About This Tour
Overview
This 21-night itinerary, specially prepared for October 2026, crosses two states and a dozen tribal cultures in one slow, immersive arc. Begin in Bhubaneswar with the 2nd-century BC Udaygiri and Khandagiri Jain caves, then a photography heritage walk around the old city and the sacred Bindusagar tank. Drive to Puri via the Ashokan rock edicts at Dhauli and the mystical 64 Yogini Temple of Hirapur, with the artisans of Nayakpatna village and a beach evening. Day three pairs the pottery and cremation ghats of Puri, the Jagannath Temple (viewed from outside), and the UNESCO Konark Sun Temple with the fishermen's village on Chandrabhaga Beach. Head inland through the Nuapatna ikat and Sadeibarini dokra craft villages, the Mahima monks of Joranda, and the festival lights of Laxmi Puja — overnighting in Dhenkanal and Jagatsinghpur/Cuttack amid Santal villages. Cross Chilika Lake's bird paradise at Mangalajodi to Gopalpur-on-Sea, then climb into the Eastern Ghats: walking with the Kutia Kondh at Baliguda and their weekly market at Kotagarh, the brilliantly dressed Dongariya Kondh at Chatikona, the Bonda, Gadaba and Didayi at Onukudelli, the Paroja at Kunduli, and the Dhuruba at Gupteswar. Cross into Chhattisgarh for the Maria markets of Jagdalpur and the thundering Chitrakoot Waterfall, the bell-metal craft of Kondagaon, the Ramnami rituals and temple of Seori Narayan (via Rajim and Champaran), the Gond market and Bhoramdev temple, and finally Raipur for departure.
Duration
21 Nights / 22 Days
Tour Type
Heritage · Tribal · Festival · Craft · Private
Region
Odisha → Chhattisgarh (via the Eastern Ghats)
Sacred & Heritage
Konark · Jagannath · Dhauli · Hirapur · Rajim · Bhoramdev
Tribal Communities
Kondh · Dongariya · Bonda · Gadaba · Didayi · Paroja · Dhuruba · Maria · Gond
Languages
Odia, Hindi, English + tribal dialects
Top Experiences
Highlights
Temple City & Sacred Sites
Udaygiri-Khandagiri Jain caves, Bindusagar's heritage walk, Dhauli's Ashokan edicts, and the mystical 64 Yogini Temple of Hirapur
Konark, Puri & Chandrabhaga
The UNESCO Sun Temple, the Jagannath Temple from its surroundings, the pottery and cremation ghats of Puri, and the fishermen's village on Chandrabhaga Beach
Chilika & the Craft Belt
Mangalajodi's bird paradise on Asia's largest brackish lagoon, plus the ikat looms of Nuapatna, dokra of Sadeibarini and the Mahima monks of Joranda
Eastern Ghats Tribal Haats
Kutia Kondh at Kotagarh, Dongariya Kondh at Chatikona, the Bonda-Gadaba-Didayi at Onukudelli, Paroja at Kunduli and Dhuruba at Gupteswar
Chhattisgarh's Tribal Belt
Maria villages and Chitrakoot Falls at Jagdalpur, Kondagaon's bell-metal craft, the Ramnami rituals of Seori Narayan and the Gond market near Bhoramdev
Festivals & Living Culture
Laxmi Puja lights in October, the distinctive tattoos of the Kutia Kondh, Dongariya hairpins and shawls, and the sacred tank culture of Odisha's old city
Visual Journey
Coast, Temples & the Ghats
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- 21 nights accommodation with breakfast at all hotels & lodges
- Private A/C vehicle with experienced tribal-circuit driver for the full tour
- Meeting & assistance on arrival at Bhubaneswar airport and departure at Raipur
- English-speaking local guides for temples, heritage walks & tribal areas
- All monument entry tickets (Konark, caves, Yogini temples, Chitrakoot, Bhoramdev)
- Mangalajodi boat safari & tribal market visits timed to weekly haat days
- Craft village visits (Nayakpatna, Nuapatna, Sadeibarini, Kondagaon, Kotpad area)
- Tolls, parking & driver allowances throughout
