The two great Indian rivers, the Brahamaputra and the Ganges, form a vast swampy delta covering mangrove forests, wetlands and forest islands all interwoven in a network of small rivers and streams. The world heritage site of the Sundarban National Park is situated here, covering an area of approximately 1330 square kilometers, and providing a homeland to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger and the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarban region was named after the local Sundari tree, one of the predominant mangroves in the area.
This short stopover is ideal for families and nature-lovers and fits easily into a longer stay in India and Nepal.
We spend three blissful days enjoying the jungle and wildlife, spotting animals from various optimum watch-towers and drive safaris. The Sundarban forest is home to over 400 Bengal tigers, who have adapted to the aquatic environs and are extremely good swimmers. In this natural wilderness you will also find the thrilling chital deer and rhesus monkey, while the water is filled with fish, red fiddler crabs and hermit crabs scampering among the lush vegetation. Crocodiles can be spotted lurking on the mud banks. The Park is famous for its conservation programme for the Olive Ridley sea turtle, which can be found here quietly paddling the shallows. Reptiles can be found in large numbers, and include the king cobra, the rock python and the endangered water terrapin. For bird-lovers, Sundarban’s rich wilderness is also a haven for around 225 species of birds.
01 KOLKATA – SUNDARBAN
You are met in Kolkata in the early morning, and we depart to Sundarban National Park by road (approximately a two hour journey), before starting our safari at Canning inside the Park. We go to the Sajnekhali watch tower, the turtle breeding centre and the Sundarban interpretation centre to learn more about the wildlife. We stay overnight in the park at Lahiripur / Pakhirala.
02 SUNDARBAN
A full day of safari, visiting watch towers around the park to spot various different animals in the forests and swamps – tigers roam forests and swim in rivers, monkeys scamper high in the trees, reptiles slither out of bush and birds sing overhead. After an exhilarating day of journeying around the park, we spent our second night at Lahiripur / Pakhirala.
03 SUNDARBAN – KOLKATA
We kick off the final day with an early morning safari, a good time to see animals as many are early risers. We make our way slowly across the park, stopping at watch towers along the way, and reach Canning in the late afternoon. We then transfer by road to Kolkata, where you are taken to your hotel, station or airport for your onward destination. Tour ends.
Cost Include
Accommodation on an all-inclusive basis – all meals provided.
All transfers by road: Kolkata – Sundarban – Kolkata.
Pick-ups and drop-offs at start and end of tour included.
All safari tours as specified.
