Kolkata and Odisha

Arrive at Kolkata International Airport. Welcome on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Founded by the British in 1690, Kolkata was initially a great British economic center in the Ganges delta before becoming the capital of the Raj, the British Indian Empire in 1857. Replaced by New Delhi in 1911, it became the capital of the Bengal and West Bengal after independence and partition in 1947. Today, too often synonymous with poverty, Calcutta is actually a dynamic city, a colorful metropolis whose economic weight continues to assert itself. It is a city looking to the future. Day dedicated to the city tour starting with the British Raj, the headquarters of the British administration. The Victoria Memorial houses a collection of artifacts from the Victorian era and also deals with the history of Bengal. Walk through the esplanade of BBD Bagh and Fort William, the Writers Building, Town Hall, the Maidan, former imperial parade fields. Visit St Paul’s Cathedral in the Gothic style with stained glass windows are renowned. Then visit the temple of Kalighat, goddess of destruction and evil. The Botanical Garden is also worth visiting, this is where tea grown today in Assam and Darjeeling was developed first. Under the Howrah Bridge is the picturesque flower market with its stalls covered with colorful garlands for the offerings in the temples. Continue to the neighborhood Kumartuli, where potters specialize in the manufacture of large statues of deities, mainly goddess Durga. Finally, located in the district of Badha Bazar, the wholesale market of spices is a curiosity in which to stroll. Overnight at hotel. 

Excursion to the old European trading that preceded the British city of Calcutta. A Srirampur once Serampore, Danish trading post founded in 1755 and sold to England in 1845, remains a beautiful church. Then, Chandannagar, the city of the Moon, a former French colony from 1698 to 1950, surrendered to India three years before Pondicherry. The city, which retains a nostalgic atmosphere, has a small cemetery, the Saint Joseph of Cluny Sisters Convent, the oldest institute in the region, and several churches, including the Sacred Heart church. The former residence of French governors, a beautifully restored building, houses a museum dedicated to the history of the city during the French presence and a library with 18,000 books. Quick tour of Chinsura, Dutch counter that was ceded to the British in 1825 in exchange for Sumatra. A Bandel (Bandelaui), a church and a monastery in 1599 remind us that this town was a Portuguese trading. Back in Kolkata. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to airport and flight to Kolkata Bhubaneswar. Overlooking the lush rice fields of Mahanadi delta, Bhubaneswar, the heart of medieval India, offers a striking contrast with the architectural heritage of its period of greatness there over a thousand years. Visiting Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, known as the city of Temples of India. Indeed, at present, more than 500 temples remain accessible on the thousands that city had in its heyday, temples built between the 8th and 13th centuries. Most distributed around the sacred lake of Bindusagar which, according to legend, would have sheltered more than 7000 temples. Visit some temples including the temples of Mukteshwar, Brahmeshwar, Parsurameshwar and Lingraj temple visible only from the outside. Then, towards the cave sanctuaries Udaygiri and Khandagiri located in the hills a few kilometers from the city. These Jain caves, bas-reliefs, are among the oldest in India and have been carved in the 1st century BC. AD during the reign of the first king of Orissa. Back to Bhubaneswar. Overnight at hotel.

Morning departure to Puri. Along the way, stop at Dhauli, a famous battle during the Kalinga War in the 3rd century BC. AD It was on this site that found the decrees of Ashoka, carved in the rock, dating from about 260 BC. AD Emperor, disgusted by these murderous and bloody battles, became a peace ambassador. These writings extolling the virtues of peace and non-violence and charge its directors to rule with gentleness and justice. Visit the Peace Pagoda, Buddhist style, called Shanti Stupa. Pursuit to the artisanal Pipli village, famous for its colorful fabrics enriched mirror inlays. Then, drive to Konarak, a small town that is part of the Golden Triangle of Odisha. It is in this triangle is concentrated most of the heritage of all the state enrolled in Unesco. Konarak is famous for its Sun Temple built in the 13th century and designed as a celestial chariot dedicated to Lord Surya with twelve pairs of wheels and drawn by seven beautiful horses, each wheel functioning as a sundial. These temples are covered with sculptures without detriment to the overall effect. Continue to Puri. Overnight at hotel.

