East India Pilgrimage Tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
On this tour you can combine a fascinating exploration of the history and cultures of the Eastern seaboard of India, with a relaxing enjoyment of the warm pleasures of the Indian Ocean. Kolkata, for long the second city of the British Empire, is the cultural capital of India – a hectic and chaotic metropolis. It is also the city of Kali; Bengal's fierce some but ecstatically worshipped Goddess. South of Kolkata, along the coast of Orissa, one of India's greatest temple building cultures flourished, reaching its peak in the twelfth century. Some of these temples are now regarded as amongst India's holiest, as well as being historically and architecturally unparalleled. Puri, for instance, is one of the four sacred centers that mark the cosmic compass points of India, as defined by Shankarcharya in the 9thcentury. Since then the great temple of Jagannath ("Lord of the world") has hosted the annual Rath Yatra festival, when huge chariots are pulled through the streets. After your immersion in the sacred centers of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, travel a little further south to the white-sanded palm beaches of Gopalpur, to pamper yourself a little.

Day 01 : Arrive Kolkata
Afternoon arrival in Kolkata. Travel through the city to the old colonial Tollygunge Club, where you will stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Kolkata
City tour of Kolkata, including the main relics of the city's colonial past, the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Day 03 : Kolkata
Visit the Ramakrishna Math, from where Ramakrishna's famous disciple Vivekananda spread his message of Vedanta across the globe. Visit the Kalighat, the main shrine of Kali (only for the strong stomached!), and if you wish, the adjoining hospice of Mother Teresa.

Day 04 : Kolkata - Bhubaneswar
Flight to Bhubaneswar. Stay at hotel. Day 05 : Bhubaneswar
Visit some of the holy city's 500 temples, dating from the seventh century. If you wish, visit the much older Jain caves of Khandagiri, just outside the city.

Day 06 : Bhubaneswar - Konark
Drive one and a half hours to Orissa's most famous temple, the 13th century sun temple, on the coast at Konark, and admire its erotic and spiritual sculptures. Onward drive along the coast road to Puri. Stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Konark
Visit the magnificent Jagannath temple.

Day 08 : Puri
Explore the town of Puri, its bazaars, and sculpture workshops.

Day 09 : Gopalpur
Drive or train to Gopalpur. Stay at hotel.

Day 10 : Gopalpur
A day on the beach at Gopalpur.

Day 11 : Bhubaneswar
Catch the mid afternoon train back to Bhubaneswar, arriving in time for dinner. Stay at hotel.

Day 12 : Kolkata
Early morning flight to Kolkata. Day for shopping, or further sightseeing. Evening transfer to airport for flight for onward destination

Day 13 : Departures from Kolkata