Roller coaster!: Sunderbans Forest Backpack Trip: 13-14 Nov 2010

Sundarbans Forest: Trip Log

Sundarbans is vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming the lower part of the Ganges Delta. The Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges,Brahmaputra and Meghna. It is home to the largest number of wild tigers in the world and is dominated by mangrove forests. Sunderban is only accessible by waterways.

Members: 4

Start time: 8:00 AM, Saturday, 13^th Nov, 2010

End time: 8:30 PM, Sunday, 14^th Nov, 2010

Total travel: 100 Kms (Train) + 40 Kms (Auto + Rickshaw) + 50 Kms (Boat)

Total expense: 1550 INR/head

What went great:

- Real backpacking trip. Used only public transports

- Boat and rickshaw rides

- Beautiful and comfortable stay @resort

- Private Boat Bar ;)

- Great buddies

Pain points:

- Food

- Shortage of Cash at the end of trip

Total duration: 2 days + 1 nights

Going: Kolkata Railway station, Sialdah (10:30 AM) à Canning Railway station (12:00 PM) à Babu ghat by walk (12:30 PM) à River cross by public boat (3 Rs per head) (1 PM) à Sonakhali on open roof auto :-) (1:45 PM) à Motorboat travel to Pakhiralay (3:30 PM) àLunch à Gosaba on Rickshaw (5:30 PM)

Sight-seeing: Sajnekhali Camp, Sudhyanakhali camp, Dobanki camp (On private boat, 14^th Nov, start: 7 AM) drop at Pakhiralay

Coming: Pakhiralay (3:30 PM, dropped by private boat) à Sonakhalli (auto) à Babu ghat (auto) à Canning railway station by walk (6:00 PM)

Weather Conditions: Sunny

Vehicle: Train, Boats, Auto, Man-driven rickshaw

Catching the pubic boat at Babu ghat

On sale: Punj in the special auto

On Motorboat going to Gosaba

Eggs or potatoes: Eggs selling like potatoes, seen eggs first time like this

@Resort

@resort with Anupam and Teji

Resort details: Binani resort, Gosaba. We rented a 4 seater dorm at 1200 INR for overnight stay.

The Cash Crunch: It's always good to take good amount of cash when you go for such trips. But thanks to ATM, I have just lost the habit of keeping cash. Thought of taking out cash during travel but unfortunately didn't get any working ATM. At the resort stay, we realized that the common fund we have collected cash is just too low to reach back. I was the biggest culprit as I just contributed 500 INR to the fund. :P

All of us then emptied our pocket till single paisa to add into the fund. We put resort and boat charges separate so that we don't expend them in any other luxury. Put rest of the small fund (not sufficient though to reach back) for reaching to nearest ATM, so that I could take out some cash for everyone ;)

Anupam was so scared to let the last pennies of cash go away that he had a an altercation over 10 bucks with auto driver while coming back...sorry man...all my fault!! :D

Finally reached to the only ATM of the town and got some cash for everyone's relief....All's well that ends well!!

Pic with resort owners: reason of good hospitality and comfortable stay at forest

Our boat: Private boat hired for forest camps visits

Started at around 7:30 AM from resort. Boat hired for 2500 INR including lunch on boat and for showing us the 3 different forest camp and drop us at Gosaba taxi stand at around 4 PM.

The charges for forest entry and taking an approved guide are separate which comes close to 500 INR.