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Package Duration : 5 Days
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Sunderban - 3 Nights, Kolkata - 1
Night |
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Sunderbans - The Land of The Royals !
Where the land meets the sea at the southern
tip of West Bengal lies the Indian Sunderbans, a stretch of
impenetrable mangrove forest of great size and bio-diversity. A
UNESCO World Heritage Site (awarded in 1997), the Sunderbans is a
vast area covering 4264 square kms. in India alone, with a larger
portion in Bangladesh. 2585 sq. kms. of the Indian Sunderbans forms
the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India.
The Sunderbans are a part of the world's
largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna.
Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, 22.00° N –
89.00° E, it is also the world’s largest estuarine forest. 70% of
the area is under saline water and the area is criss-crossed by
hundreds of creeks and tributaries. It is difficult to approach and
even moredifficult to spend time in. But for those who dare, it must
be one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on
earth.
In a landscape dominated by great tidal creeks
and waterways, the only way to access and enjoy the area is on
motorized boats which come in various sizes and shapes. Sunderbans
is the home of man eating tigers, estuarine crocodiles, sharks and
snakes. Man fights for survival in great numbers by living off
nature's bounty by accepting and fighting against these odds. The
visitor has no choice but to stay within limits and out of trouble.
This means that there is very little conventional bird or game
watching, more observations from water. But the dark and foreboding
attractiveness of the mangroves also hides some of the most sought
after birds and animals in the world and a chance encounter with a
Swamp Partridge, a Brown-winged Kingfisher, a Grey Headed Lapwing, a
Pallas's Fish Eagle, a Lesser Adjutant or maybe a Mangrove Whistler
is always a possibility ~ as is the unforgettable sight of the most
secretive great cat in the world.
Tiger sighting is difficult not just because of
the terrain but also because the density is not evident from the
limited view one gets from a boat. The fringes of Sunderbans play
host to many local endemics and the visitor is well advised to spend
time on land outside the core area before venturing into the heart
of the National Park. Once inside the Park, the only access to land
is at the various Watchtowers you can visit. Remember that the
watchtowers are inside wire cages and do not allow you to stroll in
tiger- and.
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Day |
Programme |
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Arrive Kolkata.
Immediately proceed to Sonakhali jetty (110 kms.- 3 Hrs.) through
beautiful countryside’s, rural bazaar with stopovers at Local Tea
shop and Fishermen’s' villages. Arrive at Sonakhali. Transfer of
luggage and persons to motorized boat.
Briefing and interpretation by then naturalist over
Tea/Coffee/Welcome drink followed by 2 hours spectacular cruise
through river Hogol, Gomor, Durgaduani and Gumdi. Optional stopover
at Gosaba- one of the earliest human settlements of Sunderbans to
visit the house of Sir Danniel Hamilton-a Scottish banker who
initiated the first co- perative movement of India here. Thereafter
check-in the hotel.
After lunch, leave for 3 hours birding and game cruise to
Sudhanyakhali watch tower through creeks and canals.
Evening will be free for relaxation. Night halt at Sunderbans. |
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After breakfast, leave for full day game cruise
and birding tour to Netidhopani watch tower (Subject to weather
permitting the same). Lunch will be served on board. Return back to
resort.
In the evening, experience the local Rural theatre (Bonobibi Yatra)
performed by the villagers. The theatre tells interesting story
about the Tiger Lord, Forest God and Goddess, fishermen and honey
collectors with lot of songs and dances. Night halt at Sunderbans. |
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After breakfast, leave for the Birding and game
cruise to DoBanki watch tower to enjoy a small canopy walk.
Return back to resort for lunch. Evening will be at leisure. Night
halt at Sunderbans. |
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After breakfast, take a guided village walk in
which participants are encouraged to have a close interaction and
interesting encounters with the local villagers and their lifestyle,
Local craft and cuisines, Indigenous farming and household
equipments used by the villagers. Afterwards enjoy a guided
adventure cruise by manually- oared country boat.
Back to Resort for lunch. Thereafter check-out from the hotel and
proceed to Sonakhali, arrive Sonakhali and departure to Kolkata (110
kms.- 3 Hrs.), arrive Kolkata. Night halt at Kolkata. |
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Departure to Mumbai. |
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The Activities :
We do not promise Tiger Sighting though every efforts will be
taken to show the incredible array of wildlife of the Sunderbans.
For those who consider Tiger sighting a must
for their trip are discouraged to join our cruise safaris as Tiger
sighting cannot be guaranteed in such a vast, remote and difficult
terrain where visitors hardly have any opportunity to walk on the
forested lands or mud flats. We welcome all to our Natural History
tour for a great learning experience and a mutual education.
Climate :
October to February- Cold and temperate, March to May-Hot and
humid
June to September- Wet and windy. Monsoon cruises are spectacular.
Special Interest :
Botany, Ornithology and Ethno-zoology: 180 species of birds
including 6 species of Kingfishers, Raptors, Waders, Migratory birds
and ducks, Herons and Storks. Other than some 270 legendary Bengal
Tigers and Spotted Deers and Wild Bores Sunderbans also boasts of
the Largest Estuarine crocodiles, Rhesus monkeys, Water monitors,
Reptiles and Amphibians, Turtles and Dolphins. The honey collectors
and Fishermen of the land of "HUNGRY TIDE".
Sunderbans is mysterious, unpredictable,
instilling, vast, untamable Perhaps, the last true wild frontier
remaining on our planet Earth.
Must in Travel Kit :
Binocular
Bird book
Small Torch
Stock of film rolls and batteries
Personal medication
Sun cap
Pair of earth color trousers/shirts |
The above package can be
customized according to your needs and specifications. Please
contact our office for details. |