BEST OF WILDLIFE & BUDDHIST TOURS (Bhitarkanika National Park 2N - Bhubaneswar 1N - Puri 2N – Chilika 1N - Gopalpur 2N)

Description

Meet & Greet on arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport / Railway Station & transfer to Bhitarkanika National Park, lying in the estuarine region of Brahmani-Baitarani Rivers in the North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara district of Odisha, is the second largest viable mangrove ecosystem of India. The huge area of mangrove forests and wetland is intersected by a network of creeks with Bay of Bengal on the East. This is one of the best spots for wildlife and nature lovers. It is a heaven for bird watchers, ornithologists and wildlife and nature photographers. On arrival check-in at the resort. Overnight stay will be at Bhitarkanika (Dangmal/Gupti/Khola).

After an early delicious home style breakfast, transfer to Khola forest Gate to board a countryside boat for Mangrove Forest Safari. Enjoy bending creeks, watch out for birds, particularly different varieties of Kingfishers, Egrets, Bramhani Kites, Eagles etc. Get down at Baga Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Climb the watch Tower to look for Pelicans and different types of Storks. Later visit Bhitarkanika Forest Block to check out Old Temple, Lotus Pond and Hunting Tower of past rulers. Climb the Tower and you might see Wild Boar, Jungle cat, Spotted Deer and birds also. After that visit Dangmal Crocodile Breeding and Research center. Look for different crocodiles kept there. Visit the Interpretation cum Museum also. Return back to the Resort. Have your lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the surrounding nature’s beauty and paddy field. In the late afternoon visit the local Jagannath temple to participate in the Aarti Darshan. Overnight stay will be at Bhitarkanika (Dangmal / Gupti / Khola).

After breakfast, I drove to Bhubaneswar. En-route visit through Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri Buddhist circuit, popularly known as Diamond triangle of Odisha. Explore the Stupas, Chaityas, Viharas etc. Lalitgiri is the oldest Buddhist complex of the state and one of the earliest Buddhist establishments of the world. Must visit the museum at Ratnagiri & Lalitgiri. Check-in to the hotel. Overnight stay will be at Bhubaneswar.

After breakfast visit to Lingaraj temple (the biggest temple in Bhubaneswar non-Hindu are not allowed inside the temple premises), Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain caves, Nandan Kanan Zoological Park (Closed on Monday). En route visit to Dhauli Buddhist shanti stupa, Pipli applique village market, on arrival at Puri check-in to the hotel. Overnight stay will be at Puri.

In the morning visit the Lord Jagannath Temple built in 15th Century AD and crowned with Vishnu’s wheel & flag dominate the landscape at Puri and also visit the famous Sun Temple at Konark and enjoy the serenity of Chandrabhaga beach nearby. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a long stretch of golden beach, shallow enough to walk out a long distance, with superb surf. Evening free for shopping at Sea seaside where you can get some unique ornaments & showpieces made by Shell. Overnight stay will be at Puri.

During the morning , relax on the beach of Puri. After breakfast proceed to Chilika, en-route visit through Raghurajpur the heritage craft village. On arrival and check-in at the hotel. After a fresh up visit Chilika Lagoon at Barkul. Enjoy the motor boat ride (at your own cost) in the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia and explore Nalabana bird’s sanctuary (popular for migratory birds), Kalijai Island and temple. Return to the hotel for the rest of the time at leisure. Overnight stay will be at Chilika.

After Breakfast, Check out from the Hotel and proceed to Gopalpur. It is a sleepy hamlet that betrays no traces of its glorious past. The ruins of an old port speak of a time that won Gopalpur its prominent place in Odisha’s history. Enroute visit Maa Taratarini Mandir (the legendary temple on the hillock). On arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay will be at Gopalpur.

After breakfast, drive to Chandragiri, a Tibetan refugee colony known as Mini Tibet, situated in between the lush green forest – a unique Destination for the Buddhist, where we can visit Jirang Monastery, one of the largest Buddhist Monasteries in Southeast Asia. Later Proceed to Taptapani the hot sulphur water spring. On the way back to Gopalpur visit Padmanabhpur cotton Sari weaving village. Evening free for independent activities. Overnight stay will be at Gopalpur.

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and take the departure transfers to Bhubaneswar Airport / Railway Station for your onward journey.