A not very conventional trek route that starts from Paradip, a major port town in Orissa, and meanders through some of the most lovely seaside villages in Orissa before ending in the town of the Black Pagoda, Konark.
Day 1
-
- We will pick you up from Cuttack railway station around 6 am and head towards Cuttack ..
- Stay at Cuttack OTDC
- Warm up walk to Barabati fort and back.
- Lunch , evening tea and dinner at Cuttack OTDC
- Night-stay at OTDC Cuttack
Day 2
-
- Post breakfast we move to Paradwip
- Trek starts early morning From Paradwip to Noliasahi village.
- Packed lunch on the way to Noliasahi.
- Evening tea and snacks on the way.
- Dinner at Noliasahi village.
- Night stay at Noliasahi village
- Total distance : 18 Kms approx
- Walking time : 4 hours to 6 hours
- What to note : Mahavir temple at Polanga and Gangadevi temple at Nuagan
Day 3
-
- From Noliasahi village trek towards Garh Harishpur village starts .
- We leave early morning after breakfast.
- We cross Jatadhari river by boat and go to the other side.
- Packed lunch on the way.
- After walking through a forested region we trek along the coast of Bay of Bengal till we reach Garh Harishpur, which is to be tonight's halt for us.
- Evening tea and snack on the way.
- dinner at Garh Harishpur
- Total distance : 18 kms approx
- Walking time : You will be trekking for 4-6 hours approximately.
- What to note: Jagannath temple at Saharabedi village
Day 4
-
- Today, you will be heading to a village named Chhenua.
- We start as early as possible because today we have to cross the Alaka and Devi river estuary which is going to be a 2 hour boat ride. From Garh Harishpur ferry ghat to a picturesque village beautifully named Sahana.
- Our walk towards Chhenua starts from Sahana.
- Night stay at Chenua
- What to note : Gangadevi and Mahadev temple in Sahana village, marine birds during the boat journey through the estuary
- Total distance : 28 kms approx. 8 kms of trekking and 20 kms of boat ride.
- Walk time : 4 hours plus time that will be taken by the boat
- Day 5
- Post breakfast, we start our trek towards Chandrabhaga beach.
- We start early today. Today also we have to cross a river called Kaluni. And it is going to be a long trek today.
- We walk along the Turtle beach after leaving Chhenua way behind us.
- Night stay at OTDC Konark
- Total distance : 21 kms
- Walk time : 6 to 8 hours
- Post breakfast our transport drops you at Puri Railway station.
Trekking Gear:
- A rucksack lined with plastic liner /covered with rain cover.
- A water bottle or a hydration pack.
- A Hand/Head Torch with spare batteries.
- UV protection Sunglasses.
- Quick Dry lower or Track Pants- 2.
- Full sleeves T-shirts/ shirts- 2.
- Fleece jacket- 1.
- Windcheater -1.
- Umbrella or any extremely lightweight raincheater : 1
- Cotton/sports socks- 3 pairs.
- Undergarments - 1 for each day of trekking.
- Woolen cap - 1. (optional)
- Sun cap or Biker Scarf for protection from sun- 1.
- Extra clothes for return journey - 1 set
- Non-skid deep trod hiking shoes (Preferably ankle high) - 1 pair.
- Lightweight Slipper/Sandals/kitos - 1 pair.
- Sunscreen lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet roll, cold cream, soap paper strips, small quick dry towel.
- Mosquito repelling creams,lotions.
- Anti-fungal cream: Carry an anti fungal cream if you are sensitive to sweating and prone to skin irritations around genitals or groin area due to lack of bathing.
- For women:
- Tampons or sanitary napkins,
- 2-3 zip pouches to dispose of non-biodegradable waste.
- Vaginal wash to avoid any irritation due to lack of bathing.
- A small size, lightweight, leak-proof lunch box that can bear handling.
- A spoon.
- Camera (optional).
- Personal medicine kit. Though our trek leaders carry a fully equipped first-aid kit, make sure you consult your doctor before the trek in case you have any special ailment.
- Dry fruits, energy bars, chikkis,biscuits
- Trek grade : Easy. You walk along the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal.
- Total walking distance : Close to 90 kms.
- Region : Orissa
- Duration : 5 nights 6 days.
- Best season : December to January
- Highest Altitude : You are walking along the beaches, so the max altitude you may reach is about 12 feet.
- Min age: 12 years.
- Max age : 65 years.
- Average temp: Tropical climate. Temp ranges between 14ºc to 20ºc during January .
- Min batch strength : 8
- Max batch strength : 12.
- Mobile connectivity : Available all along the route.
- For queries call :9874358754
- What is the best time to visit :December to first week of February
- How to reach Cuttack : Kindly book your ticket on HWH MAS MAIL. Train no12839. It's an overnight journey.
