Orissa Extension Benares

Day 02 :- Kolkata / Raipur (by night train):

In the morning transfer by boat to Gothkhali and then transfer by car to Kolkata. In the afternoon visit Visit the Victoria Memorial, Marble Palace, BBD Bagh, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Flower Market, Fort William, Kumartuli area, College Street, Birla Temple, Kali Temple, Writers building, Pareshwanath Temple, ShobabajarRajbari, Esplanade Mansion, Rabindranath Tagore’s house and other buildings from the colonial era, some of which resemble palaces. In the evening transfer to Kolkata station to take your night train air-conditioned sleeper to Raipur.

Day 03 :- Raipur:

In the morning arrive at Raipur station. Welcome by our local representative then transfer to the hotel for rest. In the afternoon visit the Rajiv Lochan temple and the Mahakosal art gallery. In the evening, free discovery of the city of Raipur.

Day 04 :- Raipur / Bhoramdeo (133kms and 4 hours drive):

Departure for the village of Bhoramdeo. On the way visit visit to Gond tribal villages and Ghasi Museum. Installation in Bhoramdeo. Free evening at your hotel.

Day 05 :- Coonoor

In the morning departure for the visit of Bhoramdeo. Visit the Bégu tribal village on foot and discover its local life. Departure for a visit to the Bhoramdeo temple. The Bhoramdeo temple. Built in the 11th century, it is dedicated to Shiva who here bears this particular name given by the Gond. Its resemblance to the temples of Khajuraho is great, whether through its silhouette, its ornamental profusion or its erotic, crude and naive bas-reliefs. A short distance away is the temple of Madwa Mahal, cruelly damaged by time, which presents very amusing little erotic paintings on its base. In the afternoon return to your hotel and free time.

Day 06 :- Bhoramdeo/Kanker (239kms and 6 hours drive):

Departure for Kanker, a Kanker village. On the way visit a Bidi factory, Indian cigarettes made from eucalyptus leaves. Installation in Kanker. Then discovery of the village of Kanker and its surroundings.

Day 08 :- Kanker/Jagdalpur (191kms and 5 hours drive):

Departure for Jagdalpur, on the way visit the village of Kondagaon and Halba. Settling in Jagdalpur. Late afternoon discovery of the city of Jagdalpur.

Day 09 :- Jagdalpur:

Visit to Bison Horn Tribe Village. Villagers wear buffalo horn hats and peacock feathers. In the afternoon departure for the visit of the Bastar Palace and the BasatHaat market organized every Thursday.

Day 10 :- Jagdalpur/Rayagada (market on Tuesday):

Road to Rayagada, on the way visit the village of Kotpad, known for fabric work. Installation in Raygada and free evening.

Day 11 :- –Rayagada / Chatikona / Jeypore (market on Wednesday):

Departure for Jeypore, visit Chatikona Market and continue towards Jeypore.

Day 12 :-Jeypore / Onkudelli / Jeypore (market on Thursday):

Road to Onkudelli, visit to Onkudelli market and return to Jeypore.

Day 14 :- Gopalpur/ Puri (174kms and 4 hours drive):

Departure for Puri. Installation in Puri. Then free day at the beach.

Day 15 :- Puri / Chillka / Puri (excursion):

Visit to Jagannath temple dedicated to Krishna, Balaram and Subhadra (from the outside). In the afternoon, departure for a boat trip on Lake Chillka to discover the dolphins. In the evening return to Puri.

Day 16 :- Puri / Konark / Raghurajpur / Bhubaneshwar (135kms and 4 hours drive):

Departure for Konark, a small town located on the edge of the Bay of Bengal. On the way visit the Oriya artisans’ village of Raghurajpur. Visit the Konark Sun temple, one of the architectural wonders of India. Continuation of the road towards Bhubaneshar. Settling in Bhubaneshwar. Free evening.

Day 17: Bhubaneshwar / Udaygiri / Ratnagiri / Bhubaneshwar (excursion):

Departure to visit the Buddhist cave temples of Udaygiri, Khandagiri, and Ratnagiri. In the evening, return to Bhubneswar and visit the Lingaraja temple, VaitalMandir, RajaraniMandir and ParsurameshwaraMandir. Free evening at your hotel.

Day 19 – Varanasi:

Early in the morning, boat trip on the Ganges to see life rise on the Ganges ghats then return to the hotel for breakfast. At the end of the morning departure to visit the Sarnath temple (Buddhist temple). During the day, visit the Manikarnika (cremation), Dasahwamedha (purification) ghats of Benares and the Vishwanath temple. In the evening, visit the ceremony (Puja) to worship the Ganges River on the ghats.

Day 20 – Varanasi / Delhi (by flight):

Transfer to Benares airport. Arrival, welcome by our local representative then transfer to the hotel. Free day in Delhi to do your final shopping.

Day 21 – Delhi:

Transfer to Delhi international airport to catch your flight back to France.
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