Odisha Tribal Tour - Explore Weekly Tribal Marketplaces & Temples
Overview
Embark on an adventurous Odisha Tribal Tour, where you will delve into the vibrant cultures and traditions of indigenous tribes. Explore weekly tribal marketplaces, including the famous Bonda and Dongaria Kondh markets, to witness their unique way of life. Discover ancient temples in Bhubaneswar and marvel at the intricate architecture. Immerse yourself in the rich tribal heritage and create unforgettable memories on this captivating journey.
Inclusions
- Assistance on arrival at the airport.
- 8 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
- English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
- Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water in the car.
- Government taxes.
- 8x Breakfast
- 6x Dinner
- 6x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 8 nights
- Entry/Admission - Konark Sun Temple
- Entry/Admission - Chilika Lake
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Bhubaneswar
Pass By: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
On arrival at Bhubaneshwar airport assistance and transfer to hotel.
Stop At: Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Later city tour visiting famous temples Parasurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Rajarani & Lingaraj temple (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the main temple sanctum). Also excursion to visit Khandgiri, Udayagiri Jain caves and Dhauli Rock Edicts. Evening enjoy Dhauli light & sound show at Dhauli (Closed on Monday).
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Bhubaneshwar - Baliguda (260kms / 6hrs approx)
Pass By: Baliguda, Baliguda, Kandhamal District, Odisha
Breakfast at hotel drive to Baliguda through the lush green countryside roads. While on the way, you can witness an array of smaller hills covered with luscious Sal forests and visit some of the Oriya villages. The view along with the surroundings will surely amaze you! Arrive Baliguda, check-in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Baliguda - Rayagada (180kms / 4hrs approx)
Stop At: Barakhama, Odisha 762110, India
Breakfast at hotel visit Barkhama village, the remote villages of tattooed faces ethnic ‘Kutia Khond’ tribe. This tribe is one of the oldest and largest tribes of Orissa. Once known for their ‘human sacrificing rituals’, the kutia Khond are now known for their lively traditions and colourful cultures. The reason the women tattooed their faces was to make them appear ugly to men from other tribes. These identifying marks ensure they will recognize each other in the spirit world. The women are readily identifiable by their geometric facial tattoos that on close observation bear striking similarity to tiger's whiskers. Also observe the lifestyle of the tribal people of the region. They are humble, generous and all through their lives, they stay dependent on the nature for food and other amenities for livelihood. While spending time amidst the Kutia Khond people, learn some of the ‘Kui’ language; language spoken by this tribe, and enjoy a picnic-lunch in the village.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Rayagada, Rayagada, Rayagada District, Odisha
After lunch drive to Rayagada check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Rayagada – Chatikona – Koraput – Jeypore (220kms/ 6hrs approx)
Stop At: Chati Kona, Odisha 765019, India
After early breakfast drive to visit the weekly marketplace of the ‘Dongaria Kondh’ tribe in Chatikona (must be Wednesday). Highly ornamented Dongria Kondh and Desia Kondh villagers from the nearby hills bring many products to sell. The Dongaria Kondh tribe are one of the fascinating tribes in these locales, who still follows animism and worships the Mother Nature. This tribe lives in the higher slopes of the Niyamagiri Hills.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Koraput, Koraput, Koraput District, Odisha
After sightseeing drive to Jeypore en-route stop to visit Koraput Tribal Museum which remains open in the day time. In the museum, you can find variety of tribal culture and many objects of tribe people such as utensils, tools and clothes, as well as some paintings. Some of these things are on sale. There is the exhibition of the whole Jagannath Puri Temple including all the interiors, the sculptures and most important – the gods. At the back of the temple, there is a series of statues of Jagannath in his various costumes.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Continue drive to Jeypore and check in at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Jeypore – Onukuadelli – Lamtaput – Jeypore (200kms/ 5hrs approx)
Stop At: Onukudelli, Odisha 764042, India
After early breakfast drive to Onukuadelli a small village 65kms away from Jeypore to visit the weekly marketplace of the Bonda tribe (must be Thursday). Bonda women loves to ornate themselves with silver bands across their neck, strings of colourful beads on their torsos, bangles on their arms and apply castor oils on their hairs. Alcohol is an important ingredient in their social event. It is an extreme delight to be with this tribe!
