Experience the remarkable indigenous cultures, traditional villages, weekly markets, handicrafts and landscapes of Eastern and Central India with our Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour – 14 Nights / 15 Days.
This extensive cultural journey combines the tribal heartlands of southern Odisha with the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, creating an ideal itinerary for travellers who want to explore beyond conventional tourist destinations.
Starting from Bhubaneswar, the journey takes you through Baliguda, Rayagada, Chatikona, Jeypore, Onukudelli, Koraput and tribal villages of southern Odisha before continuing through Balangir, Kanker, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Raipur and Sirpur.
Along the way, travellers can explore regions associated with indigenous communities including the Kutia Kondh, Dongria Kondh, Bonda, Gadaba, Paroja, Dhuruba, Saura, Gond and Maria, while also discovering traditional handicrafts, village life, weekly markets, forests, waterfalls and archaeological heritage.
If you are visiting Odisha's tribal regions for the first time, our Complete Odisha Tribal Tourism Guide provides useful background on the communities, villages, weekly markets and travel regions covered during the Odisha portion of this journey.
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Tour Type: Tribal, Cultural, Village & Heritage Tour
Starting Point: Bhubaneswar
Ending Point: Bhubaneswar
States Covered: Odisha & Chhattisgarh
Best Time: October to March
Tour Style: Private & Customizable
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Highlights of the Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour
Explore Two Major Tribal Regions in One Journey
Experience the cultural diversity of both southern Odisha and Chhattisgarh's Bastar region in a single comprehensive itinerary.
Visit Traditional Weekly Markets
Experience colourful rural markets such as Chatikona, Onukudelli and Kunduli, subject to their weekly schedules and your travel dates.
Discover the Bonda & Gadaba Regions
Travel to the Onukudelli and Koraput-Jeypore regions and visit areas associated with the Bonda and Gadaba communities.
Explore the Niyamgiri Region
Visit Chatikona, near the Niyamgiri Hills, and experience the wider cultural landscape associated with Dongria Kondh and other communities living in the region.
Discover Bastar's Tribal Culture
Travel through Kanker, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur and Narayanpur to experience the distinctive cultural landscape of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.
Experience Bastar Handicrafts
Visit artisan areas and workshops around Kondagaon and Bastar, known for traditional metalwork and other regional handicrafts.
Visit Chitrakote Falls
Experience spectacular Chitrakote Falls, one of the major natural attractions of the Bastar region.
Explore Sirpur's Ancient Heritage
Complete the Chhattisgarh portion of the journey with a visit to Sirpur, an important archaeological and historical destination.
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Detailed 14 Nights / 15 Days Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour Itinerary
THE JOURNEY
Day 1: Arrival in Bhubaneswar – Tribal Museum & Local Cultural Experience
Welcome to Odisha!
On arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport or Railway Station, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
After check-in and some rest, begin your journey with an introduction to Odisha's indigenous cultures.
Visit Odisha State Tribal Museum
Visit the Odisha State Tribal Museum in Bhubaneswar, an excellent starting point for understanding the cultural diversity of Odisha before travelling into its tribal regions.
The museum introduces visitors to traditional houses, clothing, ornaments, agricultural implements, musical instruments, arts, crafts and everyday objects associated with different indigenous communities of Odisha.
This cultural introduction provides useful background for many of the communities and traditions you will encounter during the journey.
Explore Tribal Handicrafts & Local Markets
Depending on your arrival time, explore selected handicraft outlets or local markets in Bhubaneswar.
Browse traditional textiles, jewellery, paintings, bamboo and cane products, wooden crafts and other locally made products.
Return to your hotel and relax.
Overnight stay: Bhubaneswar
THE JOURNEY
Day 2: Bhubaneswar – Baliguda – Kutia Kondh Region
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey towards Baliguda in Kandhamal district.
As you travel away from Bhubaneswar, the landscape gradually changes from urban surroundings to agricultural countryside, forests and hills.
Baliguda provides a convenient base for exploring the rural and indigenous cultural landscape of Kandhamal.
Explore the Kutia Kondh Region
Depending on your arrival time, accessibility and local circumstances, visit selected village areas associated with the Kutia Kondh community.
The experience focuses on understanding the rural environment, traditional agricultural practices, village architecture and everyday life.
Visitors should respect residents' privacy and always seek permission before photographing people.
Later, proceed to your accommodation and relax.
Overnight stay: Baliguda
THE JOURNEY
Day 3: Baliguda – Tribal Villages – Rayagada
After breakfast, leave Baliguda and begin the scenic journey towards Rayagada, one of the important gateways to the tribal regions of southern Odisha.
