Orissa itinerary question

[srij]

I've been doing lots of research for this part of my trip and have been trying really hard to keep myself from posting an itinerary question thread but I need some advice from the Orissa experts on IM and can hold off no longer.

I arrive in India on Dec 13, will spend a few days in Kolkata to recover, a few days in the Sunderbans and then will make my way to Orissa. I have to be in Delhi on Dec 22nd so my dates are fixed. I decided to go to Orissa primarily to go to Chilika Lake and Nalaban to see the birds. I love looking at birds and am very excited about this part but will also be in the Sunderbans for a few days before I arrive at Chilika and will see lots of birds there I'm sure. Not that I ever get tired of looking at birds and because it's migratory season there will be many many species to see. However, I would like a little balance in my trip. (After Orissa I'm doing a three week tour of Rajasthan with Agra and Varanasi at the end.) I know there are lots of cool temples to see in Orissa but my main objective is to get in some good birding and see the Sun Temple in Konark. My confusion is over how best to fit all of this in.

My current itinerary is this:

Plan A
Dec 19 - arrive Balugan on overnight train from Kolkata, overnight at Barkul, Chilika Lake during the day

Dec 20 - more Chilika and overnight at Barkul

Dec 21 - taxi to Bhubaneshwar, check-in at hotel, taxi to Konark to see Sun Temple and back to Bhubaneshwar for the night

Dec 22 - fly to Delhi


Alternatively, I was considering this option:

Plan B
Dec 19 - overnight train to Bhubaneshwar, leave luggage at station, taxi to Konark to see the Sun Temple, taxi back to Bhubaneshwar (maybe some stops on the way), pick up luggage, taxi to Barkul, overnight Barkul

Dec 20 - Chilika Lake

Dec 21 - Chilika Lake in the morning, afternoon bus or taxi to Bhubaneshwar check-in at hotel

Dec 22 - fly to Delhi

I'm leaning towards Plan B because it means going to the Sun Temple on a Friday morning rather than on a Sunday afternoon. Does that reasoning make any sense at all? I already have my reservations at Panthanivas Barkul.

If you're still reading this and have any feedback on the feasibility of either plan I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks!

gg


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