Culture Tour of Eastern India

Duration:

12 Nights / 13 Days

Destination Covered:

Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark-Chilika Lake-Puri-Bhubaneswar-Gaya-Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodhgaya-Vaishali-Patna-Kolkata

Reviews

  • India Real Heritage Destinations ! Our tour was well organized and amazing. It was very quick and easy to work with our tour manager Mr. Pragya Chandra. Travel docket was well prepared with all of the details and information we needed, plus recommendations and suggestions. Our driver Anil was excellent, especially in India’s busy streets! He was very pleasant, respectful and always on time. We would love to have him as our driver again. Jodi Parker and Family, United States of America, January 2015
  • A wonderful travel agency! My son and I had a wonderful trip along with a fantastic driver and guide. I appreciate the care and attention you had given us in coming up with our itinerary. Thank you so much for your all positive effort! John, New York, USA, January 2015
  • Rapid Golden Triangle I had a wonderful experience in Golden Triangle Tour of North India! Everything was pre plan according to my itinerary, taken care of and I still felt I had the freedom to do what I wanted. I got to see and do so much more than had I tried to do this trip solo. Excellent recommendations from my tour desirner who made us program adaptable to my wishes and price range. My driver was knowledgeable about each locations and gave great suggestions on activities for me (photography related) Echo Blum, United Kingdom, December 2014
  • Nature and culture of Beyond with Sri Lanka I wanted to thank you for all your help in assisting with planning our India Beyond with Srilanka journey. We had a fantastic time in this tour package and our complaint is that our time in Sri Lanka was too short !!! we really enjoyed our holiday, once again thank you for all your help. Emir Avdic, Australia October 2014
  • The trip was great! Everything worked very well The travel itself was well elaborated, the hotels were very well equilibration, from the more basic ones to the luxury resorts as the Dune or the Taj Malabar in Cochin. A very special experience was the trip on the boat (Spice Coast Cruises) -> simply great!
    Also a very big compliment for Shiva, our driver. He was someone we could fully rely upon
    As a summary we were extremely satisfied with the travel and the organization from Shanti Travel.
    Thank you very much for your support, give her our warm regards. Claudia Reinhardt, German, September 2014
  • Rajasthan Royal Fantastic “Very happy with the trip. Rohit Poddar, our Tour Designer was very efficient and thorough! Accommodation was great and we’d like to travel again with Crocus Travel.” Michael, UK, Rajasthan, August 2014
  • Golden Triangle India “Awesome experience! Everything was taken care of & I still felt I had the freedom to do what I wanted. I got to do so much more than had I tried to do this trip solo. Excellent recommendations always !” Miriam, Spain, July 2014
Tour Description

Overview

‘Culture Tour of Eastern India’ is well designed itinerary which gives you the chance to explore the major cities of Odisha and Bihar. The Destinations and regions covered in this Tour have extreme religious as well as cultural Importance. The Tour begins from the capital city of Odisha i.e. Bhubaneswar and ends at the Capital city of the state of Bihar. The Tour offers an opportunity to witness some of the famous World Heritage Sites listed under UNESCO. Apart from this you will also get the chance to explore the major attractions of Kolkata as well. The duration of the tour is 12 nights and 13 days, covering the places such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark, Chilika Lake, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Vaishali and Patna.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Bhubaneswar

Upon arrival at Bhubaneshwar at Airport / Railway Station, meet our representative then proceed to the hotel. Check-in to your pre-booked Hotel. Later proceed for Bhubaneswar sightseeing tour with our Tour Representative to see the popular sites such as Lingaraj Temple, Parashurameswar Temple, Dhauli, Nadankanan zoo. After sightseeing return back to your Hotel and relax.

Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar

Day 02: Bhubaneswar (Excursion Tour of Diamond Triangle of Odisha)

After Breakfast, proceed for Diamond Triangle Excursion Tour that encompasses Lalitgiri, Udaigiri and Ratnagiri. Lalitgiri is amongst the major Buddhist complexes in Odisha consist of rarefied Stupas, Buddha Images and monasteries and is one of the oldest site here. Lalitgiri along with Ratnagiri and Udaigiri sites is now a part of Pushpagiri University situated on a hilltop. The tour to these three complexes is known as Diamond Triangle of Odisha.  Many important relics related to Buddha have been found here and Tantric Buddhism is also observed to be practiced at this site. At the end of the Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Evening free for Leisure

Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar

Day 03: Bhubaneswar – Puri (Distance Approx 100 Kms)

Check-out from the Hotel after your breakfast and proceed further to Puri, also known as JagannathPuri for being a home to the 11th Century Jagannath Temple. Puri is amongst the seven holiest places as per Hindu mythology. Upon your arrival at Puri, check-in at your pre-reserved Hotel and relax. Later begin your Puri sightseeing tour by visiting the famous Shree JagannathPuri Temple and later proceed to Puri beach and experience the fine white sand and observe the devotees taking a holy dip for the purification. The beach sustained to be a revered place for numerous pilgrims who visit here to pay reverence to Lord Jagannath. At the end of the Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Overnight at Puri

Day 04: Puri – Konark Sun Temple (Excursion Tour)

