Koraput

A tribal plateau in the Eastern Ghats: visit weekly Bonda markets, climb Deomali, Odisha's highest peak, and see Duduma Falls and the Gupteswar cave temple.

Koraput lies on the Eastern Ghats plateau in southwestern Odisha, India, at an average altitude of about 870 m, bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is home to dozens of tribes, including the Bonda, Paraja, Gadaba and Kondh, and is known for weekly tribal markets, mountain scenery, waterfalls and coffee growing. The climate is cool: October to February is the best time to travel, with sunny days and chilly mornings and evenings, and it is also the season for tribal markets and winter camping. March–May is warmer, and June–September brings heavy monsoon rains, when waterfalls are full but mountain roads are prone to landslides. Sightseeing falls into three areas: in town, the Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple and the tribal museum; to the east, Deomali, Odisha's highest peak, the Putsil valley and the Friday market at Kunduli; to the southwest, Duduma Falls and the Thursday Bonda market at Onkadelli; and to the west, the Gupteswar cave temple, Jeypore, Kolab Reservoir and the weaving village of Kotpad. Each tribal market is held on a fixed day, so plan your itinerary around market days. Getting there: Jeypore Airport has flights to Bhubaneswar and elsewhere; the scenic rail line from Visakhapatnam runs through the Araku Valley to Koraput; by road it is about 5–6 hours from Visakhapatnam. Sights are spread out, so hiring a car is recommended; allow 3–4 days. Note: some remote areas (especially the Bonda hills and towards Malkangiri) have limited security and transport, so travel in company, and always ask permission before photographing tribal people.

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