- Can you provide transport from Konark after the trek is over? Do not worry, your transport to Puri Railway station is covered in your trek fee. Our transport will pick you up from hotel and drop you at Puri Railway station within 10.30 am.
- Will you provide accommodation on the day we end the trek? Absolutely yes. Costs are included in your trek fee so no additional payment is required.
- What time will we drop you at the end point on the last day of the trek? Your end point of the trek is Puri Railway station. We will drop you there by 10.30 am, the day after the trek ends.
- What is the experience required for the trek ? Absolutely doable for those who can walk long distances. Those coming for the first time should prepare themselves for the trek and read extensively about treks. Basic knowledge of trek mannerisms will come in handy.
- What is the level of fitness required for the trek ? You should be able to Jog/run 5 kms within 30mins. Hold your breath for 20 seconds.
- Can I offload my backpack ? Yes you may, but the information has to reach us by an email and the and the requisite offloading charge paid into our bank account at least 20 working days before the trek starts so that arrangements can be made in advance. Spot offloading is not possible in this route.
- Are trekking poles necessary ? No. Not in this trek.
- What will the temperatures be like during the trek? Warm during the day and comfortable at nights. Weather starts turning summery towards mid February.
- Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek on fixed departures? Absolutely yes. Run and managed by a woman, Soma's Camps understands the needs of a woman better than anybody else. Majority of our clients are solo female travellers coming from all fields of occupation and from all age groups. Feel free to call us up for any query.
- What kind of food is available in the trek ? You will have options of both vegetarian and non vegetarian food at Paradwip and Konarak . However, during the trek meat may not be available. We will try to provide eggs wherever we can. Our menu is designed to fulfill your nutritional requirements. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box, spoon and mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey from Howrah to Cuttack and Puri to Howrah are not included in our cost. Also not covered are breakfasts on Day 1 and Day 6.
- What are the cellular network connectivity for this trek ? Mobile connections are available on the trail. At stretches there will be no connectivity.
- What is the minimum and maximum age limit? The minimum age limit of children, chaperoned by parents is 12 years, without parents is 14 years. Upper age limit is 65 years. However if you are above the age of 50, kindly mail a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
- Which is the nearest railway station ? Cuttack at the start of the trek and Puri at the end of the trek.
- Which is the nearest airport? Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport in Kolkata and Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar
.
- Cancellation policy:
- Cancellations will be subject to cancellation charges.
- Cancellations will have to be intimated to Soma’s Camps by email. Email address is somascamps@gmail.com
- 25% of the total trek fee is not refundable on cancellation at any point of time.If you fail to pay your trek fees( in case of part payments) within the scheduled date and ignore repeated intimations, your registration maybe cancelled and the booking amount forfeited.
- Trek programs have to be booked at least 40 days prior to the date of departure.
- Cancellation between 40 to 22 days prior to departure date : 50% of the trek fee will be refunded.
- Cancellation between 21 and 11 days prior to departure date : 30% of the trek fee will be refunded.
- Cancellations made from 10 days to the day of departure : no refund.
- By the term 'trek fee', we mean the full amount , not any partial deposit.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of riots, political or industrial unrest like Railway operators strike, Airlines strike, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. The trek fee paid by the clients will be refunded in full OR we will provide you with an alternate set of program dates.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of pandemic, epidemic,any other long term natural or biological disaster or man-made, disasters like war and others, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. 70 % of the trek fee paid by the clients will be refunded.
- Emergency during trek: If for any reason, medical or otherwise, you have to go back from the camp, mid-program, then Soma's Camps will make arrangements for your return to home, or, take you to the nearest medical facility (depending on the nature/severity of the emergency). A staff will accompany you to the nearest rail/road head OR medical facility. He may/may not be a trained personnel. In case of any medical emergency, evacuation is extremely difficult and time consuming in the vast stretches of the coastal belt . Moreover, a sick or injured person is not easy to evacuate. Non medical evacuations, on the other hand, are not difficult. We do not have doctors accompanying with the team. Soma's Camps Trek leaders and Trek assistants are trained to administer first aid and know how to deal with issues related to the wilderness. However, they are not doctors. Registering for this program is an understanding that you have read up on the difficulties of wilderness trekking and understand the risks involved and are ready to bear your medical expenses and additional transport expenses if at all they arise.
- Drinking and smoking during the trek is strictly prohibited. If found flouting the rules, your participation on the trek will be cancelled with immediate effect.
- Payment: Payment for the trek can be done online through cheque/credit/debit card or net banking.
- Non-liability: Soma's Camps is not responsible for any loss/damage of your gears/equipment or other belongings on the trek.
- Please be aware that if your Camp Commander deems it unsafe for you to continue camping at any time, he may arrange for you to be sent back to the base camp/nearest medical facility/home.
- Regarding proper disposal of non bio-degradable waste: At Soma's Camps, we to prefer to leave nothing other than footprints behind. Kindly help us to maintain that by taking care of your non bio-degradable wastes.