Depending on accessibility and local circumstances, selected village stops can be arranged along the route.
Travel through forested countryside, hills, agricultural areas and small rural settlements while experiencing the changing landscapes of southern Odisha.
On arrival in Rayagada, check in to your hotel.
In the evening, your guide can brief you about the following day's journey towards Chatikona and the Niyamgiri region.
Overnight stay: Rayagada
THE JOURNEY
Day 4: Rayagada – Chatikona Weekly Market – Niyamgiri Region – Jeypore
After breakfast, drive towards Chatikona, located near the beautiful Niyamgiri Hills.
Visit Chatikona Weekly Tribal Market
Chatikona is known for its traditional weekly market, where people from villages throughout the surrounding region gather to trade agricultural produce, forest products and everyday necessities.
People from different communities, including Dongria Kondh and other local groups, traditionally visit the market.
Walk through the market and observe seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains, spices, forest produce and other goods being bought and sold.
Weekly markets remain an important part of rural economic and social life in southern Odisha.
Travellers interested in understanding these markets in greater detail can read our guide to 9 Must-See Weekly Tribal Markets in Odisha.
After exploring Chatikona, continue towards Jeypore.
The journey takes you through scenic hills, forests, valleys and agricultural countryside.
Arrive in Jeypore and check in to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Jeypore
THE JOURNEY
Day 5: Jeypore – Onukudelli Weekly Market – Bonda Region – Gadaba Villages – Jeypore
After an early breakfast, drive towards Onukudelli, one of the best-known destinations on Odisha's tribal tourism circuit.
Visit Onukudelli Weekly Market
The Onukudelli weekly market serves numerous villages throughout the surrounding region.
People from the wider Bonda region, together with members of other nearby communities, traditionally visit the market to sell and purchase agricultural produce, forest products and everyday goods.
The Bonda are one of Odisha's distinctive indigenous communities, with a cultural heritage closely associated with the hill regions of southern Odisha.
Travellers who would like to understand the community before visiting can read our detailed Bonda Tribe of Odisha: Culture, Location & Onukudelli Market guide.
Visit Gadaba Villages
After exploring Onukudelli, proceed towards selected Gadaba villages in the wider Koraput-Jeypore region.
Observe the village landscape, traditional houses, agricultural surroundings and everyday rural activities.
The Gadaba community is also associated with distinctive cultural traditions, including the well-known Dhemsa dance tradition.
For travellers particularly interested in village experiences, our Best Tribal Villages to Visit in Odisha guide provides information about other important villages and communities across southern Odisha.
After completing the day's visits, return to Jeypore.
Overnight stay: Jeypore
THE JOURNEY
Day 6: Jeypore – Kunduli Weekly Market – Koraput
After breakfast, drive towards Kunduli.
Visit Kunduli Weekly Market
Explore the traditional weekly market where people from numerous surrounding villages gather to sell vegetables, agricultural produce and everyday goods.
People belonging to different communities from the wider region, including Paroja and other local groups, may visit the market.
The experience provides another opportunity to understand the importance of weekly markets in the social and economic life of rural southern Odisha.
Continue to Koraput
After visiting Kunduli, proceed towards Koraput.
Depending on available time, visit the famous Jagannath Temple of Koraput, popularly known as Sabara Srikhetra.
A tribal museum or cultural centre may also be included, subject to opening hours, providing further insight into the traditional clothing, ornaments, tools, crafts and cultural heritage of the region.
Check in to your hotel and relax.
Overnight stay: Koraput
THE JOURNEY
Day 7: Koraput – Dhuruba Tribal Villages – Jeypore
After breakfast, set out to explore selected village areas associated with the Dhuruba community.
Drive through the beautiful countryside of southern Koraput, passing agricultural fields, forests and rural settlements.
Visit Dhuruba Villages
With the assistance of a local guide, visit selected villages and learn about the rural environment, traditional agriculture, settlement patterns and everyday village life.
The exact villages visited may change according to accessibility, local circumstances and community preferences.
After completing the village experience, drive back to Jeypore.
Spend the evening at leisure and prepare for the next phase of your journey towards western Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Overnight stay: Jeypore
THE JOURNEY
Day 8: Jeypore – Rayagada – Saura Region – Balangir
After breakfast, check out and begin the long journey towards Balangir.
Travel through the interior landscapes of Odisha, passing Rayagada and other rural areas along the route.
Explore the Saura Cultural Region
Depending on the selected route, available time and local circumstances, stops may be arranged in areas associated with Saura communities.
The Saura are among Odisha's important indigenous communities and are particularly known for their distinctive artistic traditions.
