Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha is often referred to as “The Amazon of India” by the locals in Odisha. Bhitarkanika Mangrove is the second largest Mangrove forest in India after Sundarbans. Bhitarkanika Mangrove consists of Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Sanctuary.
There are several reasons this beautiful destination is worth a visit. One of the unique attractions about the site is that it is the nesting ground for Olive Ridley Turtle.
These turtles lay thousands of eggs on the beach stretch what is commonly called Gahirmatha. The mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles is an annual phenomenon called ‘arribada‘.
Here is a short itinerary of 4 days to explore the picturesque Bhitarkanika.
Day 1: Arrive in Bhitarkanika
Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Meals : Lunch, Evening Hi-Tea & Dinner
Activity : Sunset Boat Tour
After a warm welcome, check into Estuarine Village Resort Bhitarkanika (check-in usually starts from 12PM onwards). This is the best option among all hotels in Bhitarkanika. Freshen up and join us at the Dining Hall for a buffet lunch (local cuisine).
Take some rest or engage yourself with some recreational activities available at the resort.
Get ready by 4 PM (from August to October & From March-April) or 3PM(for Nov-February) for the Sunset Tour on River Brahmani by open motor boat.
Walk along the river on the road running parallel to the river upto NALITAPTIA River Jetty to board the boat.
Major attractions of this tour:
- Visit the confluence point of River Brahmani & Baitarani.
- Possible Sightings of saltwater Crocodiles.
- Possible Sighting of Migratory Birds (best time: August to mid-November).
- Sunset on River Brahmani.
Evening Hi-Tea (usually served from 6PM onwards) at the Dining Hall.
Bonfire can be arranged in the evening on request (except during rainy season and in windy conditions)
Buffet Dinner will be served from 8:30PM onwards at the Dining Hall.
Overnight at Estuarine Village Resort.
Day 2: Visit Bhitarkanika National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Wake up in the morning and after freshening up, enjoy buffet Breakfast at the Dining Hall. Breakfast starts getting served from 7:00AM onwards. After breakfast, go to Khola Forest Check point, which is some 4km from Estuarine Village Resort.
Get the entry tickets after paying requisite fees, and start the morning tour of Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest in the boat, which is always approved by the Forest Department. Keep the entry tickets intact and safe with you for use later in the day.
It takes around 4-5 hours for safari boats from Khola to the Bhitarkanika Mangove creeks and back. Return to the resort and after some wash and change enjoy your delicious lunch. Take some rest. Around 3pm in the afternoon, drive to Dangmal Forest gate and enter it with same entrance tickets for which you paid fees in the morning.
Visit Nature Interpretation Centre and Museum. Have a look at the Crocodile Hatchery. Enjoy the sighting of an albino crocodile which has been kept in captivity for a long time now. You can buy some souvenirs in the shop run by the Forest department.
Afterwards, drive back to Estuarine Village Resort, enjoying the views of the villages and rural markets on the way back.
Enjoy your evening Hi-Tea. Enjoy your time at the bonfire place (except during rainy season and windy conditions).
You can have delicious dinner and retire to your room for a comfortable and cozy sleep.
Overnight at Estuarine Village Resort.
Day 3: Bhitarkanika Mangroves & Pentha Sea Beach
Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Wake up early in the morning and go for a visit to Pentha Sea Beach after a light breakfast and tea. You can carry some fruits with you to enjoy at the beach.
Pentha Sea Beach is around an hour drive from the resort. This is simply one of the best beaches you will come across anywhere. But it is also a fact that this is hardly known to tourists – even from Odisha. Have a wonderful time at the beach. Beach is also safe for swimming provided you remain careful and are not intoxicated.
After a nice time at the beach, return to the resort. You should return a little before noon. Wash and change your self, and enjoy a lovely lunch after that. Post lunch, leave for an experience of an afternoon safari to Bhitarkanika Mangroves.
Enjoy a nice boat safari in the creeks. Experience the wildlife – crocodiles, spotted deer, monitor lizards, monkeys, and a large varieties of birds. Keep an eye on the different varieties of kingfishers.
Return in the evening, enjoy hi-tea. Rest for some time or indulge in some gossiping, sharing of photos or have fun time at the bonfire.
Enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight at Estuarine Village Resort.
Day 4: Kalibhanjadiha, Dhamra and Udabali
Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Wake up in the morning. Enjoy morning Tea (served from 6AM onwards) and Buffet Breakfast (served at the Dining Hall from 7:00AM onwards). Once you are ready from these, get to Khola and leave for Kalibhanjadiha. This is another patch of Bhitarkanika Mangroves which has recently been thrown open to tourists.
Spending some time at Kalibhanjadiha, start for Udabali – a small island located exactly opposite Dhamra Port. This is an uninhabited and undeveloped island. No proper jetty is developed here for getting down. However, young people can get down using help from the helpers on the boat. People visit this island for its unexplored beauty. You can spot a number of red crabs on the island.
Spending as much time as you want here, you can start for the return journey. Stop at Dhamra River Jetty. Get down on the jetty made here and take a walk in the nearby rural market. Dhamarai Temple is also located here. This is a goddess temple. You are free to visit the temple and, if you desire to worship, you can do that too. From Dhamara River jetty you can see the confluence of River Brahmani and Bay of Bengal.
Return back to Resort. Enjoy Evening Hi-Tea (will be served from 6PM onwards) at the Dining Hall. Bonfire can also be enjoyed arranged in the evening on request (except during rainy season and windy conditions)
Buffet Dinner will be served from 8:30PM onwards at Dining Hall.
Overnight at Estuarine Village Resort.
Day 5: Check Out:
Plan the best 4-Day Itinerary to Bhitarkanika
Get up leisurely in the morning. Enjoy your morning tea. Get freshened up and do your final packing. Check out after having breakfast with a lot of good memories from this ‘hidden’ gem.
Treat yourself to customized tour packages with Estuarine Village Resort Bhitarkanika!
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