Sunderban
The Largest Tiger Reserve
General Information
District: South 24 Parganas, State: West Bengal, India
Area: 4264 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Bengali
Importance: The Indian part of the world's largest delta and land of Royal bengal tiger
Best Time to Visit: September to February
Description
The name Sunderban comes from the Sundari tress that grow in the forests, which are called the Ban. These are the famous Gangetic deltas, formed when the rivers Ganga and Hooghly divide into many distributaries reducing the speed of water. The river deposits its silt just as it is about to merge into the sea and in due course the accumulated silt takes the shape of islands on the mouth of the rivers. These provide an ideal atmosphere and environment for the Sundari trees to grow. The Sunderbans are home to many exquisite animals and birds and the most famous Royal Bengal Tigers. Covering a vast area of 1,629 sq. km, Sunderban, where about 200 Royal Bengal Tigers; strong swimmers, bigger and richer in colour than elsewhere in the south Asia; lead an almost natural life, was declared a national park and a world heritage site. The estuaries support a variety of marine life as well which includes the salt water crocodile and the Olive Ridley turtle. Leopards and fishing cats, barking deer and spotted deer, wild boars and monkeys, reptiles and birds along with the tigers can be spotted here.<br />The mangrove swamps and riverine forests cover over 2,500 sq km in the Ganga delta and spread across to Bangladesh. They are said to be the largest estuarine forests in the world. <br />Although the main areas of the sanctuary can only be accessed only by riverine waterways, Sunderban offers an exotic experience to view the beautiful flora and fauna in their most natural conditions. Two thirds of this area today falls in neighbouring Bangladesh and is often hit by powerful cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal<br />Sajnekhali, nearby where lodging and boarding can be availed has a large bird sanctuary. A thrilling cruise through the largest estuarine delta to watch the wild life is a life time experience one should never miss.Location
Situated in the district of South 24 Parganas, which is the southern most tip of the State of West Bengal. The tip reaches out into the Bay of Bengal, forming the world's largest delta. The major Rivers flowing through are Hooghly, Vidyadhari and Matla and the district has Howrah in the north-west and North 24 Parganas in the north-east.
Around 130 km south of Kolkata in the south 24 Parganas, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal is the unexploited beach of Bakkhali. Although the Casuarine lined beach does not fit the popular tourist spot due to its clay beach, rather than sand, this place is a good weekend getaway.
Just two km away from Bakkhali is the quaint sleepy fishing village, Fraserganj. Originally, Narayantila, this seaside village was named after the British Andrew Fraser, who tried to develop this village into beach resort, after falling in love with its exotic charm. The resort he built was washed away with the waves but the name remained. \r\nA 10 km boat ride from Fraserganj takes you to the mystic island of Jambudweep which submerged in the sea for most time of the year. Ruins of an old light house here are interesting.
Sunderbans Tiger Camp / PI-0234 (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Kolkata-Sunderban-Kolkata
The Sunderbans is the largest prograding deltaic region of the world. At the launch of ’Project Tiger’ in the year 1973, the Sunderbans was among the nine Wildlife Reserves declared as ‘Tiger Reserves’. In the year 1987 due to “high biodiversity” and “ongoing geological processes” Sunderbans National Park was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by IUCN. Whereas Kolkata is a vibrant city on the move, volatile and unpredictable. The Gateway to India, till 1912, and the capital of the Raj in India, it still bears the Victorian imprint on its streets and structures. A city just about ready to burst at the seams.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata-Sunderban
Day 4 : Sunderban
Day 5 : Sunderban-Kolkata
Day 6 : Kolkata
Kolkata-Sunderban-Kolkata
The Sunderbans is the largest prograding deltaic region of the world. At the launch of ’Project Tiger’ in the year 1973, the Sunderbans was among the nine Wildlife Reserves declared as ‘Tiger Reserves’. In the year 1987 due to “high biodiversity” and “ongoing geological processes” Sunderbans National Park was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by IUCN. Whereas Kolkata is a vibrant city on the move, volatile and unpredictable. The Gateway to India, till 1912, and the capital of the Raj in India, it still bears the Victorian imprint on its streets and structures. A city just about ready to burst at the seams.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata-Sunderban
Day 4 : Sunderban
Day 5 : Sunderban-Kolkata
Day 6 : Kolkata
Wildlife Tour of East India / PI-0327 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Delhi-Guwahati-Kaziranga-Guwahati-Bagdogra-Kalimpong-Siliguri-Kolkata-Sunderban-Kolkata-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi
Day 4 : Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga
Day 5 : Kaziranga
Day 6 : Kaziranga-Guwahati
Day 7 : Guwahati-Bagdogra-Kalimpong
Day 8 : Kalimpong
Day 9 : Kalimpong - Siliguri - Kolkata
Day 10 : Kolkata
Day 11 : Kolkata - Sunderban
Day 12 : Sunderban
Day 13 : Sunderban
Day 14 : Kolkata - Delhi
Delhi-Guwahati-Kaziranga-Guwahati-Bagdogra-Kalimpong-Siliguri-Kolkata-Sunderban-Kolkata-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi
Day 4 : Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga
Day 5 : Kaziranga
Day 6 : Kaziranga-Guwahati
Day 7 : Guwahati-Bagdogra-Kalimpong
Day 8 : Kalimpong
Day 9 : Kalimpong - Siliguri - Kolkata
Day 10 : Kolkata
Day 11 : Kolkata - Sunderban
Day 12 : Sunderban
Day 13 : Sunderban
Day 14 : Kolkata - Delhi
Sunderban, India Tours
