Wilds of Orissa & Kolkata Chennai - Kolkata
Trip Overview
This trip if for travellers who are after a different India than that purely represented by the Taj. This is the India of rural Odissa and the indigenous aboriginal tribal peoples of the Eastern Ghats, of local markets and small tribal villages. This is the India of Kolkata, a wild and chaotic India with so much atmosphere and zest for life. This is the India of holy pilgrimages, temples and off the beaten track UNESCO heritage sites, such as the Konark Sun Temple in Puri.
This is the side of India that few western tourists bother with, but which has so much colour and culture, that we believe it is a really crucial part of India to see, to balance the stereotypes of the Taj and the Moghul splendours.
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100% Highlights
Visit the many historic temples, mosques, and churches of Chennai
Travel off the beaten track through rural Andhra Pradesh
6 day guided tour through the rarely-visited Odisha Tribal Regions
Visit the Monday market in the indigenous melting pot of Goudaguda
Visit the New Hope Community Centre in the rural village of Muniguda
Bathe in the natural hot springs with local villagers at Taptapani
3 nights to relax in the lovely coastal town of Puri
Explore the religious sites of Puri by cycle-rickshaw
Experience a local train ride from Puri to Kolkata
Take some extra time to explore the myriad attractions of Kolkata
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTS
A brilliant, slightly demanding trip with loads of off the beaten track exploration. All local hotels and hostels. The infrastructure through this area of India has not been developed for tourism to any degree.
Border Information: If you are joining in Chennai, you will most likely enter India in Chennai International Airport (IATA code: MAA).
Today is a free day to explore the sights, sounds and flavours of Chennai. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm - please look for a note from your tour leader when you arrive at the hotel giving more details about this meeting.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Chennai before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Chennai.
In Chennai we will stay in a comfortable modern hotel.
*Important note* - if you are joining the trip in Chennai, please make sure that you send us a scan of your Indian visa as soon as you have obtained it. If you plan to take the e-visa option, please make sure you arrange this well in advance and send us a copy of your receipt as soon as possible. If we do not receive this in advance, then we will not have enough time to get your permits for the Odisha Region and you will not be able to visit this area.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Today we start our journey with a drive to the bustling town of Tirupati. On the way we will have an included visit to the Sri Kalahasti temple.
In Tirupati we will stay in a friendly local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5 - 6 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
Daily Activities
Visit the Sri Kalahasti Temple, one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India
Leaving Tirupati, we will spend the next few days overlanding through Andhra Pradesh, one of the least developed states in India. This is real off-the-beaten-track overlanding, and we will arrive in the small city of Vijayawada this evening.
In Vijayawada we will stay in a basic local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
Today we continue our journey and drive through the back roads of Andra Pradesh. Our final destination tonight is the costal town of Visakhapatnam.
In Visakhapatnam we will stay in a local hotel on the sea front.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours.
Today we will begin our guided tour through the rarely-visited Odisha Tribal Regions. In these regions the itinerary has to be kept fairly flexible, allowing us the freedom to alter things slightly if we hear of any special events or market days in particular villages. However, we will generally follow the plan below:
On the first day we will have an early start from Visakhapatnam to arrive in a small village called Goudaguda in time to visit the Monday markets. Beautiful earthen pottery is skillfully produced in this area and you may even get the chance to try this for yourself.
In Goudaguda we will stay in a local guesthouse which has been styled on local tribal houses.
Estimated Drive Time - 6- 7 hours.
On the following day we will have a guided walk in the morning through the countryside around Goudaguda, visiting the neighbouring Mahali and Kondh tribal villages. We will return to our guesthouse in Goudaguda for the night.
On the next day we will drive to the lively Chatikona Market, a weekly highlight for the Dongria Kondh tribe. We will then travel through the hills to the village of Muniguda, our destination for tonight.
In Muniguda we will stay in basic local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
On the following day we will drive further through an Elephant Range. We will then walk into the Desia Kondh indigenous community. They are distinguished by the unique facial tattoos of the women. After a village visit and picnic lunch we will continue to Baliguda.
In Baliguda we will stay in a local basic hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.
On the next day we will drive to the fascinating fishing town of Gopalpur, a once major port for the East India Company which has an interesting decaying charm. We will have a free afternoon to independently explore the town on arrival.
In Gopalpur we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
Daily Activities
Visit the Monday market in the indigenous melting pot of Goudaguda, soaking up the incredible atmosphere as the locals barter and trade their produce
Head out for a half day hike around the Goudaguda region, visiting nearby villages of the Kondha, Mahali and Paroja tribal people
Explore the rarely-visited Wednesday Market in Chakitona, the main weekly market for the Desia and Dongria villagers from the area
Learn about the incredible work of the New Hope Community Centre in the rural village of Muniguda
Bathe in the natural hot springs with the local villagers at the small temple of Taptapani
Today our tour of the Odisha tribal areas comes to an end and we drive on to the small town of Puri.
Puri is one of the holiest pilgrimage places in India. On arrival we will explore the old pilgrim route by cycle-rickshaw, taking in ashrams, Hindu monasteries, a palm leaf manuscript library and the awesome Jagannath temple.
Estimated Drive Time - 5 -7 hours.
We will spend 3 nights in Puri. On the first full day here, we will take a short drive back to visit Chilika Lake and explore the lake by boat and take a walk through some of the surrounding fisherman's villages.
On the second full day, we will begin with a cycle ride through rice paddies and rural hamlets, meeting local craftsmen and women and watching them demonstrate their unique crafts. In the afternoon we will have a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Konark Sun Temple.
In Puri we will stay in a comfortable local hotel.
Daily Activities
3 nights to relax in the lovely coastal town of Puri
Explore the religious sites of Puri by cycle-rickshaw, including the Jagannath Temple, one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
Take a cycle ride through the stunning back-roads and villages near Puri, to visit the artisan village of Raghurajpur and see the fantastic array of handicrafts traditionally manufactured there
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Educational visit to the Usthi Foundation rural project for children either in Puri or Kolkata
Today we will travel by train to Kolkata, the largest city in India. We will have free time today and tomorrow to independently explore this remarkable city, or take an optional photographic tour.
In Kolkata we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Estimated Journey Time (by train) - 8 -9 hours.
Daily Activities
Experience a local train ride from Puri to Kolkata
Border Information: If finishing your trip in Kolkata, you will most likely exit India at Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (IATA code: CCU).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Kolkata. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Overland through West Bengal across the Gangetic plains
Visit the Eden Gardens, the most famous and iconic cricket stadium in India
See the famous Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River, thought to be the busiest bridge in the world with 150,000 pedestrians and 100,000 vehicles crossing every day
Discover the incredible array of art and historical artefacts on display at the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the largest and oldest museum in India
See the huge white marble Victoria Memorial, built in the early 20th century by the British Viceroy of India and a grandiose reminder of Kolkata's colonial past
Visit the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Centre, a museum illustrating the life and work of the famous and controversial missionary
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DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
Please refine your search by selecting your preferred dates of travel.
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