City of Chilika

Chilika is a place of vast, shimmering horizons, Asia's largest brackish-water lagoon and one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations on India's eastern coast. Spread between freshwater rivers and the salty Bay of Bengal, this immense, shallow sheet of water is a living mosaic of islands, fishing villages and reed-fringed shallows that shift in mood with the changing light.

The lagoon is renowned above all for its birdlife. In the cooler months great congregations of migratory birds arrive from far-flung breeding grounds, and the waters and islands fill with flamingos, waders, ducks and waterfowl, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Patient observers are richly rewarded.

Chilika is also celebrated for its Irrawaddy dolphins, often spotted near Satapada, where boat trips offer the chance to watch these gentle creatures surface in the calm waters. Boats also call at Nalabana bird sanctuary, the temple-crowned Kalijai island and the open mouth where lagoon meets sea, each with its own character and charm.

A visit unfolds at the leisurely pace of the water itself. Gliding out at dawn, when mist still clings to the surface and the birds are most active, is an experience of rare tranquillity, while local fishing communities lend the scene a timeless, lived-in beauty. Fresh lagoon crab and prawns are a memorable treat ashore.

We include Chilika to bring a breath of wild nature to an Odisha journey otherwise rich in temples and heritage. Easily combined with Puri and Konark, it offers our guests a serene, restorative day on the water and a wonderful counterpoint to the region's cultural marvels.