Grand ethnic tour: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha & Chhattisgarh
€3590
per person
A 22-day itinerary in the heart of the indigenous regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. A journey with a human touch, promoting enriching encounters and responsible tourism.
This trip will begin in Andhra Pradesh, where you will spend time with the indigenous people of the Araku Valley who manage the coffee plantations. You will be accompanied by Pratiksha, who, with her husband, has created an organic farm and works directly with the local people.
Your journey will continue in Odisha, where you will meet other fascinating communities such as the Kondh, Bhumiya, Ghadava, Paraja, and Bondas, to name a few.
The final part of your journey will take place in Chhattisgarh, another state with many indigenous peoples. There, you will spend several days with the Dhurwa community, in a remote village in Kanger National Park. You will learn about their traditions and customs. Continuing our journey through Chhattisgarh, you will also meet the Muria, the Dandami Maria, the Baiga, the Gond, and the intriguing Ramnamis, whose entire bodies are tattooed with the iteration राम (Ram).
A little glimpse of your stay in the village of Dhurwa (Chhattisgarh)
WHEN TO VISIT ANDHRA PRADESH, ODISHA & CHHATTISGARH? The best time to visit is from October to March.
The price indicated above is an estimated price. As we only offer tailor-made services, this budget depends on several factors (choice of services, number of people, type of car, time of year, etc.); the only valid price is that of your personalised quote (free).
THIS STAY INCLUDES:
- Accommodation in double occupancy in 3-star hotel and homestay.
- All breakfasts and full board for the stay within the Dhurwa community.
- All transportation by INNOVA AC car with a driver who speaks basic English (taxes, fuel, accommodation, and driver’s meals included).
- English-speaking guide throughout the trip in the 3 states.
- Trek around Dhurwa village.
- Trek in the Araku Valley.
- Visit to coffee plantations with Patiksha.
- Dandami Maria bison dance.
- Interstate taxes.
- Permit for certain tribal areas of Odisha.
- 24/7 assistance.We are available. permanent contact with you.
THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Meals other than those mentioned in the inclusions.
- Any personal expenses.
- Tips.
- Anything not listed in “included”
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ETHNIC / PHOTOGRAPHY
Discovery of the indigenous region of Bastar, its heritage and its culture through the visit of historical monuments and the meeting with the adivasi peoples combined with the extravagant festival of Dussehra.
10 days
CULTURE / ETHNIC
A journey to discover the ancient temples of Chhattisgarh (Bhoramdeo, Rajim, Dantewara, Barsoor), its natural sites (Tirathgarh, Chitrakote), and to meet the welcoming indigenous peoples of Bastar.
10 days
Day 1
Arrival at Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
Namaskar! This grand ethnic tour begins in Andhra Pradesh. Our driver will warmly welcome you at Vizag Airport and take you to your hotel located on one of the city's beaches.
Overnight in Vizag
Day 2
Visite de Visakhapatnam
This day is dedicated to visiting the places of interest in Visakhapatnam.
*
We will first head to the Hindu temple of Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy, located in the Simhachalam Hills, 20 km from Vizag. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu in his form of Varaha Narasimha (half-lion, half-human). The temple, which blends Kalinga, Chalukya, Kakatiya, and Great Chola architectural styles, resembles a fortress from the outside, with three outer courtyards and five gates.*
We will then continue to the Buddhist sites of Bavikonda & Thotlakonda, which are among the oldest in India (3rd century BCE - 2nd century CE). These complexes still have various visible structures, including maha stupas, votive stupas, bhojanasalas (dining halls), pakasalas (kitchens), chaitya grihas (congregation halls), viharas, and paved pathways. It is believed that each of these two centers housed over 100 monks practicing Hinayana Buddhism.*
After visiting these sites, we will drive along the coast to your hotel to admire the region's unspoiled beaches. Overnight in Visakhapatnam.Day 3
Visakhapatnam - Araku
We depart for the lush Araku Valley, located in the Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 900 to 1,400 meters above sea level. The Araku Valley is famous for its coffee plantations managed by local ethnic communities.
Overnight stay at a resort in the Araku Valley.
Day 4
Araku, coffee plantations & Adivasis
You will spend the day meeting the people of the valley in their villages and on their coffee plantations.
You will be accompanied by Pratiksha, who has created an eco-friendly farm and works directly with the Araku tribes.
Overnight at a resort in the Araku Valley.
Day 5
Araku, Borra caves, tribal Museum
Today we will visit the Araku region.
*
We will first visit the Borra Caves located in the Anantagiri Hills. A million years old, they feature remarkable stalagmite and stalactite formations.*
We will cross the Anantagiri Hills, which offer a beautiful panorama of undulating valleys on one side and coffee plantations on the other. Depending on the season, we will stop to observe several waterfalls.*
We will then visit the Raku Tribal Museum, whose aim is to educate visitors about the ancestral culture of the valley's tribes (about twenty in total). You will be able to see a series of photographs depicting a traditional wedding ceremony. Overnight at a resort in the Araku ValleyDay 6
Araku, trek to Jindhagada peak
Jindhagada is the highest peak in Andhra Pradesh, reaching an altitude of 1,690 m. You'll embark with a guide on a moderate 20 km round-trip trek that crosses several coffee plantations and offers breathtaking views of the Eastern Ghats.
[Option: Stay overnight in a tent at the summit]
Overnight stay at a resort in the Araku Valley
Day 7
Araku - Koraput
We leave the verdant Araku Valley and cross the border into Odisha. We stop in Koraput for more wonderful encounters with the locals.
