Sundarbans & Rhino

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

Traditional welcome on arrival at Kolkata international airport by Travel Pals India executive with fresh marigold flower garlands. Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is god) is our 'mantra'. Day free to relax and acclimatize. 

Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly river, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India. In the late 17th century, the three villages that predated Kolkata were ruled by the Nawab of Bengal under Mughal suzerainty. After the Nawab granted the East India Company a trading license in 1690, the area was developed by the Company into an increasingly fortified mercantile base.

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Day 2: Kolkata City tour

Morning guided orientation city tour of Kolkata starting with the morning hustle bustle with a walk through the famous Flower Market upto Howrah Bridge then, visit Belur Math (temple), Kumartuli (sculpture making establishment), Victoria Memorial (one of the most prominent museums in Kolkata) & Indian Museum - It’s an Italian style of architecture and the largest museum in the country.

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You may also enjoy regular Tram ride of 45 minutes to get a taste of old Kolkata’s magical heritage.

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Day  3: Kolkata –Sundarban (3 hour’s drive + 2-3 hour’s cruise)

0800 hrs, transfer to Godkhali ferry point. Motor boat sailing for about 2 hours to Sundarbans Jungle Camp with lunch onboard and enroute visit to forest department camp for obtaining permit and visit the Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Museum, Mangrove Interpretation Centre, Crocodile & Olive Ridley Turtle Pond.  

Overnight at the camp with dinner and folk drama.  

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Kindly be informed that there are no luxury hotels available in Sundarban. However, we will provide very good, neat & clean, hygienic resort with best possible amenities.

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Sunderbans – The Land of the Swimming Swamp Tigers! It is the largest mangrove forests and delta in the word formed by three great river systems: Brahmaputra, Ganges & Meghna. Considered as one of the last true wildernesses remaining on our planet Earth, this tidal country beholds a unique ecosystem totally governed by the diurnal tides resulting into a thriving arena for a myriad life forms – from mammals to the vertebrates. Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sunderbans is contiguous to Bangladesh.

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Day 4: Sundarban 

0630 hrs, Boat cruise into the jungle through smaller Creeks (Breakfast & Lunch on board), covering Sudhan covering Sudhanyakhali watch tower, Mangrove nursery & Dobanki Jungle Camp etc.

Day 5: Sundarban 

Today morning we will take you to a village tour to be followed by an adventure cruise by manually-oared country boat in the narrow creeks. Evening local cultural program performed by the local villagers. 

Day 6: Sundarban – Kolkata 

Start morning with boat transfer to Godkhali ferry point for further transfer by road to Kolkata hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. 

Day 7: Kolkata – Jorhat (by air) 

Transferred to Kolkata airport to board direct flight for Jorhat. After lunch visit a Tea garden/ Tea factory. 

Day 8: Jorhat – Majuli Island (1-hour drive + 1-hour Ferry: One way) – Jorhat 

Today you are going to visit largest River Island in the world, proceed towards Neamati ghat in Jorhat to embark your ferry to cross the mighty river Brahmaputra. Upon disembarkation, drive to Majuli to visit Garamurh Satra, Kamalabari Satra and Samaguri Satra (Mask making centre at Majuli). Enjoy lunch and a cultural dance in Majuli.

Majuli, the largest freshwater River Island in the world, nestles in the lap of the mighty Brahmaputra. The island is about 200 kilometers east from Guwahati and is a geographical landscape of natural and cultural heritage site. There are 21 Satras on the island - several of them still very active in the tradition and training of dance, drama, music, art and craft. With water bodies covering most of the areas, it attracts plenty of local and migratory birds. 

Day 9: Jorhat - Kaziranga National Park (115 Kms / 4.5 hrs)

Today we drive to Kaziranga National Park to stay in jungle resort.

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Afternoon enjoy Jungle safaris at Kaziranga National Park by open jeep.

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Kaziranga National Park is a world heritage site; the park hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros. It also boasts the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Though sighting of tigers are difficult because of the tall grasses that provide excellent camouflage, their presence can be felt everywhere by way of pug marks, kills and territorial markings. The park is home to a large breeding population of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. It is also home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds. Kaziranga has 39 species of mammals while more than 500 species of birds has been recorded in the park. Some of the important mammals are Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo, Eastern Swamp Deer, A handsome population of Bengal Tiger. While in Birds Greater Adjutant, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Black-necked Stork, slender-billed Vulture, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican etc. 

Day 10: Kaziranga National Park 
Today start adventure by doing an elephant ride (1 hr) inside the park. Rich in birdlife, these wetlands are among the most productive habitats around. Then with packed breakfast go for a jeep safari inside another range of the park.

Afternoon safari is also possible in case you are ready for a quick turnaround to witness the jungle action.

Day 11: Kaziranga National Park

Ready for another jeep safari inside the park to see wildlife in action.

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Post lunch drive to Silghat to go for a Dolphin Boat safari on the Brahmaputra to watch the playful Gangetic River Dolphins. The Sunset form this point is another spectacular view to watch. Return to your lodge by dusk.  

Day 12: Kaziranga National Park - Jorhat (140 Kms / 3.5 hrs) - Kolkata (by air)

We will transfer you to Jorhat airport to board flight for Kolkata to connect onward international flight for onward destination with sweet memories of your India tour.