Where appropriate, selected village visits can provide an opportunity to learn about rural architecture, agriculture and traditional cultural practices.
Continue towards Balangir and check in to your hotel on arrival.
Overnight stay: Balangir
THE JOURNEY
Day 9: Balangir – Nuapada – Kanker, Chhattisgarh
After breakfast, leave Balangir and continue westwards through Nuapada towards the state of Chhattisgarh.
Today's journey marks the transition from the tribal regions of Odisha into the cultural landscape of Chhattisgarh.
Cross into Chhattisgarh and continue towards Kanker.
Introduction to the Gond Cultural Region
Kanker and the surrounding areas form part of a culturally diverse region associated with several indigenous communities, including Gond communities.
Depending on local circumstances and the final route, selected rural or cultural stops can be arranged along the way.
Arrive at Kanker and check in to your accommodation.
Spend the evening relaxing after the journey.
Overnight stay: Kanker
THE JOURNEY
Day 10: Kanker – Kondagaon – Bastar Handicrafts – Jagdalpur
After breakfast, leave Kanker and drive towards Kondagaon, an important centre for traditional handicrafts in the Bastar region.
Explore Bastar Handicrafts
Visit selected artisan workshops or craft centres and learn about traditional forms of craftsmanship associated with the region.
Depending on availability, travellers may have opportunities to observe artisans working with metal, wood or other locally used materials.
Traditional Bastar crafts provide an important connection between indigenous culture, artistic expression and local livelihoods.
Continue to Jagdalpur
After exploring Kondagaon, continue towards Jagdalpur, one of the principal towns and cultural centres of the Bastar region.
On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Depending on available time and the local schedule, explore a market or selected cultural attractions around Jagdalpur.
Overnight stay: Jagdalpur
THE JOURNEY
Day 11: Jagdalpur – Maria Cultural Region – Chitrakote Falls – Jagdalpur
After breakfast, begin a full-day excursion through the cultural and natural landscapes surrounding Jagdalpur.
Explore the Maria Cultural Region
Travel through selected rural areas associated with Maria communities of the wider Bastar region.
Village experiences depend on accessibility and local circumstances and should always be approached respectfully.
The focus is on understanding rural landscapes, village life, agricultural practices and cultural traditions rather than treating communities as staged tourist attractions.
Visit Chitrakote Falls
Later, proceed to the magnificent Chitrakote Falls, one of the most famous natural attractions in Chhattisgarh.
Situated on the Indravati River, the waterfall is particularly impressive when water levels are high.
Spend time enjoying the landscape and photographing the waterfall before returning to Jagdalpur.
Overnight stay: Jagdalpur
THE JOURNEY
Day 12: Jagdalpur – Narayanpur – Tribal Crafts & Villages – Kanker
After breakfast, check out and drive towards Narayanpur.
Narayanpur and the surrounding Bastar region are known for indigenous cultures and traditional craftsmanship.
Explore Narayanpur Region
Depending on local conditions, visit selected craft centres, markets or rural areas around Narayanpur.
Traditional metalwork, jewellery and other handicrafts form an important part of the artistic heritage of the wider Bastar region.
The exact experiences included on this day may be adjusted according to accessibility, local circumstances and your travel dates.
After exploring the region, continue towards Kanker.
Check in to your accommodation and relax.
Overnight stay: Kanker
THE JOURNEY
Day 13: Kanker – Raipur
After breakfast, leave Kanker and drive towards Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh.
The journey gradually takes you from the rural landscapes of the Bastar region towards the state's major urban centre.
Visit Purkhouti Muktangan
Depending on arrival time and opening hours, visit Purkhouti Muktangan, which provides an introduction to the cultural heritage, traditional architecture and communities of Chhattisgarh.
The visit provides useful context after several days travelling through the state's tribal regions.
Later, check in to your hotel.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay: Raipur
THE JOURNEY
Day 14: Raipur – Sirpur – Raipur – Flight to Bhubaneswar
After breakfast, drive towards Sirpur, one of Chhattisgarh's important archaeological and historical destinations.
Explore Sirpur
Discover the archaeological heritage of Sirpur, which contains remains associated with Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions.
Explore selected temples, archaeological sites and historic remains while learning about the long cultural history of the region.
After sightseeing, return to Raipur.
Transfer to Raipur Airport for your flight to Bhubaneswar.
On arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport, our representative will transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Bhubaneswar
THE JOURNEY
Day 15: Bhubaneswar – Departure
After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time depending on your flight or train schedule.
If time permits, explore local markets for handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs or visit any remaining attractions in Bhubaneswar.
