My Sundarbans National Park River Cruise Experience
After the exciting 10 days of road trip through different towns of West Bengal, totally smitten by the quiet charm of the terracotta temples, we now set off to cuddle in the lap of nature!
We planned well for a very different kind of experience in Sundarbans National Park hoping to spot a tiger of Sundarbans. This is the only UNESCO site of Bengal.
Kolkata to Sundarbans
Our bookings for 2 nights 3 days stay was with Sunderban Tiger Camp – an eco friendly resort. We had to assemble at Priya Cinema (what a landmark I thought) near Desh Park located in south Kolkata.
At sharp 8am we set off on 4 hours road trip journeying through rural Bengal. Not exactly scenic but different terrain exposing the lower economic profile of this land of Tagore!
Finally at around 12 we reached Gothakhali, the last village on the map of road trip to Sundarbans from Kolkata. Here our luggages were sorted, unloaded and reloaded on to the boat that would take us to Sunderban Tiger Camp in Dayapur.
Along the shores we saw women dragging huge nets. The tour guide explained they were Meendharas. Read more: Meendharas of Sunderbans
Sunderban Tiger Camp Resort
The resort is located on the banks of Pitchkhali River, opposite to Sunderban Tiger Reserve Forest. We were hopeful of spotting a tiger and on arrival I had asked the receptionist of the resort what are the chances of spotting a tiger and when was it spotted last. She seemed to suppress a smile which left me a bit puzzled. But very soon I knew why.
My Sunderbans National Park Experience
Sunderbans National Park is a strange place! The mangrove forests of Sunderbans National Park is infested with different species. It is the wildest and dangerous place on Earth! Yet the chances are that you may see none. My Sunderbans National Park experience was something similar.
Blue birds of Sunderban Mangrove Forests
Bengal Tigers of Sunderbans
The mangrove swamp is home to Bengal Tiger and it behaves strangely. Animals usually attack humans if they are disturbed but in case of Sunderbans, the tigers there attack humans without being provoked. Their food is humans residing around.
That is why it is said: If you see a tiger in Sunderbans, next thing you know is, you are inside its stomach.
Sundari Tree in low tide
There are some 250 odd tigers in these thick forests of Sunderbans. Even if the tiger disappears from everywhere else, it will survive in Sunderbans because humans are easy prey. They have been known to rocket out of the water onto the deck of an open boat and pull a sleeping crewman off by the back of his head.
Dangers of Sunderbans
Another danger that keeps lurking around are CROCODILES. Silent killers, in a flash of second they are off with their food, which sometimes is an unfortunate human.
And SHARKS! There are six varieties of them swimming around the various islands. They are content with schools of fish, but an absent minded, careless human too is welcome!
Our tour guide narrated several interesting stories of conflicts between humans and elements of nature there. This guide Niranjan Raptan of Sunderbans is a lucky man. He survived tiger attacks 3 times successfully. He now works for “save the tiger” and “save Sunderbans” campaign actively.
The inhabitants there are exposed to swarm of bees too. Niranjan Raptan narrated the story of a SWARM OF BEES 20 ft. long, 10ft. wide advancing towards a steamer. The crew scampered into the cabin and stayed there till the sky was clear. None dared to stray out to see what the bees were up to.
Picture of Mother deer and her fawn for memories of my Sundarbans National Park Experience
Ask me if I am happy I didn’t see any of these during the river cruise.
Of course! I am! I look for simple joys in life and one of them is staying alive! I am content with the sight of a monitor lizard; some red crabs, a doe and fawn quenching their thirst and an egret basking in its reflected glory!
Sundarbans National Park Experience, is less about seeing tiger but more about enjoying the biodiversity of the area.
River Cruise inside Creeks and Forests
We were taken on several cruises in the steamer there; we had food in the deck while scanning the bank for any possible adventurous sight.
During the trips the guide narrated many stories of interaction and collision of animals and human inhabitants of that place. At the end of each story I was glad I didn’t spot any of those dangerous animals.
Some of the places we visited during cruise through creeks and dense mangrove forests of Sundarban were:
- Sajnekhali Tiger Project area
- Sajnekhali Museum
- Mangrove Interpretation Center where we learned about different mangrove trees
- Watch Tower
- Dobanke – caged canopy walkway
- Spotted Deer rehabilitation center
- Matla Sea Face from where we could see the Bay of Bengal
- Rivers and narrow creeks of Pitchkhali, Sarakhkhali, Sudhanokhali, Bonobibi Dharani
- Cruise around islands of Sunderban Tiger Project area
Little Egret with Yellow feet
We spotted a Little Egret, a type of Heron with yellow feet. Little egrets feeding in shallow water move forward with slow steps, interspersed with frequent halts. During these stops the egret extends one leg forward and, with a rapid vibrating motion stirs up the muddy or vegetated bottom of the water in which it is hunting.
This action disturbs hidden prey flushing them into the open where the sharp-eyed bird can strike at them. The yellow feet of the egret aid this process. Yellow being more obvious to potential prey than all dark feet would be in this sediment-filled water.
