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| Day 1 : Kolkata
- Baripada - Chandrabali - Bhitarkanika |
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Leave Calcutta at at 0400 hrs for Baripada
(250 kms/4.5hrs). This park cover 2750 sq km and is
part of project Tiger. There are tigers, elephants
and several types of deer among the many species here.
The scenery is beautiful and varied with hills, waterfalls
and undisturbed forest in which the extensive wildlife
manages to remain well hidden. (The Park will open
on 01 November)
After wash and change at Megasini, drive to Chandbali
(approx. 4 hrs drive). Board the boat to go to Bhitarkanika
Sanctuary (boat cruise for 03 hrs).
The world of nature is full of wonders, sometimes
tender, sometimes awe inspiring but all the time exciting.
Some of them defy description and transcend perception.
Such a land of rare and unmatched beaury is Bhitarkanika
– a wonder in the wild. Widely acclaimed for
its biodiversity in flora and fauna, it is the second
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largest compact mangrove ecosystem in
India. It is also a Sanctuary and National
Park. Extending over more than six hundred
sq kms, it is one of the very few evergreen
repository of most luxuriant mangrove
vegetation in the world. More than sixty
varieties of mangrove plants are found
here which provide home to a variety of
rare and endangered species. The pneumatophores,
better known as breathing roots, stand
like sentries of the land.
Bounded by rivers on the three sides and
the sea on the fourth, Bhitarkanika is
crisscrossed by numerous creeks and canals
which finally meet the sea and make the
estuarine delta, the playground of the
Bay of Bengal. This deltaic region comprises
a couple if tiny Islands formed by |
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meandering creeks. With Dangmal
at the center stage, Bhitarkanika is a natural habitat
of a lot of wild creatures like Crocodiles, King Cobra,
Pythons, Wild Pigs, Rhesus Monkey, Sambars, Spotted
deers, etc.Overnight in Bhitarkanika. |
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| Day 2 : Bhitarkanika |
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Full day boat cruise to watch the Wild life in their natural
habitat. Over 170 species of resident and migratory birds
of different hue enhance the beauty of the wild. Prominent
among them are King Fisher, Open billed Storks, Sea Eagles,
Kites, Send Pipers, Darters, Whistling, Teals, Sea Gulls,
etc. Watching the wildlife in their natural habitat while
cruising through the creek is a thrilling experience. A
trek on the laid out routes will also be equally rewarding.
Overnight in Bhitarkanika |
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| Day 3 : Bhitarkanika
- Chandrabali - Kendhujhagarh |
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Early morning board the boat to be dropped at Chandbali.
Leave Chandbali for Kendujhargarh (240 kms –
6 hrs), Later visit the Khiching temple, the Stone
carving and the weaving villages. Overnight in Kendhujhagarh. |
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| Day 4 : Kendhujhagarh
- Deogarh |
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Leave Kendhujhagarh for Deogarh (107
kms). Overnight in Deogarh. |
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| Day 5 : Deogarh
- Sambalpur |
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Leave Deogarh for Sambalpur (84 kms).
In the west on the border with Madhya Pradesh, Sambalpur
is the heart of an ikat weaving district. This area
is right off the beaten tourist path, and you will
be something of a local attraction. Overnight in Sambalpur. |
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| Day 6 : Sambalpur
- Phulbani - Baliguda |
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Leave Sambalpur for Phulbani by surface:
(175 kms). Baliguda falls in the
district of Phulbani-a land of beautiful mountains
peeping with the sky, numerous valleys, echoing with
the rhythms of tribal culture and forest, full of
adventure and wild life. No sooner you approach the
neighborhood of this beautiful district then you listen
to the forests nodes as if the fairy folk are calling
you and as you drive up and down the ghat roads, you
can’t escape the inviting warm smiles of the
natives. Overnight in Beliguda. |
| Day 7 : Baliguda
- Rayagada |
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Leave Baliguda for Rayagada. Overnight
in Rayagada. |
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| Day 8 : Rayagada
- Hetoire |
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Morning visit the Kutia Kondh Tribe. The Kondhs are one
of the well known tribes of Orissa who were famous in history
for their “meriah” (human) sacrifice. The Kondhs
life is full of festivities. Their weapon is the bow and
arrow by which they defend themselves from wild Visit of
the weekly market at Kotgarh. Leave Rayagada for Jeypore
(200 kms / 05 hrs). Overnight in Jeypore. |
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| Day 9 - 11: Jeypore |
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Witness the market of the ‘Dongria Kondh’ at
Chatimoma (45 kms). It is a unique opportunity to witness
such a colorful concentration of typical tribes at one place.
The barter system is still prevalent. Overnight in Jeypore.
Drive to Kundumaligma (78 kms) to see the Bonda Market.
Bondas, the most interesting amongst the Orissan tribes.
They are scantly dressed, call themselves ‘Remo’
and speak a very difficult Austro Asiatic language. They
live in high hills abounded by fruit groves. They are agriculturists
and expert cultivators. The dormitory life of the young
Bondas is very interesting and similar to the Nagas of Nagaland.
Overnight in Jeypore.
Full day visit of Paraja tribe and their weekly tribal market
on Friday. The Paranjas belong to the Dravidian group and
speak Parji language. They are one of the predominating
tribal people who are still maintaining their own traditional
way of life. They worship various Gods and Goddesses. Enroute
visit of Jagannath temple. Overnight in Jeypore. |
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| Day 12 : BorraCaves,
ArakuValley-Vishakapatanam |
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Morning drive to Visakhapatanam.
(250 kms / 8 hrs) Enroute visit of some beautiful
South Indian Villages and caves. The area of Limestone
hills is rich in mica, and one can see impressive
stalactite and stalagmites and the Bora caves. The
Araku valley which is inhabited by some seventeen
tribal groups in about 70 villages is an area of grassland
which rises from 1000 to 1300 m. The tribes still
keep their traditions alive with ancestor worship,
folk dances (Dhimsa, their most colorful) and hunting
festivals (Itika Pongal in April). |
| Day 13: Vishakapatanam
- Vizag |
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Full day at leisure for independent activities. (No
vehicle at disposal). Overnight in Vishakapatanam. |
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| Day 14 : Vishakapatanam
- Kolkata :
Leave Vishakapatanam for
Kolkata. |
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