The seaside town of Puri is one of the four holy cities of Vishnuism and one of the biggest pilgrimage centers in India. Here is venerated the avatar of Vishnu, Krishna, in the great Jagannath temple from the 12th century which dominates the skyline. It rises in a real city of 75 temples maintained by about one-third of the population of the city. The long sandy beaches are another attraction of Puri. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the place is a plus for those who want to combine pilgrimage and relaxation. At dawn, it is nice to follow the beach to the fishing village where dozens of boats take to the water and cross the bar with some difficulty. In the afternoon, visit the village of Raghurajpu known for its school of naive painting art: paintings and prints on palm leaves, wood carvings. Then the village of Sakshigopal and his temple. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, towards the Chilka Lake along pleasant rice landscapes, coconut groves and marshes. This is actually a former lagoon separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand. The lake, a mixture of brackish water, freshwater and saltwater water spans over 1,100 square kilometers, its size varying with the seasons. Dotted with islands, that fish lake is a haven for many species of aquatic and migratory birds. Great place with four different ecosystems depending on the time and salinity of the water, the lake feeds more than 150,000 families living in 132 villages scattered around the perimeter and in the islands. Boat ride where one is likely to cross river dolphins, endangered species. Back to Puri. Overnight at hotel.

Rayagada towards the heart of the tribal region of Odisha. On the way, stop at Berhampur to visit silk weaving workshops. Then visit the village of the tribe Saora, one of the oldest tribes of India, known for ritual symbols on the interior walls of their mud house. These paintings are the equivalent of our family photos and depict the happy event and pay tribute to their fallen. They are also used to drive the disease and promote fertility. Rayagada is located in a region where nature is honored. Unexplored and wild land, forests, valleys and waterfalls provide a spectacular sight. Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Majhiguda and its weekly market (Tuesday) frequented by ethnic Kuttya Kondh and Desia Kondh. The women of the tribe Kuttya tattoo flower face in order to be recognized by their after death and to be differentiated from other tribes. While the women of the tribe Desia Kondh have geometric figures. These tribes live in the fruit harvest in the jungle and the products they cultivate. Kondh tribe is the largest tribe in southern Odisha divided itself into groups such as Dongariya Kondh Kuttya Kondh Rasul Kondh Desia Kondh, the remaining groups living mainly around the Kondhmal District. Back to Rayagada. Overnight at hotel.

Road to Jeypore. During the Dayney, stop on the large weekly market Chatikona (Wednesday) meeting place Dongariya Kondh tribe, one of the oldest tribes in Odisha. This group was formerly known for the practice of human sacrifice to the goddess Earth that allowed them to increase the wealth of the village. They descend from the hills where they live to sell the products of their harvest and their hunting. Also present on the market, Desia Kondh tribe. Continue to Jeypore and discovery of local handicrafts in various villages along the way, including Gaudaguda, Punjapai and Janiguda where one works with wood and wicker. Jeypore, the largest city in the region, is surrounded by hills that form a sort of horseshoe. It is famous for its ancient palaces that once housed great dynasties but also for its ancient temples. It is now southern business district of Odisha. Night Hotel.

Early morning departure for the weekly market Onakudelli (Thursday) attended by the tribe of Bondas, Tibeto-Burman origin, one of the most fascinating. The Bondas, naked men are described as the most primitive, the coarser and are famous for their obstinacy. The women wear a piece of cloth around the waist and wear on their chest long rows of colored beads and heavy metal clamps down to the navel. Men are always armed with knives and poison arrows. After the market arrest in Gadhaba, one of the oldest ethnic groups in China before returning to Jeypore. Overnight at hotel.

Excursion to the caves of Gupteswar. The hills of south of the city give way to a large plateau where the rice fields alternate with cashew plantations (cashew nuts). The landscape changes again and the town is surrounded by dense forest that heralds the arrival in Gupteswar. The temple of the same name, is not a classic but a cave temple, according to mythology, would have served as a refuge to the god Rama during his exile. A priest sitting at the back of the dimly lit cave receives the offerings of the faithful and reigns collected and silent atmosphere. Back to Jeypore late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.

Drive to Visakhapatnam, a coastal port named Jewel of the East Coast. Located along the waterfront of the Gulf of Bengal, it is also the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy. The city also boasts a beautiful long beach. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to the airport and flight to Vishakhapatnam Kolkata airport for return flight.