This Odisha 7-day itinerary (ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସାତ ଦିନର ଭ୍ରମଣ ଯୋଜନା) combines the temple towns of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark with a boat day on Chilika Lake and two days in the mangrove creeks of Bhitarkanika National Park. It suits travellers who want both heritage and wildlife in a single week, and it works best from November to February; Bhitarkanika is closed to visitors from 1 May to 31 July each year.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhubaneswar | Lingaraj, Mukteswar and Rajarani temples, Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves | Bhubaneswar |
| 2 | Bhubaneswar to Dhauli, Pipili and Puri | Ashokan edicts, appliqué workshops | Puri |
| 3 | Puri and Raghurajpur | Jagannath Temple, Pattachitra village | Puri |
| 4 | Puri to Satapada (Chilika) and back | Boat trip, Irrawaddy dolphins | Puri |
| 5 | Puri to Konark and Bhubaneswar | Konark Sun Temple | Bhubaneswar |
| 6 | Bhubaneswar to Bhitarkanika | Afternoon creek boat trip | Chandbali |
| 7 | Bhitarkanika to Bhubaneswar | Morning in the mangroves, drive back | Bhubaneswar |
Day 1: Bhubaneswar
See the Lingaraj Temple in the morning, then the Mukteswar and Rajarani temples. In the afternoon, visit the Jain caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri.
Food to try: dalma with rice and a sweet such as chhena poda.
Practical tips: Non-Hindus are not permitted inside the Lingaraj Temple's sanctum but may view it from a designated platform outside. Nandankanan Zoological Park, if you add it, is closed every Monday.
Day 2: Dhauli and Pipili to Puri
Stop at Dhauli, approximately 8 km south of Bhubaneswar, for Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, the rock-cut elephant and the hilltop Peace Pagoda. Continue to Pipili, approximately 18 km from Bhubaneswar, for Pipili appliqué, and on to Puri, approximately 60 to 65 km from Bhubaneswar in all.
Food to try: sea fish along the Puri seafront.
Practical tips: Swim only at stretches with lifeguards; currents can be strong.
Day 3: Puri and Raghurajpur
Visit the Jagannath Temple early, then spend the afternoon in Raghurajpur, approximately 12 to 14 km from Puri, watching artists paint Pattachitra and etch palm leaves.
Food to try: Mahaprasad from the Ananda Bazar, for those permitted inside the temple.
Practical tips: Entry to the Jagannath Temple is restricted to Hindus. A dress code has applied since 1 January 2024 (no shorts, half pants, torn jeans, skirts or sleeveless clothes), and mobile phones and cameras are prohibited inside.
Day 4: Chilika Lake at Satapada
Drive approximately 50 km to Satapada on Chilika Lake for a morning boat trip towards the lake's mouth, where Irrawaddy dolphins are often seen. Return to Puri for the evening.
Food to try: Chilika prawns or crab.
Practical tips: Agree the route and duration with the boatman before setting off, and ask that boats keep a respectful distance from the dolphins.
Day 5: Konark, then Bhubaneswar
Drive approximately 35 km to the Konark Sun Temple, a 13th-century temple shaped as the Sun god's chariot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Continue approximately 65 km to Bhubaneswar for the night, which positions you for an early start the next day.
Food to try: chhena jhili from roadside sweet shops between Konark and Pipili.
Practical tips: The Sun Temple is an ASI-ticketed monument; check the ASI website for current timings and fees.
Day 6: To Bhitarkanika
Leave Bhubaneswar early for Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district. Road distances quoted for the trip vary between roughly 150 and 190 km depending on the route and entry point, so plan for most of the morning on the road. Chandbali, a river town on the Baitarani in neighbouring Bhadrak district, is a common base, with boats running into the creeks. An afternoon boat trip through the mangroves is the best chance to see saltwater crocodiles basking on the mudbanks, along with water monitor lizards, deer and kingfishers.
Food to try: simple river-fish curries at local eateries in Chandbali.
Practical tips:
- The park is closed from 1 May to 31 July for the crocodile breeding season.
- Entry and boat trips are regulated by the Odisha Forest Department. Confirm the current permit and boat arrangements before travelling.
- Carry insect repellent, a hat and binoculars, and keep your hands inside the boat.
Day 7: Mangroves and return
Take an early boat or walk at a forest point such as Dangmal, where there is a forest rest house, then drive back to Bhubaneswar. If time allows, the Buddhist site of Lalitgiri, approximately 90 km from Bhubaneswar, can be combined with the return drive with some extra time on the road; see the Odisha Buddhist trail itinerary.
Practical tips: Leave a generous buffer if you have an evening flight or train.
Alternative nature stop: Satkosia
If your dates fall between May and July, or you prefer river scenery, swap Days 6 and 7 for Satkosia Tiger Reserve, where the Mahanadi flows through a gorge about 22 km long. Odisha Tourism lists Tikarpada among the nature camps and gives Bhubaneswar airport as about 160 km away. The reserve's river cruises offer chances to see gharial and mugger crocodiles basking on the banks. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is closed every Tuesday, according to its official website, so plan the visit around that day. See the Satkosia guide.
Customise this trip
You can shorten this route to the 5-day Odisha itinerary, or swap the wildlife days for the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri. Use the Odiapedia trip planner to adjust the days, add festivals or change the base towns.
Plan your visit
Read the Bhitarkanika National Park guide before booking. Park seasons, permits, boat fares and monument timings change, so confirm them with the Odisha Forest Department, Odisha Tourism and the ASI shortly before you travel.