Later, check out and transfer to Bhubaneswar Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey.
Your 14 Nights / 15 Days Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour concludes with memories of traditional villages, indigenous cultures, weekly markets, handicrafts, forests, waterfalls and the diverse landscapes of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
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Tour Route at a Glance
Bhubaneswar → Baliguda → Rayagada → Chatikona → Jeypore → Onukudelli → Gadaba Villages → Kunduli → Koraput → Dhuruba Villages → Jeypore → Balangir → Nuapada → Kanker → Kondagaon → Jagdalpur → Chitrakote → Narayanpur → Kanker → Raipur → Sirpur → Raipur → Bhubaneswar
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Tribal Communities & Cultural Regions Covered
Kutia Kondh
The Kandhamal region is associated with communities including the Kutia Kondh. Selected village experiences provide an introduction to the rural landscape, agriculture and settlement patterns of the region.
Dongria Kondh
The Dongria Kondh have a strong cultural connection with the Niyamgiri Hills. Chatikona provides travellers with an opportunity to experience the wider cultural and economic landscape surrounding Niyamgiri.
Bonda
The Bonda are one of Odisha's distinctive indigenous communities. The itinerary visits Onukudelli and the wider Bonda cultural region, subject to market schedules and local circumstances.
Gadaba
The Gadaba community is closely associated with the Koraput region. Selected village visits provide an opportunity to observe rural architecture, agricultural landscapes and aspects of everyday village life.
Dhuruba
The itinerary also includes selected village areas associated with the Dhuruba community in southern Odisha.
Saura
During the journey towards western Odisha, the itinerary may include regions associated with Saura communities, depending on the route and local circumstances.
Gond
After entering Chhattisgarh, the journey passes through regions associated with Gond communities, one of the major indigenous cultural groups represented across Central India.
Maria Communities of Bastar
The Bastar portion of the itinerary provides opportunities to experience the wider cultural landscape associated with Maria communities and other indigenous groups of the region, subject to local circumstances.
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Odisha & Chhattisgarh: Two Distinct Tribal Experiences
Tribal Odisha
The Odisha section concentrates on Kandhamal, Niyamgiri, Rayagada, Koraput and Jeypore, combining weekly markets, villages and communities including the Kutia Kondh, Dongria Kondh, Bonda, Gadaba and Dhuruba.
Tribal Chhattisgarh & Bastar
The Chhattisgarh section introduces travellers to Kanker, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Narayanpur and the wider Bastar region, where indigenous cultures coexist with distinctive handicraft traditions and spectacular natural landscapes.
This combination makes the itinerary particularly suitable for travellers seeking a more extensive tribal and cultural journey through India.
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Important Information About Weekly Tribal Markets
Weekly markets are an important component of the Odisha portion of this itinerary.
Markets such as Chatikona, Onukudelli and Kunduli operate on specific days of the week.
The order of some sightseeing days may therefore need to be adjusted according to your travel dates.
Market schedules and local circumstances can occasionally change, so individual market visits cannot be guaranteed without confirming the relevant travel dates.
We recommend sharing your preferred arrival date with Tourism Orissa before finalizing your flights so that the itinerary can be arranged around the most suitable market days.
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Responsible Tribal Tourism
The communities visited during this journey are living cultures rather than tourist attractions.
Our tours therefore emphasize respectful and responsible travel.
Travellers should always seek permission before taking close-up photographs of people, avoid entering homes or sacred spaces without invitation, and avoid distributing money, sweets or gifts directly to children.
Photography restrictions may apply in some regions, villages, markets or cultural settings. Always follow the advice of your local guide and any applicable local rules.
Village visits are also subject to accessibility, local conditions and community preferences.
Our objective is to create meaningful cultural experiences while respecting the privacy, dignity and traditions of the communities visited.
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Best Time for the Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour
The most comfortable period for this extensive journey is generally October to March.
October to November
The landscapes are often green following the monsoon, making this an attractive period for cultural and landscape photography.
December to February
These months generally provide comfortable temperatures for long road journeys, village visits and outdoor sightseeing.
March
March can also be suitable, although daytime temperatures begin to increase in both Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
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Who Is This Tour Suitable For?
The Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour is particularly suitable for:
- Cultural and experiential travellers
- International visitors
- Photographers
- Researchers and students
- Travellers interested in indigenous arts and crafts
- Small private groups
- Travellers interested in rural India
- Visitors looking for an extensive offbeat journey
Because this itinerary covers a considerable distance and includes several long road journeys, travellers should be comfortable spending significant time travelling by vehicle.
