Hidden Gems of Eastern India: From Kolkata to Gopalpur - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kolkata, Explore the Capital of West Bengal

Welcome to Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state! Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata offers a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. Meet your guide in the arrivals hall at the airport, then transfer to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish, so you can stay in to relax and fight off jet lag or venture out to discover the city on your own. A good place to start is New Market, an eclectic mix of over 2,000 stalls and shops selling everything, from clothing, jewelry, and textiles to fresh produce, spices, and electronics.

Pick up some souvenirs or sample street food like kathi rolls, flaky rotis wrapped around a filling of spicy kebabs, eggs, or vegetables. Continue to the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens in the country. Stroll through the garden to discover its diverse collection of rare plants, trees, and orchids. Don't miss the expansive palm collection showcasing palm species from around the world. Visit the nearby neighborhood of Garden Reach afterward to sample traditional Bengali cuisine.

Day 2: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour, Kolkata Heritage Walk

Join your guide on a half-day city tour, starting in Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh, formerly known as Dalhousie Square. Stroll around the square to see the impressive colonial-era buildings, like Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor of West Bengal. A short walk away is the Calcutta High Court, an imposing Gothic structure, and the General Post Office, which has served as a hub of Kolkata's postal services since 1868. Continue to Calcutta Town Hall, a historical building turned museum to showcase the city's rich heritage. 

Don't miss the Writers' Building, which was the former administrative office of the British East India Company, and the Victoria Memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria. In the afternoon, set off on a heritage walk to discover ancient palaces, ruins, temples, and the Great Banyan Tree. You'll also visit markets to shop for local delights and Kumhartoli, a traditional potters' quarter where skilled artisans craft intricate idols. After admiring the artwork, head to the 19th-century Marble Palace, the Indian Museum (the oldest and largest museum in India), and St. Paul's Cathedral to end the tour.

Day 3: Transfer to Shantiniketan, Visit the Uttarayan Complex

Say goodbye to Kolkata this morning as you transfer four hours north to Shantiniketan, a charming town founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1863. As you leave the bustling city behind, the landscape transforms into lush greenery dotted with fields and rural settlements. Pass through charming villages, where you can catch glimpses of local life and traditional houses. When you arrive, check into your hotel and freshen up. After lunch, join your guide for a tour of the Uttarayan Complex, the former residence of Tagore that now serves as a museum dedicated to his life and works. 

Wander through the various rooms adorned with his personal belongings, manuscripts, and artworks, giving you insight into his literary and artistic achievements. Don't miss the collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts by other renowned artists, like Nandalal Bose and Ram Kinkar Baij. See more of Tagore's personal belongings, manuscripts, artworks, and photographs at the Rabindra Bhaban Museum within the university he founded, Visva-Bharati University. When you're done exploring the museum, transfer back to your hotel for the night.

Day 4: Transfer to Bishnupur via Bikna, Guided Temple Tour

After just one night in Shantiniketan, hit the road again on a three-hour transfer southwest to Bishnupur, a small town in the Bankura district of West Bengal, known for its ancient terracotta temples. On the way, stop in the village of Bikna, where skilled artisans create intricate brass and bronze sculptures using traditional dokra metal craft techniques. Watch the artisans at work, shaping molten metal into beautiful figurines and ornaments available for purchase. Back in the car, complete the journey to your hotel to get ready for a temple tour.

Start at the Pancha Ratna Shyam Rai Temple, built during the reign of the Malla kings in the 17th century. Continue to Ras Mancha, a terracotta temple known for its distinctive pyramidal roof and large courtyard. Your next stop is Jor Bangla, also known as the "Twin Temples," as it consists of two identical structures, each with its own roof resembling the traditional thatched huts of Bengal. Nearby, the Madanmohan Temple features a single spire and terracotta panels portraying divine motifs. End the tour at the Shridhara Temple, notable for its simplicity and devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Day 5: Transfer to Sunderban National Park

Your exploration of West Bengal continues with a six-hour transfer southeast to the UNESCO-listed Sunderban National Park in the heart of one of the world's largest mangrove forests. Driving isn't allowed in the park, so as you get closer, you'll switch to a boat to navigate the network of waterways. Meet your local guide and cruise for two hours to get to your jungle resort, where you can enjoy a hot lunch. Then, go on a guided walk to a nearby village to meet some of the locals and learn about their day-to-day life before returning to the resort for dinner.

