West Bengal

somnath

Hi Jorge,
How are you? Regarding permissions, no permission from Writers Building was required for us. I believe you are referring to the authorization from the Forest Dept. to enter into the buffer zone or core areas. We didn’t enter into that deep. Well, I am not sure about the core area. Sajnekhali is the just entrance to the Sundarbans so no question of prior permission. Actually some paper works are required to enter into the Tiger Project area and that can be done at Sajnekhali. You need to fill up a form and they’ll push you to tag a guide with you. It is nothing but a help to the local economy where an educated but unemployed local guy can earn some money. And generally we do not refuse to do it. Our guide was a really helpful gentleman. Actually they know the canal network very well so that knowledge is really helpful for the tourists.

Generally there are 3 most popular routs :
1. Kolkata > Canning (rail)
2. Kolkata > Sonakhali (road)
3. Kolkata > Basirhat (rail / road)

4 / 5 days plan is really good to visit Sundarbans. What I found if you do not stay at any resort (there are some resorts) but reserve a boat and stay there at night (we did) you’ll be able to explore the area better. According to my information (from local guys / forest guards) “Netidhopani”, “Burir dabu” and “Sudhanyakhali” these three should be there (to spot a Tiger) in the must visit list.

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Jorge Reverter

Thank you Somnath for the information.

I understand, that to see the Tigers is not easy, I just want to hang around the channels to see the wildlife as well as the human life in the villages along the river.

All the best

Jorge

Diane-PDX

Jorge,

Lonely Planet refers to the Sunderban Tiger Camp (http://www.sunderbantigercamp.com/cruise.htm). It looks as if a 2 night/3 day trip from Kolkata would be Rs 4,900 for a non-AC cottage, although we'd prefer a longer stay. I don't know anything else about this company.

Has anyone else visited the Sunderbans with another tour group that you'd recommend? We will have been travelling for several weeks by the time we get to Kolkata and I imagine by then we'll be happy for someone else to do the planning.

We'll appreciate any other or additional advice and I hope that Jorge keeps us informed of his plans and experience.

Diane

Jorge Reverter

Diane,

Thanks for the link. I can't inform you as my next trip to India will be in October. The Tour and the conditions are good and huts, tents, boat and everything looks great in the pictures.

To do the planning and to change my mind daily is one of my favourites things when I'm in India, that's why I normally prefer to do it by myself even if I loose several sites. I'll re-read Amithav Gosh's "The Hungry Tide" just to refresh the places and the sensations.

Jorge

ronymitra

Dear Somnath,
U won't believe that really I've seen not only a Tiger even his girl friend also!!!
As U know, like other times due to my NGO activity suddenly I've to rush to Sundarban as usual without the camera!!
When I was passing the PIRKHALI Island, the 5th Compartment, the boat man suddenly whispered at me and I looked up from my note book and found the REAL ONE at about 10/12 feet distance inside the water of a creak, only the head was above the water and carefully searching the murmuring sound source [coming from my motor boat], then we’ve seen each other, within couple of seconds it realised our presence and lifted it’s whole body from water and back to the Hental Bush by a gentle galop!! Then I’ve found it was a Tigress!!
We’ve turned our boat to search it’s trail and then suddenly found the Tiger inside the Hental Bush and covering her Girl Friend from the bad ones!!
Then I’ve realised that in the first occassion, when we have reached near to the Tigress, we have passed the Tiger but didn’t noticed him which makes us to believe the MITH, which says “You may not see the Tiger but you are being watched by them”

somnath

Hi Ronymitra,

Welcome to Indiamike.

You are a lucky man, Rony!!!!! I am jealous. You’ve not only seen Tiger in Sundarbans but actually seen a tigress in swimsuit !!!! Wow!!!!
Well, but the 2nd part was not at all funny. I believe the distance between your boat and the 2nd one was enough, else…. It could be really dangerous. I guess you are not new at Sundarbans still, please do not ignore the myth – “you are being watched by him” – sometimes it is true.

