Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest mangrove forest — 10,000 square kilometres of tidal waterways, mudflats, and salt-tolerant forest straddling Bangladesh and West Bengal. It is the last major habitat for the Bengal tiger, and home to Irrawaddy dolphins, saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, and hundreds of bird species.

Exploring the Sundarbans means travelling by boat. Most tours run from Mongla or Khulna on launches and speedboats, weaving through the Bhola, Pusur, and Sela rivers into the forest interior. The forest closes around you — the only sounds are water, birds, and the occasional rustle from the bank. Tiger sightings are rare but real; fresh paw prints in the mud are common.

The best time to visit is November through February, when the weather is dry and cooler. The forest is officially closed from June to August for conservation.