Embark On An Adventurous Road Trip From Puri To Chilika Lake In 2025
If you ever find yourself in the holy city of Puri in Odisha on the eastern coast of India, you may wonder if it is possible to visit the world-famous Chilika Lake as well. Chilika Lake is a brackish water lake that is the largest of its kind in Asia. It is home to many migratory birds flying in from other nations worldwide. Fret not, because making a road trip from Puri to Chilika Lake is easy and also fun! The routes for this road trip are very straightforward, and Chilika Lake is not too far away from Puri, making it the perfect day road trip you have had on your checklist for a long time!
Puri To Chilika Lake Road Trip- Distance, Route And Travel Time
Image Credit: Government of Odisha for Wikipedia
Driving from Puri to Chilika Lake is a straightforward road trip with just one route. Besides this, it is perfect for a one-day trip, and you will have a lot of time to explore the lake when you reach the place. The primary route to Chilika Lake from Puri is the NH 316 highway. The NH 316 highway starts at Bhubaneswar and bypasses the central city of Puri, eventually leading to Satapada at the banks of the Chilika Lake. All you have to do is exit Puri City onto Highway NH 316 and follow the route to Satapada. The route will take you through Gorual, Palanka, Brahmagiri, Bhubanpur, Arakhakuda, Panasapada and Satapada. The overall Puri to Chilka lake distance of road for this route is about 48.3 km. The driving time between Puri and Chilika Lake is 1 hour and 24 minutes.
- Total distance: 48.3 km by road
- Total Driving Time: About 1 and a half hours
Also Read: Places To Visit In Puri
Things To Do In Chilika Lake
There are a whole lot of things that you can do once you reach Chilika Lake. Some of the things you can do in Chilika Lake include:
Go For A Long Boat Ride
Image Credit: Ckpcb for Wikipedia
While at Satapada, you will see many piers where motorboats can be seen docking. You can take a motorboat ride to explore the waters of Chilika Lake and enjoy a serene boat ride across this majestic lake. Witnessing the sunset over the boat on Chilika like is truly a magical experience.
- Prices: INR 1300 onwards
- Best time to visit: winter months from November to March, during the sunset time.
Catch A Glimpse Of The Irrawaddy Dolphins
The Irrawaddy dolphins are a concentrated and large population native to Chilika Lake. While going on a boat ride across Chilika Lake, it is easy to spot a school of Irrawaddy dolphins approaching the water’s surface to get some fresh air. It is easy to spot the nose of the dolphin or the dorsal fin of the otherwise shy Irrawaddy dolphin at Chilika Lake.
- Highlight: The silence of the lake can be interrupted by the loud huffing sounds of the dolphins as they surface for air.
- Best time to visit: evening from November to March
Related Post: Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary
Enjoy The Seafood At The Lake
Right from the Chilika crab, a wide variety of seawater fish are available at the lake to eat. Many seafood shacks are located at Satapada and on many of the islands on Chilika Lake, which make lip-smacking local seafood delicacies. You can enjoy the fisherman’s catch of the day while you are at one of these shacks. Trying the top Odisha food near the Lake is the top thing to do on your trip in 2025.
- Prices: INR 500 onwards
- Best places to eat: Chilika Lake view restaurant, Jaga Tu Jagitha Family restaurant, Chilika lake seafood, etc
Visit the Islands On Chilika Lake
Image Credit: Krupasindhu Muduli for Wikipedia
While you are at Chilika Lake, you can also hire a motorboat to take you to some of the islands in the midst of it. Some of these islands include Honeymooners Island and Kalijai Island, which have a small Kali temple. All the notable islands will surely leave you spellbound and give you an amazing peaceful experience.
- How to get there: accessible by boat from Satapada, Rambha, or Barakul
- Tip: consider staying in nearby towns like Puri, Rambha, or Satapada for easy access to the lake and the island by boat.
Related Post: Tourist Places In Odisha
Go Bird spotting
Chilika lake is the home to various bird species such as flamingos, herons, pelicans, and many others. So you can take a boat ride to witness the different migratory birds at their designated areas during the migratory season. If you hire a local guide and a motorboat, the guide can help you spot various species of birds, such as Pelicans and flamingoes. Undoubtedly, Chilika Lake is a bird watchers’ paradise in Odisha.
- Best time to spot: winter months (November to February)
- Bird Watching Locations: Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Kalijai Island, Mangalajodi
Itinerary For Puri To Chilika Lake Road Trip
Image Credit: Rangan Datta for Wikipedia
Here’s an itinerary that you can follow for your Puri to Chilika Road trip:
8 AM: Start from Puri and take NH 316 to depart towards Brahmagiri-Satapada. This drive will take you about one and a half hours by road. However you can also go from Puri to Chilika lake by bus by giving a reasonable fare.
