Culinary Tour Odisha – 10 Days
Tour overview
Flavors of Kalinga: A 10-Day Private Culinary & Coastal Heritage Odyssey by Travel Astu
Uncover the best-kept secret of Eastern India with Travel Astu, your specialist in high-fidelity cultural and gastronomic travel. This 10-day "Flavors of Kalinga" expedition by Astu is a masterfully woven Odisha culinary and heritage itinerary that transcends the typical tourist circuit. Travel Astu Pvt Ltd has designed this comprehensive 10-day immersive program to explore the sacred "Temple City" of Bhubaneswar, the royal legacy of Dhenkanal, and the mystical coastal rhythms of Puri and Gopalpur. Instead of just sightseeing, you will dive into the spiritual science of the world’s largest temple kitchens and the ancient recipes of artisan villages.
Your private Odishan sanctuary with Astu Travel is defined by seamless transitions and deep local access. You will travel in a premium AC vehicle with a dedicated driver-partner, moving from the 2nd-century BC caves of Udaygiri to the sun-drenched banks of Chilika Lake. To ensure a world-class experience, we prioritize the "Living Kitchen"—from the Mahaprasad traditions of Old Bhubaneswar to the rustic lake-side fish barbeques of the local boatmen. Stay in a mix of grand heritage properties like the Dhenkanal Palace and serene coastal retreats, all while under the care of our 24/7 guest relations team. With Astu, your 10-day Eastern India pilgrimage becomes a multisensory journey of spice, stone, and spirit.
Day to day itinerary
Assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Khandagiri & Udaygiri caves of 2nd century BC. Overnight at Hotel in Bhubaneswar.
Full day Visit the temples Bhubaneswar like of Parasurameswar Temple (7th Century AD.), Mukteswar Temple (10th Century AD.), Rajarani Temple ( 11th Century AD.) and Lingaraj Temple ( 11th Century AD). Also visit Bindusagar lake and have a Heritage walk in the morning through the by lanes of Old Bhubaneswar. Visit of the Kitchen inside Ananta Vasudeva Temple, The cooking of food and offering to God and the eating area of pilgrims. Overnight at Hotel in Bhubaneswar.
After breakfast drive to Dhenkanal en-route visiting Buddhist ruins, ancient stupas-chaityas, archeological excavation sites at Ratnagiri & Udayagiri. On the way Pahala village is famous for a sweet called Rasagola, means cheese balls boiled in water and dipped in Sugar syrup. It is a delicacy since 12th Century. And one can find more than 500 sweet stalls. Overnight at Dhenkanal palace.
After breakfast drive to visit Nuapatna Silk Ikkat weaving village, Dhokra casting handicraft village at Sadei Baruni, Joranda temple , Sadhus of Mahima Cult and drive back to Dhenkanal. Dhenkanal is famous for BARA, (Bengal gram dal soaked in water, When soft grinded to dough, made into size of doughnut and fried in oil, ready to eat hot & crispy. Overnight at palace.
Drive to Puri en-route visiting Dhauli, 64 yogini temple and Pipli appliqué village. Later drive to Puri to visit Jagannath Temple (Non-Hindus are not permitted inside) from top of a platform and market. In front of Jagannatha temple people sale a dry culinary called Feni or Khaza, made of wheat floor & sugar, One can see how they make it. Overnight at Hotel in Puri.
Morning drive to Raghurajpur artisan village, where visit the house to see how the ladies prepare the lunch, enjoy the way of preparation and have lunch with them. Afternoon visit Konark a world heritage site - It is designed as a celestial chariot of Sun God, complete with twelve pairs of wheel and seven horses. This legendary temple has sculptures of great beauty covering all aspects of life. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast drive to Gopalpur en-route visiting Chilika lake for migratory birds. Here the boatmen Catch the fish from the lake, barbeque it, and eat it with rice. One can enjoy a fresh prehistoric barbequed fish from the lake. Overnight at hotel in Gopalpur.
Full day visit to Chandragiri to visit Padmasambhava Buddhist University, Hot sulphuric spring at Taptapani. On the way in a small restaurant one can see how they cater the food to costumer as first as possible and also experience the making of Samosha an Indian snack. Overnight at hotel in Gopalpur.
Morning relax in the golden beach of Gopalpur or visit the fishermen village and later drive back to Bhubaneswar through Taratarini Temple. On the way in a small restaurant one can learn how to cook Prawns and Crabs in typical Odishan way. Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
After breakfast Assistance and Departure Transfer to Airport for onward Journey.
TOUR END
FAQs about this trip
Odisha's food is the "hidden jewel" of India. Travel Astu (also known as Astu) focuses on the Temple Kitchens, where food has been cooked in clay pots using the same recipes for 800 years. It is less about heavy spices and more about fresh, local, and spiritual flavors that you won't find in any commercial restaurant.
While some inner sanctums like the Jagannath Temple have restrictions, Travel Astu Pvt Ltd arranges visits to the Ananta Vasudeva Temple kitchen in Bhubaneswar, which is accessible to everyone. Here, you can witness the massive scale of traditional temple cooking and the offering rituals firsthand.
Your comfort is our priority. Astu Travel provides a premium air-conditioned vehicle with a professional, well-informed driver. Since some routes involve village roads, our vehicles are chosen for their durability and smooth ride. Our 24/7 Tour Manager is always available to assist with any real-time requests.
Absolutely. Because many Odia delicacies are plant-based and prepared fresh, we can easily coordinate with the heritage palaces and local families to accommodate your needs. Whether you are vegetarian or need gluten-free options, your Astu guide will ensure your meals are safe and delicious.
It is like stepping back in time. You will be a guest of the royal family in a beautifully preserved palace. It is the perfect place to learn about the royal lineage of Odisha and participate in an intimate cooking class focused on the famous "Dhenkanal Bara."
Yes. We ensure that the fresh-water fish barbeque experience is conducted by boatmen who follow hygienic preparation methods. The fish is caught fresh and cooked over a high-heat open fire, making it a safe and incredibly authentic "prehistoric" dining experience.
We provide a seamless departure transfer. Your private vehicle and Travel Astu representative will pick you up from your hotel in Bhubaneswar and ensure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your flight, concluding your journey with sweet memories.
