Untamed vegetation, serpentine rivers, and elusive wildlife- that’s what describes the majestic Sundanbans. The stunning mangrove forests cannot simply be referred to as a tourist destination; they are the emotion of every Bengali. So come, embrace the wild! Here, where thrill blends with the misty air, and every step takes you closer to the Great Royal Bengal Tiger!
The Sundarbans is a place where the land, river, and sea blend to create a majestic wildland. This wilderness holds the title of being the largest mangrove forest in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a place where one can witness nature at its full glory. A tour here will show you natural gems like the saltwater crocodile, diverse species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. If you are exceptionally lucky, you might also get a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. The tides of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna dictate the way of life here, and humans survive with the animals. So, if you are brave enough, let’s go on a Sundarban Adventure tourism plan! This blog will be your guide to the best of the Sundarbans!
The Sundarbans is a place where the land, river, and sea blend to create a majestic wildland. This wilderness holds the title of being the largest mangrove forest in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a place where one can witness nature at its full glory. A tour here will show you natural gems like the saltwater crocodile, diverse species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. If you are exceptionally lucky, you might also get a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. The tides of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna dictate the way of life here, and humans survive with the animals. So, if you are brave enough, let’s go on a Sundarban Adventure tourism plan! This blog will be your guide to the best of the Sundarbans!
Sundarban Adventure Tourism cannot be complete without the Sundarban Safari experience. Going on a safari tour in these mangrove forests will show you the natural and untamed side of West Bengal. As you glide through the forest on a jeep, you will come across the serene yet suspenseful woods, rivers, and creeks. Their serpentine elegance and beauty will enrapture your heart and soul. If you are a curious person, opting for a safari will be an exciting experience. You will be filled with questions like “Was that a deer?”, “Did I just see a Royal Bengal on the riverbank?”- The truth is, one has to be exceptionally lucky to be able to spot the tiger. The beast lives deep in the forest and is generally wary of tourists. But do not be disheartened! You will surely get to see the forest monkeys, birds, and reptiles. All of a sudden, you might find yourself under the watchful stare of the saltwater crocodile, or be splashed by a gang of Gangetic dolphins! It will surely be a thrilling experience worth remembering for a lifetime.
One of the best parts of the Sundarban Adventure Tourism is the boat safari. If you want to explore the forest through water and from a safe distance, this is your best option. As the forest blends in with the tide, your boat will take you through the dense mangrove forests. You will be a firsthand witness to the skill of the local boatmen. They will be your guide, controlling the boat safely through the rivers, creeks, and the mangrove trees that stand like silent guardians. The boat safari will be both a visual and auditory experience. As your eyes feast on the stunning natural beauty of the surroundings, your ears will be blessed with the sounds of the sweet calls of the local birds. You might also get to see animals like the monitor lizards, deer, and crocodiles. It is also very common for the Royal Bengal Tiger to come out of its elusive hideout for a drink in the river. So it will be better if the gods of fortune are with you during the safari.
The water of Sundarban is salty, so if a buffer zone is established beside every watch tower, there is a Sweet water pond (rainwater) for the wildlife to have drinking water.
Sundarban Adventure Tourism is incomplete without river cruising. Considering this, cruising in Sundarban is like drifting between dreams and reality. As the boat will take you deep into the wild forests, you will feel as if time has stopped. The vast mangroves and the serene waters will give you a sense of both peace and excitement. The passing breeze will tickle your ears with the eerie tunes of the jungle. You be one with the wild. Whether it’s morning, day or midnight, cruising in Sundarban will be a unique experience. If you choose the morning or day cruise, you will be able to spot the local animals. However, if your choice is the night cruise, under a starry night, you will have a suspenseful and wild adventure.
Watchtowers are an integral part of the Sundarban Adventure Tourism experience. Generally, the purpose of a watchtower is to offer an elevated view of the surroundings. In the watchtowers of the Sundarbans, you can get a drone view of the forests. You can witness the complete wild beauty of the forests-animals going about their day, and the gorgeous flora and fauna. Sundarbans has some notable watchtowers. These are the Sajnekhali Watchtower, Sudhanyakhali Watchtower, Netadhopani Watchtower, Dobanki Watch Tower, Bonnie Camp Watchtower, Jhingakhali Watchtower and Burirdabri Watchtower, which are located on the bank of the Raimangal River, and the speciality of this watch tower is that you will not only get the aerial view of the forest, but also you can see that the opposite side of the river is Bangladesh. One more interesting part of this place is that half of the Rai Mangal river is under the jurisdiction of India, and the rest is in Bangladesh, which means it’s an International border for us, but not for the Tigers, as you know ¼ of Sundarban Mangrove forest is in India rest is with Bangaladesh. Please note that during peak seasons, these towers attract large crowds. Therefore, if you want the best experience, consider choosing the off-season off-peak dates in the watchtower tour, where you can partake in interesting activities like (mud walking not possible in any watch tower), the pleasant canopy walk(only at Dobanki Watch Tower)and explore the Pugmark of the tiger near the sweet water pond. Additionally, the Dobanki Sudhnyakhali and Sajnekhali watchtowers, area the opposite side of Dayapur village, are the best choices for getting an excellent view of the crocodiles. Overall, it promises to be a fun-filled and unique experience.
If you know about the Sundarbans, you are certainly familiar with its patron goddess, Bonobibi. As the guardian of the forest, she is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. As per local legend, the archnemesis of Bonobibi is Dakshin Rai. A demon king, he takes the disguise of a tiger to attack the locals. The locals of the forests, mostly fishermen, woodcutters, and honey collectors, pray to her before venturing into the forest. It is said that once she has bestowed her blessing on someone, no danger can touch the person. The mythology surrounding her has laid to the creation of many local folk traditions. You can also explore this cultural facet. During your Sundarban adventure, you will come across many temples dedicated to her. However, the most well-known ones are located close to Sajnekhali, Netadhopani, and Bonnie Camp watchtowers. Do not forget to pay your respects to her! Remember, even if you cannot see it, the Royal Bengal Tiger always watches.
By now, you may have started to wonder how to plan a trip to the Sundarbans! Well, worry not- for Skysketchindia Holidays is here! With our affordable Sundarban trip packages, you will be able to have the best experience of your lifetime!