Bhubaneswar – Baliguda – Rayagada – Chatikona – Koraput – Jeypore – Onukudelli – Visakhapatnam
Go beyond the temples of coastal Odisha into the hill country of the south, where the Kondh, Bonda, Gadaba and Paroja communities still gather at colourful weekly markets. After a day in Bhubaneswar, travel through the Kondh hills to Rayagada, meet the Dongria Kondh at Chatikona, visit the Bonda market at Onukudelli and spend time in Gadaba and Paroja villages around Jeypore.
Arrive at Bhubaneswar airport and transfer to your hotel. After resting, enjoy a city tour of the temple capital — Lingaraj, Mukteshwar and Rajarani temples and, if time permits, the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves. Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar.
Drive south-west into the hills of Kandhamal, the homeland of the Kondh people, passing forest, rice terraces and villages on the way. Check in at Baliguda and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Baliguda.
Continue through the hills to Rayagada, with stops at villages en route to see how local communities live. Overnight stay in Rayagada.
After an early breakfast, drive to Chatikona to visit the weekly market (Wednesdays), where Dongria Kondh and Desia Kondh communities come down from the Niyamagiri hills to trade their produce and goods. Continue to Koraput and visit the Tribal Museum, then drive on to Jeypore. Overnight stay in Jeypore.
Take a day trip to Onukudelli to visit the weekly market of the Bonda community, one of the most distinctive tribes of India, and observe their traditions and attire. Return to Jeypore. Overnight stay in Jeypore.
Visit the Kunduli market and Gadaba villages, then continue to Nandapur to see its historic 32-step throne. Return to Jeypore. Overnight stay in Jeypore.
Visit the Bada Paroja tribal village and see tribal products, art forms and handicrafts being made. Time to shop for textiles, brass and bamboo work directly from the makers. Overnight stay in Jeypore.
After breakfast, drive to Visakhapatnam through the Eastern Ghats. Transfer to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. Tour ends.