Koraput Travel Guide: Waterfalls, Tribal Trails and Hill-Station Calm in Odisha

Koraput is located in the hilly southern regions of Odisha and is known as 'second Kashmir' for its green mountain ranges and pleasant weather. The term is believed to come from 'Kora' and 'Put' meaning 'nux-vomica' trees that used to be indigenous to this place. This region attracts travellers for its waterfalls, villages of tribes, backwaters of dam and temples and best explored with a slow paced, multi-day trip rather than an over-night visit. Here's all about the best way to plan a visit to Koraput including what to see and do there, best season to visit and how to book a taxi or cab at this place. Planning to arrive via Vizag or Jeypore?

How to Reach Koraput: Flights, Trains and Cab Booking Options

You would need to travel by air to Visakhapatnam (Vizag), which is located nearly five to six hour drive to Koraput. There is a smaller airstrip located in Jeypore which is nearly 60 kms from Koraput and may be used as a backup in case Vizag doesn't serve the purpose. Koraput and Jeypore railway stations connect to Bhubaneswar, Vishakhapatnam among other few cities of India. Though the train schedule here is less as compared to towns of Odisha coastline.

For taxi and cab booking, to cover the last mile from airport to your hotel or station to points of tourist interest like Deomali peak and duduma waterfalls it would be advisable to book a taxi in advance or online on arrival for a smooth ride as local taxis availability in Koraput is comparatively less especially outside high tourist seasons.

There is an also an option of hiring an outstation cab from Visakhapatnam or Bhubaneswar to Koraput for tourists who prefer exploring on their own with fixed itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Koraput for Sightseeing and Trekking

The months from October to March would offer the ideal weather to plan a visit to Koraput as the temperatures would be pleasant with clear weather. The waterfalls can still be witnessed in abundance, the monsoon would be fading, the trekking trails would be dry and the temperature ideal to carry out all kind of activities. The region receives maximum rainfall from June to September, as a result of which there are plenty of waterfalls in their prime but the trekking paths are slippery and certain viewing points might remain closed for safety.

Top Tourist Places in Koraput Worth Planning Around

• Duduma Waterfall: Known as Matsya Tirtha, this majestic waterfall falls at a height of 175 meters formed on the Machhkund river and require a small trek from the nearest parking space.
• Deomali Peak: This is highest point in Odisha at a distance of almost 1672 metres 62kms away from Koraput town offers trekking trails, beautiful roads and spectacular views.
• Kolab Dam: This breathtaking reservoir on the Kolab river will not only offer you some excellent picnic spots but will also offer a peaceful experience while boating.
• Koraput Museum (Tribal Museum): Established in 1992, the museum portrays the tribal customs, attire, artifacts, musical instruments and the local art of the native tribal people of the district.
• The Jain Monastery ruins: About 34 km from Koraput town, you'll find some stone road ruins with images carved on them of Jain Tirthankar statues. There are carvings in there too of an older generation which we didn't even know existed!
• Raja Cave and Balmiki Ashram (Kapat Parbat): This place is in the Odisha-Andhra border on the banks of the Machakund river, and is ideal for those who like trekking and cave tours.

These sites are scattered around the area and not in the town at all, so booking a day's cab is probably best when you're here and if you're using public transport, it’ll be a challenge to make your way to every site.

Tribal Culture and Local Markets: What Makes Koraput Different

Koraput district, unlike all other places, is also home to numerous tribal communities particularly, we have some of our most exotic, wild tribes like Bonda, Gadaba, and Paraja. These unique and intriguing local tribes have unique characteristics reflected beautifully at our village haat (markets). Here, we can also find various unique produce, handwoven cloth, and many local artisan work at very very reasonable prices. If you visit the haat with a local expert you get all information properly.

Getting Around Koraput: Local Taxi and Cab Booking Guide

If you are going to have your full-day sightseeing on some distant spots around koraput that has amazing 20- 60 km to travel such as Duduma Waterfalls, Kolab Lake, Deomali Peak and various places to roam around. Booking a full-day cab seems more appropriate than going around using autos, since koraput does not yet have an established infrastructure for public road transport. You can book either an outstation full day cab, with your preferred itinerary or you can book for point-to-point booking if you plan on stopping at only one place.

Some information you should consider looking for before you make your cab booking at Koraput. You should confirm what your final quote will be, that would mean confirming that the rent will cover the total kilometres required, whether there are any tolls, will be included in your rental fare along withdriver's allowances or additional payment, the number of kilometres the car can take in an entire day, what the make/model of your vehicle would be. It is important to know if it will withstand the terrain, particularly along the Deomali stretch - something less of a struggle for hatchbacks but more for SUVs. We always suggest keeping some cash handy for car hire as few locations are outside town and many are short-range ATMs with a very limited ATM outside towns available there. We don’t want you stressing, it would spoil the purpose.

Planning your Koraput trip?

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