Kolkata - Simlipal - Kolkata - Sunderban - Kolkata
- Gorumara - Sandakphu -Lava - Kolkata
Day 1: Depart for Kolkata
Day 2: Kolkata
Arrive Calcutta. Met on arrival at the
visitor's lounge and transferred to The Park for
two nights.A Government approved five-star hotel,
The Park is located on the Park Street at the heart
of the city, 2 kms from the Victoria Memorial, 15
kms from the airport, and 5 kms from the railway
station. This centrally air-conditioned hotel has
a swimming pool, shopping arcade and a health club.
The hotel has three restaurants and a bar. The restaurants
offer Indian and Continental food. Each air-conditioned
bedroom has a telephone and a private bathroom with
bath and/or shower and toilet. Each deluxe room
has a Jacuzzi facility.
Kolkata is a city of glaring contrasts: a curious
blend of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly
born out of growing urbanization, partly un-definable.
It is a medley of the east and the west, a graft
of a European city imposed on the Asian scape that
gives Calcutta its bewildering charm, confusion
and excitement. Being just about 300 years old,
Calcutta hardly has many great historical monuments.
Perhaps, the oldest remembered is the site where
the Kalighat Temple now stands. Today Calcutta is
the largest city in India with a population over
10 million and boasts of India's first ever Metro
rail system. It is a city that shocks on first impression
but eventually the visitor falls in love with it.
Later in the day we will have a sightseeing tour
of the 'City of Joy'. Evening proceed for a Ferry
Boat tour on the river Ganges.
Day 2: Kolkata
This morning we will proceed for some semi-urban
bird watching in the suburbs of Kolkata. We expect
to see the Fulvous-Breasted Woodpecker, Black-Rumped
Flameback, Lineated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet,
Blue-Throated Barbet, Common Hoopoe, Stork-Billed
Kingfisher, White-Throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher,
Green Bee-Eater, Greater Coucal, Rose Ringed Parakeet,
House Swift, Spotted Owlet, Eurasian Collared Dove,
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, White Breasted Waterhen,
Bronze-Winged Jacana, Painted Snipe, Shikra, Indian
Pond Heron, Black and Bronze Drongo, Monarch Flycatcher,
Red-Breasted Flycatcher, Orange Headed Thrush, Black
Hooded Oriole and more.
Evening will be free to explore the city and its
environs.
Day 3: Kolkata - Simlipal
Morning we will proceed for a ferry tour
on the river Ganges. Later in the day we will proceed
for the railway station in time to connect to our
train (Jan Shatabdi Express;1405:1742) to Balasore.
Met on arrival and transferred to Simlipal National
Park. On arrival we will check-in to the forest
rest house for three nights.
Day 4: Simlipal
Simlipal is in the centre of Mayurbhanj district
of Orissa; it is -one of the 18 tiger reserves of
India. This reserved forest was declared a sanctuary
in 1979. Similipal is a representative ecosystem
under Mahanadian Biogeographic Region. Its floral
and faunal composition has some similarities with
elements from the Western Ghats and Northeast India.
The reserve is also home to some beautiful waterfalls
and valleys like the Barehipaani (399 mtrs) and
Chahala, which offers a panoramic view of the forest.
The protected environment of the park has provided
shelter to 42 species of mammals. 242 species of
birds can be seen in these forests. Red Jungle Fowl,
Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested
Serpent Eagle are common. The Grey Hornbill, Indian
Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian
Trogon are also found in the reserve. Apart from
the large number of mammals and bird species, the
park has a population of 30 species of reptiles,
which includes snakes and turtles. The Mugger management
program has helped the Mugger crocodile to survive
and flourish on the banks of river Khairi.
Morning and afternoon you will go for the open-topped
jeep safari to the Simlipal National Park
Day 5: Simlipal
Morning and afternoon you will go for the
open-topped jeep safari to the Simlipal National
Park.
Day 6: Simlipal - Kolkata
Today morning we will proceed to Balasore
to connect to our train to Kolkata (Jan Shatabdi
Express; 0915:1325). Met on arrival and transferred
to our hotel for wash and change. Later we will
proceed to Sonakhali to be on-board on our semi-luxury
boat to Sunderban Tiger Reserve for three nights.
