15 days: river & lake cruises, ancient temples, indigenous culture

An epic adventure through timeless India; stretching from the bustle of India’s renown cultural capital Kolkata, to dense mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika National Park. Behold the irrepressible man-made marvels of ancient India’s earliest temples at Bhubaneshwar and Konark and be swept off your feet by the eclectic coastal town of Puri. Cruise along Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest salt lake lagoon and camp under a starlit sky. Join festive weekly markets where indigenous cultures converge; interact with peoples imbued with centuries of independent traditions. Traverse rustic countryside and tap into the simple pleasures of village life in timeless rural India.

Itinerary

Days 1 -2  Kolkata:
The intellectual and cultural capital of India, vibrant and quirky Kolkata bursts with life; explore the cities proud colonial heritage by tram, drop into esteemed art galleries, wander through traditional Bengali markets and take in the breathtaking view from Kolkata’s famous Hoogly Bridge.

Days 3 - 4  Bhitarkanika National Park:
Jump on the train heading south through vast tracts of pastoral plains and palm-fringed paddies. Delve deep into Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park; a unique ecosystem designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Gliding through an extensive network of creeks and rivers keep your eyes peeled for diverse bird and wildlife, most notably the elusive saltwater crocodile!

Day 5  Bhubaneshwar:
Tiptoe through ancient Buddhist ruins and take in the spectacular view overlooking the lush valley below. Picnic under a sprawling Banyan tree before hitting the city streets of Orissa's capital, Bhubaneshwar.

Days 6 - 8  Puri:
Soak up the traditional cultures of Puri, wander through the old city, stroll along the beach and pick up local souvenirs at the lively night market. Behold the famous UNESCO World Heritage site at Konark. Meet village craftsmen skilled in the hereditary craft of traditional painting. Savour home cooked cuisine and delight in an extraordinary traditional dance performance.

Day 9  Gopalpur (via Chilika Lake):
Unwind on the tranquil waters of Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and another Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Spot rare migratory birds and playful dolphins. Stroll through fishing villages, bask in the tropical sun and watch the sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Day 10  Rayagada:
Walk through dense forest and indigenous villages. Discover tribal traditions from our affable hosts; the Kutia Kondh community. Join the everyday banter and learn the significance of their revered facial tattoos. Try your hand at the potter’s spinning wheel and drop into the local weekly market.

Days 11 - 12  Jeypore & Lamtaput:
Roll through the hilly regions of the Eastern Ghats. Rub shoulders with the largest weekly gathering of indigenous peoples, the vibrant Chatikona market. Join Dongria Kondh girls with their countless hairpins, earrings and nose rings fawn over fancy items. Let the most extraordinary and ordinary confound you at Onukadeli; the weekly market of India’s most primitive indigenous peoples. Be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of beads adorning traditional Bonda tribeswomen. Enjoy a picnic lunch under a waterfall and follow the footsteps of the Gaddava and Paroja tribes. Camp near their village, join in the evening revelry and dance the Dhemsa long into night!

Days 13 - 14  Visakhapatnam (Vizag):
Check out the diverse wares at Kunduli weekly market; everything from cattle to dried fish and terracotta pots. Not to mention the swarm of onlookers! Behold home brewed alcohol measured and juggled into bottles. Pass forested hills & lush valleys separating Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to the port city of Visakhapatnam. Visit the hilltop 11th century Simachalam temple, explore the city and chill out at the beach.

Day 15  Depart Visakhapatnam (Vizag):
You are free to depart or stay on and enjoy the relaxed ambience. We can book Additional Accommodation and a Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle to the airport or train station for you, please let us know at the time of booking.

Route Map

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Make a Difference

Grass Routes was founded with the desire to contribute in tangible ways toward the local community and its environs. At the root of our operations is our sense of responsibility toward the communities and the natural habitat we invest so much time. Our ground practices are aimed at respecting places, people and their diverse cultures.

On the Orissa Odyssey we traverse Bhitarkanika National Park’s dense mangrove forest by private boat. This allows us to penetrate deep into the jungle without disturbing the fragile ecosystem. In the untapped forests of South Western Orissa we respect the ancient walking tracks set out by indigenous people centuries ago. Following their footsteps keeps erosion to a minimum and ensures we meet these communities at their comfort level.

We take advantage of the opportunity to camp at Chilika Lake and on the fringe of a tropical jungle, both places of spectacular natural beauty. When camping we take the support of the local community and maintain a respectful distance from the village. The community appoints a representative responsible for our welfare throughout our stay and with the help of local villagers co-ordinates various interactive activities. We visit a local potters village where after a demonstration we have the opportunity to mould the clay with our own hands. The village gets a real kick out of an inevitable recognition of their skills.

Similarly we draw attention to other marginalised communities providing opportunities to folk artists, crafts men and women and tribal communities to share their indigenous knowledge and reaffirm their unique (and in some cases endangered) cultures. Our cooperation with these rural and tribal communities is an essential recognition of their valuable traditional culture and provides a supplementary income through responsible tourism.

By learning about each other's cultures and customs we develop pride, appreciation, mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance. Building confidence and positive attitudes toward one another through shared experiences and meaningful exchanges gives shape to new friendships and co-operative alliances. We think this is one of the best things about traveling!!

Local leaders accompany all our journeys. They facilitate greater local interaction and coordinate with rural and tribal communities throughout to give you remarkable authentic experiences. All Grass Routes employees are from the local area. Furthermore we employ local experts along the way to spread educative and economic benefits throughout the greater community.

We promote local and indigenous handicrafts and provide opportunities to purchase directly from farmers, weavers and crafts people. We have designed this tour around vibrant weekly markets that showcase season local produce conscientiously supporting organic farming, hand crafted wares and fair trade.

You have a real opportunity to make a difference on this trip and there is nothing more rewarding than sharing positive benefits with the people and places you meet throughout your journey. Cultivating open positie attitudes when travelling, sharing your knowledge and ides with the local communities and ensuring lasting support for a better sustainable future is at the very heart of Grass Routes. We look forward to having you aborad!