In the meantime of this lockdown, I am recalling a stunning memory of one location that surprised me to the end. I was so amused by the place that on return it was like some part of mine left behind.
It was the beginning of 2020, I was planning for a year full with adventure and excited trips. On a surprise at the end of the January one of my dear friend just called me and asked If I would like to visit a place, she pronounced the place like Amazon of India, and yes indeed it is.
Bhitharkanika, firstly it took a while to remember the name, it was so unique for me. I started checking out details of the place. There are so many detailed travel blogs on internet about bhitharkanika to make the extreme decision. Inspite of the long trip I was so excited to go there. Special thanks to my dear friend who was already in Odissa that time. She has managed all the bookings for us.
Here I should mention, it is better to take a travel partner as bhitharkanika is remote and less chances to get alternative options. We took our bookings from OD travels. The package includes boat charge, resort accommodation with fooding, pickup and drop to nearest rail station (Bhadrak). It costs us about 13k, 65k each for 2 days 1 night and believe me it worth it.
Finally the long waited day arrived. I took flight from Delhi to Kolkata at the evening of friday. About 2100 hours I had reached Kolkata, and from there I went to Howrah railway station. There are so many trains from Howrah to Bhadrak (Nearest station). It took about 4 hours to reach Bhadrak. At 0400 hours I had reached Bhadrak railway station. At 0600 hours our cab driver arrived at railway station to pick us up. They are so punctual.
We started our journey from Bhadrak railway station to Chandbali. The road trip was short but so beautiful. An empty road, sun rising on the horizon and a rural landscape what else a traveller need.
We approached Chandbali at around 0730 hours. From there our boat journey will about to start. But before our journey we had decided to have some light breakfast, but there were only some small shops with limited options. Plan accordingly for breakfast. We met out boat partner there. They helped us to completed all our ticket formalities. Only 200 rupees extra we needed to pay our camera. Price is variable according to camera.
Our boat journey begun on Baitarani river accompanied by one guide and one boat pilot. It was so beautiful surroundings. Fishing boats are all around the river.
About 1.5 hours of boat ride, we entered into the mangroves. Green dense forest both side of the river with uncountable flora and fauna. Bitharkanika is India's second largest mangrove forest and home to huge number of salt water crocodile. When we enter the forest, crocodiles are everywhere. Resting on the river bank, swimming on the river, babies are on the trees. It was so amazing to watch the baby crocodiles resting on the branches of the trees.
Bitharkanika is heaven for bird photographers / bird watchers. 7 types of kingfishers, eagles, bee eaters, forest parrots many more. We had 18-270mm lens, but it is better if u have 500mm lens for better photography.
There are too much of wildlife everywhere, if you are watching oneside of the forest, you missed another side. Here comes our guide, he was expert animal spotter. He helps us to find so many animals that we could hardly find.
At around 12oo hours we reached Bhitharkanika national park resort location. Our guide gave us two options to reach our resort. We choose jungle route, and honestly it does not disappoint us.
Our guide helped us to find our resort and care taker. I accidentally forgot to take pictures of our resorts, but honestly speaking it was the best hotel room I have ever accommodate. Room was so clean, they had provide d everything even a pair of chappal as well. We were so tired because of our restless journey. So we decided to take rest for couple of hours.
When we woke up on the evening, we found a herd of deer playing in front of our room. We were so surprised and amused as well.
We took a walk to the surroundings, it was so beautiful. So silent, only the twittering of birds everywhere. We just lost there. How could nature be so relaxing.
There was few ponds nearby our resort, and you know what, the below one was on it.
We have explored so many animals. Our caretaker was brilliant animal spotter. He helped us to spot so many birds/ wild animal.
Now I should mention here about the fooding. They provide us much good, healthy food. Lunch on arrival, snacks and tea on evening, dinner and tea and breakfast on morning. The food quality was amazing and you can avail veg and nonveg items.
We woke up early in the morning to feel the forest with the first morning light. Mangroves is so amazing, you can experience some epic wild life here only. So much beautiful atmosphere everywhere. We were the only person walking on the forest, so silent so calm. It seems like time just stopped there.
Eventually the time has come to leave the drastic place. We were informed, that we must visit Gahirmata beach to see Most endangered sea olive turtle nesting. But were short of time and our ticket was booked. So we had no option. If you ever plan to visit there, take min 2 days. Now we have to visit again.
Now I must share one bad experience,
On our returning, our boat driver did not drop us our scheduled location, instead he dropped us another nearby ghat, from where another cab was supposed to pick us up to drop at railway station. It was totally rural area and we were feeling little uncomfortable.
Keep one torch light with you as roaming at night is very risky. If you are lucky enough you can see python,king cobra.