Thursday, June 29, 2023

EASTERN INDIA AND THE TRIBES OF ORISSA - 17 Days

 Day 1 UK to Kolkata

Depart the  on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)
On arrival in Dubai connect onto the Emirates flight to Kolkata. Eastern India’s most important city, Kolkata is one of the intellectual capitals of India and a major trading centre. Established in its current form during the British Raj, Kolkata is known for its exceptional colonial era architecture, excellent museums and links to numerous preeminent Indians, the most famous arguably Rabindranath Tagore. (N)
Accommodation in Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn
Upgrade option: Oberoi Grand Hotel
Enjoy a full day exploring Kolkata with your guide. There is plenty to see and do in the city and highlights include the grand Victoria Memorial that was constructed in 1921 and today is a museum, St John's Church, the Writers Building, South Park Cemetery and imposing silver-domed General Post Office. A visit can also be made to the excellent Indian Museum which opening at the beginning of the 19th century and is the largest museum in India. (B)
Accommodation in Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn
Upgrade option: Oberoi Grand Hotel

This morning you will be transferred back to Kolkata Airport in good time to catch a flight to Bhubaneshwar. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel where you will stay overnight. Situated on the edge of the lush green paddy fields of the Mahanadi Delta, Bhubaneswar offers a wonderful mix of both the ancient and modern. The planned town with its wide streets and well-kept gardens offers a striking contrast to its heyday where 7,000 temples once surrounded Bindusagar Tank. Today nearly 500 of these original temples remain giving Bhubaneswar the popular name of ‘Temple City’. (B)

Please note that the same driver and guide will accompanying throughout your visit to Orissa through to your arrival in Visakhapatnam.

Accommodation in Bhubaneswar: Trident Hotel (or similar)

This morning head to the Bindusagar Tank, the focal point of the ancient city, for a memorable heritage walk. Although many of the original temples no longer remain, those that do are regarded to be masterpieces of Hindu architecture with the most famous being the great Lingaraja, Muktesvara and Parsuramesvara Temples. Later visit the heritage craft village of Raghurajpur to meet traditional artisans, enjoy a traditional folk dance performance and a local vegetarian lunch. Later continue to Puri where you will stay for two nights. (B)
Accommodation in Puri: Hans Coco Palm Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast visit Puri’s Jaganath Temple. The temple will need to be seen from a viewing platform as non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple confines. Later drive to Konark which is home to one of Hindu India’s foremost architectural treasures, the renowned Sun Temple. A protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sun Temple dates to the 13th century and took 1,200 masons over 16 years to complete. Covered with carvings portraying every aspect of life and mythology the temple complex is not only an important historical religious centre but also significant for making known normal daily life at the time of its construction. (B)
Accommodation in Puri: Hans Coco Palm Hotel (or similar)
In the morning enjoy a boat cruise on Chilika Lake and visit traditional fishing communities stopping for lunch on an island in the lake. After lunch continue to Gopalpur where you will stay for the next two nights. Take a stroll along the shore at sunset or enjoy a ‘sundowner’ overlooking the ocean. (B)
Accommodation in Gopalpur: Mayfair Palm Beach Hotel (or similar)
This morning visit the Gopalpur fishing community. Afterwards the remainder of the day will be at leisure. (B)
Accommodation in Gopalpur: Mayfair Palm Beach Hotel (or similar)
Today is a long but scenic day of driving passing teak plantations and forest as you enter the tribal territories of Orissa. Upon entering the hill country a stop will be made to visit a tribal village of the Desia Kondh community before arriving in Baliguda in the afternoon. Stay overnight in basic accommodation. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Baliguda: Bivab Hotel (or similar)
It will be an early start this morning and you continue through the Eastern Ghats, stopping to visit the Chatikona market which is held weekly on a Wednesday. Here you will meet the Dongria Kondh community as they purchase everything from cattle to fresh turmeric. Later continue on to rural Chandoori Sai where you will stay for the next three nights at the Chandoori Sai Guesthouse. In the afternoon visit the local village with your guide. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Chandoori Sai: Chandoori Sai Guesthouse
Today it is an early morning start for the three hour drive to the colourful Onukadelli Market noted for its locally produced clay pottery. Here you will meet India’s most ancient indigenous communities including the Bonda and Gaddava tribes. Visits will also be made to Gaddava, Paroja and Harijan villages. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Chandoori Sai: Chandoori Sai Guesthouse
After breakfast visit the largest weekly tribal market at Kunduli. Spend plenty of time here today and also sample a whole range of fresh produce from turmeric tubers to a homemade brew! Later enjoy a traditional Dhemsa dance performance. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Chandoori Sai: Chandoori Sai Guesthouse
This morning leave Chandoori Sai and cross the hills into Andhra Pradesh and the port city of Visakhapatnam. Surrounded by hills and overlooking a natural harbour, explore India’s second largest ship graveyard, rub shoulders with pilgrims at the 11th century Simachalam temple and sip coconut juice on the beach. (B)
Accommodation in Visakhapatnam: The Park Hotel (or similar)
This morning fly from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad where you will stay for the next three nights. Founded in 1589 and controlled by a series of Muslim Nizams from the 1700s onwards, the rulers of Hyderabad State were amongst the richest men in the world. This wealth is seen in the city’s numerous impressive monuments which remain some of the finest in India. (B)

Accommodation in Hyderabad: Taj Deccan Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Taj Krishna Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Falaknuma Palace

Spend the next two days uncovering Hyderabad’s treasures with your guide. Highlights include the monumental Golconda Fort, the city’s Mecca Masjid Mosque, Lad Bazaar which forms the heart of Hyderabad’s Muslim area, the Chowmahalla Palace which was used by the Nizams to entertain royal visitors and guests and the Char Minar which dates to the 17th century and is the main symbol of the city. A visit can also be arranged to Suraiya Hasan’s Weaving Centre which was founded to revive the region’s textile heritage. (B)

Accommodation in Hyderabad: Taj Deccan Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Taj Krishna Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Falaknuma Palace

Today transfer to Hyderabad Airport for the Emirates flight. 
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