✕ Excluded
- International airfare & visa fees
- Lunch & dinner (unless specified in the itinerary)
- Camera / video fees at monuments
- Optional Maria dance performance & tribal photography fees
- Tips, porterage, personal expenses & travel insurance
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
Day by Day
Itinerary
Day01
Sunday — Arrival at Bhubaneswar
Udaygiri & Khandagiri Jain Caves · Overnight
✦ Arrival Day
- Reception upon arrival at Bhubaneswar and transfer to the hotel
- If time permits, city tour of the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Jain caves of the 2nd century BC
- Overnight at the hotel in Bhubaneswar
Day02
Monday — Bhubaneswar – Dhauli – Heerapur – Nayakpatna – Puri
Heritage Walk · Ashokan Edicts · 64 Yogini Temple · Artisans Village
✦ Photography & Heritage Day
- Morning explore Bhubaneswar with a Heritage Walk for photography around the old part of the city and the surroundings of Bindusagar, the sacred tank of Bhubaneswar
- Proceed to Puri, en route visiting the Ashokan Rock Edicts at Dhauli and the 64 Yogini Temple of Heerapur
- Afternoon explore the Artisans Village of Nayakpatna
- Evening relax on the beach
- Overnight at the hotel in Puri
Day03
Tuesday — Puri – Konark – Puri
Pottery Village · Jagannath Temple · Konark Sun Temple · Chandrabhaga
✦ World Heritage Day
- Morning explore the pottery village of Puri and visit the holy sacred cremation place at Puri
- Visit Lord Jagannath Temple, one of the most important spiritual temples of India (from outside); walk around the temple to explore its surroundings
- Afternoon excursion to the World Heritage Site — Sun Temple of Konark
- Explore the fishermen village on Chandrabhaga Beach, then back to Puri
- Overnight at the hotel in Puri
Day04
Wednesday — Puri – Nuapatna – Sadeibarini – Joranda – Dhenkanal
Textile Village · Dokra Metal · Mahima Monastery · Laxmi Puja
✦ Craft & Festival Day
- Morning drive to the Nuapatna Textiles Village and explore the traditional textile village
- Visit the Dokra metal processing village of Sadeibarini
- Afternoon visit the Joranda Mahima Monks Monastery with their evening prayer
- Back to Dhenkanal; evening enjoy the Laxmi Puja festival around
- Overnight at the hotel in Dhenkanal
Day05
Thursday — Dhenkanal – Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Santal Tribal Villages · Laxmi Puja at Nabapatna
✦ Tribal & Festival Day
- Morning visit a few Santal tribal community villages
- Proceed to visit the Laxmi Puja at Nabapatna Village
- Overnight at Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Day06
Friday — Around Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Leisure & Exploration
✦ Leisure Day
- A relaxed day around Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack — explore the old city, markets and riverside at your own pace
- Optional visits to nearby villages and the Mahanadi waterfront
- Overnight at Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack
Day07
Saturday — Cuttack – Mangalajodi – Gopalpur on Sea
Chilika Birds Paradise · Fishermen Village
✦ Birding Day
- Proceed to Gopalpur on Sea, en route visiting the birds paradise of Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia
- Evening explore the fishermen village at Gopalpur on Sea
- Overnight at the hotel in Gopalpur on Sea
Day08
Sunday — Gopalpur on Sea – Baliguda
South Odisha Villages · Overnight Baliguda
✦ Into the Ghats
- Drive to Baliguda, en route visiting a few typical south Odisha villages
- Overnight at the lodge in Baliguda
Day09
Monday — At Baliguda
Kutia Kondh Village Walk · Weekly Tribal Market
