Depart early from Rayagada in the two Ertigas to make the most of the day; load pre-packed breakfast and tea for a quick roadside picnic near the Ghuntai or Kolab river stretch before entry. Arrive at Bahalda/Jashipur outskirts by mid-morning and check in at the budget guesthouse or eco-hut; take a short guided nature walk toward Patkel or Khairiburu watch-points to spot birds, butterflies and the park’s lush sal and bamboo forests.
After a self-cooked, family-style lunch at the guesthouse or a shaded picnic spot, drive into Similipal buffer zones for a gentle jeep/tempo-traveler ride (arranged locally) to view waterfalls like Joranda or Barehipani from permitted viewpoints. Let children explore a supervised nature trail and visit a local tribal market in Bahalda/Jashipur for handicrafts and fresh seasonal fruit — a chance to interact with villagers and pick up simple souvenirs.
Return to your budget stay by sunset and prepare a communal, self-cooked barbecue or mixed-vegetable thali in the open courtyard (use locally sourced ingredients bought earlier). Wind down with a group storytelling session or soft folk-music by a small portable speaker under the stars, then finalize plans for the next day’s drive toward Ghatagaon and Dublagudi Beach.
Pack the two Ertigas after an early, communal breakfast at your Similipal guesthouse and drive toward Ghatagaon, arriving mid-morning to visit the local Ghatagaon market and the small temple precincts where families can buy fresh produce and tribal snacks for the day’s picnic. Take a short detour to the nearby Kanjipani or local village viewpoints for panoramic views of the plains — kids can play while adults prepare a simple self-cooked tiffin using the produce you purchased.
Head onward to Dublagudi Beach for a relaxed seafront picnic — set up on the sandy stretch, swim where safe, fly kites, and organize group games; use portable stoves or prepped barbecue ingredients for a communal low-cost seafood/vegetarian lunch sourced from local vendors in Ghatagaon. After lunch, stroll along the shoreline collecting shells, photograph the fishermen’s boats, and, time permitting, visit the nearby fishing village to learn about local coastal life and buy affordable snacks for the drive.
Leave Dublagudi by late afternoon to begin the drive toward Puri, stopping en route at roadside viewpoints or small dhabas for tea and short breaks so everyone stays comfortable in the Ertigas. Arrive near Puri by early evening and check into budget lodgings or community guesthouses; finish the day with a light, self-cooked dinner together and a quick briefing about the next day’s temple, Chilika, and Taratarini plans to keep continuity and energy for day three.
Start early from your Puri budget guesthouse with a light self-cooked breakfast and head straight to the Rath Yatra precinct and the tranquil beachfront near the Puri Jagannath Temple for a brief darshan and shoreline walk; let the children play on the golden sand while elders enjoy the sea breeze and local prasad snacks. By mid-morning, drive south toward the Taratarini Temple on the Rushikulya River—stop at scenic viewpoints en route and visit the hilltop shrine to experience the coastal temple rituals and panoramic river-valley vistas.
After darshan, continue to Chilika Lake’s Satpada/Chilika Bird Sanctuary area for a lakeside picnic and a rented boat trip on the brackish lagoon to spot dolphins and migratory birds; prepare a simple communal lunch using fresh fish or vegetarian options bought from local vendors near Satpada or Rambha. Spend time exploring the Nalabana bird island by boat (season permitting), photograph flamingos and pelicans, and allow the group to visit the local fishing hamlets to learn about lagoon life and buy inexpensive smoked fish or handicrafts for souvenirs.
Begin the return drive to Rayagada in the late afternoon with tea and quick snack breaks at clean roadside dhabas near Berhampur to keep the group refreshed; share highlights from the trip and pack leftover food for the ride. Arrive back in Rayagada by late evening, unload the Ertigas, and end the day with a final communal self-cooked light meal at home or at the stay—exchange photos and memories, distribute any purchased souvenirs, and confirm travel logistics for everyone’s onward plans.