Tour Highlights
Our guide Philip Price has a long history in this region, having been assistant to the film producer on a documentary about the Pk Mahanadia - a legendary "Untouchable" tribal member. Philip also lead a group of American Odissi dancers here a few years ago - anchoring and subsidizing the renewal of an annual dance festival. Noted American dancer, Revital Carroll lead the performance on a tribal stage and ancient Temple dance platforms.
Among the sites we will visit are: 64 Yogini Temple of Hirapur (an open-roof tantric temple with 64 different statues of the Goddess, one of only three of its kind in India); Sun Temple of Konark (with its breathtaking architecture and exquisite array of erotic sculptures), the meditation caves of Udaygiri and Khandagiri; Jaganath Puri (the home of temple dance in Orissa); Raghurajpur (the famous artist village, birth place of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra); and Dhabaleswar Temple (located on an island in the river Mahanadi, connected to the mainland by a pillar-less hanging bridge). We will also visit the Athmallik village to experience the authentic tribal life of rural Orissa with all its colorful textures, sights, sounds and smells. We will have the rare opportunity of being hosted by the family of peace ambassador, PK Mahanandia “India’s Martin Luther King”, on the shores of the great Mahanadi River, where we stay at his “eco-cottage” as the village guests of honor. While in Athmallik, we will hike 90 minutes to the hillside Kings Pool, where in ancient times the Athmallik King used to go into retreat for weeks at a time. We will also visit an authentic weavers village, where handmade saris are made to this day, and village life remains as it always has been.
Day 1 – Settling In
Your trip begins today in Bhubaneswar. After claiming your baggage and clearing customs, you are personally met and transferred to the hotel to join others and attend a short orientation and dinner before a well deserved sleep.
Day 2 – The Ancient Temples of Bhubaneswar
Explore some of Bhubaneswar’s most exquisite Temples including Parasurameswara Temple, which is a small, yet highly decorated 7th century temple. It was built by the Hindus in response to the emerging influence of Buddhism at the time. After lunch, we visit Rajarani and Brahmeswar Temples, and lastly, Mukteswar Temple, which was built in the 10th century. This Temple represents the end of the first phase of temple building, and features the famous stone arc and grinning face of a lion.
Day 3 – The Buddhist Triangle
After lunch we will enjoy the Udaigiri and Khandagiri caves, which contain many Buddhist sculptures, due to the influence of Ashoka and Gupta dynasty.
After lunch we continue our exploration of the larger Bhubaneswar region. Today we enjoy the 64 Yogini Temple at Hirapur, a unique tantric temple with 64 different statues representing different expressions of the Goddess (this one of only three temples of its kind in India).
Day 4 – Sun Temple & Jagannath Puri
We travel 65 km to Konark and a thorough visit of the inspiring Sun Temple, with its breathtaking architecture and staggering array of erotic sculptures. After lunch we travel on to Puri to visit Jagannath Puri, where there are many architectural wonders, including home of Lord Jagannath and his 12th century Temple, which is located on the Bay of Bengal.
Day 5 – The Heart of Village Life
Following breakfast we drive to the Athmallik tribal village. Our guide Philip Price, worked with Stefan of CameraQ on a film about the most famous Untouchable (non-caste) person in India - PK Mahanandia. We will be grated by PK’s family and perhaps treated to a hearty dinner.
Day 6 - Exploring the Mahanadi River
Following breakfast we will tour the Mahanadi River by boat to a crocodile museum upriver and you may particularly enjoy the mode of travel - by local fishing boat. Later today we will visit a weavers village located on the Athmallik river about 35 km to the north. You may not find finer sari’s in all of India, and the prices are unbeatable! Along the way we will visit a real life Maharaja, as well as visit a hot springs (where swimming is optional).
Day 7 - Tribal Village Photographic Highlights & Rubber Plantation
There is flexible time today to enjoy personal strolls around the countryside. For the photographer, there are limitless extraordinary compositions to capture left and right as you wonder down the nearby road. We will pay our last visit to PK’s family and drive back toward Bhubaneswar, stopping for an overnight in a real working rubber plantation, with deluxe accommodations.
Day 8 - Shopping & Departure Day
We will arrive early to Bhubaneswar, allowing last minute shopping before flights out, or onward travel.
Trip-specific information
Odisha, India; "Deep Culture, Tribes & Temples"
March 31 - April 6 (8 days)
Important Dates: The tour begins on either Jan 15 or March 31 in Bhubaneswar, India and ends on April 6 in Bhubaneswar.
You are responsible for securing your own tickets from the U.S. to Bhubaneswar. Please arrive as early as possible in the day. You will be picked up at the airport and brought to our comfortable hotel.
We will end the tour near the end of the day on April 6 in Bhubaneswar. You will either be dropped at the airport on that day, or brought to a nearby hotel (your choice and expense).
Flying Strategies: momondo.com is the best international search engine. Please allow us to assist searching for the best flights for you.
All land travel will be arranged by GeoWandering. Only the incoming and outgoing flights to/from the US are your responsibility - both the booking and the expense.
Tour Cost and what’s included
The tour cost is $1,450, or discounted to $1,295 for early bird sign up by Feb 1. This price is based on double occupancy (shared room), single room surcharge is $150. Airfare is extra - we will help you find the appropriate flights and the best prices. The cost for any personalized services, like Ayurvedic spa treatment, massages, salon services, surf lessons, surfboard rental or alcoholic beverages is your responsibility. Accommodations, meals, safari's, park entrance fees, yoga, translator, and ground transportation is all included in the fee. As explained above, there will be a supplemental fee (at cost only) for the flight on March 22 between Sri Lanka and India.
Additional Information
If you would like to extend your time in either Sri Lanka or India, you are welcome to join any of SavingGanesh.org’s other tours, either immediately before or after this tour. Up to 30% discounts are available on additional tours. Most tours are filmmaking in nature, and you are welcome to join and be a member of the crew. As a working member of our conservation group, all your fees will be tax deductible. See FAQ page for more details.
Please see FAQ page for more information about deposit and payment requirements, and other important information.