Sundarban

Sundarbans, the home of the Royal Bengal Tigers, is situated in the South East portion of the South 24 Parganas district of the state of West Bengal. The Sundarbans was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1984. Sundarbans is on the one hand a National Park, a Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. It is also a biosphere reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sunderbans is a place of awe and wonder which will leave every visitor spellbound. The best season to visit Sundarbans is December to January.

Sundarbans

How to Reach

By local train you can reach Canning from Sealdah. From Canning you can get Launch to go to Dockghat. From there you can get bus, auto or rickshaw to reach Sonakhali. From Sonakhali you can get trekker to reach Gosaba Dwip. From there you can get another trekker to reach Sajnekhali. Or you can board Sonakhali bound bus from Babughat. From there you can get trekker to reach Gosaba Dwip and again another trekker to reach Sajnekhali.


Accommodation

WBTDC Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1200-7200. For advance booking: Tourism Centre, 3/2, BBD Bag (East), Kolkata - 700001. Tel: 033-22437260.
Sundarban Mangrove Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 1500-3500. Tel: 9051212225.
Royal Sundarban Wild Resort. Tariff - Rs. 4500-5500 per person (including food and stay). Tel: 9831428924.

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Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara National Park is situated at a distance of 119 km from Siliguri. Spanning over an area of 114 sq. km, Jaldapara is home to the one horned Indian Rhinoceros. Other animals that reside in this park include tigers, leopards, deers, elephants, peacock and Sambhar. The elephant safari will be a truly unforgettable experience for the tourists. Elephant Safari is done on 6 am and 7 am. Jungle Safari by car is done at 9 am and 3 pm. Best time to visit Jaldapara National Park is October to May. The park remains closed from 15th June to 15th September.

Wild Elephants at Jaldapara National Park

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How to Reach

Trains running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Buses and Minibuses are running from Siliguri Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus to Madarihat. It takes about 4 hours to reach there.

Accommodation

WBTDC Jaldapara Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1600-3200. Tel: 03563-262230, 262606.
WBTDC Hollong Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 2500. Tel: 03563-262228.

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Palamau

Palamau National Park which is also known as Betla forest is situated in the state of Jharkhand and covers an area of 930 sq km. A tiger reserve has come up here. Here you can see elephants, leopard, Sambhar, Nilgai, Gaur, Bison and several species of deers. The main attractions of this forest are the colourful and beautiful birds which make the tourists feel amazed at the beauty of nature. The park remains open from 5 am to 6 pm. Although the park is open all year round, but the best time to visit Palamau is February-April.

How to Reach

You can board Shaktipunj Express from Howrah station and disembark at Daltanganj. Palamau Forest is 25 km from here. You can also reach Palamau from Ranchi or Dhanbad.


Accommodation

JTDC Hotel Van Vihar. Tariff - Rs. 550-950. Tel: 06562-226513, 9973284410.
Hotel Jayshree. Tariff - Rs. 540-1600. Tel: 9939338590, 8539876580.
Hotel Chandra Residency. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1600. Tel: 9162898575, 9304286799.
Hotel Debjani. Tariff - Rs. 400-600. Tel: 06562-286518.

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Chapramari

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is situated close to Gorumara National Park. Though the forest is relatively small, it hosts a variety of flora and fauna. The forest is famous for its elephant population. You can also see one-horned Rhinoceros, Gaur, deers, Nilgai and reptiles here. One can also witness a huge number of species of birds at Chapramari. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary remains closed from 16th June to 15th September. It also remains closed on every Thursday.

How to Reach

13149 Kanchankanya Express is running from Sealdah to New Mal Junction. From there cars are available on hire basis to get to Chapramari. Distance is 30 km. Car charges around Rs. 1500.


Accommodation

Chapramari Forest Bunglow. Tariff - Rs. 1700.
Chapramari Wilderness Camp. Tariff - Rs. 2300 (including food and jungle entry fee).
Booking: DFO, Wildlife Division - 2, Aranya Bhawan, Jalpaiguri. Tel: 03561-224907, 220017. Range Officer: Eco-Tourism Range, Lataguri, Jalpaiguri. Tel: 03561-266340, 9733064334.

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Simlipal National Park

Simlipal National Park is one of India's most popular national park. The sanctuary is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Simlipal derived its name from the silk cotton tree, Simul. The National Park is open for visitors from 1st November to 15th June. Simlipal is enriched with dense forests, green meadows, mind blowing waterfalls and awe inspiring rivers. There are two stunning waterfalls in this forest - Jaranda and Barheipani which attract nature lovers. You can get permits for entering the forest from the Assistant Conservator of Forest, Simlipal National Park, Dist. Mayurbhanj, Joshipur -757002. Tel: 06792-252593. Extra charges are levied for car and camera. The park remains open from 6 am to 2 pm.

Simlipal National Park

How to Reach

You can reach Balasore by train and from there you can get bus to get to Baripada or Jashipur. Simlipal National Park has two main gateways - Baripada on the East and Jashipur on the West. Buses are also running from Kolkata to Jashipur. Distance from Kolkata to Simlipal is 191 km.


Accommodation

Toshali Jungle Lodge. Tel: 9937003223.
Panthanivas Baripada. Tariff - Rs. 1300.
Several other accommodation facilities including forest rest house and tourist cottages are available.
For booking contact: Deputy Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada. Tel: 06792-259126.

