ORISSA
TRIBAL TOUR
Welcome to the Tribal Land of Orissa - The southwestern part of Orissa contains
the largest concentration of tribal people in the sub continent. There are more
than 62 tribal communities in Orissa. They have retained their tradition in-spite
of the onslaught of the modern civilization. Visit to some of the tribal villages
and participate in their dance and festival. Discover the original man-nature
proximity trekking amid the deep gorges and rivers or during a ritual tribal
dance on a full moon night. The soft mist, the local-brew and a campfire make
a heady mixture indeed.
This is an adventure that offers unique experience, which the visitor fondly
remembers
for years to come. The antiquity of Orissa is endorsed by her ancient people
- They continue to inhabit their traditional dwelling places in remote areas
of the deep forests and hilly interiors. Steeped in the mystery that surrounds
their ancient ways, the Orissan tribal continue to be a source of deep interest
not only for anthropologists and sociologists but also for numerous tourists
who flock to Orissa in search of the exotic mystique of this relatively unexplored
state.
The tribal economy is by and large based on activities around the jungles. Hunting
and fishing continue to be the main source of livelihood though some of the
larger tribes such as Santals, Mundas, and Gonds have become agriculturists.
The Juang, Bhuyan, Bondo, Saura, and Dhruba tribes follow the shifting cultivation
practice. The Koya tribals are cattle breeders while the Mahali and Lohara are
simple artisans involved in basket weaving and tool making.
The Santal, Munda and other tribes have now also become involved in the mining
and industrial belt of Orissa. Though their economy is shaky, the Orissan tribal
enjoy a rich and varied cultural heritage, the most powerful instance of this
being in their music and dance, which are as colorful as they are rhythmical.
The cycle of life offers numerous reasons to celebrate and is done so with vigor
and grace - either in the privacy of family home or as a community activity.
The changing seasons, religious customs, and the traditional rhythms of superstitious
belief are strong incentives for creating a string of festivals to augment their
importance to the tribal.
The Paraja tribe is primarily located in the Kalahandi and Koraput regions of
Orissa. The language is "Parji". They worship numerous gods and goddesses
who live in the hills and forests. They love dance and music during weddings.
The "Soura" tribe is one of the most ancient and they are known for
being marathon walkers, expert hunters and climbers. Personal hygiene is of
intense importance to them.
The "Bondos" are fiercely independents and aggressive, and continue
to practice the barter system of exchanging produce from their fields for their
daily needs. Bondo women prefer to marry younger men because they can have someone
who will earn for them in their old age. The Kutias are the primitive section
of the Kondh tribal community. Kutias were also quite famous till the recent
years for their unique tradition of 'Maria'(human) sacrifice. Dongria Kondhs,
also a primitive section of the Kondh community are expert horticulturists and
maintain a quite distinct cultural heritage.
Tour Options
The arrival into India could be Delhi or Chennai or Calcutta and we could organize
either a
Golden Triangle Tour of Delhi/Agra/Jaipur or Calcutta or Chennai in the beginning
or end of the Orissa tour. Bhubaneshwar is the starting point to travel into
the tribal belt of Orissa. The tour is visiting the various tribal villages
like Baliguda, Rayagada, Jeypore, Taptapani where we see the primitive Kutia
Kondh Tribe, the Dingaria Kondh Tribe, Bonda Tribe Sanaparoja and Mali Tribes.
The tour is meeting and mixing with these tribes and learning their life-style.
The stay during the tribal tour is in lodges and in basic guesthouses. One should
not expect any luxury.
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places to See: (Bhubaneshwar - Ratna Giri
- Baliguda - Belghar - Kothagargh - Rayagada - Jeypore - Ankadeli - Lamptaput
- Kunduli - Nandapur - Laxmipur - Taptaoani - Chilka - Puru)
Day1: Bhubaneshwar
Transfer to the airport for flight to Bhubaneswar. Reach and transfer to hotel.
Proceed for half-day tour of the city. Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
Day 2: Bhubaneshwar / Ratna Giri / Bhubaneshwar
Full day excursion to Ratnagiri after breakfast.
Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
Day 3: Bhubaneshwar / Baliguda
Drive to Baliguda after breakfast.
Baliguda is in the district of Phulbani, through the beautiful countryside
road full with small mountains of Sal forest, one of the entry point to the
tribal highland of Orrisa. En-route visit typical Orissa villages.