After breakfast proceed for an excursion tour to Konark Sun Temple, stands amongst the most spectacular monuments and a true magnum-opus with religious significance.  Konark Temple was built by King Narsimhadeva in the 13th Century and is designed in the shape of huge Chariot with twelve Wheels and seven horses hauling Lord Sun across heaven. At the end of the Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Overnight stay in Puri

Day 05: Puri – Chilika Lake (Excursion Tour)

After breakfast proceed for an excursion tour to Chilika Lake, one of the most important wetlands in the world and a home to exceptional varieties of Birds. Chilika Lake fascinates numerous migratory birds like ospreys, flamingos, sea eagles, golden plovers, shovellers and pelicans etc from distant countries.  During the Tour, visit the holy Kalijai Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and is situated on an island in Chilika Lake.  At the end of Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Overnight stay in Puri

Day 06: Puri – Bhubaneswar - Gaya (Bodhgaya) (By flight)

Check-out from the Hotel after your breakfast and proceed to Bhubaneswar Airport for onward flight to Gaya (Bodhgaya).  Upon your arrival at Gaya Airport, receive greetings from our Tour Representative followed with check-in at your pre-reserved Hotel.  Rest of the day has been kept free, you may choose to relax in the Hotel or explore the surrounding places.

Overnight stay in Gaya

Day 07: Gaya (Bodhgaya)

After breakfast proceed for Gaya (Bodhgaya) sightseeing tour and visit the popular attractions such as Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Chankramana and Lotus Tank. Bodhgaya is a religious and pilgrimage site and is associated with Gautama Buddha and for being a home to the famous Mahabodhi Temple.  It is believed that Gautama Buddha had acquired supreme enlightenment (Bodhimandala) here beneath the famous Bodhi Tree. Bodhgaya is amongst the four prime pilgrimage sites in Buddhist religion and means to Buddhist as what Mecca means to Muslims. Mahabodhi Temple was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 2002. Later visit the 80 Ft tall Mahatma Buddha Statue along with other sites as Chankramana and Lotus Tank.  At the end of the Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Overnight stay in Gaya

Day 08: Gaya – Rajgir – Nalanda - Bodhgaya (Excursion Tour)

After Breakfast, proceed for an excursion Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir was the ancient flourished capital of Magadha Empire in the 6th Century B.C. and is associated with Gautama Buddha and Lord Mahavira which sanctified the region. Rajgir is a hill town and is located amidst the by seven beautiful hills and is also popular for numerous Hot Springs. Later proceed to Nalanda founded in 5th Century A.D. Upon your arrival at Nalanda, visit the ruins of one of the most ancient Universities of the World.  The relics of Hieun Tsang from 7th Century A.D. describes the excellence in Education system at the ancient Nalanda University also considered as the first Residential University of the world with around 2000 teachers and around 10,000 monks who lived and studied here.  At the end of the Tour, return to your Hotel and relax.

Evening free for Leisure

Overnight stay in Gaya

Day 09: Gaya – Vaishali - Patna (By Road-175 Kilometres)

Check-out from the Hotel after your breakfast and proceed to Patna, the capital city of the Indian state of Bihar. En-route you will visit Vaishali, a region with an impressive historical past and now an important archeological site. On arrival at Vaishali, visit the popular sites such as Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar, Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa and the Fort of King Vishal.  Later drive continues to Patna.  Upon your arrival at Patna, check-in at your pre-reserved Hotel and relax.  Rest day is free for Leisure

Overnight stay in Patna

Day 10: Patna - Kolkata (By flight)

After having an early breakfast and get transferred to the airport to board a flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, get transferred to the hotel.  Check in at your pre-booked hotel. Rest day is free at leisure. You may explore the market and test the street food.

Stay overnight in Kolkata.

Day 11: Kolkata Sightseeing

Post breakfast, proceed for the city tour of Kolkata include Victoria Memorial Hall, Howrah Bridge and Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Stay overnight in Kolkata. After sightseeing, return back to the hotel. Evening is free at leisure.

Stay overnight in Kolkata.

Day 12: Kolkata Sightseeing

Today after have your breakfast, proceed to cover the remaining attractions of the city, visit Kali ghat, Maidan, Town Hall, Edan gardens. After sightseeing, return back to the hotel.

Stay overnight in Kolkata.

Day 13: Kolkata(Departure)

Check-out from the Hotel after your breakfast and transfers to Patna Airport / Railway Station for onward journey to your next destination with memorable moments with you.

Tour Highlights

Tour Highlights

Tour Highlights:

  1. Explore Lingaraj Temple, Parashurameswar Temple, Dhauli, Nadankanan zoo
  2. Explore Lalitgiri, Udaigiri, Ratnagiri
  3. Visit Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar, Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa, Fort of King Vishal
  4. Visit Shree JagannathPuri Temple, Puri beach
  5. Explore Chilika Lake, Kalijai Temple
  6. Explore Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Buddha Statue, Chankramana and Lotus Tank
  7. Explore Konark Sun Temple
  8. Visit Peace Pagoda, Venuvana, Griddhakuta Hill, Ruins of Nalanda University
  9. Explore major attractions of Kolkata including Victoria Memorial Hall, Howrah Bridge and Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
  10. Visit Kali ghat, Maidan, Town Hall, Edan gardens.
Where Stay

Hotels Accommodations Envisaged:-

Subject to availability at the time of booking or else similar hotels will be suggested:-

View Route

Send Inquiry

Theme Travel India