9:30 AM: Reach Chilika lake. Go to Satapada and arrange for a boat ride to explore different islands. Islands to explore include Breakfast, Badakuda, Kalijai Island, Honeymoon, Birds Island, Krushnaprasada, Kanthapantha, Somolo, Nuapara, Nalabana, and Sanakuda on your Puri to Chilka lake tour.
Duration: 2 and a half hours
12:00 PM: Grab some local fish delicacies for lunch and get a flavourful taste of local cuisine. You can also try some of the Chilika Lake Crab, a local delicacy.
Duration: 1 hour
1:00 PM: Drive to Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Chilika Lake, Khordha District
Duration: 1 and half hours
2:30 PM: Drive to the nearby Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. This bird sanctuary is a designated Ramsar site. It is where several species of migratory birds rest and feed on their migratory journey. Different bird species can be spotted, including flamingos, herons, pelicans, and more.
Duration: 3 hours
4:00 PM: Drive back to Satapada from Nalabana Bird Sanctuary.
5:30 PM—6:30 PM: Reach Satapada. Step back, sip on a few cups of chai and snacks, and enjoy the pure and beautiful sunset over the majestic Chilika Lake as the day turns into night.
6:30 PM: Depart from Chilika Lake and return to Puri.
8:00 PM: Arrive at Puri.
Related Post: Things To Do In Puri
Best Time To Visit
Image Credit: Vaibhavraj241 for Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit Chilika Lake from Puri is from November to February during winter. When you visit this time, you will definitely feel the pleasant weather and can witness a diverse range of migratory and rare bird species. Winter is the right time to spot them, and the temperature is mild, ranging from 7°C to 22°C, which is suitable for outdoor activities like boat rides. Additionally, you also have a higher chance to see the Irrawaddy dolphins on the lake. As this is the peak season, so book your accommodation well in advance.
How To Reach
Chilika Lake is a famous tourist draw because it is Asia’s largest brackish water lake and is therefore well connected to the rest of India by Rail, Road and Air. Here’s how you can reach Chilika Lake from Puri:
By Road: Take the highway NH 316 from Bhubaneswar or Puri. You can drive or take a bus from Konark to Pipili, from which you are connected to NH 316, as this is the only Puri to Chilka lake distance by road. Then, you can take the road to Satapada, which is on the banks of Chilika Lake. NH 316 does not have any tolls on the highway.
By Air: Chilika Lake does not have an airport. However, the nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, where you can drive to Satapada or take a bus. You can also hire a private taxi at the airport, which will remain with you throughout your exploration of Chilika Lake. The Puri to Chilika lake taxi fare is INR 1600 onwards.
By Rail: The nearest Railwayhead to Chilika Lake is Puri, where you can drive down or take public transport to Satapada. Many connecting buses from Puri drive down to Satapada and vice versa. Bhubaneswar is another railway station well-connected to the rest of India and close to Chilika Lake. This will help you learn how to reach Chilika Lake from Puri with your loved ones.
You May Also Like To Read: Chilika Lake
Visiting Chilika Lake is an adventure in itself. It is one of the most sought-after natural tourist destinations in Odisha, on the east coast of India. Plan your trip to Puri and travel from Puri to Chilika Lake to enjoy its magical waters.
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Cover Image Source: Government of Odisha for Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions About Puri To Chilika Lake
What is the distance between Puri and Chilika Lake?
Puri to Chilika lake roadtrip can easily be completed in a day. The drive from Puri to Chilika Lake is only about one and half hours long, and you will easily get to spend atleast 5-6 hours at Chilika Lake to explore the lake and do a variety of things.
What is the best time to visit Chilika Lake?
The best time to visit Chilika Lake would be the winter months from November to February. This is because the waters of the Chilika Lake are less muddy after the rainfalls of the monsoons and the weather is perfect, without being too hot.
What are the transportation options from Puri to Chilika Lake?
To get from Puri to Chilika Lake, you can take a train, bus, or hire a taxi. But the fastest route is to take a train from Puri.
What are the main attractions at Chilika Lake?
Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, boasts diverse attractions including Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Kalijai Temple, Satapada for dolphin watching and boat rides, and various islands like Honeymoon and Breakfast Islands.
What is Chilika famous for?
Chilika is famous for migratory birds, aquatic life, fish, dolphines, and biodiversity as it is the Asia's largest brackish water lagoon.
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