✦ Kondh Walking Day
- Full day walking around the Kutia Kondh community tribal village
- Also explore a weekly tribal market
- Overnight at the lodge in Baliguda
Day10
Tuesday — Baliguda – Kotagarh – Rayagada
Kutia Kondh Weekly Market · Desia Kondh Villages
✦ First Tribal Market
- Drive to Rayagada, en route visiting the weekly tribal market of the Kutia Kondh community at Kotagarh
- Later visit a few Desia Kondh tribal villages around
- Overnight at the hotel in Rayagada
Day11
Wednesday — Rayagada – Chatikona – Jeypore / Similiguda
Dongariya Kondh · Tribal Villages En Route
✦ Colourful Tribe Day
- Drive to Jeypore / Similiguda, en route visiting one of the most colourful tribal communities, the Dongariya Kondh, with a few tribal villages on the way
- Overnight at the hotel in Jeypore / Similiguda
Day12
Thursday — Jeypore – Onukudelli – Jeypore
Bonda · Gadaba · Didayi Tribes
✦ Highlight of the Tribal Tour
- Explore the most beautiful and colourful tribal community of Odisha, the Bonda, with the Gadaba and Didayi tribes
- Explore a few Gadaba tribal villages
- Overnight at the hotel in Jeypore
Day13
Friday — Paroja Villages & Kunduli Market
Largest Tribal Market · Jagannath Temple
✦ Paroja Market Day
- Morning excursion to visit Paroja tribal villages with the largest tribal market at Kunduli
- Also visit Lord Jagannath Temple
- Overnight at the hotel in Jeypore / Similiguda
Day14
Saturday — Gupteswar Excursion
Cave Temple · Dhuruba Tribal Market
✦ Dhuruba Market Day
- Morning excursion to Gupteswar to visit the cave temple and the Dhuruba tribal community with their weekly tribal market
- Overnight at the hotel in Jeypore / Similiguda
Day15
Sunday — Drive to Jagdalpur
Maria Tribal Weekly Market
✦ Into Chhattisgarh
- Morning drive to Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh)
- Afternoon visit the weekly tribal market of the Maria tribe
- Overnight at the hotel in Jagdalpur
Day16
Monday — At Jagdalpur
Maria Villages · Weekly Market · Chitrakoot Waterfall
✦ Maria & Waterfall Day
- Morning visit a few Maria tribal villages with their colourful dance (optional & on extra cost), then explore the weekly market
- Afternoon visit the famous Chitrakoot Waterfall
- Overnight at the hotel in Jagdalpur
Day17
Tuesday — Jagdalpur – Kondagaon – Kanker
Kondagaon Tribal Craft Village · Overnight Kanker
✦ Craft Day
- Morning drive and explore the famous Kondagaon tribal craft village
- Afternoon proceed to Kanker
- Overnight at the hotel in Kanker
Day18
Wednesday — Kanker – Rajim – Champaran – Siripuram – Seori Narayan
Long Drive · Rajim Temple · Champaran Monastery
✦ Long Drive Day
- Early morning drive to Seori Narayan — this is a long drive
- En route visit the Rajim Temple and Champaran Monastery
- Overnight at the hotel in Seori Narayan
Day19
Thursday — At Seori Narayan
Ramnami Community Rituals · Seori Narayan Temple
✦ Ritual Day
- Day to visit the Ramnami community rituals and the Seori Narayan Temple
- Overnight at the hotel in Seori Narayan
Day20
Friday — Drive to Bhoramdev / Chilipi
Gond Tribal Market
✦ Gond Market Day
- Drive to Bhoramdev / Chilipi
- Afternoon visit the Gond tribal market
- Overnight at the hotel near Bhoramdev
Day21
Saturday — Bhoramdev – Raipur
Bhoramdev Temple · Raipur Market
✦ Temple & City Day
- Morning explore the amazing Bhoramdev Temple
- Drive to Raipur and explore the market area of Raipur
- Overnight at the hotel in Raipur
Day22
Sunday — Departure from Raipur
Airport Transfer · Farewell
✦ Departure
- Departure transfer to Raipur airport for your return journey
- End of the Odisha & Chhattisgarh tribal tour
Where You Stay
