Kolkata with Sunderban

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Kolkata is the cultural capital of India where rich cultural heritage can be experienced in daily life. Tourists especially visit this city to experience its unique and lively culture. It is the birthplace of renowned poets and philosophers. Appreciation of art and literature is in the blood of the people here. Aptly called the ‘City of Furious’, Kolkata is ideally located on the bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. This city is well known for the massive colonial architecture and art galleries. Also known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata surely offers various astonishing attractions to fall in love with.

Overnight Hotel – Kolkata (B)

Day 02: Kolkata
Post Breakfast leave for Guided city tour of Kolkata

Visit, Victoria Memorial; memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India. The structure was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Taj Mahal. It was built between 1906 & 1921. It is a majestic white marble building surrounded by a sprawling garden. Also visit the Fort William, St. John’s Church, Tagore’s castle & slot, marble Palace 

Howrah Bridge; is a cantilever bridge that spans over the Hooghly River in West Bengal A cantilever bridge is the one built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. The bridge does not have nuts and bolts and was built by riveting the whole structure. 

Dakshineswar Kali Temple; is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali.  

Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), opened in the year 1952 by Mother Teresa, Home for Dying Destitute in Kolkata. She & her fellow nuns took in dying Indians off the streets & brought them to this home to care for them during the days before they died, so that they might be able to die in peace & with dignity.  
Birla Mandir; is a Hindu temple on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, built by the industrialist Birla family. This temple is open in the morning from 5.30 A.M. to 11 A.M. and in the evening from 4 .30 P.M. to 9 P.M. 

Kalighat Temple; is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to hav e fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fell. It is a very famous place and a pilgrimage for Shakta (Shiva and Durga/Kali/Shakti worshippers) followers within the Hindu religion. On auspicious occasions like Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year day and Sankranti large number of devotees throng the place with offerings. 

Jain Temple; is at Badridas Temple Street is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, India. The temple was built by a Jain named Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim in 1867. Pratishtha was done by Sri Kalyansurishwarji Maharaj 

Belur Math; sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths.  Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes. 

Rest of the day at leisure for shopping & explore local market of KOLKATA. 
Overnight Hotel – Kolkata (B)

Day 03: Kolkata - Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal)
Sunderban Tiger Camp would like to welcome you to the journey to the land where the past lives in the present.

Your journey will start in the morning from your pick up point from Kolkata through beautiful countryside and rural bazaar. Around midday you arrive at Gothkhali Jetty (Travel by land ends here), where you will be greeted by your local guide and provided refreshments onboard your cruiser. We cruise through rivers Gomor, Durgadhwani to enter river Pitchkhali on banks of which lies Sunderban Tiger Camp overlooking the Sunderban Tiger Reserve (Total Journey: 5 Hours [Road 3 Hours: Boat 2 Hours). Optional Stopover: Gosaba is one of the earliest human settlements in the Sunderbans - to visit the house of Sir Danniel Hamilton - a Scottish banker who initiated the first co-operative movement of India in Sunderbans.

On your arrival you will be greeted by our team and checked into your cottage at Sunderban Tiger Camp followed by a hot lunch. Your afternoon entails observing endemic and migratory birds and wildlife while you cruise through the creeks and canals of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve forest to Sajnekhali Watchtower and Mangrove Interpretation Centre whilst refreshments are served on board.

As the sun sets in the distant horizon we return to the resort to refresh and join us for Hi-Tea with Snacks by the evening bonfire to view Adibasi dance performed by the tribals of Sunderbans. The folklore depicts their century old cultural in its true native form. They showcase happiness and hardships in their lives through dance and recitals of their folklore.

One can also go to the watchtower at the resort after their return from the cruise to observe the birdlife within the resort (Sunderb an Tiger Camp houses 64 species of birds to date).
A warm dinner cooked with farm fresh vegetables and is served at the Fishermans Wharf dining hall which displays different tools used by the locals to catch fish ends your first day in the

Overnight at Sunderban Tiger Camp (B,L,D)

Day 04:  Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal)
As you wake up to the chirping of birds and morning wake up bell, a hot cup of tea is served in your balcony. Refresh and board a thrilling cruise towards Dobanke Watch Tower as we move into the Sunderban Tiger Reserve Forest through creeks and dense forest and numerous rivers (breakfast onboard).

The canopy walk at Dobanke Watch Tower inside the forest sends chills down your spine (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting a 360˚ view of the forest). We visit the spotted deer rehabilitation centre after which we cruise back through Matla Sea Face (the point from where Bay of Bengal can be seen) to Sunderban Tiger Camp for lunch.

In the afternoon you will experience the true Sunderbans, as you walk through the native village of Dayapur. You will encounter many wonderful sights as you learn about the lifestyle, local crafts, cuisines, and way of life of the local villagers. Observe their indigenous farming methods and how their houses are completely mud made with small entrances. Your tour will pass through the village market and eventually end at the resort for refreshments followed by a wildlife movie and dinner to end another day in the reserve forest.

Overnight at Sunderban Tiger Camp (B, L, D)

Day 05: Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) - Kolkata
As you wake up to the chirping of birds and morning wake up bell, a hot cup of tea is served in your balcony. View the array of birds in the fruit trees near your cottage.

Refresh before we head for the morning cruise into the Sunderban Tiger Reserve once again through creeks and rivers heading to the Sudhanyakhali Watchtower. Walk through the caged walkways after disembarking towards the watchtower, searching for the elusive tiger. Keep a look at the sweet water pond where you may sight a deer drinking water or a water monitor lizard basking by the sun as well as monkeys and wild boars may be sighted nearby. Breakfast is served on board with refreshments as we cruise back to Kolkata

Upon Arrival board your International flight taking back a wonderful HOLIDAY Memory…..

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.