This Koraput tribal heritage itinerary (କୋରାପୁଟ ଆଦିବାସୀ ଐତିହ୍ୟ ଭ୍ରମଣ ଯୋଜନା) covers the hill town of Koraput, the peak of Deomali, the former royal town of Jeypore, the natural-dye weavers of Kotpad and the Thursday market at Onukudelli in neighbouring Malkangiri district. It suits travellers who want to learn about southern Odisha's Adivasi cultures slowly and respectfully, and it is best from October to February, after the monsoon and before the summer heat.
Before you go: responsible travel in tribal areas
Koraput district is home to many Adivasi communities; the largest is the Paroja, followed by the Kondh, Bhottada, Gadaba and Bhumia. The Bonda of the hills of Malkangiri district are one of India's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with a population of about 12,000 in the 2011 Census and their own endangered language, Remo.
Government guidance is changing, so check the current rules before you travel:
- Foreign nationals: Odisha restricted foreign visitors in areas with PVTG populations in 2007. Under the relaxed rules of February 2016, tour operators must inform the police station or Superintendent of Police concerned, foreigners must use government-approved guides, and listed gram panchayats remain off-limits, including 14 in Koraput and 4 in Malkangiri. A September 2026 report says selected villages in Koraput and Malkangiri are still closed to foreign visitors and that the government is reviewing the restrictions. Check with the district administration or the police before planning a visit.
- All visitors: Odisha's 2012 rules for PVTG areas prohibited photographing tribal people, staging tribal performances for tourists and visiting PVTG areas at night. Treat these as the minimum standard for responsible travel.
- Conduct: Stay in public spaces such as markets and roads and do not enter villages or homes uninvited. Do not photograph people without clear consent. Do not hand out sweets, money or gifts, buy at fair prices without hard bargaining, and travel with a local guide who speaks the community's language.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koraput | Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple, tribal museum | Koraput |
| 2 | Koraput to Deomali and back | Odisha's highest peak, hill villages en route | Koraput |
| 3 | Koraput to Jeypore and Kotpad | Former royal town, natural-dye weavers | Jeypore |
| 4 (Thursday) | Jeypore to Onukudelli and Duduma, and back | Weekly market, Duduma waterfall | Jeypore |
Start on a Monday so that Day 4 falls on a Thursday, the market day at Onukudelli.
Day 1: Koraput town
Koraput sits about 2,900 feet (roughly 880 m) above sea level among green hills. Spend the afternoon at the Sabara Srikhetra, a 20th-century Jagannath temple on a hillock that is open to visitors of all faiths, unlike the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The temple's name reflects the long association of the Jagannath tradition with the tribal (Sabara) communities. A tribal museum next to the temple displays objects from the region's Adivasi cultures and is a good introduction before the market visit.
Food to try: dishes made from mandia (finger millet), which is widely grown in the Koraput hills.
Practical tip: Koraput can be reached by rail, and Jeypore has an airport with regional flights; check current schedules, as routes change.
Day 2: Deomali
Deomali, about 1,672 m high, is generally described as the highest peak in Odisha. Road distances quoted from Koraput range from about 50 to 70 km via Semiliguda, and the last stretch is a winding hill road. Start before dawn if you want the sunrise and clear morning views. The approach passes farming villages and terraced fields; drive slowly and do not stop to photograph people or homes.
Food to try: carry a packed breakfast, as facilities at the top are limited.
Practical tips: Clouds and rain can hide the view, especially just after the monsoon. Mornings in winter are cold, so carry a warm layer.
Day 3: Jeypore and Kotpad
Jeypore, about 20 to 25 km from Koraput, was founded in the mid-17th century and was the seat of the former Jeypore kingdom; the old palace can be seen from outside. Continue to Kotpad, home of Kotpad handloom. Weavers of the Mirgan community produce cotton saris and stoles dyed with a red dye from the roots of the aal tree, in a process that takes around a month. In 2005 Kotpad handloom became the first product from Odisha to receive a Geographical Indication tag (see Odisha GI tags). Ask your guide to arrange a visit to a weavers' cooperative or a family loom, and buy directly where possible.
Food to try: local rice and dal meals in Jeypore town.
Practical tip: Weaving and dyeing are slow, seasonal work, so call ahead through a guide rather than arriving unannounced.
Day 4 (Thursday): Onukudelli market and Duduma
Leave Jeypore early for Onukudelli (also spelled Onkadelli or Ankadeli) in Malkangiri district, near Duduma waterfall, which is approximately 90 km from Koraput (sources give 88 to 92 km). On Thursdays, people from the Bonda hills, and from Gadaba and Paroja communities, come down to buy and sell. Sources differ on the details: some describe Bonda markets in general as being held on Sundays, so confirm the day locally. The market is a working market, not a performance. Keep to the edges, stay with your guide, do not photograph anyone without permission and keep your visit short. On the way back, stop at Duduma, where the Machkund river drops into a gorge on the border with Andhra Pradesh.
Food to try: carry your own water and snacks, and eat a proper meal back in Jeypore.
Practical tips:
- Do not travel into the Bonda hills or Bonda villages beyond the market.
- Foreign nationals must check the current rules for Malkangiri before travelling; selected villages remain restricted.
- Leave in daylight and return before dark, in keeping with the rules on night visits to PVTG areas.
Customise this trip
With an extra day, add the Gupteswar cave temple, approximately 55 km from Jeypore, or a visit to the Kolab reservoir. Travellers coming from the coast can combine this route with the Koraput travel guide and the Golden Triangle. Use the Odiapedia trip planner to adjust the days around the Thursday market or local festivals.
Plan your visit
Rules for PVTG areas, market days and road conditions change. Check with the Koraput and Malkangiri district administrations, the police or Odisha Tourism shortly before travelling, and use licensed local guides.