The largest coastal mangrove in the heart of West Bengal, The Sunderban National Park is one of the most popular wildlife tourist destinations in India. Kolkata is easily accessible by rail, road and air. On arrival in Kolkata, one needs to take the raod or the rail to reach Sunderbans. There are direct links from Kolkata to Sunderban by rail and road. The easiest way to reach this site is to take a train from Canning which is nearly 48 kms away from Sunderban National Park.
Sundarban is also the only mangrove forest in the world having the tiger as its indigenous population. Sundarbans also harbors a good number of rare and globally threatened animals including Estuarine Crocodile, Fishing Cat (Common otter, Water Monitor lizard, Gangetic Dolphin, Snubfin dolphin, River Terrapin, marine turtles like Olive Ridley,Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle.
Six species of Shark and Ray, which are found here, are included in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act. These indicate that Sundarban Reserved Forest is a natural biodiversity hot spot.
Other mammals comprise of Wild boars, Spotted deer, Porcupines and Rhesus macaque. Among the reptiles, the King cobra, the common cobra, Banded krait, Russells Viper comprise the community of venomous reptiles, while the Python, Chequered Kil-Back, Dhaman , Green Whip Snake and several other species constitute the non-venomous snake.
Your journey into the wild will start in the morning from your pick up point from Kolkata (Hotel/Airport/Railway Station) through beautiful countryside and rural bazaar with a brief stopover for tea and refreshments. Around midday you arrive at Godkhali Jetty (Travel by land ends here), where you will be greeted by your local guide and provided refreshments onboard your cruiser. We cruise through rivers Gomor, Durgadhwani to enter river Pitchkhali on banks of which lies Sunderban Tiger Camp overlooking the Sunderban Tiger Reserve (Total Journey: 4 Hours [Road 2 Hours: Boat 2 Hours).
Optional Stopover: Gosaba is one of the earliest human settlements in the Sunderban – to visit the house of Sir Danniel Hamilton – a Scottish banker who initiated the first co-operative movement of India in Sunderban.
On your arrival you will be greeted by our team and checked into your cottage at Sunderban Tiger Camp followed by a hot lunch. Your afternoon entails observing endemic and migratory birds and wildlife while you cruise through the creeks and canals of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve forest to Sajnekhali Watchtower and Mangrove Interpretation Centre whilst refreshments are served on board. As the sun sets in the distant horizon we return to the resort to refresh and join us for Hi-Tea with Snacks by the evening bonfire to view Adibasi dance performed by the tribal’s of Sunderban. The folklore depicts their century old cultural in its true native form. They showcase happiness and hardships in their lives through dance and recitals of their folklore.
One can also go to the watchtower at the resort after their return from the cruise to observe the birdlife within the resort (Sunderban Tiger Camp houses 64 species of birds to date). A warm dinner cooked with farm fresh vegetables and is served at the Fisherman’s Wharf dining hall which displays different tools used by the locals to catch fish ends your first day in the Sunderban Tiger Camp. Overnight at the camp in Sunderban.
After breakfast, board a thrilling cruise towards Dobanke Watch Tower as we move into the Sunderban Tiger Reserve Forest through creeks and dense forest and numerous rivers.
The canopy walk at Dobanke Watch Tower inside the forest sends chills down your spine (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting a 360° view of the forest). We visit the spotted deer rehabilitation centre after which we cruise back through Matla – Sea Face (the point from where Bay of Bengal can be seen) to Sunderban Tiger Camp for lunch. In the afternoon you will experience the true Sunderban, as you walk through the native village of Dayapur. You will encounter many wonderful sights as you learn about the lifestyle, local crafts, cuisines, and way of life of the local villagers. Observe their indigenous farming methods and how their houses are completely mud made with small entrances. Your tour will pass through the village market and eventually end at the resort for refreshments followed by a wildlife movie and dinner to end another day in the reserve forest. Overnight at Sunderban camp.
Today we head for the morning cruise into the Sunderban Tiger Reserve once again through creeks and rivers heading to the Sudhanyakhali Watchtower. Walk through the caged walkways after disembarking towards the watchtower, searching for the elusive tiger. Keep a look at the sweet water pond where you may sight a deer drinking water or a water monitor lizard basking by the sun as well as monkeys and wild boars may be sighted nearby. Breakfast is served on board with refreshments as we cruise back to Sunderban Tiger Camp. After an early lunch you will be transferred back to Kolkata (Hotel/Airport/Railway Station).