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Lamtaput, Odisha 765013, India
Next head to Lamtaput village occupiend by Gadaba Tribes. On the first look, the Gadaba tribe might appear similar to the Bonda tribe, but they are not. Some differences in the lifestyles of Gadaba tribe differentiates them form the Bondas. Women in this tribe are keen lovers of colourful attires and also love to decorate themselves with various types of traditional jewellery.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Drive back to Jeypore for dinner & overnight at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Jeypore – Kunduli – Nandapur – Jeypore (180kms/ 4hrs approx)
Stop At: Kunduli, Odisha, India
After early breakfast drive to visit Kunduli Market (must be Friday) and few Paraja Tribal Villages. Explore the biggest tribal marketplace Kunduli and get astounded by the ‘Sana Paroja’ and ‘Mali’ tribes of Orissa. They broadly divided into two sections such as Bada Paroja & Sana Paroja. Men usually wear lion cloths, napkins and women wear coarse and cheap sarees. Children up to 3-4 years of age go naked. You can also get souvenirs and mementos from the marketplace.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Nandapur, Odisha 764037, India
Continue to visit Nandapur the ancient capital of Jeypore famous for the throne of 32 steps, also known as ‘Batrisa Simhasana’ which is believed to be built by the great Vikramaditya. The village is also flanked by some small streams. Towards the northern end of this village, one can find two massive boulders. One of them contains beautiful sculptures and the other has an elephant engraved in it. A little further in the same direction lies the shrine of Lord Sarveswar which too has some inscriptions engraved in it. Seeing these sculptures and inscriptions one can visualize the glorious past of this village.
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Drive back to Jeypore for dinner & overnight at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Jeypore – Taptapani (280kms/ 8hrs approx)
Stop At: Taptapani, Taptapani, Gajapati District, Odisha
After early breakfast drive to Taptapani, on the way visit Bada Paroja Tribals village. Compared to the other tribes, the Paroja tribes are well-dressed and prefer more ornaments. They inhabit the hills and valleys of southern Odisha with the largest chunk found in Koraput district followed by Nabrangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Taptapani, Taptapani, Gajapati District, Odisha
Continue drive to Taptapani a beautiful place surrounded by mountain & forest and a sulfur spring.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Taptapani - Chilika Lake – Puri (230kms/ 5hrs approx)
Stop At: Chilika Lake, Satapada, Puri 752001 India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Puri via visiting Chilika Lake a brackish water lagoon, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1, 100 km. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest brackish water lagoon in the world after The New Caledonian barrier reef. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent & home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. It sustains more than 150, 000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Kazakhstan, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. A pleasant boat ride amidst the colorful migratory birds and the quaint water.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Puri, Puri, Puri District, Odisha
Continue drive to Puri check in at beach resort. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Puri - Konark - Pipli - Bhubaneshwar (100kms/ 2.3hrs approx)
Stop At: Konark Sun Temple, Kasia-Tamkuhi Road, Konark India
Breakfast at hotel excursion to visit The Konark Sun Temple, a 13th-century Temple in the form of the chariot of Surya, the sun god with 24 wheels, and is heavily decorated with symbolic stone carvings and led by a team of six horses. It was constructed from oxidizing weathered ferruginous-coloured sandstone by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is one of the most renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site as a cultural property under categories (i).
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Later drive to Bhubaneshwar with optional stopover visit to Pipili the applique work village. Continue drive to Bhubaneshwar and drop off at airport for onward flight.
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Arrive Bhubaneswar
Pass By: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
On arrival at Bhubaneshwar airport assistance and transfer to hotel.
Stop At: Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Later city tour visiting famous temples Parasurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Rajarani & Lingaraj temple (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the main temple sanctum). Also excursion to visit Khandgiri, Udayagiri Jain caves and Dhauli Rock Edicts. Evening enjoy Dhauli light & sound show at Dhauli (Closed on Monday).
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Bhubaneshwar - Baliguda (260kms / 6hrs approx)
Pass By: Baliguda, Baliguda, Kandhamal District, Odisha
Breakfast at hotel drive to Baliguda through the lush green countryside roads. While on the way, you can witness an array of smaller hills covered with luscious Sal forests and visit some of the Oriya villages. The view along with the surroundings will surely amaze you! Arrive Baliguda, check-in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Baliguda - Rayagada (180kms / 4hrs approx)
Stop At: Barakhama, Odisha 762110, India
Breakfast at hotel visit Barkhama village, the remote villages of tattooed faces ethnic ‘Kutia Khond’ tribe. This tribe is one of the oldest and largest tribes of Orissa. Once known for their ‘human sacrificing rituals’, the kutia Khond are now known for their lively traditions and colourful cultures. The reason the women tattooed their faces was to make them appear ugly to men from other tribes. These identifying marks ensure they will recognize each other in the spirit world. The women are readily identifiable by their geometric facial tattoos that on close observation bear striking similarity to tiger's whiskers. Also observe the lifestyle of the tribal people of the region. They are humble, generous and all through their lives, they stay dependent on the nature for food and other amenities for livelihood. While spending time amidst the Kutia Khond people, learn some of the ‘Kui’ language; language spoken by this tribe, and enjoy a picnic-lunch in the village.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Rayagada, Rayagada, Rayagada District, Odisha
After lunch drive to Rayagada check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Rayagada – Chatikona – Koraput – Jeypore (220kms/ 6hrs approx)
Stop At: Chati Kona, Odisha 765019, India
After early breakfast drive to visit the weekly marketplace of the ‘Dongaria Kondh’ tribe in Chatikona (must be Wednesday). Highly ornamented Dongria Kondh and Desia Kondh villagers from the nearby hills bring many products to sell. The Dongaria Kondh tribe are one of the fascinating tribes in these locales, who still follows animism and worships the Mother Nature. This tribe lives in the higher slopes of the Niyamagiri Hills.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Koraput, Koraput, Koraput District, Odisha
After sightseeing drive to Jeypore en-route stop to visit Koraput Tribal Museum which remains open in the day time. In the museum, you can find variety of tribal culture and many objects of tribe people such as utensils, tools and clothes, as well as some paintings. Some of these things are on sale. There is the exhibition of the whole Jagannath Puri Temple including all the interiors, the sculptures and most important – the gods. At the back of the temple, there is a series of statues of Jagannath in his various costumes.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Continue drive to Jeypore and check in at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Jeypore – Onukuadelli – Lamtaput – Jeypore (200kms/ 5hrs approx)
Stop At: Onukudelli, Odisha 764042, India
After early breakfast drive to Onukuadelli a small village 65kms away from Jeypore to visit the weekly marketplace of the Bonda tribe (must be Thursday). Bonda women loves to ornate themselves with silver bands across their neck, strings of colourful beads on their torsos, bangles on their arms and apply castor oils on their hairs. Alcohol is an important ingredient in their social event. It is an extreme delight to be with this tribe!
