ODISHA WILDLIFE TOUR WITH TEMPLES (Bhitarkanika National Park 2N - Bhubaneswar 2N - Puri 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, and 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, and 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 Lingaraj Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples where non-hindu are not allowed inside the temple premises. Later proceed to Udayagiri and Khandagiri Jain caves belonging to 2nd Century BC, & Nandan Kanan which contains a botanical garden and part of it has been declared as a sanctuary famous for its white tiger population (Closed on Monday). Evening you can enjoy shopping at Ekamra Haat buying local handicrafts and other goodies. Overnight stay will be at Bhubaneswar.
After breakfast proceed to Puri. En-route visit Dhauli Buddhist shanti stupa (Peace Pagoda), Pipili (Applique Work Village), Sun temple at Konark (the UNESCO World heritage monument), Chandrabhaga beach. On arrival, check-in to the Hotel. After a fresh-up visit to Lord Jagannath Temple, one of the four pilgrimage sites of Char Dham (Non Hindu are not allowed inside the temple premises. They can be seen from the roof top of Raghunandan library which closed on Sunday). Evening free for shopping at Sea side where you can get some unique ornaments & showpieces made by Shell. Overnight stay will be at Puri.
After breakfast, we started for a day excursion to Chilika Lake (Place called Satapada). It’s famous for Irrawaddy Dolphins. One can enjoy boating at Satpada (at own cost) and visit the lagoon where the lake meets into Bay of Bengal. Evening back to Puri. Overnight stay will be at Puri.
After breakfast checkout from the hotel and transfer to Bhubaneswar Airport / Railway Station for your onward journey.