Peerkhali island is noted down – thanks for the info. Could you please tell me if I want to visit the same place (I understand that couple is not going to wait for me at the same spot) including Netidhopani and Burir Dabu (/ Dabri) from Sudhanyakhali what should me the rout?
I am a bit curious about the “Compartment” – whats that?
Mr. Mitra, I just wanted to know some detail info regarding the staying options there. Because those Sundarbans Packages offered by some organizations look good but what about the rout they cover? Well, I think the rout can make all the difference there. So instead of going for a conducted tour a reserved boat is much better. What do you think?

BTW, Sajnekhli Tiger Project entrance looks good as your avatar. My avatar is happy, ha ha ha….....

- Somnath

ronymitra

Dear Somnath,
Thanks 4 ur JOKE & concern about me!!
Actually, I was so exicited !!
And yes I’ve done that mistake, I was really near 2 that Royal Creature !!
The rout is completely different ‘coz those places r nearer 2 the Core Area and Sudhanyakhali is the nearest area to the locality after sojnekhali which is in the Buffer Area.
U can take the CHORA-GAJI-KHALI Creek after the ponchomukhi [where 5 river is meeting with each other nearer to the Bay of Bengal] u’ve 2 take left turn 4m there, when u go inside, ur right hand island is the PEERKHALI, after that u’ll find another creek in ur right, which will take u 2 another ponchomukh nearer 2 Netidhopani, keeping Chamta island in ur left u can reach at Netidhopani and Burirdabu is far enough from here, just nearer 2 the INDO-BANGLA international border.
Actually, an island is being divided in to some COMPARTMENT by some smaller creaks.
Yes!! off course !! U can stay at any Jungle Resort [there r 4 nos.] in different island opposite and nearer 2 the jungle but the ROUT for Sundarban trip is the most important thing!!
But above all depending upon the size of the touring party, onboard staying is the most eventful experience!!
Generally the normal tour rout doesn’t cover Netidhopani / Burirdabu / Morichjhapi so taller made tour rout is always better to any jungle lover, which requires absolute customized tour plan!!
Thanks 4 ur complement about my avatar.....this is all ‘coz of ur continuous nagging I’m here as we didn’t meet with each other 4 quite a long time!!
Expecting 2 meet U soon!!
Hope u’ve got ur answers!!

somnath

Nagging !!!! I am sure you’ll love the community.
Mr. Mitra, thank you so much for the info.

I wanted to collect some more info from you but your phone number is lost (actually I’ve lost my mobile) and you are not ready to accept a privet message !!!!

- Somnath

Bhaswaran

You are very lucky Rony.....in both ways....got a glimpse of our majestic National Animal....and also....probably getting a new life...

I envy you Obviously for the first luck...and not the second ...

ronymitra

Thank U Bhaswaran!!
Have U ever been 2 Sundarbn??

Bhaswaran

Yes once, with my father who went for an official duty at Gosaba. Next morning, we went to Rangabelia, Pakhiralay and then took a country boat (bhutbhuti) to Sajnekhali and some areas nearby, I was in school then. I did not go to the deeper areas but wish to visit there in the future.

ronymitra

Dear Somnath,
Hope U can send me ur mail now!!

indiaguide

Hi,
several times i have seen foot prints of Tiger in CHORA GAJI KHALI. I beleve there is a chance to see tiger overthere too.
Sunderban tourist lodge is well-located with basic facilites.One can stay in a Boat but boat must anchor in front of Sajnekhali forest office / tourist lodge.
Somnath, how was your trip in SUNDERBAN??

somnath

Welcome back, Indiaguide . Yeah my trip was good. I was just crossing Gosaba (or may be Bidya forest office) and your SMS said that you are going to visit Khajuraho…… how was the trip?. And please do not forget to share your pix.

We stayed at boat but around Balidweep area. But I was not lucky enough … no tiger not even the pugmark, only one crocodile was there beside the CHORA GAJI KHALI.

sitara

hey! am planning a trip to sunderbans for the winterbreak... from what i read here, there are two options -
1) sunderban tiger camp cruise - which starts and ends at kolkatta.
2) drive from kolkatta to sonekhali, and then take a boat to sajnekhali... more flexible.
the second option appeals more to me. does anyone have a recommendation for the boat ride ? contacts of boat owners, tips??
do fill in please...

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