Egrets of Sunderban Mangrove Forests
The only exciting Sundarbans national park experience we had was when my husband’s shoe fell into the river. He decided to forget it but the crew turned the steamer back and netted the shoe.
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Nice detailed information about your experience in Sundarbans. The photos are fantastic too!
Hi, nice to hear that there is a place in the Earth where Tigers would survive against all the human activities against the nature. As I am a nature lover so I would surely like to visit this place and experience the flora and the fauna. You have written a great article, which surely encourages people in a positive way to love and to preserve nature.
I have visited 5 times to Sunderban till now and never got a chance to see the tiger… The closest i have been is to hear the roar of the tiger and see the fresh pug marks…
Its better to go to Sundarban to enjoy the atmosphere rather than going in search of tigers
You are another Ruskin Bond in the making.Please keep it up. The photos had a mysterious look and feel to them. I was half hoping to catch the sight of a tiger lurking in the woods.
Wow! Spine tingling post. I’ve only crossed Bengal once till now and have just heard about the Sunderbans… Hope to go there someday 🙂
Shubham
Love that image of the deer next to the water. Is that a tiger next to it?
As for conflict what can the poor tigers do. We have been encroaching their land for thousands of years now…
I always feared to go these places . Your description is very informative along with selective pictures !!
So, sharks, crocodiles, and Bengal tigers? Sounds like a deadly yet endlessly fascinating combination. I’ve always been fascinated with tigers, so I’d love to visit Sunderbans, even if I’d be terrified all the time 😀
I have always been fascinated by the royal tigers and have been waiting to visit Sundarbans to see them in their natural habitat. But some of the facts you have shared here are making me think twice. However, I m still being intrigued by the variety of wildlife one can see there.
Lovely. Want to experience it some day. I read Amitav Ghosh’s Hungry Tide and he’s made a picture in my mind and I feel sometimes I have already been there
“Danger” is an AC/DC song. “Alive” is a Pearl Jam song. Glad you are ok, lol.
“Danger” is an AC/DC song. “Alive” is a Pearl Jam song. Glad you are ok, lol.
Always wanted to go there. I have read many tiger stories from the Sunderbans but it must be better to experience it first hand.
Sunderbans is definitely jewel of India. We still remember our visit in early 2012. Its an amazing place with so many vegetations around.
Wow, I really love to visit natural placese like that, even this place looks as cool as dangerous…20 feet bees? sharks, tigers…If I was you I would have been really scared 🙂 anyway it surely was a really good experience to tell
Interesting place. I’m not sure I would like to visit it though.. So good you are alive! Loved the red crabs
Wow, lots of wildlife in that area. Sounds like a unique adventure.. One has to do research though before diving in to ensure safety.
Sunderbans had long been on my mind. I don’t know why for some reason Bengal has always eluded me. Either my trip gets cancelled or I end up spending all day in hotels. Your blog makes me want to go there. Will take tips from you when I plan to go there.
Such a thrilling place! Gosh, I didn’t know that Sunderbans is so dangerous. I guess would be a little scared there 🙂
Interesting stuff! Didn’t know about the aggressiveness of tigers in this area. Only been to Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Panna myself and was lucky enough to see a tiger in the latter park. Great thing about a lot of these parks in India is that they are ridiculously cheap to visit!
This place looks absolutely beautiful, the Dangers though would keep me on my toes, I was just reading your other article about the crocodiles and photos are amazing, but the fear , my gosh I would be scared, nature and wild animals, reptiles are so unpredictable!
Less for the tiger more for the biodiversity. That’s what is utmost imp:) Sunderbans and the mangroves would beat any tiger destination coz of its sheer natural diversity:)!
Sounds like a dangerous forest to go wandering in. The boat journey looks fun. I wouldn’t want to meet a Tiger face to face.
So I think I may give this area a miss… sounds so dangerous!! Definitely sounds interesting though… I just don’t really want to get eaten haha. Glad you had a good time~
I would be so super excited to see a wild tiger! I did not know about this place before but it looks like a really interesting and beautiful place!
Nice experience of your visit to Sunderbans.
I’d never heard of Sundarbans National Park before reading about it in your blog. I’d love to visit! I grew up on the west coast of the US – no sharks, tigers, or crocodiles there. One of my favorite things about traveling is seeing animals in the wild, especially large predators. It was sure nice of the boat crew to salvage your husband’s shoe. Glad you had a safe visit!
Better you than me, I say. Happy to be back here in Australia as far from a Bengal Tiger as possible. Really good post and very glad you were able to keep safe.
Yikes! Beautiful biodiversity or not, I’d be pretty alarmed at the dangers of man eating tigers, crocodiles and sharks being around me. I’ve been up close to lions before, and they’re a lot more uninterested in humans…the story about your husband’s shoe made me laugh. I had something similar happen in Australia, when I had to rescue a baby’s milk bottle from a crocodile-filled lake! 😀
Interesting place. Didn’t know about the saying about the tigers. It would be amazing to see a wild tiger. But I would probably like to be in a safe distance from the animal. 🙂
It was a year ago in 2 days when we took the 3 day cruise to the Sundarbans in the Bangladesh side. I was just talking to my husband about making sure we repeat the experience when we visit Bangladesh again.