Arrive at the hotel in the evening. Overnight at Baliguda.
Day 4: Baliguda
Today after breakfast you will make a visit the different Villages & Desai
Kondh.
Overnight at Baliguda.
Day 5: Baliguda / Belghar / Kothagargh / Rayagada
After breakfast
you will depart to Belghar area visit of a few Huttiya Kondha Tribal Villages
& Weekly Market at Kothagarh.
Proceed to explore the villages of the primitive Kutia kondh Tribes, once
famous for the human sacrifice. Living in the mountain / forest cores are
friendly tribal community. You can take small/ long trek as you wish.
Lunch on the way.
Drive down to Rayaguda. Arrive in the evening.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: Rayagada / Jeypore
Morning proceed to Chatikona (40 km) to witness the Interesting & colourful
weekly market of the Dongaria kondh tribes. This day this interesting ornamental
Tribes come down from their mountain will known as Niayamgiri hill range. This
is an unique opportunity to witness them before they come and mix with other
community in the market, so we will take you 2/3 km from the market near the
Niyamgiri hill, so to watch & enjoy these community coming down with different
kinds of fruits, animal etc. Free time in the market. Overnight at Jeypore.
Day 7: Jeypore / Ankadeli / Lamptaput / Jeypore
After early breakfast proceed to Ankadelli - 70 km to witness the most primitive,
interesting & unique tribal weekly market of the Bonda tribes. The place
is the border of the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh, divided by river Machkund,
with interest waterfall, mountain & forest. You will be taken inside for
about 2/3km walk to witness the Bonda man & woman coming down from the forest
side. It is being considered that at present Bondas are the most primitive tribe
of India or otherwise known as the Nakate tribes of the mountain. Bonda women
with their silver & brass rings around the neck, hundred of necklaces on
the body, shaved hair a small cloth wrapped down to cover half of the private
areas are out of any history book. In the other side the Bonda men with their
bow & arrow with country made liquor. A fascinating one to watch. Photography
in the market is restricted, so you can take photo on this time. Free time in
the market.
Afternoon
proceed to Lamtaput area to explore another primitive tribal community the Gdabas
- you can watch the most colorful tribal dance call DEMSA. Late afternoon drive
back to Jeypour. Overnight at Jeypore.
Day 8: Jeypore / Kunduli / Nandapur / Jeypore
Breakfast. Morning proceed to witness the biggest tribal weekly market of Sanaparoja
& Mali tribes in Kunduli 65 km away via Sunabeda. It is a very colorful
market. Later drive down to Nandapur to visit village of Sanaparoja tribes.
Visit village khilus. Saana Padar, Bda Padar with small trekking and later later
drive down to Jeypour. You can also morning proceed to Gupteswar 70 km to visit
the villages of very interesting dhuruba tribe. Visit and walk through villages
of Ramanguda, Dogariguda, Silpader, Talur etc. There is an interesting tribe
where the males like to put ornaments living in the border of Madhya Pradesh.
Visit the Cave temple of lord Shiva in the hidden mountain famous among the
tribes. Later drive down to Nuagaon to witness the beautiful tribal weekly market
of Sana Paroja and then back to hotel at evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Jeypore / Laxmipur / Rayagada
Breakfast. Visit Dhuruba Tribe, Laxmipur, of the Bondas Region. Also Visit Jagannath
Temple & Tribal Museum at Koraput (The Jagannath Temple is a new temple
built on 1972. Here Non Hindus are allowed inside the Temples and all activities
are similar to Jagnnath Temple of Puri). Lunch on the way. Overnight at Rayagada.
Day 10: Rayagada / Taptaoani / Chilka Breakfast. Proceed to Chilka.
Visit Taptapani on your way. Overnight at Chilka.
Day 11: Chilka / Puri
Drive to Puri after breakfast. Reach Puri and relax in the beach. Overnight
at Puri.
Day 12: Puri
Proceed for a tour of Puri after breakfast covering Jagnnath Temple and Konnark
(The Sun Temple). Overnight at Puri.
Day 13: Puri / Bhubaneshwar
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Bhubaneshwar Airport to board flight to Delhi or onward Destination.
BIRDING
IN INDIA - RESERVATION FORM
