Bangladesh's Sundarbans: Land of the Royal Tiger
Details
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For all information regarding this trip, including flights, visas and booking please click here (http://www.escape-travels.com/trips/detail/bangladeshs_sundarbans_land_of_the_tiger/115)
Bangladesh at a Glance
The country of Bangladesh is amazingly lush in flora, fauna, and humanity itself. It's a pastoral paradise overflowing with waterways and villages dotted along its countryside. Although Bangladesh is heavily populated, it is easy to feel like you have the whole place to yourself when you're drifting down one of its many majestic rivers on a traditional rowboat.
The Sundarbans at a Glance
The Sundarbans National Park in Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world, consisting of an intricate and mysterious network of waterways. It is a National Park, a Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve, along with a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Translated from Bengali, Sundarbans means "beautiful forest". Beautiful it is, but it overflows with wildlife that is just as dangerous; the park is home 400 Royal Bengal tigers - the single largest population of tigers in the whole world. Old world monkeys, flying foxes, deer, and a variety of jungle cats also inhabit the region. A wild and raw terrain, with unchartered water channels brimming with life, make this region the principal attraction of Bangladesh. Submit to the primal nature of the Sundarbands and you'll enter the true wilderness of South Asia.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Wednesday, Nov. 30th: Arrival & Exploring Old Dhaka
Upon our arrival in the capital city, Dhaka, we will be transferred to our hotel to rest and relax before embarking on a city tour to explore Old Dhaka. We will visit various historically significant sights and get a glimpse into authentic, everyday life at Sadarghat Port, known as one of the most dynamic parts of Dhaka - it is one of the largest ports in the world where over 200 boats arrive and depart everyday. In the evening, we will have dinner and return to the hotel for some well deserved rest.
Day 2 - Thursday, December 1st: Flight to Jessore & Overnight River Cruise
After breakfast, we will depart to the airport to catch our domestic flight to Jessore, a region on the southwestern tip of Bangladesh. It was once a medieval kingdom and in 1971, it was the first district in Bengal to be liberated by Pakistani forces. We will then head directly to Mongla - the Sundarbans begin just 5km south from here. From Mongla we will board a vessel and spend the remainder of the day cruising through the network of waterways that make up the National Park and Tiger Reserve. During our voyage, we will explore the wildlife and be side by side with some of the most spectacular flora and fauna in the world. We will arrive at Kotka Forest Station late in the evening and anchor for an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 3 - Friday, December 2nd: Exploring the Waterways & Overnight on Boat
Shortly after sunrise, we will start the day by exploring the narrow creeks aboard a wooden rowboat, allowing for a close look at the unique mangrove wildlife just as the sun is rising. We will discover the precious ecosystem of this Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, which is now under threat of physical disaster.
After a leisurely breakfast, we will have the option of exploring the area on foot, either going on an easy trek to the pristine beach facing the Bay of Bengal, or a hike through the mangroves. This are is heavily populated by spotted deer, monkeys, wild boar and many species of birds.
Post lunch we will start cruising back to Mongla during which we can see more wildlife. By the evening we will anchor the vessel for the night at a suitable forest station and enjoy a barbecue dinner onboard our vessel.
Day 4 - Saturday, December 3rd: Final Day on River & Return to Dhaka / Flight Home
We will begin our cruise back to Mongla and enjoy breakfast and lunch on the water. The waterways are calming and tranquil, yet filled with wildlife; a beautiful treat for the senses and a dream for photographers!
Upon our arrival in Mongla, we will be transferred to Jessore Airport for our return flight to Dhaka. We will arrive in Dhaka at 7:20 PM just in time to catch our international flights back home!
Cost, Flights, Visa & Booking
For all information regarding this trip, including cost, flights, visas and booking please click here (http://www.escape-travels.com/trips/detail/bangladeshs_sundarbans_land_of_the_tiger/115)
Bangladesh's Sundarbans: Land of the Royal Tiger