ODISHA TRIBAL VILLAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Post breakfast at Bhubaneswar, hit the roads leading towards Konark and then finally to Puri. The distance is just 100 kms, but we aim to reach Puri by evening only. The entire day will see the action pack photography and excursion trip to Pipili patchwork village, Konark sun temple, fishermen village. During dinner, critique session will be organized with professional photographer accompanying the tour. Enjoy an overnight stay in Puri.

In the morning post breakfast, proceed for the local city tour and artist village of Raghurajpur for Odissi Gotipua classical dance. Enjoy a night stay in Puri.

Start an adventurous day with thrill and excitement. You might have never dreamt of cruising in river with the old traditional boats made from logs. This is what we are going to head forward for. Post breakfast drive towards Gopalpur, enrouting visit to Chilika Lagoon. Cruise in Chilka lagoon by boats to visit islands and temple. Later, drive to Gopalpur and overnight. Short info about Chilka Lake: Chilka Lake (Chilika Lake) is world’s second largest a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Orissa state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal. In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Chilka Lagoon is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. According to a survey, 45 percent of the birds are terrestrial in nature, 32 percent are waterfowl, and 23 percent are waders. The Lagoon is also home to 14 types of raptors. Around 135 rare and endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins have also been reported. Plus, the lagoon supports about 37 species of reptiles and amphibians.

In the morning after breakfast drive to Rayagada en-route visiting Saora tribe village and a Malwa Kondh tribe village situated inside forest with river.

After breakfast, drive down to Chatikona to witness the weekly tribal market of this colourful Dongria Kondh tribes which occurs once every Wednesday. It is a unique opportunity to witness such a colourful concentration of typical tribes at one place. More interesting would be to watch women in their colourful costumes and jewellers. Not only this, one can glance at their barter system. After visiting market return to the hotel. Post lunch depart for Jeypore - in Koraput district. Enroute brief halts to visit the lowland tribes and their settlements. Overnight stay in the hotel at Jeypore.

After breakfast drive down to Onukudelli area to see the famed Didayi Bonda tribes. In this district of Koraput - on the northwest of river Machkund, live the wildest, rudest and possibly the most interesting tribe known as Bonda tribe. The scanty dress of Bonda women and homicidal tendency of Bonda males make them most fascinating people. Thus, they stand in sharp contrasts from the neighbouring castes and tribes of Orissa. The Bonda call themselves-Remo and speak a very difficult Austro-Asiatic language. They are generally agriculturists and expert cultivators. The irrigated and terraced paddy fields on high hills prove their skill in rice cultivation. Picnic lunch enroute. Overnight stay at Jeypore

The total excursion tour for today is going to be 260 kms. In the morning, visit to Paraja and Sona tribe - weekly tribal market on Friday and villages. The Paraja tribes are found mostly in Koraput district. Their language is Parji. The Parajas have a number of totemistic septs like Bagh-Tiger, Bokda-goat, Netan-dog, Panki-dove and the like, and harming of eating of the totem animals is strictly forbidden and instead they should be respected. They worship various Gods and Goddesses residing in hills or forests. During wedding the Parajas resort to dance and music. Later visit Jagannath temple of Koraput. Evening visit of Lohandiguda market of gond tribes. Overnight Jagdalpur.

In the morning post breakfast, visit Jagdalpur Palace and later drive to Chitrakoot water fall. In the afternoon, visit the Mardoom tribal market of Maria, Halba, Bhatra and Raja Maria tribes. Evening, a dinner with critique session with accompanying photographers and other travel participants will be organized. Enjoy a night stay in the hotel.

In the morning after breakfast drives to Kiwai Balenga Muria village and watch their spectacular dormitory dance. Later visit Narayanpur market of Hill Abhujmaria tribe. There are chances of lots of good photographic here. In the evening return to Jagdalpur.

Visit spectacular waterfall at Tirathgarh in the morning. Later, visit Pakhnar tribal market amidst forest to see Dhruwa and Gond tribes. Also visit a Gond tribe village with their tribal temple (Gudi). Overnight Jagdalpur.

In the morning after breakfast drive to Raipur enroute visiting Rajim group of temples of 10th Century. The entire journey is approx 360 kms. Reach Raipur in the evening and enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel.

Tribal Village Photo Tour terminates at Raipur after departing them to Raipur Railway Station / Airport. Tour & Services Ends.