Bhitarkanika, Temples and PuriOdisha in 6 nights

Six nights: the mangroves and saltwater crocodiles of Bhitarkanika, the Buddhist Diamond Triangle, Bhubaneswar's temples, Konark, and Puri with a day on Chilika.

Day 1

Arrive in Bhubaneswar, drive to Bhitarkanika

150 km · about 4 hours

Our representative meets you at Bhubaneswar and drives you north-east to Bhitarkanika National Park, in the delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers: India's second-largest mangrove forest, cut through by creeks running to the Bay of Bengal, and a paradise for birdwatchers. Check in at your resort. Facilities here are simple.

No meals included today Overnight: Bhitarkanika

Day 2

A day in Bhitarkanika

After an early home-style breakfast, board a country boat at Khola gate for a safari through the mangrove creeks, watching for kingfishers, egrets, Brahminy kites and eagles. Stop at the Bagagahana heronry and climb its watchtower for pelicans and storks. Visit the old temple, lotus pond and hunting tower in the Bhitarkanika forest block, where you may see wild boar, jungle cats and spotted deer, then the Dangmal crocodile breeding and research centre, home of the great saltwater crocodiles, and the interpretation museum. In the late afternoon, join the aarti at the local Jagannath temple.

Breakfast Overnight: Bhitarkanika

Day 3

Bhitarkanika to Bhubaneswar by the Diamond Triangle

250 km · about 8 hours

Drive back to Bhubaneswar through Odisha's Buddhist Diamond Triangle: Ratnagiri, with its excavated monasteries, great stupa and many votive stupas; Lalitgiri, the oldest Buddhist complex in the state; and Udayagiri, with its stupa set in a U-shaped valley. Don't miss the museums at Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri. Check in at your hotel in Bhubaneswar by evening.

Breakfast Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 4

Bhubaneswar, the temple city

Visit Lingaraj, the great 11th-century temple of Lord Shiva and the heart of the temple city (non-Hindus are not allowed inside); the Jain caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, carved in the 2nd century BC; and Nandankanan, the zoo and botanical garden famous for its white tigers (closed on Mondays). In the evening, shop for local handicrafts at Ekamra Haat.

Breakfast Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 5

Bhubaneswar to Puri, with Dhauli and Konark

120 km · about 6 hours with stops

Drive to Puri by way of Dhauli and its peace pagoda, Pipli, the appliqué village, the Sun Temple at Konark and Chandrabhaga beach. After check-in, visit the temple of Lord Jagannath, built in the 12th century and crowned with Vishnu's wheel and flag, one of the four Char Dham (non-Hindus are not allowed inside). In the evening, browse the seafront stalls for shell crafts.

Breakfast Overnight: Puri

Day 6

Day trip to Chilika Lake at Satpada

50 km each way · about 1.5 hours

Drive to Satpada on Chilika, Asia's largest brackish-water lagoon, known for its Irrawaddy dolphins. Take a boat out to look for them and to the mouth where the lagoon meets the Bay of Bengal (boat fare paid there). Back to Puri in the evening.

Breakfast Overnight: Puri

Day 7

Puri to Bhubaneswar, and home

60 km · about 2 hours

After breakfast, check out and drive to Bhubaneswar airport or railway station for your journey home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability. Breakfast is included.

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver: a Swift Dzire for 2 or 3, an Innova Crysta for 4 to 6, and a Tempo Traveller for 7 to 10. Point to point as per the itinerary, not at disposal.

Rates in INR per person on twin sharing, GST included. The extra-person rate is for a third person sharing the room; the child rate is for a child from 5 to 10 sharing without a bed.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are per person on twin sharing, for Indian nationals, valid for travel from 1 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027. They do not apply over Dussehra (14–26 Oct 2026), Diwali (4–17 Nov 2026), Christmas and New Year (21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027), Holi (18–22 Mar 2027) or during medical and other conferences; ask us for those dates.
• Your vehicle: a Swift Dzire or similar for up to 3 guests, an Innova Crysta for 4 to 6, and a Tempo Traveller for 7 to 10, counting children. Groups of more than 6 need the Tempo Traveller. Point to point as per the itinerary.
• Children under 5 stay free. Children from 5 to 10 sharing without a bed pay the child rate; over 10, the extra-person rate applies.
• At the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, only Hindus are allowed inside. Phones, cameras and leather items are not allowed into the Jagannath Temple.
• Carry original photo ID (voter ID, passport, driving licence or Aadhaar) for hotel check-in.
• If a sight is closed on its weekly day off (Nandankanan closes on Mondays) and you want to see it the next day, the extra use of the car is charged.
• Puri hotels usually check in at 10 am and check out at 8 am; in Bhubaneswar it is 11 am for both.
• Bhitarkanika is remote, and lodges and services there are simple. Only boats approved by the Forest Department may enter the park. The park closes from 1 May each year.
• Crocodiles are wild and sightings vary with the tide and the season; winter is best for birds.
• Boat rides on Chilika are paid there. Dolphin and bird sightings are a matter of luck; the migratory birds are best from about November to February.

When to go

October to March. Cool, dry and sunny on the coast, with migratory birds on Chilika from about November to February. April to June is hot and humid, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday