Sunlight splashing against ancients temple walls. Three brass water pots balanced gracefully on the porter's head. A colorful procession of exotic tribal vendors entering the weekly market. These patterns of daily life will jostle against your own, reminding you that Orissa lives in the most astonishing ways. This remarkable state seems a world apart from the rest of India, but no less intriguing. For if the Taj Majal is India's diamond, then Orissa is certainly her pearl. It is the epitome of an unspoiled land - a gem among exotic travel destinations. But don't take our word for it. Join us in Orissa, and see for yourself. 

Visit isolated hamlets of the Soura, Gadaba, Kondh & Bonda Tribes

Explore centuries old temples, steeped in history & spirituality

Feast your eyes on the colorful bounty of the weekly markets

Observe craftspeople weaving, carving and painting

Journey through an extravaganza of picturesque and diverse scenery

Sun Feb 10 Arrive in Calcutta; transfer to the Oberoi hotel for dinner and overnight.

Mon Feb 11 Transfer to airport for 1-hour mid-afternoon flight to Bhubaneshwar, and prepare to be enchanted. A kaleidoscope of temples, markets, bicycles, tri-shaws and resplendent women in brilliant saris, endow this state capital with a singular charm. This evening we'll acquaint ourselves with Orissa during a visit to the night market. Our accommodations for next four nights will be the Swosti Plaza Hotel.

Tue Feb 12 Today we explore temples dating from the 7th to 11th centuries, including Parasurameswar, Mukteswar, Rajarani, Vaital, Brahneswar and Lingaraj. We'll take a turn around the market, and end the afternoon with a performance of the Odissa, a graceful, fluid, ancient classical dance of Orissa.

Wed Feb 13 Visits to Nuapatna weaving village and Dokra metal sculptors reveal the spectacular heritage of rare and ancient forms of artistry that have captured the imagination of admirers around the world.

Thu Feb 14 The Buddhist monastic complex of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udaigiri was the sacred site where Jain ascetics practiced austerity and attained spirituality in total seclusion, some 2000 years ago. The magnificent carvings on the 3rd century stone facades are an eloquent narration of the glory of Buddha's teachings.

Fri Feb 15 Our destination is Puri, but it's the leisurely journey that captivates. We'll pass through clusters of tidy adobe villages and stop to photograph the elaborate designs painted on the houses, in celebration of the rice harvest. Typical sights are rice terraces; mustard fields; coconut palms; bullock carts piled high with hay; and women walking gracefully under the weight of the day's supply of firewood & wheat, balanced expertly on their heads. By late afternoon we'll reach the 13th century Sun Temple of Konark, then proceed to the Mayfair Beach Resort at Puri for two nights.

Sat Feb 16 Today we set our sights on the myriad attractions in and around Puri. Patachitra painting, an art form akin to Batik, is created in the village of Raghurapur. We visit the environs of Jagannath Hindu Temple, although only followers of the Hindu faith are permitted to enter. Puri itself is a photographic feast, a mosaic of brightly clad pilgrims, bustling markets and sprawling beaches.

Sun Feb 17 A traditional fishing community still flourishes in Golpalpur, where another photographic fiesta awaits. Lively circles of women sort and clean fish, in a steady, endless rhythm as old as time, even as the colorful boats arrive with more of the day's catch. Overnight at the Oberoi Palm Beach Resort.

Mon Feb 18 Traveling through the Taptapani mountains, we begin our ascent into Orissa's tribal region. Our first stop is Puttasingh Market, where members of the Longia Soura tribe sell rice, corn, millet and tumeric. Their Rijingdal Village boasts immaculate homes of dung & clay adobe. They practice slash & burn agriculture and shifting cultivation, and believe in polygamy, shamanism and forest deities. Soura women insert increasingly larger balsa wood plugs into their pierced ears, until their lobes are so elastic, they nearly touch their shoulders. We will spend 2 nights at the very basic Jyoti Mahal/Sai Hotel.

Tue Feb 19 We rise & depart early to arrive at the start of the Kothgarh weekly market, which is attended by members of the Kutia Kondh & Desia Kondh tribes. The women are readily identifiable by the geometric tattoos worn on their faces and hands. These identifying marks ensure that they will recognize each other in the spirit world. We will visit a hamlet of the Dongariya Kondh, where women dress in white cotton togas and adorn themselves with a flashy array of hairpins and ornaments, ear and nose rings and geometric tattoos.

Wed Feb 20 You will find this morning well worth another early wake up call. Arriving to Chatikona by 7:30 a.m. promises stunning images of colorful processions of Dongariya Kondh & Desia Kondh entering the market. Women in brilliant saris are laden with tomatoes, tumeric, eggplant, jackfruit & bananas, balanced gracefully on their heads. For the rest of the day, curiosity is our guide, as we wander the area and head for whatever attracts our attention. These attractions are sure to include rice terraces, men toting weighty loads of rice straw, and breathtaking scenery. 2 nights at the Hello Jeypore Hotel.

Thu Feb 21 Another early morning, another fascinating market, this time the lively Onukudelli, attended by the Bonda and Gadhaba tribes. A Bonda woman's costume is a colorful cascade of strands upon strands of tiny yellow, orange and white beads, and a matching scullcap. A brass nose ring and silver ear hoops complete the ensemble.

Fri Feb 22 As we prepare to end our journey into this remarkable Orissa, there's still plenty of opportunity to enjoy breathtaking scenery and photography. Our leisurely 8 hour drive to Vishakaputnam affords glimpses of many timeless rural scenes: bullock carts laden with rice straw; sugar cane fields; rice paddies; mango groves; women laden with brass water pots, wood & baskets; and charming villages with clusters of thatched dwellings. Accommodations tonight at the luxurious Sheraton Garden Bay Hotel.

Sat Feb 23 Transfer to airport for departure to Calcutta. Overnight at the Oberoi Hotel.

Sun Feb 24 Transfer to airport for international departure flights.

NOTE: Optional nights to extend your stay in Calcutta can be booked at the Oberoi Hotel for $195 each double or $120 single.