Kolkata

Venturing into Sundarbans National Park-an intoxicating maze of mangroves sprawling defiantly across India and Bangladesh-is like stepping onto the set of some moody wildlife documentary, scripted jointly by Darwin, Hitchcock, and whoever invented mosquito repellent. This UNESCO-listed wilderness doesn't politely welcome you; rather, it eyes you suspiciously from behind a tangled curtain of roots, mud, and tidal labyrinths, hinting ominously at the thousand or so Royal Bengal tigers stalking invisibly in the shadows. Historically, it's a region cloaked by pirate tales, folklore, and generations of human bravado; culturally, the locals revere Bonbibi, the forest goddess who doubles as tiger-whisperer and village protector. Visit early in the morning-when the eerie mist hangs low-and plan at least a month ahead to secure your boat tour and permits. Budget around $100-$200 per person, and pack binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent potent enough to bring tears to your eyes, and a healthy dose of humility-you're traipsing through the world's largest mangrove forest, not Disney World. Why take such an inconveniently risky journey into this swampy, pseudo-apocalyptic wilderness? Because, my friend, there are precious few experiences in this world as thrillingly absurd as knowing, deep down, with goosebumps prickling your neck, that somewhere just out of sight, a tiger might be casually judging your choice of footwear.