5-Day Itinerary for Odisha in July 2023

1. Day 1: Discover Bhubaneswar
   15 minutes (5.6km) from Biju Patnaik International Airport

   Visit the Lingaraj Temple in the morning, a splendid example of ancient Kalinga architecture. In the afternoon, explore the Mukteswara Temple, famous for its exquisite carvings and sculptures. End the day by visiting the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, dating back to the 2nd century BCE, and witness the incredible rock-cut architecture.

2. Day 2: Konark Sun Temple and Puri Beach
   2 hours (64km) from Bhubaneswar

   Start the day early with a visit to the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of ancient Orissan architecture. Enjoy the scenic drive to Puri Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the region, and try some of the local seafood. In the evening, attend the Sand Art Festival and see some incredible sand sculptures.

3. Day 3: Chilika Lake and Raghurajpur Artist Village
   1 hour 30 minutes (50km) from Puri Beach

   Explore the stunning Chilika Lake, the largest lagoon in India and home to a variety of migratory birds. Take a boat ride and watch the playful Irrawaddy dolphins. In the afternoon, visit the Raghurajpur Artist Village and see the wonderful Pattachitra paintings made by local artists.

4. Day 4: Dhauli Hill and Khandagiri-Udayagiri Caves
   30 minutes (10km) from Bhubaneswar

   Take a morning stroll at Dhauli Hill, a significant Buddhist site and marvel at the Shanti Stupa. Have lunch at the nearby Dhauli Peace Restaurant, which serves delicious local cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Khandagiri-Udayagiri Caves again and explore the Jain rock-cut shelters and monasteries.

5. Day 5: Cuttack and Netaji Birthplace Museum
   1 hour (28km) from Bhubaneswar

   Visit Cuttack, the former capital of Odisha and explore the Barabati Fort, the oldest fort in the region. In the afternoon, visit the Netaji Birthplace Museum, dedicated to the life and legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent freedom fighter and nationalist leader. End the trip with some shopping at the local markets.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, visit the Kalinga Stadium, a prominent sports venue and home to many national and international events. Take a day trip to the nearby Satkosia Tiger Reserve and witness the incredible flora and fauna. To maximise your fun, try some of the local street food, especially the chaats and dahivadas.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Lingaraj Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Mukteswara Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves (2 hours, INR 25)
• Konark Sun Temple (2 hours, INR 40)
• Puri Beach (3 hours, Free)
• Chilika Lake (4 hours, INR 1000 for boat ride)
• Raghurajpur Artist Village (2 hours, Free)
• Dhauli Hill (1 hour, Free)
• Khandagiri-Udayagiri Caves (2 hours, INR 25)
• Cuttack (2 hours, Free)
• Netaji Birthplace Museum (1 hour, INR 10)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 110

Check https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo for hotel and flight prices.