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Accommodation During the Tour
Accommodation is arranged at the major overnight destinations along the route.
The tour generally includes stays in:
- Bhubaneswar: 2 Nights
- Baliguda: 1 Night
- Rayagada: 1 Night
- Jeypore: 3 Nights
- Koraput: 1 Night
- Balangir: 1 Night
- Kanker: 2 Nights
- Jagdalpur: 2 Nights
- Raipur: 1 Night
Hotel standards vary considerably between major cities and remote tribal regions.
We will recommend the best practical accommodation options available according to your budget and travel dates.
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Transportation
A private vehicle can be arranged for the road portion of the entire tour according to the number of travellers.
For a long-distance itinerary such as this, an SUV or Innova Crysta is generally more comfortable for small groups, while a Tempo Traveller can be arranged for larger groups.
The itinerary also includes a Raipur to Bhubaneswar flight on Day 14. Flight availability and airfare should be confirmed separately when booking the tour.
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Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour Package Includes
Package inclusions can be customized according to your requirements and may include:
- Accommodation in selected hotels
- Daily breakfast
- Private vehicle for transfers and sightseeing
- Fuel charges
- Driver allowance
- Toll and parking charges
- Airport/Railway Station transfers
- Local guides where included in the quotation
- Tribal village and market visits as per itinerary
- Tour planning and assistance
The exact inclusions will be clearly mentioned in your customized quotation.
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Package Exclusions
Unless specifically included in the quotation, the package normally excludes:
- Airfare, including Raipur–Bhubaneswar flight
- Train fare
- Lunch and dinner
- Entry fees
- Personal expenses
- Camera or photography charges where applicable
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Expenses resulting from circumstances beyond our control
- Any service not specifically mentioned under package inclusions
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Why Choose This Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour?
This itinerary is designed for travellers who want a deeper and more extensive tribal journey rather than a short introduction to one region.
Over 15 days, you travel from Odisha's tribal heartlands of Kandhamal, Niyamgiri, Rayagada and Koraput into the culturally distinctive Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
The journey combines tribal villages, weekly markets, indigenous arts, traditional handicrafts, rural landscapes, Chitrakote Falls and the archaeological heritage of Sirpur, creating a diverse cultural experience across two states.
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Customize Your Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour
Our 14 Nights / 15 Days Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour can be customized according to your travel dates, interests, hotel preferences and group size.
We can modify the itinerary to place greater emphasis on:
- Tribal villages
- Weekly markets
- Photography
- Traditional handicrafts
- Bastar culture
- Odisha's tribal regions
- Rural landscapes
- Waterfalls and nature
- Archaeological and cultural heritage
- Additional nights in Koraput, Jagdalpur or Bastar
Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers, hotel preference and areas of interest, and Tourism Orissa can prepare a customized itinerary and quotation.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour
How many days are required for an Odisha and Chhattisgarh tribal tour?
A 14 Nights / 15 Days itinerary allows travellers to explore important tribal regions of both Odisha and Chhattisgarh without limiting the journey to only a few destinations.
Which tribal communities are associated with this tour route?
The itinerary travels through regions associated with communities including the Kutia Kondh, Dongria Kondh, Bonda, Gadaba, Dhuruba, Saura, Gond and Maria, among others.
Does the tour include the Bonda region?
Yes. The Odisha portion includes Onukudelli and the wider Bonda cultural region, subject to local circumstances and weekly-market schedules.
Does the tour include tribal markets?
Yes. The itinerary is designed around markets such as Chatikona, Onukudelli and Kunduli, subject to your travel dates and current market schedules.
Does this package include Bastar?
Yes. A significant portion of the Chhattisgarh itinerary explores the Bastar region, including Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakote and Narayanpur.
Is Chitrakote Falls included?
Yes. The itinerary includes a visit to Chitrakote Falls during the stay in Jagdalpur.
Can international travellers book this tour?
Yes. This itinerary is particularly suitable for international and domestic travellers interested in indigenous cultures, rural landscapes, photography, handicrafts and offbeat destinations.
Is photography allowed in tribal villages?
Photography should always be approached respectfully. Permission should be obtained before photographing people, and local photography restrictions must be followed. Your guide can advise you during village and market visits.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation and the weekly-market schedules.
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Book Your Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour
Discover two of India's fascinating tribal and cultural regions in one extensive journey.
Our 14 Nights / 15 Days Odisha & Chhattisgarh Tribal Tour combines the villages and weekly markets of southern Odisha with the handicrafts, indigenous cultures, forests and natural attractions of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.
Send us your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred hotel category and special interests, and we will prepare a customized tour plan and quotation for you.
