Impenetrable mangrove forests. Winding rivers. Lush Sundari trees. Somnambulant crocodiles. Spotted deer. Sunderbans is all that and more. Peer into its soul and you will see Nature at its purest. Nestled between the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers; Sunderbans is the largest delta in the world.
This vast delta covers 4264 sq. kms. of forest area in India alone (the larger area forming a part of Bangladesh) and has one of the largest Tiger Reserves in the world.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a treasure trove that boasts myriad and mysterious forms of life. You will be amazed at the sheer diversity and breathtaking beauty of this Tiger Reserve. The thought is bound to cross your mind that this is it- and it can't possibly get any better. But it can when we are the ones taking you on this magical, mystical tour.

“In a spiritual comprehension, people of the sunderbans know that without the tiger, their human world is incomplete.”
- Time Magazine

Sunderban's mystic beauty is however most augmented by the majestic but elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. In fact this is the only tiger inhabited mangrove ecosystem in the whole world and houses the highest number in any single Tiger Reserve.
Other than the famous Royal Bengal Tigers, the mangrove of Sunderbans has a dazzling display of scores of mysterious and unique fauna with an amazing diversity. There is a great variety of enticing wildlife including Estuarine Crocodiles, Olive Ridley Turtles, Dolphins, Fishing Cats, Wild boars, Pythons and King Cobras. An immense variety of birds, fish and crustaceans breed here.
Criss-crossed by hundreds of creeks and tributaries and manifested by a stunning variety of colors from known and unknown vegetation, Sunderbans is a land of natural wonders that unfolds its magic to allure, to entice all those who are adventurous and dare to take the challenge of the unknown

3 Nights and 4 Days (Vivada Cruises)

Departure from Kolkata (Millennium Park Jetty) Friday 10:30am
Return to Kolkata Monday Forenoon

Sunderbans has two segments the North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. Both segments are covered here extensively. And while we go to Sunderbans we cruise along the Mighty River Ganges past several heritage ghats.

Day 1:

Check in at the Millennium Park Jetty by 10.30am. Cruiser will cast off at 11.00 am. The cruiser sets sail along the beautiful Ganges towards the South, passing through the various heritage sites for seven hours to reach Namkhana, a fisherman’s cove and the Gateway to Sunderbans.The cruiser will drop anchor at the mouth of Namkhana, the gateway to Sunderban for the night.

Day 2:

At 5.30 am the guests can see the spectacular early sunrise, while cruiser sails past Namkhana, the busy fishing harbor. Here the busy harbor will give an insight into the lifestyle of the fisherman. The small fishing boats come alongside the cruiser and the guests can buy fresh fish and other sea foods to be cooked in the live kitchen counters for the dinner.
After the interaction with the fishermen, the cruiser enters Sunderbans to navigate through the narrower creek of Hatania – Doanina. The guests will have the first glimpse of the dense mangrove and the vast river system with several creeks flowing into the main rivers. This day the guests will experience the lifestyle of Sunderbans, their traditions, culture along with the rich bio diversity of the region.

The first excursion will be a walk through the Mangrove forest at Lothian Island. After this the cruiser will sail through the River Malta, a wide in some places and narrow in some areas. An interesting play of tide can be experienced when the river is flooded during high tides, she feels like a sea and during low tide like a creek.
The next excursion will be in the afternoon after lunch, to watchtowers at some of the islands, with a canopy walk– Nethidopani, Dobanke, Sajnekhali, along with a wildlife expert, who will guide the guests to experience the forest, site animals and birds; explain various mangrove species and tell the interesting stories of the islands.
Later in the evening before the sunsets, the vessel will anchor at a beautiful Sunderban village. The village tour is an interesting experience of farming, paddy being husked, collected honey being packed, fishing, prawn culture and various occupations of the region. At the village, the local artist will perform the traditional dance drama Bon Bibi phala, a rich folklore of Sunderbans.

Day 3:

On this day, the morning visit will be to the most popular sunderban island Sudhyonokhali. After breakfast, the guest will be transferred to the creek boat for an experience of the mangrove by the waterway.Our next stop would be at Bhagavatpur crocodile project. At Bhagavatpur, there is a breeding center of the estuarine crocodiles.


Day 4:

The vessel again will cross over Namkhana as per the tide and will head back home, sailing past the several heritage ghats of Kolkata. The vessel will reach Kolkata in the forenoon depending on the tide.
 

On board Activities / Facilities:

The cruiser has several activities onboard to unwind, distress and relax.
Evening Entertainment – Each Day a different form suiting the ambience, the evening entertainment is almost like a theme party.
First Night – Modern Bengali and Hindi Music

Second Night – Rural Bengali folk drama and folklore

Third Night – classical and folk Music.

Cuisine – Each meal is carefully designed to give a rich experience of the culinary wealth of India particularly Bengal. Exotic but Non greasy, healthy, wholesome, hygienic is the objective.

Library on the sky deck with good collection of Books and Films.
TV room for viewing films
Games – caroms, cards, chess
Gym & Yoga – to burn the calories
Spa – for an Ayurvedic massage and steam / sauna bath.
Night vision binoculars and  Telescope for star gazing
Artisans at work and stock of art work, local handicrafts for buying.
Wildlife expert cum sailor who will share his experience. Talk shows and films shows are on his agenda

The first day and the fourth day, there are no disembarkation or shore excursions. It is a perfect time to unwind and relax.
The second and third day is filled with activities but spaced out carefully. There are three excursions each day – Early morning, forenoon or afternoon and late afternoon.
All tours are guided tours with the wild lifer, life guards, full service for drinks and munching snacks while on excursions.