Jhalana national park

Intro

When the dense canopy is intertwined with a generous mix of wilderness with rutted topography, arid climate, cerulean skies, serene lakes along with a dollop of history and a diverse species of wildlife it paints the picture of the ideal holiday.

Be spellbound when you witness the spotted cat amble through the tall grass mesmerized as the rustic holiday that you have only imagined unfolds in front of you

Where

Jhalana national park also known as Nahargarh Biological Park. It is bounded by Aravalli ranges and its surrounded by lush green forests. It covers a total area of 7.2 square kilometres. The topography of the forest is covered with quartz and sandstone rocks. It is also home to a varied species of animals like leopards,hyenas, reptiles and crocodiles. Avid birders are in for. A treat for there is numerous native and migratory birds that have made the reserve their home. Explore the rutted terrain with jeeps or horse ride.

What to do

Jhalana Jeep safari: Connect with nature as you experience the wildlife of Rajasthan. In a signature royal style

Watch out for the spotted elusive cats as they roam the Jhalana forest reserve fearlessly. Apart from housing leopards, this reserve is also famous for foxes, hyenas, desert fox. Avid birdwatcher can look out for spotted owlet, Indian pitta from the safe haven of your jeep.

The park is a protected area, hence it is open only from sunrise to sunset. Only prescribed vehicles are allowed to enter and leave the premises. the vehicles have to be accompanied by forest guide and park admin personnel.

Don’t forget to carry water bottles, snacks while on the safari. Take care not to litter. Also, ensure that you do not provoke or irritate the animals. Carry your binoculars to spot animals at a distance. Carry a camera to snap away pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat. Make sure to also carry enough sunscreen, insect repellants to protect yourself in the forest. The Safari is usually the most sought after activity. Owing to the small area of the park only ten jeeps are allowed in two shifts morning and evening. Each jeep can accommodate only upto six people. Make sure to book online in advance to avoid any hassle or jeeps being unavailable in the last minute.

Kali Mata temple: Add a spiritual streak to your holiday by visiting the three-hundred-year-old temple in the reserve. If legends are to be believed, the temple is erected in honour of Devi Durga who is said to have appeared from a pipal tree. Soak in the mysticism on an idyllic afternoon watching out for the lurking spotted cat which may occasionally spring out of nowhere.

Flora, fauna and photography: Jhalana reserve is a haven for photography enthusiasts. This is the only leopard safari in the country. The leopard is coy like the tiger, often elusive. But it feels at home in the reserve and it is often spotted skulking amidst the tall reeds or the deciduous canopy of the furrowed terrain. Enjoy a stroll amidst the proud peacocks which strut around the reserve displaying their emerald blue plumage. Keep your eyes peeled for the monitor lizards which are easily camouflaged by the rocky topography. If you are lucky you could also spot chital, nilgai and many snake species. It is, however, the over 100-odd species of birds, including raptors like shikras and white-eyed buzzards, that are its other attraction.

Jaipur Modern: Another must visit location while at Jhalana is the Jaipur modern store which boasts of international flavours. There is also a fashion store attached to this bistro. This organizations support craftsman from humble backgrounds and promotes their art while valuing their craftsmanship. Shop for printed scarves, pillow covers and other artefacts which are unique to this store. the store basks in creative artefacts and colours making it a treat to watch. The walls are made of stone and brick, a contrasting offset amidst glimmering dull lights. There is also a café attached to this store. An interesting fact is that this café is constructed from 400 wooden bricks each intricately embroidered to stand testimony to the craftsmanship. The café supports local homegrown produce as well as international cuisines. Treat yourself to healthy Quinoa menu which is unique for this is in association with the Organic farmers Company. This also emphasizes the importance of eating healthy. Apart from this, there is an assortment of choices from pizzas to burgers and salads.

