Wednesday, November 17, 2010

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, 13th Nov, 2010

End time: 8:30 PM, Sunday, 14th 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, 14th 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.
Dil Chahta Hai
Sajnekhali Camp: First Tiger reserve camp. You get permission to enter Sunderbans forest and an approved guide from here


Unreal deer ;)
A wrecked ship @Sudhyanakhali camp
Varun, Punj and Trji @ Sudhyankhali camp 
Snake sighted!!
Crocodile sighted!
Delta pic
Our boat bar :)
Hands on boating!
Dobanki camp: Last camp



Loneliness: A Boat without any fisherman
Scenery while coming back

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Shivanasamudram Waterfalls trip - 5th Sept 2010


Shivanasamudram Waterfalls: Trip Log
Shivanasamudra is probably the largest waterfall in the Karnataka after Jog Falls. The place is also credited for hosting the first hydroelectric project in India. Here, Kaveri splits into two, falls into a valley in two separate places called Gaganachukki and Bharachukki and re-unites downstream. A good lot of water falls down from both the waterfalls. Gaganachukki especially is a steep fall where water gushes down with great velocity. It is quite risky to climb down and reach waters because of un-predictable depth and slippery rocks. A steep staircase is carved out of rocks at Bharachukki, where you can play in water.

Members: 11

Start time: 8:30 AM, Sunday, 5th Sept, 2010

End time: 10:00 PM, Sunday, 5th Sept, 2010

Total travel: 300 Kms (Tempo-Traveller)

Total expense: 900 INR/head

What went great:
  • - Lot of fun
  • - Great team
  • - Drunkards party ;)

Pain points:
- Late start
- Missed Banyan tree sight-seeing
Total duration: 1 day

Itinerary:
8 AM: Start
9:30 AM: Breakfast at Lokaruchi, Mysore road
12 PM : Reach Shivansumdra – Gaganachukki waterfalls
1 PM: Reach Shivansumdra – Bharachukki waterfalls
1:30 PM: Coracel Ride (if weather & time permits)
2 PM : Lunch/Snacks/Daroo ;)
4 PM: Start back
7:00 PM: Reach Banayan Tree but was closed
5 PM: Start back to Bangalore

Weather Conditions: Pleasant/Rainy

Vehicle: Tempo Traveller