The Sunderbans, extending over an area of 1,000,000
hectares, is the world's largest delta, formed by
the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. The region
has extensive mangrove forests and the contours
are in a constant state of flux, caused by the monsoon
flooding each year. Roughly a third of the delta
is water, consisting of rivers, channels and tidal
creeks up to 8 kilometers wide.
The area of the Reserve is 2585 sq. km., covering
land area of 1600 sq. km. and the water body occupying
over 985 sq. km. Within this area, 1330.12 sq. km.
is designated as core area, which was subsequently
declared as Sundarbans National Park in 1984. The
entire Sundarbans area was declared as Biosphere
Reserve in 1989.
The main attractions of the Sunderbans are the Tiger,
large reptiles like the Monitor Lizard, Estuarine
Crocodile the Olive Ridley Turtle, and the Indian
Python.
Here we will see the Black Capped, White Collared,
Stork Billed, Brown Winged, Common and Pied Kingfisher.
Other birds include the Scarlet Flowerpecker, Mangrove
Whistler, Grey and Purple heron, Asian Openbill,
Little Green Heron, Forest wagtail, Asian Paradise
Flycatcher, Loten's and Purple Rumped Sundird. Afternoon
we will visit Sajnekhali watchtower. From the watchtower
we will try to catch a glimpse of the elusive Tiger.
Other mammals expected are the Chital, Wild Boar
and the Rhesus Macaque. Overnight at boat.
Day 6: Sunderban Tiger Reserve
Today morning we will cruise to Sajnekhali
Watch-Tower. From here we will have a panoramic
view of the forest and a view of some of the creeks
and water holes of Sunderban. We can expect to see
some mammals from the tower. After spending some
time on the watch tower we will anchor for the day.
Evening at leisure on the boat. Overnight you will
be at the boat.
Day 7: Sunderban Tiger Reserve
This morning we will be birding from the boat. Our
efforts will be primarily focused on seeing the
Goliath Heron the largest heron in the world. Later
in the morning we will cruise to Bagna and Burir
Dabri watchtower to try for mammals sighting form
the boat.
Evening local cultural show in village Bali. Cruise
back to anchoring point. Overnight we will be at
the boat.
Day 8: Sunderban Tiger Reserve -Kolkata
Morning we will go for creeks cruise by manually
oared country boat for about an hour. We will see
the highly endemic mangrove flora from close quarters
and also hope to see the Salt Water Crocodile and
the Water Monitor. If we are lucky we may catch
a glimpse of the Indian Rock Python or some other
snake. Later in the morning cruise to Dobanki and
Netidhobani watchtower to sight wildlife. Cruise
back to Sonakhali. Upon arrival at Sonakhali jetty
you will be transferred to the car for surface transfer
to Kolkata. On arrival we will be met and transferred
to our hotel The Park for over-night stay.
Day 9: Kolkata - Gorumara National Park
Today morning we will fly to Bagdogra (9W617;
1220:1320). Met on arrival and transfer by road
to Gorumara Jungle Camp (75 kms; 2 hrs) in Gorumara
National Park for two nights. Gorumara Jungle Camp
is an old saw-mill which was closed down due to
the decline in the timber industry, now converted
into an 'eco-tourist' lodge which provides a new
source of income for the local villagers. We will
proceed for a walk to try and see some of the species
of birds Some of the more interesting sightings
may be of Red Junglefowl, Green-billed Malkoha,
Vernal Hanging Parrot, Red-breasted Parakeets, White-rumped
Needletails, Large-tailed Nightjar and Savanna Nightjar,
Ashy Wood Pigeons, Green Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-footed
and Pin-tailed Green Pigeons White-rumped Vultures,
Collared Falconet, Black Storks, Lesser Adjutants,
Long-tailed Broadbills, Maroon Orioles and Black-winged
Cuckooshrike, Short-billed Minivet, Scarlet Minivet,
eight species of drongos including Crow-billed and
both Lesser and Greater Racket-tailed, Large Woodshrikes,
Plain-backed Thrush, Tickell's Thrush and Grey-winged
Blackbird, Little Pied Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied
Niltava, Black-backed Forktail, Hill Myna, Black-crested
Bulbul. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Camp.
