Konark Sun Temple | Odisha | India
FROM: USD $3,425 pp

PRIVATE TOUR: Commencing in Kolkata, we journey south to Bhubaneshwar, home to more than 500 temples. After visiting the unique tribal villages of Odisha, we round off our adventure with a trip to Puri, home to the World Heritage listed Sun Temple at Konark.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

Cultural Kolkata - The famous Victoria Memorial, historic Indian Museum, colourful Howrah Flower Market and Hooghly River
Konark - World Heritage Sun Temple
Taptapani - Sulphur Spring Shrine and Chandragiri Tibetan Settlement
Coastal Pipli - The capital of applique craft
Bhubaneshwar - The temple city of India and the state capital
Puri - Home of the imposing Jagannath Temple
Chilika Lake - Asia's largest lagoon
Kutia Kondh tribal villages and markets

Included

Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
Touring - Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Pipli, Puri, Taptapani and tribal villages
Services of a licensed English speaking tour guide at all included sites
Overnight sleeper train Bhubaneshwar to Rayagada. Train journey Puri to Kolkata
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles
8 nights SUPERIOR hotels. STANDARD hotel options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details
Guided tour of the World Heritage Sun Temple at Konark
Entrance fees for all included sightseeing
An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 10

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Itinerary

Day 1

Kolkata

On arrival in Kolkata you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.
Overnight: Kolkata

Day 2

Kolkata City Tour

Kolkata - Bhubaneshwar. This morning enjoy a city tour visiting the stately Indian Museum (the oldest and largest in India), the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Flower Market, St Paul’s Cathedral and the extraordinary Marble Palace which houses paintings by Rubens, Titian and Reynolds. This afternoon board the Shatabdi Express (A/C wagon) to Bhubaneshwar.
Overnight: Bhubaneshwar  |  Breakfast

Day 3

Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar - Rayagada. This morning embark on a sightseeing tour of Bhubaneshwar - state capital and home to more than 500 temples. The final stop of the day is at the coastal town of Pipli which is renowned for it’s handicrafts, patchwork and exquisite appliqué. This evening board the over night train to Rayagada on the Hirakhand Express (A/C wagon).
Overnight: Overnight train  |  Breakfast

Days 4-5

Rayagada

Rayagada. Rayagada. On day 4 arrive into Rayagada in the morning and drive to Kakiriguma to visit the weekly market of Paraja tribe.

On day 5 we visit one of the most fascinating and primitive divisions of the Kondh tribes, the Kutia Kondh. Once known for their human sacrifice, the tribal women tattoo their faces geometrically, so they are able to recognise one another in the spirit world. Kutia means cave and legend has it that they were cursed by their ancestral god and have lived in the caves away from the rest of the tribe ever since. If you're here on Tuesday, you'll be lucky enough to experience the weekly market at Kotgarh, where the tribal people of the region gather to buy and sell goods.
Overnight: Rayagada  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 6

Tribal villages & Taptapani

Rayagada - Taptapani. On day 6 drive to Chatikona to visit the bustling and colourful local market of the Dongariya Konch Group, where both men and women dress in the same style of clothing with only nose rings to differentiate. They are considered expert Horticulturists among all the Tribes of Odisha and were once known for their Meria (human) Sacrifice, until it was stopped by the British Army. The weekly market is a colourful display of fruits, vegetables and other tasty goods from the Hills. Continue on to Taptapani, stopping en route to visit Bara Paraja and Sana Paraja Villages.
Overnight: Taptapani  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-8

Puri & Chilika Lake

Taptapani - Puri. Explore Taptapani on day 7 which is famous for its perennial hot spring of medicinal sulphuric waters. Touring includes a visit to the Chandragiri Tibetan Settlement and Taptapani Sulphur Spring Shrine. Then drive to Janhikuda for an excursion on Chilika Lake, Asia's largest lagoon, which is famous for its migratory birds and dolphins. spend the next two nights in the city of Puri on the banks of the Bay of Bengal. Enjoy an evening at the Open air beach market and catch a glimpse of the Sand Art Demonstration.

The following day explore Puri which is blessed with beautiful beaches and famous for its imposing Jagannath Temple and visit the spectacular Sun Temple in Konark, which is a World Heritage Site. The temple was built as a chariot for the sun god Surya and has 24 gigantic stone wheels, 7 horses and many elaborate carvings.
Overnight: Puri  |  Breakfast x 2

Days 9-10

Kolkata

Puri - Kolkata. Spend the morning at leisure in Puri before boarding the Shatabdi Express (A/C wagon) back to Kolkata on day 9. The following day our touring arrangements come to an end after hotel check out. Transfer to the airport for your journey home.

If you'd like to extend your stay, we offer a variety of hotels, short stays and add-ons for you to choose from. Please read our best places to visit or best things to see each month for suggested places to visit on your holiday. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.

For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, browse our travel guide.
Breakfast x 2

Visit the Kingdom of Bhutan

7 day Bhutan Breakaway!
Extend your holiday and journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan! Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan has for centuries remained cautiously aloof from the rest of the world. Opening its doors to the world in 1974, Bhutan's incredible scenery and hospitable charm has been revealed to travellers hungry for new experiences.

Prices & Dates

Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.

Read More
This tour departs on Fridays
Dates
Twin / Share
Single Room
USD $3425
USD $4735

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Kolkata
Ends
Kolkata
Departs
Fridays
Hotel Rating
Our rating: Superior
Tour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 3
Visiting
Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Rayagada, Taptapani, Puri
Countries
Udaigiri Caves
Rayagada landscape
Jaganath Temple
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