Geteway to Sunderbans
Once the capital of undivided India and situated on the banks of river Hooghly, Calcutta links eastern India to the rest of the country. Cited as the Mecca of the East this megacity is known for its museums, monuments festivals, culture, art, music sports, food and specially its warm hearted people. A city that is intensely alive to cultural, artistic and intellectual persuits offer you such itense distinctive memories that seems to grow on you.
Close encounter with the wild
At Sunderbans you can expect the thrills of a life time. While cruising throught the brackish Kharris flanked by dense mangrove forests all around in the luxury launch M.V. Chitrarekha and M.V. Madhukar, experience the tow - day river cruise with one night on board with your family and friends.

From the wide open upper deck you can watch the forest vibrant with life while sipping your morning tea. Ofcourse ther is a great news for the corporate houses. Have a cool brain - stormin session on the deck all morning followed by a sumptuous Bengali lunch consisting of delicacies like fish & prawns. You can also have a foot - typping dance session in your evening party and retire to the cozy banks at night. All these to give you a feeling of adventure along with the safe comforts of home.

Rediscover the natural treasures
Ever thought of spending a whole day in the midst of mudclad crocodiles, hopping Cheetals and majestic Royal Bengals! If not, then come to Sunderbans.

A World Heritage Site (awarded by UNESCO in 97) that evokes the feeling of an animal lover in you. Where after a close encounter with the wild you can spend the adventurous night in the launch under the shooting starts.

Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, 22.00 N- 89.00 E, is this world’s largest delta covered by mangrove forest and vast saline mud flats. A land of 54 tiny islands, crisscrossed by innumerable tributaries of Ganga, that was once infested by Arakanese and Portuguese pirates is now the abode of varied flora & fauna population. An area of 9630 sq. km., where 70 percent is under saline water makes the life of commoners, mostly honey - catchers, prawn catchers and fishermen, very difficult. This is Sunderbans, the world’s argest estuarine forest.

The Undiscovered greenery
Sunderbans, the place that owes its name to Sundari trees, consist of a large flora population like Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan and Kankra. Apart from these trees, inpenetrable Goran Trees between 1.8 mtr. & 3.6 mtr. High covers almost the entire region. One of the most remarkable feature of this place is the bayonet like roots of mangrove forests that stick out above the water level.

Nature apart, if you want to feel the essence of spirituality then this is the place to be. A place of Ma Bonobibi ( the Goddess of the forest) to Shiber Kumir (Lord Shiva’s Crocodile) or from Dakshinaroy (an orgre, the ancester of all tigers) to Kapil Muni ( an incarnation of Vishnu).

A land ruled by 269 Royals.
The land that is inhabited by Royal Bengal Tigers is not far from Calcutta. You can explore unknown wildlife of Sunderbans that harbour jungle cats, fishing cats, Axis deer, wild boar, Rhesus monkeys, mongooses and the largest estuarune crocodiles in the world.

Sunderbans is the breeding ground of immense variety of birds like Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Eagle, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Seagul, Tern, Kingfisher as well as migratory birds like Whimprel, Black tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Eastern Knot, Curlew, Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Pintail, Wheite - eyed Pochard and also Whistling teal. Come and discover wide variety of aquatic and reptile life forms that include Olive Ridley sea turtle, hardshelled Batgur Terrapin, pythons, king cobra, Chequered killback, Monitor and lizards including the Salvator lizards.

How to get there
Come to Sajnekhali by motorboat departing from Canning which is accessible by train and bus services from Calcutta. Cruise along in M. V. Chitrarekha ( weekly journey from October to March) for a life time experience. Once can also get private boats from canning, Gosaba and Basanti. Raidighi, Basanti, Namkhana and Najatare are all connected by road ways from Calcultta.

Project Tiger
The Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2585 sq. km. Has one of the largest tiger population of any othe Indian parks, 269 Royal Bengal Tigers.

Piyali
Gateway to the Sunderbans situated on the banks of river Piyali. A beautiful resting place.

Ganga Sagar
The culturally and religiously important destination, also haas an exceptionally good beach for the tourists. Situated on an island in the Sunderbas, it holds the charms of a completely unspoilt beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganga. It can be approached from Calcutta either by road and then by vessel, or by chartered luxury vessels taken from Culctta itself. A lovely destination combininmg pilgrimage and fun.

Lothian Island Bird Sanctuary
You can hire a country boat to reach the place famous for its White Bellied Sea - Eagle, Black capped kingfisher Whimbrell, Tern and Curlew.

Bakkhali
A wellknown beach resort, close to Fraserganj overlooking the Bay of Bengal. It’s a bird watchers paradise, where you are greeted by casuarinas and Red Fiddle Carbs.

Mayadwip
The nesting place of the Olive Ridley Turtles.

Kalasdip
As Mathla river empties on the Bay of Bengal, lies Kalasdwip, a densely wooded island.

Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary
A home ground of the Herons, Egrets andother species of birds, situated on the confluence of Matla and Gumdi.

Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
A hatchery cum sanctury. Home of the biggest estuarine crocodiles

Canning
One of the entry points to Sunderbans - 54 kms southeast of Calcutta. ‘Canning’ was built in 1858 as an alternate port. It has a small fishing fleet and private boats are available on hire.

Gosaba
Remembered as Sir David Hamilton’s settlement.