No sooner was I back from the Sandakphu Trek when my school mate invited me to a trip to Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. This place is of significance importance as it was the place where we were brought once on a school field trip. Contrast to that winter trip of 2008, this time around, better equipped and wiser, the elephant ride felt a little cruel. But the journey itself with two childhood friends made things easier.
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| While we had hoped to stay at the lodge within the sanctuary, the impromptu nature of the trip meant that all the rooms were already taken. Instead, we settled for this cozy little 'hotel' right opposite the gate of the Park. |
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| The Elephant Safari (Jaldapara gives you the option of choosing between this and an open-air jeep) takes place in batches of around ten per hour. We took the comfortable second shift where it was still daybreak but light enough to be able to spot the animals. A local tout (resembled Nawazuddin Siddique, I swear) helped us book the spot for 800 per head. |
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| With friends Tripti and Sangha, the generous sponsors of my trip! |
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| By the Torsha river, we wait for the first batch of tourist to come back from the safari. |
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| Torsha River. |
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| The first spotting - a rhino grazing in a grassland across the river. |
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