Short answer
Koraput, Rayagada and Jeypore are the main bases for visiting southern Odisha's tribal-region weekly markets and villages; the essential rule everywhere is to ask permission before photographing people, and in some markets photography is not permitted at all.
The weekly haats
Villages across the Eastern Ghats hold rotating weekly markets where communities sell produce, forest goods and handicrafts; these are working markets for local livelihoods, not staged tourist attractions, and should be approached accordingly.
Photography and consent
Always ask before photographing individuals, accept a refusal without argument, and check with a local guide before raising a camera in any given market since rules vary by community and by market.
Using local guides
Guides from the Koraput and Rayagada region bring language ability and community relationships that outside guides cannot, and their fees support the local economy directly.
Beyond the markets
The region also includes the Deomali peak, Odisha's highest point, and Duduma Waterfall, giving travellers landscape stops alongside the cultural visits.
Getting there
Koraput and Jeypore are roughly 500-550 km from Bhubaneswar by road, a full day's drive, so most itineraries treat this as a distinct southern Odisha leg rather than an add-on to the coastal circuit.
