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Kolkata -> Sunderbans National Park -> Kolkata -> Shantiniketan -> Kolkata Activities
Jungle Camping, Jungle Cruise, Birding Tour, Canopy Forest Walk, Mangrove Forest Trail, Village Visit, Cultural Performance, Crab and Fish Catching from the country boats, homemade local cuisines, Shantiniketan visit.
About the itinerary
In this trip, you witness two different shades of West Bengal.On the one hand, Sunderbans is the deltaic region where Hooghly and many other rivers meet Bay of Bengal. Sunderbans is spread over 150 islands, with close to 1/3rd being still uninhibited and considered as reserve forest for Royal Bengal Tiger and estuarine crocodile. Be part of experiential holiday at Sunderbans while you indulge in activities like birding tour, village visits, cultural performance, canopy walk through dense forests and country boat rides. Read more...
On the other hand, Shantiniketan (The abode of peace) is a place where more than 100 years ago Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore started an experimental school, Brahmacharyashram, with five students. The genesis was his reaction to the joyless, mechanical system of education then prevailing in the country. Stay at Shantiniketan gives you insights into lifestyle of Bengali family, villages and the contribution of Shantiniketan to the richness of Indian art & culture. Also take out time to go for a village trail, a rickshaw ride, and visit to the historic museum and art & craft centre. Read more...
The ethnic cottages in Shantiniketan and the Sunderban jungle camps are designed to respect local rural architecture and constructed with local materials. The rooms are spotless with all basic amenities. Read more...
Itinerary:
Day 1 Kolkata/Sunderbans National Park :
Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to Sunderbans (3 hrs) by car and then (2 hrs) by motor boat. Briefing and interpretation by our local guide cum naturalist followed by 2 hours spectacular cruise through river Hogol, Gomor, Durgaduani and Gumdi. Optional stopover at Gosaba, one of the earliest human settlements of Sunderbans to visit the house of Sir Danniel Hamilton (Scottish banker who initiated the first co-operative movement of India). Arrive at Bali Island and check into Sunderbans Jungle Camp.
Jungle camping at night.
Day 2 Sunderbans National Park:
Full day jungle cruise, birding tour to Netidhopani watchtower(Subject to weather permitting the same) including crab catching and fishing expeditions from the fragile country boats. Lunch will be served on board. Evening with the villagers is the part of cultural experience. The theatre tells an interesting story about the Tiger Lord, Forest God and Goddess, fishermen and honey collectors with lot of songs and dances.
Jungle camping at night.
Day 3 Sunderbans Jungel Camp - Kolkata:
Guided Village Walk in which participants are encouraged to have a close interaction and interesting encounters with the local villagers and their lifestyle, Local craft and cuisines, Indigenous farming and household equipments used by the villagers. Guided adventures cruise by manually oared country boat followed by a short cruise to Do Banki watchtower to enjoy a small canopy walk. Post lunch proceed to Sonakhali and then to Calcutta by boat & car.
Overnight in Botique Guest Hotel..
Day 4 Shantiniketan:
Early morning you will be met by our guide at your hotel and be transferred to Howrah station which is a heritage building/railway station. At 06.00 AM you will board the train that has comfortable airconditioned sit-in-coach and is expected to be at Bolepur station around 10.00 AM. Transfer to the home stay where you will spend your Shantiniketan experience and will be hosted by a cultured Bengali family. The home stay situated in a peaceful and quaint environ of Purba Pally is at a walking distance from the university complex. In the afternoon go for a cultural visit.
Overnight stay in Chutty Holiday Resort.
Day 5 Shantiniketan:
After breakfast you will set out for a cultural and village experience of Shantiniketan. You will visit the picturesque Ballavpur Danga- a rural self-help group project.The visit includes a village trail, rickshaw ride, museum, art & craft centre and a traditional local lunch at Ballavpur Danga tribal village.In the afternoon you will visit a local craft market and textile emporium.Return to your home stay.
Dinner and overnight stay in Chutty Holiday Resort.
Day 6 Kolkata:
Morning free for shopping or you can visit Subarnarekha - a book cum music store, famous for its expansive collection of books and music.Early lunch and transfer to Bolpur station from where you will board Shantiniketan Express - a super-fast train that takes you back to Kolkata(3 hrs).On arrival at Howrah station you will be transferred to your hotel/airport/railway station.
How this trip will benefit local community and environment:
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