sunderban down heritage up 8d7n
DESCRIPTION
SunderbanTRANSCRIPT
Embarkation : Gadkhali Jetty in SunderbansDisembarkation : Kolkata
Sunderbans, the world largest Mangrove, is a UNESCO declared heritage site. This is among the largest Royal Bengal Tiger Reserves in the world. This is the only land where tigers swim and eat fish. The wildlife includes Olive Ridley Turtles, Estuarine crocodiles, cheetals, wild boars, different kinds of fishes, dolphins, monitor lizards, otters, the King Cobra, various types of kingfishers, herons, green beeeaters, sunbirds, whistling teals and many other birds that adorn the trees and mangroves of Sunderbans. Being a cluster of islands with dense mangrove it is best explored only by waterways and anchoring at the best possible location for the morning forest visits. As we cruise through the creeks of Sunderbans, greater are the chances to catch the elusive one swimming across.
Day 1 Morning
8 a.m. - Reporting at Millennium Park, Kolkata for surface transfer to the Mangrove Land - the SUNDERBANS. Enroute welcome drinks, mineral water will be served. Light snacks will be available on_request.
Late Morning
Reach Gadkhali
Arrival at Godkhali jetty. Transfer to small boat to reach Cruiser - M.V. Paramhamsa Check in.
Safety and tour briefing.
Afternoon
Wildlife Watch Tower at Sudhayanakhali.Sudhanyakhali is a place famous for its watchtower and wildlife sighting
Day 2
Early Morning
Bali VillageVisit to Bali Village, a typical Sunderban village for an interaction with the village, to experience their life style.
Extensive Creek ride through the dense Mangrove forest.
Day long tour of Sunderbans to Burirdabri, Dobanke.
Visit to Watch Tower in Burirdabri camp.Burirdabri is famous for its watchtower, a mud walk and mangrove cage trail leading to a view point known as Raimongal View Point.
Day 3 Early Morning
Visit to Nethidopani watch tower.Netidhopan has the ruins of a 400-year-old temple and legends lend mystery to the atmosphere.
After Brakfast
Walk through the Lothian Island, a thick mangrove forest.
Lothian Island, a mangrove forest walk with extensive range of mangroves species and birding opportunity.
Afternoon
Shore excursion to Bhagavatpur crocodile farm.Bhagavatpur is a hatchery-cum-sanctuary of the biggest Estuarine Crocodile in the world.
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Day 4
Forenoon
The vessel reaches Kolkata
Day Tour
City Tour:
• Kalighat Temple• Mother Teresa House• Victoria Memorial
Vessel anchors at Kolkata for the night
Heritage Unfolds as the cruiser sails along the River Ganges. Experience the rich culture and heritage Bengal has to offer on Ganges in the shore excursion as the cruiser drops anchor at several banks for a guided tour.
Day 5
Afternoon
The cruiser sets sail for the heritage Bengal
Late Afternoon
Chandannagar – the French establishment
The city of Chandannagar was a French colony from 1673 to 1952. Even though the city was under the possession of the English in 1757 and in 1794, it was restored to the French. 18th century mansion of the French administrator now houses the Institute de Chandannagar with a library, a French language school, and a museum of documents, antiques, and art and sculpture.
Day 6
Early Morning
Bandel – the Portuguese Colony
There was a Portuguese settlement at Bandel. The Church and the Monastery were built around 1660 by the Portuguese. Bandel Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in West Bengal. It is dedicated to Nossa Senhora di Rozario. The keystone of an older church with the year 1599 on it adorns the riverside gate of the monastery attached to it.
After Breakfast
Weavers colony at Kalna / Shantipur famous for fine Bengal cotton known as TANT. Opposite is the town of Kalna famous for its terracotta temples.
Evening
Mayapur, the headquarters of ISKCON in the evening. The prayers and dance in praise of the lord will be highlight of the visit. Opposite is the quiet village of Nabadwip.
Day 7
After Breakfast
Whole day tour of Murshidabad and Plassey.
Murshidabad is one of the oldest cities of West Bengal and has a rich heritage. The Nawab Murshid Ali Khan made Murshidabad the capital city of Sube Bangla, comprising of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It was the last capital of independent Nawabs of Bengal and the first capital of Bengal under the British.
Nizamat Kila (the Fortress of the Nawabs), also known as the Hazaarduari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors), built by Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers in 1837, in the Italianate style.
Moti Jhil (Pearl Lake), beautiful horseshoe shaped lake, just to the south of the palace.
Muradbagh Palace and the Khushbagh Cemetery, where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj Ud Daulah are interred.
Plassey is the battlefield where the battle between Siraj Ud Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, and the British East India Company took place.
Berhampore was the first Head Quarter of the East India Company and having a long history enriched by the Nawabs, Kings, Zamindars and other European colonial forces such as Dutch, Armenians, English and French.
Day 8
Shantiniketan, Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary & Tribal village. ( Lunch at Shantiniketan)
Last day at the cruise. After Breakfast check out of the cruiser for a Whole day of tour of Shantinikatan etc. At the Bengal’s cultural capital, traditional Bengali Lunch will await the Guest. After Lunch, guest will be travel back to Kolkata by Air conditioned coach. The distance from Shantineketan is about 150 km and travel time is about 3 hours.
Shantiniketan is built by famous Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, whose vision became what now is a University town (Vishwa Bharati University). It is a Home to many Artists, Singers, Painters, Sculptors and numerous artisans.
Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is home to black buck, spotted deer, jackals, foxes and a variety of water birds
Tribal Village is quite simple and mainly comprises of Santhal tribal community. The natural surrounding and unique lifestyle of the Santhal tribe is what makes this village different from others. It is the only village which has preserved rich tribal culture and age old traditions from generations.
Late Afternoon
Depart Shantiniketan for surface transfer to Kolkata.
Evening : Reach Kolkata
Please Note : The time of excursions may vary depending upon the tidal and other environmental conditions.