Beyond Wild :: Travel and Resorts

Overview

Stepping out from the dense morning mist, the tiger surveys his majestic delta. Lowering himself into the water, with supreme grace and beauty, the tiger swims across. Vanishing just as easily as he appeared, he leaves you wanting more than just a glimpse. The mangroves call to you, dark and mystic...for here roams the tiger, wild and free.

What to expect?

Fed by the mighty Ganges, Bramhaputra and Meghana rivers, Sunderban is one of India's most unique ecosystems. Home to a vast plethora of mammals and birds, it is India's only mangrove ecosystem where dwells the Royal Bengal Tiger in such astounding numbers. Dismissed as a wasteland in the 1900's, Sunderban has now become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprising of various landforms like beaches, creeks and estuaries, observe the tiger in a yet unseen, unique habitat! The towering Sundari trees and the other tenacious mangrove flora are truly a marvel of nature. Apart from the tiger, it is also one of the best places to observe rarer mammals like the fishing cat, flying foxes, pangolins and Indian muntjacs. With a great diversity of avifauna, Sunderban is a birdwatcher's ultimate paradise!

Join us as we explore this iconic habitat in the company of some of Sundarban's best local guides and boatmen, who have been tracking the Sundarbans tiger for decades.

The mangroves and its many mysteries await you!

Please note: Each forest has its own set of rules for sightings. Sundarbans is a maze of forested islands which are crisscrossed by tidal water coming from the sea. There are two high tides and two low tides in a day at an interval of 6 hours each. The tide level & timings change every day. During the low tides, the mudflats get exposed and that is when we look for pugmarks. As the tide level (rise & fall of water) changes every day, there are certain periods (6-7 days stretch) in a month which are considered favorable for sightings. That period is locally called "Mora Kotal" or low tide times. The rise & fall is minimal during this period and hence the water current too. This period falls almost mid-way between the new moon (Amavasya) and full moon (Purnima). During this period, we get the maximum amount of time to explore the park with mudbanks exposed. Tigers, especially mothers with cubs below the age of 2 years prefer this time as well to cross big rivers, because of the lack of water current.

Day 1

Reach Kolkata, drive to Sundarbans. Half day safari.

We have an early morning pick up from the Kolkata Airport, following which we drive to Godkhali. It will take around 3 hours to reach the Godkhali Ferry Ghat from the airport. Our boat will be waiting for us at Godkhali.

As the road ends here, we will go aboard the motorized boat and start the exploration, the iconic trip that you have been waiting for all along. First things first, we visit Sajnekhali to obtain permits and soon thereafter, the safari starts from that point. We will do the day's safari inside the park and straight away, start tracking the elusive tiger of the mangroves. Breakfast & Lunch will be served on board.

Night stay at a private resort on the edge of the mangroves.

Day 2,3,4

Full day safaris.

We shall wake up early in the morning as the full day safari timings are from sunrise to sunset. As the main target species for this trip is the swamp tiger, we will search for pug marks on mud banks and depending on our findings and information from our well-equipped tracking teams, we will set the route. Apart from tracking the big cats, we will look for other birds and mammals too.

Throughout the day, we will cruise through several creeks, rivers, and rivulets. If required, we will visit other watchtowers like Sudhanyakhali, Dobanki, and Netidhopani as well. Breakfast and Lunch will be served hot and fresh on the boat itself during the safari. By sundown we will come out of the forest and go to the resort. The evenings would be dedicated to interesting group discussions, presentations and sessions on wildlife and tigers!

Day 5

Half day safari, drive to Kolkata.

As this is the final day, we will try to make the best out of it. After the half day safari, we will reach Godkhali by late afternoon, depending on the flight timings. From Godkhali, we will get transferred to the Kolkata Airport by road.

Highlights

A chance to explore the forest through full day boat safaris guided by the best guides in Sundarbans.

The most experienced local tracking teams.

Company of a Beyond Wild wildlife mentor throughout the tour

Knowledge sharing sessions about the ecology of Sunderbans and its many natural wonders

Excellent tracking and photo opportunities of the diverse fauna as well as the unique landscape

Great learning about swamp tiger tracking, tiger photography and the thought process behind the image-making.

On-camp sessions on birding, wildlife and wildlife photography

Beyond Wild's experienced mentors teach you the ways of the wild

Costs

(GST of 5% extra on above costs.)

Booking amount: 50% of the tour cost.

Balance can be paid upto a month before departure.

Please note:

1. Above costs remain same for Indian and non Indian nationals.

Inclusions

All meals ex Kolkata (daily bed tea, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner) starting with lunch on Day 1 and concluding with lunch on Day 5.
4 night stays in a premium resort on twin sharing basis with air conditioned rooms with all basic amenities.
Surface transfer to & from Kolkata airport in AC Innovas.
All permit charges, camera charges, guide fees, 3 full-day safaris and 2 half-day safaris (first and last day).
One specially designed boat exclusively for our group.
Services of a dedicated tour mentor, tiger tracker team & forest guide.
On-camp and on-water sessions on tiger tracking, birding, nature and environment conducted by the best in the field.

Exclusions

Any air fare or rail fare.
All Govt. Taxes as applicable.
Personal expenses like laundry, soft drinks, hard drinks, mineral water, internet and telephone charges, etc.
Anything not mentioned in the list of inclusion

Travel to and fro Kolkata:

While the travel upto Kolkata on Day 1 and travel from Kolkata on Day 5 is extra, we can assist you to book the transport or book it for you. Please contact our head office at info@beyondwild.in for further details regarding the arrangements and we shall be more than happy to help you.

Booking Procedure

A 50% advance amount and a recognized Government Identity card (Aadhar, Pancard, Driver's License, OCI, Passport, Voter's ID, Government Employee's ID, school/College ID would all do for Indian nationals.

For non Indian nationals, only Passport is allowed) should be scanned and mailed at info@beyondwild.in or alternatively whatsapped at 09372253468.

Cancellation - Refund (On Tour Cost)

If cancellation is communicated 10 days (or less) before departure OR No Show - No Refund.
If cancellation is communicated 20 to 11 days before departure - 20% of tour cost refunded.
If cancellation is communicated 30 to 21 days before departure - 40% of tour cost refunded.
If cancellation is communicated 30 to 59 days before departure - 60% of tour cost refunded.
If cancellation is communicated 60 days (or more) before departure - 80% of tour cost refunded.
If cancellation is communicated 120 days (or more) before departure - Full Refund.