Trivia
Sundarban is the worlds largest delta.It is also know as the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.Some of its areas are listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites.It has a mangrove forest cover of about 10,000 sq kms.
Places to see
1.Sajnekhali watch tower Also there is a crocodile park & Mangrove Interpretation Centre inside the complex.
2.Pakhiralay village.
3.Sudhanyakhali watch tower.
4.Dobanki tiger camp
Facts & Tips :
1.It is recommendable to to visit sundarbans with the guidance of tour operators since its a remote forest area and they have the best local knowledge.All tours involve staying entire day on boat where lunch/ breakfast/dinners are served while it cruises through the mangroves.
2.If you want to spend weekend with family/friends or get away from the hectic life , 2Day/1Night in boat is ideal.More then that,it becomes monotonous.
3.If you are into wildlife, nature,photography,botany or any other enthusiasts or professional, then you might consider stretching the stay since sundarban offers a wide plethora of subject to explore.
4.If you are travelling with family , you might avoid staying in boat at night (provided its a luxury houseboat ).Hygiene and privacy are of issue.
5.Best time to visit is during the month of October to march .Winter is recommendable, as the animals come out of the forest for sun bath.However weekends are the most crowded and packed with traveller which reduces the chance to catch view of animals.
6.Unlike popular myth , catching a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger is very rare. Animals that can be seen commonly are deer,crocodile,wild boar,monitor lizards ,primates and various species of birds.
7.Most of the sundarban bound boats anchors at a village called "Pakhiralay" for night stay.This village have all the hotels,local shops,refreshment areas etc. More details are in the main article.
8.Strictly avoid throwing non disposable items in water.
9.The locals in and around sundarbans lead life in poverty and hardship.Wherever possible try to support locals.
Trip at glance
The Sundarban tour typically start from any one of the ferry ghats from where tourists have to embark the boat.Breakfast and lunch is served on the boat as it cruises along the canals with mangrove on both side. This is an unique and cherishing experience .
The sundarbans have 2 area, first is the outer/unreserved area and the second is the reserved or core area which is more interior, where the famed Bengal tigers can be seen.
By evening of the first day ,the boat reaches the vicinity of the core area and halts at a village called Pakhiralay. This is one of the tourist spot in Sunderban having hotels,lodges,local shops etc.All core area bound boats anchors here.Many hotels arranges for cultural folk dances & songs performed by locals which is another attraction of this area.You can opt to spend the night in the boat if it suits.
Day 2 starts with the boats leaving pakhiralay as early as possible.Breakfast is served on the boat.As the boat moves along the canopy changes on both sides, as canal becomes narrower giving the sense and the thrill of the dense forest.The boat makes its way to the next tourist stop sudhanyakhali tiger camp,which has a watch tower and a very impressive and unique collection of all the species of mangrove that are found in and around sundarbans, a must visit for all botany enthusiasts. From there, the next stop is the Dobanki camp which has a watch tower and a thrilling canopy walk, 20 ft from the ground with mangrove forest below.
Once that is covered and returned to boat,lunch will be served as the boat makes its way back to outer areas of sundarban and to the drop off point of the tour.From Dobanki it takes another 3-4 hours for the journey to end.
See the thrills of the forest and bounties of nature through my lens and videos below.
