Bhubaneswar: Want to enjoy the sights of Odisha at your own pace? Then, caravan tourism is the answer. A niche segment, it offers travellers greater flexibility, privacy and freedom of movement and was launched in the state on Wednesday.Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio, flagged off three caravans at the foothills of Dhauli, with the initiative aimed at attracting young travellers, adventure-seekers and offbeat explorers looking for experiential and nature-based tourism in Odisha. The first caravan trip was flagged off to Talsari.Speaking on the occasion, Parida said the caravans would allow tourists to experience Odisha’s serene natural landscapes at their own pace, supported by well-designed amenities that combine comfort with sustainability.The tourism department launched caravan tourism under the viability gap funding (VGF) model, with operations and management entrusted to a private vendor, Sand and Pebble Tours. “The department has identified destinations with significant tourism potential, including Hirakud, Similipal, Daringbadi, Deomali, Talsari, Pentha, Mangalajodi, Jiranga and other pristine locations across the state, for caravan-based tourism experiences,” said director of tourism Deepankar Mohapatra.“The caravans are fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern amenities such as recliners, beds, washrooms, Wi-Fi, cooking facilities, GPS tracking and safety features, allowing travellers to explore comfortably and at their own pace,” he added.The proposal to introduce caravan tourism was pending for the past five years. According to the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026, the initiative follows the success of the tourism department’s ‘Odisha by Road’ campaign. Under the policy, the department will create and promote parking and night-stay infrastructure, along with utilities such as fresh water, power supply and sewage disposal.The policy states that such infrastructure will be developed at key tourist destinations, scenic locations and strategically located wayside amenity centres across the state. Caravan users will be able to access these facilities on payment of user charges.To begin with, OTDC-run Pantha Nivas properties and eco-tourism or nature camps run by the forest department will be designated as ‘caravan parks’.The caravan services will be available at tariff starting from Rs 11,111 per day.