Overnight in Koraput
Day 8
Kuvi kondh village & Mali - Paraja Market - Koraput
Today, we'll meet the Kuvi Kondh tribe in their remote village deep in the thick Kumbhikota forest. The Kondh women are renowned for their geometric tattoos all over their faces.
*
Then, in the afternoon, in the Koraput jungle, we'll meet the Mali tribe. Overnight in KoraputDay 9
Koraput - Dhuruba & Bhumiya Villages - Jeypore
Today, we head to Jeypore for more ethnic encounters: the Dhuruba tribal community in their village in the Gupteswar mountain range and the Bhumiya people in their village in the Boriguma jungle.
Overnight in Jeypore
Day 10
Jeypore - Ollar Gadhava - Jeypore
We will drive through the Kaveri jungle to meet the fascinating Ollar Gadhava people. The Gadhava tribe is believed to have originated in the Ramayana period, when they lived on the banks of the Godavari River.
The Gadhava women wear a Kerang sari and adorn themselves with elaborate brass and aluminum jewelry.
Overnight in Jeypore
Day 11
Jeypore - Boraparaja Village - Paraja Market - Nandapur - Jeypore
Aujourd'hui, nous rencontrerons la communauté tribale Boraparaja dans leur village isolé de la jungle de Koraput.
Nous visiterons également le marché hebdomadaire des Paraja dans la forêt de Nandapur.
Nuit à Jeypore
Day 12
Jeypore - Bonda Market (Onkadelly) - Gadaba village - Jagdalpur
We'll begin our journey early in the morning to meet one of Odisha's most unique and colorful peoples: the Bondas at their weekly market in Onkadelly. We'll then visit the remote village of the Gadabas, a Tibeto-Burmese community.
*
We'll then enter the state of Chhattisgarh. Overnight in JagdalpurDay 13
Jagdalpur - Bansoor - Dandami Maria and Batra Villages & Batra Market
This first day in Chhattisgarh will be dedicated to visiting temples and cultural sites in Dantewara, south of Bastar, such as the famous shrine of the protective goddess Danteshwari and the archaeological site of Bansoor with its magnificent twin statues of Ganesha.
*
On the way back, we will stop in an Adivasi village to witness the fascinating buffalo dance performed by the Dandami Maria community.*
We will also visit a Batra village and its weekly market. Return and overnight stay in Jagdalpur.Day 14
Stay with the Dhurwa community
We will spend two days in the heart of the Dhurwa community in a small village in the middle of the jungle. You will stay in a cozy room in a local's home.
This will be an enriching experience where you will be able to experience firsthand the traditions and customs of this people.
*
The Dhurwa (also known as the Parji) are a subgroup of the Gonds, the largest tribal group in India. Today, the Dhurwa inhabit the east-central part of Bastar district and extend into parts of Odisha, particularly south of the Indrawati River.Day 15
Stay with the Dhurwa community
Continue your stay with the Dhurwa family. Immerse yourself in village life and hike to discover the surrounding area, its dense forest, and its secret waterfalls.
*
Delicious meals will be cooked on-site over a wood fire using local produce, accompanied by a few Adivasi beverages. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in the village.Day 16
Dhurwa Village - Raj Maria Village - Tirathgarh Waterfalls - Jagdalpur
We will bid farewell to the Dhurwa community and head out to visit a Raj Maria village and Kangar Ghati National Park to admire the Tirathgarh waterfalls.
Overnight in Jagdalpur
Day 17
Jagdalpur - Chitrakoot Waterfalls - Muria Village - Kondagaon
Today, we'll head to Kondagaon and stop at the beautiful Chitrakote Waterfalls, sometimes called "the Niagara Falls of India." We'll also visit a village to meet the Muria community and visit their "Gotul" in Narayanpur.
Overnight in Kondagaon.
Day 18
Kondagaon - Yadav Village - Rajim Temples - Sourinarayan
In the morning, we will take an excursion to admire the prehistoric rock art in Gotitolla and Udkuda and also meet the Yadav people in their village.
*
In the afternoon, we will visit the ancient temples of Rajim, then continue to Sourinarayan. Overnight stay in Sourinarayan.Day 19
Sourinarayan - Ramnami people - Bilaspur
Today, we will meet a very special people: the Ramnamis.
The Ramnamis have their entire bodies and faces tattooed with the iteration राम (Ram).
There are several theories about the origin of this practice within this community, but all point to one thing: their unwavering devotion to the Hindu god Rama.
We will then continue to Bilaspur.
Overnight in Bilaspur
Day 20
Bilaspur - Gond village - Chilipi
Departure for Chilipi. Along the way, we'll stop in a Gond village.
Overnight in an eco-cottage
Day 21
Chilipi - Baiga village - Chilipi
Around Chilipi, we'll meet the Baigas, whose women wear a symmetrical horizontal tattoo on either side of their forehead like a headband. We'll also visit their weekly market near Taragaon.
Spend the night in an eco-cottage.
Day 22
Chilipi - Bhoramdeo Temple - Yadav Village - Raipur
Departure for Raipur for the final leg of this journey. En route, we'll stop at Bhoramdeo, a temple dating back to the 11th-12th centuries CE, featuring intricate carvings and scenes from the Kamasutra.
*
We'll then stop at a village belonging to the Yadav community.*
Arriving in Raipur at the end of the day, we'll drop you off at your hotel. End of the journey with us. Namaskar.