Day 1: Bhubaneshwar
Arrive Bhubaneswar; garland welcome; assistance and transfer to Hotel. Bhubaneswar is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Odisha (Orissa), and is famous as the temple city of India. Travel through Odisha (Orissa) is a melange of art, architecture and long-established customs. City tour of Bhubaneswar, which has some stunning temples clustered around the Bindusagar Tank. Of the original 7000 only 500 remain dating from the 7th century to the 11th century AD. Of these the most outstanding is the 11th century Lingaraja Temple, which celebrates the zenith of Odisha (Orissa) art; and the late 10th century beautifully decorated Muktesvara Temple, which marks the end of the phase of temple building in Odisha (Orissa). Outside the city limits are the Udayagiri and Khandgiri caves, harking back to the time of Jain and Buddhist occupation of this region in the 2nd century BC. The Jain caves are among the earliest in India and all the caves were built or excavated during the 150 years before Christ. In contrast to the stark decor of the Jain caves, the Buddhist caves are decorated with excellent friezes and sculptures. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Gopalpur
Morning after breakfast drive to Gopalpur enroute visit Olasingh textile village ( one of the most famous Tasser weaving village ). On arrival at Gopalpur check in to the hotel. Overnight at Gopalpur.
Day 3: Rayagada
Morning drive to Rayagada enroute visit Taptapani the hot sulpheric spring (the hot water spring bubbling with sulphur content is the prime attraction ) & Saura tribal villages . On arrival at Rayagada check in to the hotel. Overnight at Rayagada
Day 4: Rayagada
Drive to Dukum ( near Bisamkatak ) to visit weekly market of Desia kondh ( weekly market commence on Tuesday only ) . Later visit to Dokra crafts village at Jhigidi. Return back to Rayagada. Overnight at Rayagada.
Day 5: Jeypore
After breakfast drive down to Chatikona to watch the interesting colourful weekly market of Dongriya Kondh Tribes ( weekly market commence on Wednesday only ). This tribe is one of the most primitive tribe of the Kondhs and they live in the high slopes of the Niyamagiri Hills. Then visit to Minapai ( the bamboo craft village). Later drive to Jeypore. Overnight at hotel in Jeypore.
Day 6: Jeypore
After breakfast, drive to Ankadelli to visit the famous Bonda tribes (weekly market commence on Thursday only), who comes once every week for their weekly market. It is a unique opportunity to see such a colorful concentration of typical tribals at one place. Most interesting is to watch the Bonda woman in their colorful jewelries and marketing commodities.Then drive back to Jeypore. Overnight at hotel in Jeypore.
Day 7: Jeypore
After breakfast, drive to Kunduli to visit the weekly market of Paraja tribes (weekly market commence on Friday only) . It is the biggest market of the tribal area. Then drive back to Jeypore. Overnight at Jeypore.
Day 8: Rayagada
Morning after breakfast visit to Jagannath temple ( non hindus are allowed ) & tribal museum at Koraput. Then drive to Rayagada enroute visit Bada Paraja & Mali tribal villages. On arrival check-in to the hotel. Overnight at Rayagada.
Day 9: Gopalpur
Morning drive to Rayagada enroute visit Saura tribal villages. On arrival at Gopalpur check in to the hotel. Then relax on the beach ( this beach is one of the most pristine beaches of Odisha(Orissa) ) Overnight at Gopalpur.
Day 10: Puri
Morning drive to Puri enroute visit Chilika lake at Barkul ( the largest brackish water lake). At Chilika take the boat cruise to visit the Birds island ( it is heaven for the resident & migratory birds ) & Nalabana island ( it is a forest of reeds & famous for long range migratory birds in winter ). Then proceed to Puri and check in to the hotel. Rest time relax on the golden beach of Puri. Overnight at Puri.
Day 11: Puri
Puri is one of the four principal holy abodes in India, as well as a popular beach resort. It offers the rare experience of watching both the sunset and sunrise from the same beach. Pre-Dravidian and pre-Aryan history relates that a tooth of Buddha was temporarily enshrined in Puri before being moved to Sri Lanka. Supporting the theory that Buddhism prevailed in this area, the Jagannath Temple, dedicated to the Lord of the Universe, and the main attraction in Puri, was believed to have originally been a stupa (pagoda). The extraordinary form, Jagannath takes in this temple, is said to be the unfinished work of the craftsman god, Vishvakarma. Angry at Vishnu, he left his interpretation of the Lord of-the-Universeincomplete.
Day 12: Bhubaneshwar
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Bhubaneswar, on the way, we will stop at the colourful village of Pipili where we can see Orissan handicrafts, the speciality being the famous applique work. Our next stop is <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A2A','BBI','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Dhauli</a> where the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka renounced violence and embraced the teachings of Buddha. We visit the Peace Pagoda known as Shanti Stupa built in early 1970s by the Japanese. We also stop at two ancient rock edicts, today eclipsed by the presence of the Pagoda. Dating from 260BC they outline Ashokas detailed instructions to his administrators to rule with gentleness and fairness. Continue drive to Bubaneswar airport to board flight for your home country.