India First People’s Tribes and Temples
Explore the traditional culture of India on this small group cultural and historical tour of India. Spend time at markets in remote regions, visit great temples and witness religious and cultural festivals. Visiting Orissa is like taking a journeying back in time, from the ‘first people’ tribes, to the temples and monasteries of the Buddhist and Hindu eras, to the time of the Raj. As well as incredibly spiritual temples in Bhubaneshwar and Puri we will meet the tribal people at the Adivasi Tribal Fair, and mix with them in colourful markets and remote villages.
- Adivasi Mela – Mix with members of the tribes of Orissa at the annual tribal fair where their cultures and traditions are celebrated
- Local markets – Wander around colourful remote markets where people from the Bonda and Dongria Kondh tribes come – their only regular interaction with the wider world
- Joranda – Witness the holy men of the Mahima Dharma religion as they perform their evening rites with fire and chanting
Your Tour Includes
ACCOMMODATION
12 Nights comfortable hotel
1 Nights simple overnight train
EXPERIENCES
Tour Leader
Local Guide(s)
FOOD & DRINK
Breakfast: 12
Lunch: 4
Dinner: 5
Trip Pace
Challenging
DAY 1 Join trip in Kolkata (Calcutta); The Kalighat area.
Meals Provided: None
DAY 2 Kolkata's temples and Historic Buildings
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 3 Fly and drive to Dhenkanal, visit the Mahima Holy Men of Joranda
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4 Drive to Bhubaneshwar visiting Udayagiri and Ratnagiri monasteries en route
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 5 The 'temple city' of Bhubaneshwar and visit the Tribal Fair
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 6 Drive to Puri via Dhauli and the village of Pipli
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 7 Discover the Konark Sun Temple and Chandrabagha fishing village
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 8 Boat ride on Chilika Lake, drive to the tribal belt and Phulbani
Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 9 Walk through tribal villages and drive to Rayagada
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 10 Visit the Chatikona market where the Dongria Kondh come to buy and sell their goods
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 11 Visit Onukudelli market and see the Bonda tribe and the nearby Duduma Waterfalls
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 12 Drive to Visakhapatnam and take the overnight train to Kolkata
Meals Provided: Breakfast
DAY 13 Free afternoon in Kolkata
Meals Provided: None
DAY 14 Trip ends in Kolkata (Calcutta)
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kolkata.