Have a great 2017.
Sunderbans is a very biodiverse area. When we were in college, our senior girls did a one week trip of Sundarbans . And since then, it has been a dream to go here and enjoy the region. You are right that it is much more than just spotting the Bengal tigers. Your post once again woke up in me the sleeping lust to visit this place as soon as possible 🙂
Sunderbans are lovely and none of the animals there are of any harm to us unless we disturb or violate them… I know of friends working with the tigers there (in conservation) and they have lovely stories to tell…
Beautiful pics and great detail,but after reading your post cannnot decide whether to go or not to go there,alluring and threatning at the same time
Loved your post….:-)
Hari Om
this is a fabulous post Indrani – what an amazing place. I think if I was safe on a boat, I'd have liked to have spotted a stripe or two as well… but that's just YAM! xx
Wow! All maneaters?!! Had never heard of this dangerous aspect of Sunderbans! Phew…
Beautiful pics, quite terrifying place it seems…hehe
I wish i too could visit Sunderbans, as the Hungry Tide was a lovely story i read some time ago.
Nice Interesting Clicks
Nice pics, specially the walking Tree and the bird in flight.
I really like the photo of those exposed tree roots.
I definitely agree with you in this case. The simple life is absolutely the best! Scary place! Take good care when ever passing this place dear you!
You've shot some lovely photos! 🙂
cool! I loved the image of the "walking tree". 🙂
Amitav Ghosh's novel, The Hungry Tide, made me interested in the Sunderbans. I really wish I could visit that place once.
Indrani, sounds like a dangerous place to live and visit..Thanks for sharing, great shots!
Wonderful pics descriptive narration. Thanks for sharing.
A fascinating post Indrani, to learn of these stories must have been so interesting, as it is to me when I read your post. Great photos!
Nice photographs Indrani.. 🙂
I've been four times in the Sundarbans . Never managed to see a tiger but watched crocodiles twice.They look more like logs of wood floating in the water !! I spent night there also. It was an amazing experience. Had you not been this time , I request you to spend a night next time you visit theSundarbans.
Amazing story, Indrani!
Great pictures… love it…
Warm greetings, Anna :-))
You are truly well traveled. Thanks for sharing these stunning pics
Nice post 🙂 Beautiful photos 🙂
I'm with you! I wouldn't want to see any of those dangerous things, either! Love your "simple pleasure of staying alive!" Looks like a fascinating place. Thanks so much for visiting my blog recently!
Maneaters are in Sunderban, maybe a case or two when tigers were involved, otherwise I have been told about maneaters Jaguars, whose preys are generally women and kids. Btw, whatever the reality is, this conflict is not a good sign.
NICE POST.
Amazing pics Indrani..
Thank you very much for the comments friends!
You are so right about the mask Haddock.
Sushma there are animals even today. Tiger paw prints are noted, photographed and recorded.
Are there animals even now…I mean that openly?
Isn't it here that they tie a face behind the head to fool the tigers.
I agree with the staying alive bit! 😀 Also the stories that we get to hear from the people who live there are the best I guess!
Beautiful
last image just wow !
Lovely post! I want to visit Sunderbans some day!
That's a pretty place, but it sounds pretty scary. We have bears and mountain lions where I live (I've seen both while hiking) but they don't usually attack humans.
Sounds dangerous! Honestly? I would love to go there!
This is all very exciting! Thanks for this interesting series of photos. Fortunately your husband got his shoe back!
Thanks for yourvisit and comment. I must confess that I never saw an opal myself, but I am sure it is very beautiful!
Wil, ABCW Team.
It sounds as if you faced many dangers to visit Sunderbans. I'm glad it was only a shoe that fell overboard while you on the river.
It sounds so terrific, adventu(dange)rous and exciting! It seems its better not spotting a tiger; unlike we mostly we move into forget in seek of opportunity of sighting an animal like tiger.
Superb photos! I liked most the one on deer and red crab…
I had no idea….wow.
O! :O it's a hub of man eaters!!!
I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to travel there…but I must say I enjoyed the trip with you.
A very scary spot to take photos!
I think you are braver than I! Love your stories and photos.
Sounds like a dangerous place! Lovely shots.
Beautiful photos and nice info
thanks
Glad you did not get eaten and your husband even got his shoe back!
I won't to go there. But thanks you have brought me to the great place
Lovely images!
Nice images and post!
oh, dear, on the tigers…
Seems like a very dangerous but also fascinating area! Glad nothing bad happend to you and also your husbands shoe got rescued! 🙂
Thank you for your great report.
Fascinating place and great shots.
I'm glad you stayed alive, too! Would not want to run across those people-eating tigers.
Wonderful post, thank you
Namaste
The beautiful Tigers, crocs, sharks and monitors all live there, I am pleased I don't live there.
I'm happy to be content with your post/photos, Indrani!! Glad you came back safely — and with your husbands shoe!! Great post as always!!