PURI - BHUBANESWAR - BHITARKANIKA (6N/7D)

Day 1: Arrival Bhubneshwar, transfer to Puri. (1.30hrs)

Upon your arrival at Biju Pattnaik International Airport Bhubneshwar, which is situated around 4 kilometers south-west from Bhubaneswar railway station and 6 kilometers from the city center, you will be transferred to hotel in Puri. If time permits, enroute visit Dhauli Peace Pagoda & Pipili applique work village. Later transfer to Puri and check in to hotel. Evening at leisure, Overnight at Puri.

Dhauli or Dhauligiri is a hill located on the banks of the river Daya, 8 km south of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. It's known for Dhauli Santi Stupa, a peace pagoda monument which witnesses the great Kalinga War built by Japan Budhha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Budhha Sangha.

Day 2: Darshan of Mahaptrabhu Shree Jaggannath Ji and visit to sea beach.

After breakfast, visit Shree Jagannath Temple and thereafter, you can visit the beach. The Puri beach lies on the banks of Bay of Bengal, which is one of the Hindus sacred places. The distance that needs to cover for reaching the Puri beach from Puri Jagannath temple is 1.7 km, and it requires 9 mins journey if you enter through the Gachhakali line. Return to the hotel,

Overnight stay in Puri Hotel.

Day 3: Satapada, Chilika Lake Tour (1.5 hr drive)

After breakfast, visit Satpada.

Satapada is a town in Puri district, Odisha, India. In Odia sata means "seven" and pada means "village", so Satapada means group of seven villages. It is located 50 kilometers away from Puri. Satapada on Chilika is home to the rare species of dolphins i.e. Irrawaddy dolphin. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the hotspot of biodiversity in the country, and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened Animals inhabit the Lake area for at least part of their life cycle. Return to the hotel, overnight stay in Puri Hotel.

Day 4: Konark Sun Temple, Lingaraja Temple and Nandankanan Zoological Park - Bhubaneswar

After breakfast check out from Puri and transfer to Bhubaneswar. Enroute visit Konark Sun Temple, which is a 13th-century CE Sun temple at Konark, about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri city, on the coastline in Puri district, Odisha, India. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE.

Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, India. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state. Nandankanan Zoological Park is a 437-hectare zoo and botanical garden in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Established in 1960, it was opened to the public in 1979 and became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009.

Evening check in to your hotel at Bhubaneswar and overnight stay.

Day 5: Bhubaneswar - Bhitarkanika 

After breakfast transfer to Bhitarkanika National Park (175 km / about 4.5 hours drive).

Afternoon visit nearby village or relax on the Bank of River Bramhani.

Bhitarkanika, lying in the estuarine region of Brahmani-Baitarani rivers in the North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara district of Orissa, is the second largest viable mangrove eco-system of India. This huge area of mangrove forests and wetland is intersected by a network of creeks with Bay of Bengal on the East. It houses some 215 species of birds, including wetland migrants from central-Asia and Europe, menacing salt water or estuarine crocodiles, and a lot of other fauna species like spotted deer, hyenas, fish cats, leopard cats, and big monitor lizards.

This is one of best spots for wildlife and nature lovers. It is a heaven for bird watchers, ornithologists and wildlife and nature photographers. Those who believe in visiting real remote villages of India, Bhitarkanika is an obvious choice, for it is surrounded by a large number of villages – a must visit for those who think of rural tourism. 

Day 6: Bhitarkanika National Park

After Breakfast transfer to Khola forest Gate to board on boat for Mangrove Forest Safari. Enjoy serpentine creeks, watch out for birds, particularly different varieties of Kingfishers, egrets, Bramhani Kites, eagles etc. Get down at Bagagahan Bird Sanctuary. Climb the watch Tower. Look for Pelicans and different types of Storks. Visit Bhitarkanika Forest Block. Check out Old Temple, Lotus Pond, Hunting Tower of yesteryear rulers. Climb the Watch Tower. 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 Interpretation cum Museum also. Back to your Resort before lunch and experience the amazing sunset on river Bramhani.

Overnight stay at your resort at Bhitarkanika. 

Day 7: Bhitarkanika National Park -  Check out and airport drop (Bhubaneswar)

After breakfast, get transferred to Biju Pattnaik International Airport Bhubneshwar for your onward journey.