4 Day Enchanting Mangrove Forest, River Cruise, and Wildlife Tour in Sundarbans

Facilities

Day 1

• Arrival at Godkhali Jetty
• Departure by boat at 12:00 p.m. for Jamespore
• Arrival at Sundarbans Mangrove Retreat, Jamespore
• Lunch at the resort
• Visit Jotirampur / Gaaraal followed by a sunset cruise on the river
• Back to the resort
• Get-together with an evening high tea
• Dinner

Day 2

• Bed tea
• Breakfast at the resort or on board
• Visit Sajnekhali Tiger Project Area, wildlife viewing from a watchtower and visit the interpretation center
• Enchanting river cruise through dense forest and narrow creeks (Sarakkhali, Bon Bibi Bharani, Sundarkhali, Gajikhali, Chora Gajikhali, Ponchommukhani, and Pirkhali Creeks)
• Visit Sudhanyakhali watchtower for wildlife viewing
• Lunch on board
• Visit Dobanki watchtower
• Back to resort in the afternoon
• Get-together with a high tea
• Dinner

Day 3

• Bed tea
• Breakfast on board
• Enchanting river cruise through the narrow creeks/channel or visit Burirdabri watchtower
• Lunch on board
• Back to resort in the afternoon
• Get-together with an evening high tea
• Dinner

Day 4

• Bed tea
• Visit the local village
• Breakfast at the resort
• Check out at 9:00 a.m. and transfer to Godkhali
• Arrival at Godkhali

West Bengal's Sundarbans National Park is the mangrove forest of the Sundarbans. It is situated in the vast swampy delta of two great Indian rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Ganga. It extends over a vast area of mangrove forests, swamps, and forested islands. Two eco-regions of forests are found here. Firstly, the freshwater swamp forests and secondly, the mangroves forests.

The Sundarbans ecosystem is characterized by a very dynamic atmosphere due to the effect of the tide, flooding, and salinity in water. As a result, this has a fascinating diversity of natural elements. Over 40 mammal species, over 270 bird species, over 45 reptile species, at least 11 amphibian species, over 120 fish species, an unknown number of invertebrates, and more than 330 plant species are found in this ecoregion.

Remarkable species, such as estuarine crocodile, spotted deer, wild boar, rhesus monkey, fishing cat, monitor lizard, Gangetic dolphin, and marine turtles are found there along with the flagship species, the Royal Bengal tiger.

The Sundarbans tiger population is supposed to be the largest surviving tiger population in the world. According to research, it is the homeland of around 270 Royal Bengal Tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers are the major source of attraction in the Sundarbans Trip.

This came under the Tiger Project in 1973. Later the core area of 1,330 square kilometers was declared as the Sundarbans National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colorful bird life along the waterways includes species such as nine species of kingfishers, 38 species of raptors, herons, egrets, storks, sandpipers, whimbrels, curlews, gulls, terns, woodpeckers, barbets, shrikes, drongosa, mynahs, minivets, babblers, snake birds, and many others. Lucky bird watchers may catch a glimpse of masked finfoot. Besides, different species of snakes, lobsters, numerous varieties of fishes, shrimps, and varieties of colorful crabs are also found in the Sundarbans.

The Sundarbans has a wide variety of plant life too. Inside the park, there are mangrove scrub, saltwater mixed forest, littoral forest, brackish water forest, and swamp forest. The large floral population includes trees like Sundari, Hetal, Dhundal, Genwa, Garjan, Passur, and Kankara. Sundari and Gewa occur prominently throughout the area with infrequent distribution of Dhundal and Kankra. In addition to these, the tall and wide Goran trees cover a large part of the Sundarbans. Interestingly, more than half of the 50 broad mangrove categories are found in the in this eco-region.

Sundarbans is a paradise for nature lovers, as it is blessed with a very rich and interesting variety of flora and fauna and is one of the biggest assets of India. The beauty of flora and fauna of mangrove ecosystem is a delight to the tourists visiting the Sundarbans.

Distance

• Kolkata City Center, 100 kilometers

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The Sunderbans is a delight for food lovers. Crabs, prawns, and a wide variety of fish are available in abundance. Many travelers visit this resort and the Sunderbans frequently for the delicious foods, other than its natural attraction.

At Sunderban Mangrove Retreat, there are arrangements of folk-based and rural cultural programs in the evening and other activities for the tourists. Tourists can enjoy the ponds of the resort premises. Also, there is an ample scope for the bird lovers to watch a different kind of colorful birds of mangrove forest around the resort.

In the evening, there is an arrangement of folk songs by the Baulsa from a nearby locality, which gives a countryside feel of the place itself and West Bengal as well. Banbibi Yatra is another remarkable experience for tourists. It is a local theatrical presentation performed by the villagers. Banbibi, who is considered as the Jungle Goddess, is the principal deity of the Sundarbans. Before entering the forest, fishermen, woodcutters, and honey-collectors worship the Jungle Goddess and pray to her for protecting themselves from the tiger's attack or other sorts of dangers occurred in this mangrove. So, the Goddess Banbibi plays a major role in the life of the people of the Sundarbans.

The Banbibi Yatra is a story-based presentation to narrate this and also for paying homage to the Goddess. The tribal dance called "Tusu Dance" performed by the local tribal and bonfire is other attractions for the tourists to experience the tribal art forms and culture in the fire-lit evening.

• Welcome drink on arrival at Godkhali Jetty
• All transfer from Godkhali Jetty to the resort and back by an exclusive boat
• Forest safaris by an exclusive boat
• 3 nights accommodation
• All meals on fixed menu basis from Day 1 lunch to Day 4 lunch
• Forest entry permits (for Indian tourists)
• Forest Department approved guide for safari (for Indian tourists)

• GST 5%
• Forest entry permits (for foreign tourists)
• Forest Department approved guide for safari (for foreign tourists)

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 3 days before arrival.