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Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary

Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is located in the districts of Angul, Nayagarh and Boudh in the state of Odisha. The sanctuary is spread over a vast area of about 750 sq km. The river Mahanadi before falling into the Bay of Bengal passes through the hills of Odisha forming a 22 km long magnificent gorge where the sanctuary is situated. The area was declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in the year 2007, comprising of two sanctuaries - Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary. You can see elephants, deers, nilgai, tigers, leopards, sloth bear, wild dogs and a number of birds at Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. Apart from these the sanctuary also has reptiles like mugger crocodile, snakes and fresh water turtle. There is a waterfalls named Bhimgara Falls located inside the sanctuary. There are also watch towers to see the wildlife of the forest. Best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to May.

How to Reach

The best way to visit Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is to reach the sanctuary by OTDC operated buses from Athagarh. Otherwise you can reach Cuttack from Howrah by train. You can reach Angul from Cuttack by bus. Distance from Cuttack to Angul is 61 km. Tikarpada is located 58 km from Angul. Hired cars are available from Angul to reach Satkosia. The forest is about 30 km from Tikarpada.


Accommodation

Tikarpada Nature Camp. Tariff - Rs. 1700 for two persons including food and stay.
For booking of forest bungalows or nature camp contact: Eco Tourism Cell, Satkosia Wildlife Division, Hakimpara, Angul, Odisha-759143. Tel: 8763102681.
You can also stay in hotels at Angul.
Hotel Shanti. Tel: 06764-230686.
Hotel Sandhya. Tel: 06764-231357.

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Parmadan Deer Park

This deer park is also known as Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated at a distance of 113 km from Kolkata, this park is located on the banks of river Ichamati and spreads over an area of 92 hectares. There is a children's park, zoo and tourist bungalow in this wildlife sanctuary. Famous Bengali writer Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay's house is located nearby. There are about 400 deers in this deer park. You can also go for a boat ride down the river. All this will surely make you mesmerized.

Parmadan Deer Park

Buy Holiday Destinations Travel Guide Book and discover amazing travel destinations near Kolkata. Plus, inside the book, you will get
- Concise and informative text with full color photographs
- How to Reach guide with latest train schedules
- Tariff and contact information of hotels and resorts
- Travel tips and useful medicines
- Bonus: 30 Picnic Spots near Kolkata
Available as eBook & Print Book


How to Reach

From Sealdah you can board Bongaon Local and reach Bongaon station. From there you can take a rickshaw to reach Matganj bus stand. From here you can catch a Duttafulia bound bus and disembark at Naldugri. The sanctuary is just 3 km from Naldugri. You can take a van rickshaw to get to the sanctuary from Naldugri.

Accommodation

WBFDC Parmadan Eco Tourism Centre. Tariff - Rs. 400-700. Tel: 033-22258549.

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Gorumara

Gorumara is the fifth National Park of West Bengal. Located at a distance of 50 km from Jalpaiguri, this forest covers an area of 79 km. One can see rhinos, elephants, bisons, leopard, gaur, sambhar and many other species of deer here. You will also see innumerable peacocks dancing. There are four watch towers - Yatraprosad, Medla, Chandrachur and Chukchuki. In winter lots of birds can be seen at Chukchuki. The Gorumara National Park remains open for visitors in the winter season from 16th September to 19th February and during the summer season from 1st March to 15th June. One can get entry permit to the national park from Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre.

Gorumara National Park

How to Reach

Train are running from Sealdah to New Mal Junction and New Maynaguri. Hired cars are available from New Mal Junction and New Maynaguri to reach Lataguri, the entry point of Gorumara National Park. Buses are also plying from Siliguri to Gorumara.

Accommodation

Unique Inn. Tariff: Rs. 1500-3000. Tel: 9800868534.
Silver Ridge Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1200-2200. Tel: 9434057616.
Orchid Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1200-2000. Tel: 9007125566.
Tuskers Den Forest Resort. Tariff: Rs. 900-2100. Tel: 03561-266449.
Resort Green Heaven. Tariff: Rs. 1200-2000. Tel: 9434367709.
Greenery Eco Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1400-2000. Tel: 9831917143.
Hotel Sonali. Tariff: Rs. 800-2050. Tel: 9641797771, 7031099374.
Lake View Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1100-1400. Tel: 8436998436.
Resort Mayur. Tariff: Rs. 1000-1700. Tel: 03561–266347.

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Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Deer Park) is situated very close to Shantiniketan. Sal and Piyal trees surround the forest. Here you can see various species of deers and peacocks. There are watch towers and jungle paths all over the sanctuary for tourists to walk around and catch glimpses of wildlife especially deers. Also a large lake is located beside the forest where there is a bird sanctuary. Various types of migratory birds are seen here. You can also see other birds and tortoises which add to the beauty of the lake. Prantik is the next station of Bolpur. Kankali Pith is located 8 km from here. You can reach the temple by rickshaw. Kankali Pith is one of the 51 Piths. Another tourist attraction is the Bolpur station. Here you can see an art gallery which hosts a number of pictures and works of Rabindranath Tagore. The Wildlife Sanctuary remains open from 10 am to 4 pm. It remains closed on Wednesdays.

Deers at Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary

How to Reach

You can reach Bolpur from Howrah by train. The distance is 145 km. There are numerous trains like Shantiniketan Express, Ganadevta Express, Kavi Guru Express and Rampurhat Express. You can also catch a bus from Shahid Minar (Esplanade) to Shantiniketan.



Accommodation

WBTDC Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 900-2500. Tel: 033-22436440.
Balaka International. Tariff - Rs. 600-1500. Tel: 03463-255019.
Hotel Rangamati. Tariff - Rs. 950-1800. Tel: 03463-252305.
Park Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 1100-2800. Tel: 03463-262866, 9378321552.
Chhuti Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1800-3600. Tel: 03463-252692, 9830692626.

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