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Lamtaput, Odisha 765013, India
Next head to Lamtaput village occupiend by Gadaba Tribes. On the first look, the Gadaba tribe might appear similar to the Bonda tribe, but they are not. Some differences in the lifestyles of Gadaba tribe differentiates them form the Bondas. Women in this tribe are keen lovers of colourful attires and also love to decorate themselves with various types of traditional jewellery.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Drive back to Jeypore for dinner & overnight at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Jeypore – Kunduli – Nandapur – Jeypore (180kms/ 4hrs approx)
Stop At: Kunduli, Odisha, India
After early breakfast drive to visit Kunduli Market (must be Friday) and few Paraja Tribal Villages. Explore the biggest tribal marketplace Kunduli and get astounded by the ‘Sana Paroja’ and ‘Mali’ tribes of Orissa. They broadly divided into two sections such as Bada Paroja & Sana Paroja. Men usually wear lion cloths, napkins and women wear coarse and cheap sarees. Children up to 3-4 years of age go naked. You can also get souvenirs and mementos from the marketplace.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Nandapur, Odisha 764037, India
Continue to visit Nandapur the ancient capital of Jeypore famous for the throne of 32 steps, also known as ‘Batrisa Simhasana’ which is believed to be built by the great Vikramaditya. The village is also flanked by some small streams. Towards the northern end of this village, one can find two massive boulders. One of them contains beautiful sculptures and the other has an elephant engraved in it. A little further in the same direction lies the shrine of Lord Sarveswar which too has some inscriptions engraved in it. Seeing these sculptures and inscriptions one can visualize the glorious past of this village.
Pass By: Jeypore, Jeypore, Koraput District, Odisha
Drive back to Jeypore for dinner & overnight at hotel.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Jeypore – Taptapani (280kms/ 8hrs approx)
Stop At: Taptapani, Taptapani, Gajapati District, Odisha
After early breakfast drive to Taptapani, on the way visit Bada Paroja Tribals village. Compared to the other tribes, the Paroja tribes are well-dressed and prefer more ornaments. They inhabit the hills and valleys of southern Odisha with the largest chunk found in Koraput district followed by Nabrangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Taptapani, Taptapani, Gajapati District, Odisha
Continue drive to Taptapani a beautiful place surrounded by mountain & forest and a sulfur spring.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Taptapani - Chilika Lake – Puri (230kms/ 5hrs approx)
Stop At: Chilika Lake, Satapada, Puri 752001 India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Puri via visiting Chilika Lake a brackish water lagoon, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1, 100 km. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest brackish water lagoon in the world after The New Caledonian barrier reef. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent & home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. It sustains more than 150, 000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Kazakhstan, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. A pleasant boat ride amidst the colorful migratory birds and the quaint water.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Puri, Puri, Puri District, Odisha
Continue drive to Puri check in at beach resort. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Puri - Konark - Pipli - Bhubaneshwar (100kms/ 2.3hrs approx)
Stop At: Konark Sun Temple, Kasia-Tamkuhi Road, Konark India
Breakfast at hotel excursion to visit The Konark Sun Temple, a 13th-century Temple in the form of the chariot of Surya, the sun god with 24 wheels, and is heavily decorated with symbolic stone carvings and led by a team of six horses. It was constructed from oxidizing weathered ferruginous-coloured sandstone by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is one of the most renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site as a cultural property under categories (i).
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Later drive to Bhubaneshwar with optional stopover visit to Pipili the applique work village. Continue drive to Bhubaneshwar and drop off at airport for onward flight.
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Stroller accessible
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.