Accommodation

There are plenty of accommodation options in Jhalana and in and around Jaipur. Be sure to check out ITC Rajputana hotel at palace road. It is one of Jaipur’s finest hotels and located at a convenient 15minute drive from the park. The entire hotel reeks of royal splendor that the city exudes. It is designed based on the architecture of ancient havelis. The restaurant at this hotel is definitely worth raving about for it boasts not only of an extravagant global platter but also of a cuisine that is heavily derived from the regal lineage and local taste. In addition to this, let your soul escape in the aesthetically designed suites, the swimming pool and the spa to detox from the mundane everyday life.

Another an option worth checking out is the Narain Niwas Palace. This place is sure to make you feel like a royal with its walls whispering regal opulence. The ceilings are high with diamond-like chandeliers dangling by the intricate carvings. There are also peacocks swaggering around the well-manicured lawns and fountains of this hotel. Tickle your taste buds with an elaborate cuisine ranging from international recipes to the local menu. Walk around the courtyard at dusk to see the hotel shimmering in the evening lights.

How to reach

Air: The the closest airport is Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected by air to all major cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. On reaching the airport, hire a local cab or bus to reach into the city

By Train: Thanks to the extensive Indian Railways network, Jaipur is connected to all almost cities and towns like Agra, Chennai, Mysore, Bangalore, Delhi, Kanpur to name a few

By road: Jaipur is also well connected by road thanks to the TTC (Rajasthan state board transport) from Delhi, Kota, etc. Both AC and Non-AC buses ply along this route. Also, for road trip junkies, the road trip from Delhi to Jaipur is worth a try as you pass through tiny hamlets and the landscape change.

Sunderbans

Intro
When meandering rivers gush through the dense canopy of mangrove foliage with a delta
safely ensconced in the cradle of its arms, it is indeed picturesque. This sprawling reserve
stands testimony to its name. Whisper of the wilderness, the royal splendor of the majestic
tiger, the docile deer and the variegated fish teeming the waters make up for an experience
that only needs to be felt. Watch your soul get intertwined with nature and wilderness at
Sunderbans.
Where
Sunderbans is located in the delta of Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of
Bengal. It covers a total area of 10000 square kilometers is home to 453 animal species
including the Bengal tiger, chital deer, and the fish cat among many others. The forest is rich
in avian fauna life such as open-billed storks, black-headed ibis, water hens, coots,
pheasant-tailed jacanas, pariah kites, marsh harriers, swamp partridges
Sunderbans in addition to being rich in wildlife is also mentioned extensively in the literature
and folk songs. Whatever be the nature of your holiday, come soak it up in Sunderbans.
Climate: The climate in Sunderbans is mostly temperate. Winters run from October to
March while March to May is arid and humid. The rest of the months the reserve enjoys
monsoons with the green canopy soaked in gentle showers reeking of petrichor. Monsoon is
the best season to visit because of the cloudy skies and tangerine sunsets. Also owing to
monsoon a lot of animals are spotted enjoying the light pitter patter since tourists
Safari: The safari is Sunderbans is worth raving about. It is an experience that is beyond
description. The safari is unique for you get to glide along the tranquil waters. Dotted with
lush green mangrove trees, the tiger, more often than not, lurks amidst the dense foliage. If
you are lucky, you may spot the striped cat taking a sip on an arid afternoon. Keep your eyes
peeled for deer and other birds which usually lurk around the banks.
There are two types of boats available for Safari in Sunderbans, AC and Non AC. Also, the
duration varies between long and short. The shorter duration is for a day and if you have
not got enough of the wilderness experience, book the boat for up to a week. Boats ply only
between 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Make sure to carry enough sunscreen, bottled water, insect
repellants to protect yourself from mosquitoes and insects.