Day 6: Bird-Watching & Wildlife Cruise in Sunderban National Park

Spend the day exploring the national park, starting at the Sajnekhali Watch Tower to go bird-watching. There are over 270 bird species in the park, including the endangered masked finfoot, and you can observe them in their natural habitats from the top of the tower. Continue to the Dobanki Watch Tower for more bird-watching and to stroll along the canopy walk, suspended 20 feet (6 m) above ground. Get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding mangrove trees, looking for glimpses of colorful birds flying ahead and monkeys swinging from branch to branch.

After exploring on land, switch to a boat to cruise through the small channels and creeks in search of more wildlife like dolphins, spotted deer, monitor lizards, and wild boars. The park's dense mangrove forests, tidal waterways, and diverse prey provide an ideal environment for Bengal tigers to thrive, so keep your eyes peeled for them as well. Enjoy lunch on board while you continue to search for wildlife. Then, return to the resort for a leisurely evening.

Day 7: Transfer to Kolkata, Fly to Bhubaneswar, Guided City Tour

Bid farewell to the national park and its wild inhabitants as you transfer four hours north back to Kolkata this morning. From there, you'll catch a one-hour flight to Bhubaneshwar, the capital of the eastern state of Odisha. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up for a sightseeing tour. When it's time, head to the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple and wander through the complex featuring numerous shrines, halls, and pavilions. Continue to the Shree Ananta Basudev Temple, known for its carvings of deities, celestial beings, and mythical creatures. 

Your next stop is the Rajarani Temple, which translates to "a temple without a deity," reflecting its role as a place of meditation and religious contemplation rather than active worship. Throughout the day, you'll get glimpses of Bindu Sagar, a serene lake dotted with small islands, each hosting intricate temples. In the afternoon, leave the temples behind to visit the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, showcasing ancient Jain rock-cut architecture dating back to the second century BCE. End the tour with stops at the Odisha State Museum and the Nandankanan Zoological Park.

Day 8: Transfer to Puri via the Dhauli Shanti Stupa & Konark Sun Temple

After breakfast, it's time to discover the eastern coast as you transfer one hour south to Puri, a small city that offers a blend of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. On the way, stop at the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, a white peace pagoda that marks the site where Emperor Ashoka is believed to have renounced war and embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple, dedicated to the Sun God Surya and designed in the shape of his colossal chariot. 

You'll arrive in Puri by lunchtime, giving you plenty of time to visit the Jagannath Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, so you'll see plenty of devotees seeking blessings and performing rituals to attain spiritual fulfillment and divine grace. When you're done exploring the temple, spend some time relaxing on the nearby Chandrabhaga Beach before checking into your hotel in the city.

Day 9: Puri Beach Day

The day is yours to spend as you wish, giving you plenty of free time to soak up the sun on one of Puri's many beaches. Puri Beach is the most popular option, as it has an expansive stretch of golden sand and tranquil waters. Rent a sunbed or lie on the sand, stopping any of the vendors selling traditional snacks and drinks when you get hungry. Spend the day swimming or partaking in activities like camel and horseback rides along the shore. Stay until sunset to watch the sky transform into warm hues of red and orange. As darkness falls, go for a stroll along the promenade lined with restaurants and grab dinner overlooking the water. 

Day 10: Transfer to Gopalpur via Chilka Lake, Relax on Gopalpura Beach

Trade one coastal city for another as you transfer 3.5 hours southwest to Gopalpur, known for its historical charm and pristine beaches. On the way, stop at Chilka Lake, the largest coastal lagoon in the country and one of its most significant wetlands. The lake is also a biodiversity hotspot, hosting an array of species, including migratory birds like flamingoes, Siberian cranes, and spot-billed pelicans. Continue to Olasingh, a village dotted with workshops and homes of skilled artisans who have mastered the art of handloom weaving.

Watch the artisans at work, using weaving techniques passed down through generations, and admire their intricate textiles before jumping back in the car and completing the drive to your hotel. Check in and change into your bathing suit so you can relax on Gopalpur Beach. For a panoramic view of the beach, climb to the top of Gopalpur Lighthouse first. Those who want to explore the area can take a trip to a nearby fishing village instead, such as Arjipalli or Noliasahi. Watch the fisherman go about their daily routines in their colorful fishing boats, then indulge in fresh seafood to end the night.

Day 11: Transfer to Bhubaneswar, Depart

After spending 11 days exploring seven cities and towns in eastern India, your adventure draws to a close today. Enjoy a few more hours relaxing on Gopalpur Beach and take one last dip in the Bay of Bengal. Then, around noon, you'll transfer three hours to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar for your flight home. Safe travels!