Day 10: Gorumara National Park
Morning you will go for the open-topped jeep safari
to the core area of Gorumara national Park Afternoon
we will proceed to the near-by Chapramari Wildlife
Sanctuary for similar safari. We expect to see the
Large Cuckooshrike, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Sapphire
and Pale-chinned Flycatchers, Small Niltava. We
also will se mammals like the One Horned Indian
Rhinocerus, the Indian Bison or Gaur, Leopard, Jungle
Cat, Chital, and the Indian Elephant. Over-night
at Camp.
Day 11: Gorumara - Loleygaon
Today morning we will do some birding at
the Mahakal trail in Gorumara. Later we will proceed
to Loleygaon. On arrival we will check-in to the
Loleygaon Tourist Centre. Later in the afternoon
we will be birding at Loleygaon
Day 12: Loleygaon - Rishyap
Today morning we will be birding at Loleygaon. Later
we will drive to Rishyap. On arrival we will check-in
for over-night stay. Later in the afternoon we will
be birding in Rishyap.
Day13: Rishyap
Today morning we will proceed to Neora Valley National
Park for a full day birding in the core area. Here
we will try for birds like the Wood Owl, Speckled
and Ashy Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Northern
Goshawk, Black and Mountain Hawk Eagle, Steppe Eagles,
Grey-chinned Minivet, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush,
Plain-backed Thrush, Dark-throated Thrush, Orange-flanked
and White-browed Bush Robins, White-tailed Robins
Hill Mynas Yellow-cheeked, Yellow-browed and Fire-capped
Tits, Striated and Black Bulbul, Yellowish-bellied
Bush Warbler, Buff-barred, Ashy-throated, Eastern
Crowned, Blyth's Leaf, Golden-spectacled, Grey-hooded,
Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Warbler, Striated,
Scaly, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush,
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, both Pygmy and
Rufous-throated Wren Babblers, Rufous-capped and
Golden Babbler, Black-headed and White-browed Shrike
Babbler, Rusty-fronted and Hoary-throated Barwing,
Chestnut- and Red-tailed Minla, Golden-breasted,
Rufous winged and White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered,
Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhina, Black-throated
Parrotbill, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented
and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Mrs's Gould's Sunbirds,
Little and Streaked Spiderhunters Dark-breasted
and Dark-rumped Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeaks
Overnight at Rishyap.
Day 14: Rishyap - Darjeeling
Today morning we will be birding near Lava. Later
we will drive to Darjeeling. On arrival we will
check-in at Hotel Mayfair. After freshening up we
will proceed for birding around the Darjeeling Zoo
area. Overnight at hotel.
Day15: Darjeeling - Sandakphu
Today morning we will drive to Manebhanjang for
birding. Later we will drive to Sandakphu (3636m)
summit; birding at different spots en-route. We
will try for birds like the White-throated Redstart,
Blue-fronted Redstarts, White-collared Blackbird,
Eurasian Griffons, Slender-billed Vulture, Ring-tail
Hen Harrier Steppe Eagle, Golden Eagle, Yellow-billed
Blue Magpie, Nutcracker, Mistle Thrush, Eurasian
Treecreepers and Winter Wrens, Blue-winged Laughingthrush
Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned, White-browed and
Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Hoary-throated Barwing,
Golden breasted Fulvetta, Fulvous Parrotbill, Rufous-breasted
Accentor, Plain Mountain Finch, Dark-breasted, Dark-rumped,
White-browed and Beautiful Rosefinch,On arrival
we will check-in to our resort. Later we will be
birding in this area. Overnight at resort.
Day16: Sandakphu - Tonglu
Today morning we will be birding around the summit
area along with enjoying the Sunrise view of Kanchenjonga
and Everest. Later we will drive down to Tunling
stopping frequently at Garibas and other places
en-route.On arrival we will check-in for over-night
stay at Tungling.
Day17: Tonglu - Kolkata
Today morning we will drive back to Bagdogra to
connect to our flight to Kolkata. Met on arrival
and transferred to our hotel The Park for over-night
stay.
Day18: Kolkata - London
Today morning we will proceed for our onward journey
from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport,
Kolkata.
