, and harming or eating the totem animal is forbidden. Instead such animals should be respected.
Later we proceed to Vishakhapatnam (235 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive) and so ends our tryst with the fascinating tribals who leave behind a smile to beckon you! Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Vishakhapatnam – Mumbai: By: Flight
After leisurely breakfast proceed to airport to board flight to Mumbai: Flight TBA
Meeting and Assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Mumbai – Back Home: By: Inter. Flight
After breakfast proceed for excursion tour of Elephant Caves. Elephanta Caves – Excursion across the harbor to the world famous, 1200 years old Elephanta Caves. Known for its rock carvings, the temple cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva representing his various forms. The famous sculpture signifying the trinity of the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer is located here.
Afternoon City tour of Mumbai: The name Mumbai is said to have its name derived from the local deity Mumbai Devi. It is India’s financial and industrial capital and is popularly known as Bollywood being second only to Hollywood in number of films produced. The sights include the Gateway of India, triumphal arch built in 1911 to commemorate the arrival of King George and Queen Mary. Visit Prince of Wales museum built in Indo – Saracenic style at 0900 Hrs. Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park, which offer a panoramic view of Marine Drive and are situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill. Drive on the Marina Beach, through the Crawford Market and Flora Fountain areas.
In the evening transfer to Airport to board flight to back home.
This is the end of the Trip!