Sajnekhali Watch Tower: This is one of the most important points to visit in Sunderbans,
This is also the office of the head of the forest department. This spot is the entry point for
tourists to obtain permission to enter the park. The tower can accommodate up to 20
people at a time. Witness the panoramic view of the park and the other attractions to watch
out for Bono Bini Temple, Mangrove Interpretation Center and the tourist lodge of the
Bengal Tourism. Avid birders are in for a treat for this a haven for birds. Keep your eyes
peeled for pelicans, kingfishers, Lap-Wings, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Whimbrel, Curfews, and
Sandpipers among others.

Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower: This is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of the striped cat in
the reserve. This watchtower enables you to witness the green carpet of mangrove forests,
tiny strips of meandering rivers. Birds flock together and flutter away after taking a sip of
the water. The sight is mesmerizing as the birds flutter against the azure skies. If you are
lucky, you may spot the striped cat ambling majestically around the foliage. You can spot
deer, native and migratory birds from here. This is an ideal picnic spot for that much-needed
solace among the wilderness.
Piyali: When tranquillity meets cerulean waters, it makes a halcyon picnic spot. Piyali island
can be reached by crossing a small bridge over the river. The island is covered with lush
green paddy fields and the tranquil Piyali river gurgling around it. The banks are dotted by
green mangrove forests which also is the lifeline of the nearby villages. Stroll around the
island soaking in the serenity or picnic by the banks to enjoy lukewarm sunlight and gentle
zephyr. Avid birders are in for a treat for migratory birds flock the islands during winters.
Some other avian fauna species to watch out for are green bee-eater, collared kingfisher
and tufted ducks. Tickle your taste buds with the famous mow, a sweet delicacy that is
available on the way to the island via the mainland. In case you decide to stay back at Piyali,
there is only one privately run lodge which allows overnight boarding. You can stroll the
courtyard, indulge in some locally cooked food, birding or talk a boat ride along the river.
Visit this island during winters to catch a glimpse of migratory birds.
Banabibi idols: One different aspect apart from nature in Sunderbans to watch out for is the
omnipresent Banabibi idols that are strategically placed throughout the forest. According to
a legend, a young boy lost his father to a tiger attack. Having grown up in a protected
environment, his mother kept an eye on her son at all times. Once when he ventured deep
into the forest to collect honey, he overheard his uncle talking about his prayers to the
Goddess which involved killing the boy. The boy prayed fervently to the Goddess and she
saved him from the attack. Hence locals believe that tigers do not attack if prayers are
offered to the Goddess.

Accommodation
Accommodation options are plenty in Sunderbans. Some options are Royal Sunderban wild
resort. The rooms are clean and breakfast is available at the hotel. The view from the
windows is splendid. Sunderban tiger camp is another option to consider for this is nestled
among the lush foliage. This has garnered several awards for its top-notch facilities,
hospitality, and food.
In addition to these two options, there are several other accommodation options around
Sunderbans.
How to reach
Sunderbans has multiple entry points either Sonakhali via Canning or Bagna via
Dhamakhali. Entry Permits are available at Canning, Sonakhali, and Bagna for STR and at
Canning, Namkhana, and Raidighi for the Western part of Sundarbans forest.
Air: The closest airport to Sunderbans is Dumdum airport at Kolkata. Kolkata is connected to
all major cities by air by flight. Sunderbans is located at about 102km from the airport.
By rail: The closest railway station is at Canning located a48km from the park

Sundarbans is accessible only by riverine waterways. Alight suburban trains from Kolkata
that connect to Canning and road transport to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali, and Najat
from where Motor launch services are available for Sundarbans.
Waterways: Sunderbans is connected by waterways and below are the approximate times
between points. The journey from. Namkhana to Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project takes 2.5
hours, while the trip to Sagar Island is 2.5 hours and Jambudwip, is 3.5 hours
Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali takes about 40 minutes and to Buridabri (Tiger Project Area)
takes 5hours while the journey to Netidhopari takes about 3.5 hours and to Holiday Island
about 3 hours
The journey between Sonakhali to Gosaba can be covered in an hour while Raidighi to takes about 5 hours