Hotels
Bhubaneswar — 4★ Heritage Hotel
1 night on arrival
1 Night Total
Puri — 4★ Beach Resort
2 nights beside the Bay of Bengal
2 Nights Total
Dhenkanal — 3★ City Hotel
1 night after the craft villages
1 Night Total
Jagatsinghpur / Cuttack — 3★ Hotel
2 nights for the Laxmi Puja & Santal villages
2 Nights Total
Gopalpur-on-Sea — 4★ Beach Hotel
1 night on the quiet coast
1 Night Total
Baliguda — Tribal Jungle Lodge
2 nights with the Kutia Kondh
2 Nights Total
Rayagada — 3★ Hotel
1 night after Kotagarh market
1 Night Total
Jeypore / Similiguda — 3★ Hotel
4 nights at the heart of the tribal belt
4 Nights Total
Jagdalpur — 3★ Hotel
2 nights for Maria markets & Chitrakoot
2 Nights Total
Kanker — 3★ Hotel
1 night after Kondagaon craft
1 Night Total
Seori Narayan — 3★ Hotel
2 nights for Ramnami rituals
2 Nights Total
Bhoramdev — 3★ Hotel
1 night near the Gond market
1 Night Total
Raipur — 4★ City Hotel
1 night before departure
1 Night Total
We will arrange and confirm your hotel stays as per the trip and budget — hotel options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQ
1
Why is this itinerary specially prepared for October 2026?
October is the season of Laxmi Puja in Odisha, when the coastal villages are alight with festival lamps and pandals — the itinerary weaves these celebrations (at Nabapatna and around Dhenkanal) into days 4–6. The weekdays are also matched to the great weekly tribal haats: Kotagarh's Kutia Kondh (Tuesday), Chatikona's Dongariya Kondh (Wednesday), Onukudelli's Bonda/Gadaba/Didayi (Thursday), Kunduli's Paroja (Friday) and Gupteswar's Dhuruba (Saturday), so every market falls on exactly the right day.
2
Do I need a visa or special permits?
An Indian tourist visa is required for most nationalities (e-visa available online). No special permits are needed for the areas on this route across Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Photography in tribal villages is by courtesy — we always ask first and tip respectfully, with a local guide accompanying you at the markets.
3
How demanding are the drives?
The itinerary is paced with several easy overnights, but expect long, scenic mountain drives — notably Gopalpur–Baliguda, Baliguda–Rayagada, and especially the Kanker–Rajim–Seori Narayan leg which is flagged as a long drive. A comfortable private A/C vehicle with an experienced tribal-circuit driver is included throughout, with frequent stops.
4
What should I pack?
Light cottons for the coastal days, warmer layers for the ghat mornings, comfortable walking shoes for village walks, a scarf for temple visits, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars for Chilika's birds, and small cash notes for market purchases, photography tips and offerings. A light rain jacket is wise in October for the occasional coastal shower.
5
Are the tribal villages and markets always open to visitors?
Yes — the weekly markets are public gatherings where visitors are welcome, and our local guides introduce you respectfully to the communities. The Maria dance performance on day 16 is optional and offered at extra cost. Some communities, such as the Bonda, prefer minimal photography — we always follow local etiquette.
6
Can I extend or shorten this tour?
Yes — popular extensions include a second day at Chitrakoot, the Bastar Dussehra celebrations at Jagdalpur if your dates align, Similipal Tiger Reserve, or extra beach days at Puri or Gopalpur. We can also swap the tribal markets if your dates don't align with the haat days, or split the long Seori Narayan drive. We'll tailor it to your dates and interests.
Full Route
Tour Map