Offbeat Weekend- Daringbadi

Choose the path, less explored and visit unique places within India and around the world. India is full of surprises. If you think you’ve seen the length and breadth of the country, and nothing will inspire you anymore, then I am heading you to one hidden gem of our country- the Kashmir of Orissa. And I promise you will come back satiated, yet yearning for more!

You are busy in your tight schedule for the last few months, and then an idea of a weekend trip will surely be the best one to refresh you.  Definitely this idea will follow a session with your friends or family members or closed ones to set up a plan for your weekend trip destination. But after a long session you will end up with a very few choices like Digha, Puri, Mandarmani, Tajpur, etc; and one or two of your friend will definitely end up with this sentence- “aur kitna bar Digha, Mandarmani bhai. Let’s try something new”.  Now here I am with a new choice for you all- Daringbadi- The Kashmir of Orissa.

Sunset Point, Daringbadi

Daringbadi, also called the Kashmir of Orissa (Founded by Daring Saheb), is the only hill station in the eastern state at an altitude of 3000ft, with its green valleys, dense forests, hill tops, streams, etc and definitely the only place in Orissa which sometimes experience snowfall in Winter. This place is largely gifted with natural bounties that include pine groves, coffee gardens and beautiful verdant valleys. The added attraction comes from the fact that it is still a virgin tourist attraction with not many accommodation options.

How to reach Daringbadi: Daringbadi can be reached from Bhubaneswar (251 km) (nearest airport) and other important places of the state by regular bus services. The nearest railway station is at Berhampur/Brahmapur (120 km). The easiest way is to book a taxi from Berhampur and it will take hardly 3-3.5 hours via Soroda. A reserved Bolero for 8 persons will take around Rs.2500/- and a Indica/Indigo for 4 persons will take around Rs.2100/-. For booking you can contact with Mr. Mathews of Deers Eco Home, Daringbadi. He is a nice person and he is the travel consultant over there. Even the local spots and car for the return trip will also be arranged by him. Discuss with him to get the best possible arrangements.

Mr. Mathews: +91-9437061741

On the way to Daringbadi

Where to stay in Daringbadi: As already stated, Daringbadi is still a virgin tourist attraction and accommodations are also limited. There are only 3 hotels where you can stay in this hill station. Those are Deers Eco Home, Hotel Padma and Hotel Utopia. But if you are going to Daringbadi in search of a off-beat flavour, then you must opt for Deer Eco Home, which itself is a spot in this forest of pines. Deers Eco Home which is located a little away (a couple of km) from the main market, is beautifully designed with garden inside the Eco Home. Room tariff is very much reasonable and definitely well furnished considering such remote location.

Rooms in Deers Eco Home as on 1^st Aug,2017:

Double Bed room Rs.1000.00

Triple Bed room Rs.1200.00

Four Bed Room (Garden House)  Rs.1500.00

Five Bed Room (economic)Rs.1500.00

The Garden House is little bit spacious and located inside mango and guava garden but I would prescribe you to opt for the double/triple bed rooms although these are not much spacious as these rooms have attached hill view balcony on the front side, with dense forest on the back side. What about having cup of tea sitting on the balcony and enjoying the view of the pine forests, coffee garden, and streams....

How to book Deers Eco Home: If you are going to visit Daringbadi and want to stay in Deers Eco Home, then you must book it beforehand at least 1 month prior to your visit. This resort has a huge demand for its location and service.

Email Id: deersindia@yahoo.com

Contact: +91-9438422452 / +91-7008220161

Website: www.ecohome.org.in

Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast/Snacks can be arranged by the resort restaurant at a very reasonable rate.

Tour Planning and activity in Daringbadi:

I am writing here the most appropriate tour plan for Daringbadi from Kolkata. If you are travelling from any other places and want some info on the proper tour guide, do drop a mail in our email given below.

If you are travelling from Kolkata, do opt for train service and don’t think for flight. As if you are opting for flight to Bhuvneswar then you have to travel another 250 km by road to Daringbadi.

Day 0: Train from Howrah Railway station. The best train would be Howrah Yesvantpur express (12863). It will depart Howrah at 8.35 pm and will reach Brahmapur at 5.50 am next morning. I am opting this train because of its timing, it will reach Brahmapur early in the morning which will help you to reach Daringbadi within 9.30-10 am and have your breakfast in  Kashmir of Orissa.

Day 1: You will reach Brahmapur at 5.50 am. Your car will be there waiting for you in Brahmapur. You can have a cup of tea in Hinjlicut which is around 20 km from Brahmapur. The next 3 hours ride through the pine jungles, valleys, hills, rivers will surely be memorable one especially if you are going in the Rainy season. You will reach Daringbadi within 9.30-10 am max, and then have your breakfast in Daringbadi (please try to order it over phone one day earlier to get the dishes of your choice). Now do have a discussion with Mr. Mathews who will arrange your further activities. My suggestion will be to book a cab for Mundasori Silent valley of Orissa/Magnetic hill which is 45 km from  Daringbadi and a cab for 8 person will take Rs.1850 for the entire trip. Try to become fresh within 2 hours and then have your lunch and leave for Mundasori within 1pm-2pm. Spend a couple of hours over there, enjoy the silence of the silent valley and return within 6-7 pm to your eco home. (even there is new forest bungalow in  Mundasori , with two rooms and @Rs.2000 per room for 2 persons. Do avail it for one more day if you want some adventure in your trip.) Enjoy the tea and evening snacks. Have your dinner and don’t forget to book your cab for the next day local trip. Have a delicious dinner and for tonight enjoy the first sleep in the pine jungle.

Lovers' Point, Daringbadi

Day 2: Good morning Daringbadi!!! Open the door and seat in the balcony, feel the pleasant view of the valleys, jungles, gardens, farmers with the cows and goats, the local tribal families, etc. Eco Home will be there for you with your bed tea. Have it and if you want, do go for a Jungle Morning Walk. I bet even if you hate morning walks and you are not an early riser, this morning walk will be memorable for you. The walk through the pine jungles, coffee gardens, black pepper gardens, streams, small rivers, the songs of various jungle birds, and the pleasant cold breeze will greet you a warm welcome in the valley of Kashmir of Orissa- Daringbadi. Oh, I know now you are almost lost in the silence of the pine jungles but no you have to return to eco home because today you will be visiting the local spots of this hill station. Post  breakfast leave for local sightseeing. The rates are like Rs.1600-1700/- for a car of 8 persons and Rs.1500-1600/- for a car of 4 persons. Again Mr. Mathews will be there for you for this trip. They will cover total 9 spots which I have written below. The spots will be covered in two halves. Post breakfast the first half will be covered after which you will return to eco home for lunch and then again leave for the second half.

The spots are:

• 1.      Lovers point
• 2.      Emu Bird Sanctuary
• 3.      Mirrubanda waterfalls
• 4.      Pangali valley
• 5.      Coffee garden
• 6.      Pine jungle
• 7.      Sunset point
• 8.      Nature park
• 9.      Hill view park

You will reach Eco Home within evening. Don’t forget to write down the names of the places. Do try to post the contacts, it will help many other travelers. Have your dinner and enjoy your last night in Daringbadi.

Day 3: By this time around, you must be feeling enthralled about your visit to Daringbadi. You definitely want to share your memories with your near and dear ones. Have your breakfast and with these memories leave for Berhampur railway station. If your train is at night you can visit Taptapani which is on the way or Gopalpur which is 15km from Berhampur.

For any further query refer to my Email Id below.

Anirban Chakraborty
*acanirban90@gmail.com