Responsible Villages tour of Odisha

VILLAGE TOURS

Once MAHATMA GANDHI said – “India lives in its villages. If you wish to meet India,come to villages “

Dotted with thatched houses, small temples, ponds with lily flowers and murals on the walls Odishan villages are the soul of the people here. Each village has an unique identity with the typical house pattern, livelihood, dance and drama etc.

Living on these lives, we invite you to explore some of the lively Villages of Odisha and Chhattisgarh where the ever smiling and people will greet you and by the way you will get a great opportunity to explore their great culture.

DESTINATION: Bhubaneswar – Aul Palace – Bhitarkanika – Chaudar/Kiladalijoda – Nuapatana – Dhenkanal – Puri – Konark – Chilika Lake – Bhubaneswar – Desia – Visakhapatnam

Day 1: Bhubaneswar

Upon arrival at Bhubaneswar Biju pattanaik international airport, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to a royal Homestay of the King of Nilagiri. Enjoy the royal hospitality and meet the royal family. If desire enjoy the heritage walk in the old city which covers interesting lanes, local bazaar, old temples, water tanks. Enjoy the dinner prepared by the royal family.

Day 2: Cuttack

The history of Aul Place dates back to 16th century. The royal family is the direct descendants of the last independent ruler of Odisha. Raja Ramchandra Dev established this palace in 1590 Ad after a treaty with the Moghuls. The guest will really enjoy the comfortable stay in this palace which is also nicely located.Enroute visit Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, the places are of great Buddhist antiquities. Also visit the Cuttack, one of the oldest cities of odisha. Visit the great marine museum, barabati fort at cuttack. Late afternoon arrive at Aul palace and overnight stay.

Day 3: Bhitarkanika

Full day trip to Bhitarkanika national park which is boast of bounty mangrove biodiversity and estuarine crocodiles. Take the exclusively boat ride into the various water creeks to meet the nature at her best. Enjoy the jungle walk, watch the birds and their nesting from a watch tower, crocodile breeding center and back by boat to the palace. Evening enjoy the great dinner and chat with the royal family.

Day 4: Choudwar/Kiladalijoda

Kiladalijoda is former hunting lodge of an Indian king but now a Villa /farm house presents an old world charm of pre independence princely India. This place is ideal place for the nature walk, cycling and also meeting the munda tribes amidst the forest.Departure from Aul place, in the morning and drive through unspoiled rural villages, and upon arrival, warm welcome by the family. Afternoon visit the munda tribes and their villages. Overnight stay at Kila Dalijoda homestay.

Day 5: Nuapatana

Excursion to Nuapatana textile village to meet the friendly weavers families and witness the various steps of weaving starting from silk cocoon to tie and dying and the finished textiles products by the traditional loom. Enjoy the lunch with the master weavers family and drive back to Kila Dalijoda. Afternoon explore the bounty nature with short drive and then walk, visit the cow farming, fish farming etc. enjoy the dinner in the Kila Dalijoda homestay and overnight stay.

Day 6: Dhenkanal

After a peaceful breakfast, drive through forest and visit the forest dwellers like Santali tribes. Then visit and walk in the kapilas hill and the temple. Visit the monastery of the mahima monks and attend their sunset prayer to get a unique experience. Evening meet the royal family of Dhenkanal and enjoy the royal dinner and also the stay in their lively palace.

Day 7: Konark

Visit the interesting fisherman village along the chandrabhaga beach to see their livelihood and fishing activity. Afternoon sunset visit of the great Sun temple (unesco site), Furher drive through Balukhand sanctuary and along the beach and arrive in the holy city Puri. Overnight stay in a Homestay and welcome treat by the host. Enjoy the sea food in a local restaurant.

Day 8: Puri

Enjoy the drive through balukhanad sanctuary and the beach and arrival in Raghurajpur craft and painters village. Walk into the village to see their various art works, enjoy the traditional lunch with the artist family. Enjoy the gotipua folk dance at the gurukul dance school. Afternoon explore holy Puri by the Green rider rickshaw which will take you into the old part of Puri. This ride will go through various medieval bylanes, and cover various local bazaar, small shrines, old water tank, cremation etc. If desire take an ayurvedic massage at a local spa center. Overnight stay in the same homestay.

Day 9: Chilika Lake

Check out and full day spend in the lap of beautiful backwater. Be with a fisherman, catch the fish and lunch with a fisherman family. Cross the lake by the local ferry and further drive to mangalajodi village along the outer chilika lake. Take the country boat ride during sunset to meet various migratory birds in the winter (Oct to march) and stay basic in the eco cottage run by the local villagers, here the villagers are great bird lovers.

Day 10: Bhubaneswar

Morning take the birding trip into various water creeks. Then visit the boat making activity and enjoy the peaceful walk along the valley. After lunch drive to Bhubaneswar to board the overnight train for Koraput/desia. Enroute visit the unique sixty four yogini temple of heerapur and interesting tribal museum.

Day 11: Desia

Morning arrival at Koraput station, the entry town of the tribal wonders of southern Odisha. After breakfast, visit the colourful weekly market of nandapur, the jain temple of subai. Afternoon arrival at Desia – a lovely rural retreat in the koraput valley. Receive with Warm welcome by the local and transfer to Desia eco cottage. Late afternoon short walk in the nature along the riverside.

Day 12: Desia

Today you will meet one of the most interesting tribes Of India who is called Bonda or Remo. Especially Bonda ladies adorn with ornaments and jewelries in the upper body and looks very colorful while walk down from hilly trails to this weekly market. The bonda tribes carry their home made alcohol to sale in this market. You have the great opportunity to meet and interact with this community and if desire share a drink with them .Also meet another interesting indigenous gadaba tribe. After a memorable time in the market, walk in and around the market. Drive back to Desia and after lunch walk along the riverside and also to the mali village. Overnight stay at Desia.

Day 13: Desia

Full day with various tribal communities at various villages is which are nicely located. Take the walk through natural trails/path, forest, valley, appreciating the nature, interacting with the local, observing the agricultural pattern, tribal home visit. Picnic lunch, joining the community dance, sighting the waterfall are the various activities for today to make this day memorable. If desire buy the vegetables from the mali community and bring to Desia and sit with the cook for a cooking lesson. And enjoy your own dinner at Desia.

Day 14: Visakhapatnam

Morning visit the lamtaput weekly market and further drive to Visakhapatnam through beautiful mountain, valleys, forest, coffee plantation. Visit the impressive seemanchalam temple and overnight stay in a nice hotel along the sea.

Day 15: Departure

Departure for Your Onward Destination