Orissa Seaside via Local Transport

aivlysweetie

Hi, i'm spending a few days on the Orissa coast this July and would like to know if it's easier to hire a car to take me to the various beaches or to go via local transport.

So far I plan on seeing Gopalpur and Chandipur and whatever may be in between, I dont know much about the area. Is it just as easy to hire rickshaws out to take me from one spot to another? I would also not mind going via local transport on buses and such. Do any locals from Orissa or others who have visited the area know how to get around over here??


I read that car hire is available from Berhampur, and i think there is a train that travels that far...Thanks!

wonderwomanusa

Sweetie, please see these lovely untouched beaches with a couple of companions! When I was in Orissa a few years ago, some women said they were hassled on deserted beaches.

rangss

Local transport is more likel;y to be available at Puri and Konark. You can even strike a good bargain with a taxi from Bhubaneswar to visit Puri and Konark. But do let me know what places are you plannig to visit.

__________________
...and I took the road less travelled.

aivlysweetie

wonderwomanusa: don't worry! it will be my 6'3" tall boyfriend and I, although he may attract a lot of attention himself due to his whiteness and hugeness

rangss: i'm not sure where we'll go yet, but i've been gathering some information from wikitravel. Most likely Gopalpur for sure, and i've seen other word about Digha, Talasari, and Chandipur. We'll probably go via train to Berhampur or something...

rangers

beach is connected to road transport mostly.
one circuit is konark-puri- till chilka lake.(drive along coastal villages and beaches)
next circuit is Gopalpur .
Next is Chandipur-Digha( not so popular and touristfriendly transport)
the most frequent is Puri-konark.I see forgieners like this route on every mode of transport.(bi cycle-auto-bus-rented bikes)

meandu

Went to Gopalpur wit my wife this fed.We liked it very much.This place is not at all crowded, very peaceful.The hotel(Sea pearl) is quite comfortable wit sea facing rooms.We visited Chilka from there via car.

aivlysweetie

hey meandu,

was wondering how far chilka is by car and how long you spent? we'll be in the area but we've cut the visit down to gopalpur and puri only for about 5 days...think we can fit chilka in if we extend our trip a few days? thanks.

paladin

This is not so much a 'reply' to such an old message, but a further question for anyone with experience of this area: do you think that it's worth spending a night or two in the immediate vicinity of Chilka? My wife and I will be there in early December, and we like birdwatching.

chief61

Hi There ,

I was there recently on a driving trip
from calcutta to gopalpur, in between
you may like a place "Satpada" which
is next to Chilka lake, try to stay
at OTDC Panthanivas there.

Gopalpur is a ruin of old colonial port,
nothing much , beach is dirty , again
location wise OTDC Panthanivas is the
best hotel in Gopalpur, try to go top
of the lighthouse there , it was a unique
experience.

Cheers

paladin

Thanks very much for the advice! I wasn't really expecting to raise anyone's attention, on such an old thread as this one, and I'm very grateful. My wife and I are keen bird watchers, so I think it's very likely that we'll take you up on the suggestion of a stay at Satpada, and perhaps give Gopalpur a miss altogether, since it sounds rather defunctive and (perhaps more to the point) we are not great ones for lying around. Some persons have mentioned other Panthanivas at Barkul and Rambha; and I gather from these that the one at Barkul is somewhat to be preferred. I can't in fact find Barkul on my map (or the marvelous satellite maps available at the MapWorld66 website). But I've written to the OTDC to see what they can tell me.
All the best -- Cully

vonkla

Hi

We were last february in Barkul as wel as in Satpada. It was too late in the season for bird watching but nevertheless we liked it very much. In both places we stayed in the Panthanivas from OTDC.
Barkul is a little village near Balugaon. The hotel is near the lake and better then Satpada.
For bird watching is Barkul also the best option. In Satpada we made a boat trip to see the dolphins and we went to the connection between the lake and the sea.

paladin

Thanks, Vonkla, for the helpful and direct judgment. I'll definitely choose the site you recommend and hope that I can get in. I've sent a note via email to the ODTC requesting info about booking. All the best -- Cully

kaushikc5

I would request you all to pardon my interruption but I really need to draw chief's attention. I am desperately short on info for road travel between Kol and Bhubaneswar for self drive and would request chief to share his experience with me. I am from Kolkata.

rangers

Cully if u have any dificulty with OTDC Barkul booking..let me know >I can try book on ur behalf here.

Kaushik..BBSR_ Kolkatta is national highway no.5.
I found there is only one nice place near Balasore called Panchalingeswar.
Otherwise u have 2 drive in to state highways which are not in good position due to rain.


buzz me at 09437003284 for any help.
smiles
sanjay

kaushikc5

Thanks rangers for the offer. I'll surely get in touch with you. What are the convenient times for me to talk to you?