sundarban tour blog

Taking a Weekend Tour & Tiger Safari at Sundarbans

traveller Sounak

Taking a Sundarban weekend tour to the world’s most dense mangrove forests can be an experience to cherish for a lifetime. The region is rich in flora, wildlife and landscapes. It is also home to the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger and the Saltwater Crocodile.

Imagine being immersed in a faraway captivated silence interrupted only by the hoarse sound of the boat engine. Imagine being intimate with a diverse array of flora and fauna, literally absorbing all its essence. Imagine, being in the land of someone hundred endangered Bengal tigers, declining in number but still the undisputed kings of the mangrove territory.

This is what Sundarban – the world’s largest delta entails for its visitors. A Sundarban weekend tour can be a good way to detoxify your body and mind from the mundane city spaces. It can also be an excellent way to enrich yourself about ‘life on a delta.’

The world’s most grand delta – Sundarbans is formed by the confluence of three rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. It is a complex network of islands connected by rivulets and rivers spread across the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and the western region of Bangladesh.

The rich alluvial deposits of the delta islands and thick mangrove forests have shadowed the region making it the abode to hundreds of wildlife species and plants.

In my current blog, I will share my insights as a frequent traveller to the Sundarbans region. Also, I will highlight all the things that a good weekend Sundarban tour has in store for its first-time visitors.

Sundarban Weekend Tour

While some people like the adventure of a wildlife safari, others like to mingle with the indigenous culture of a region’s native folks.

So as it stands, the Sundarban weekend tour has something to offer for every kind of traveler .

Before I share more about the region, there are a few aspects that you should know about Sundarbans.

An Overview of Sundarbans as a Travel Destination

  If you’re a first time visitor in the land of mangroves or are planning a Sundarban weekend tour, you should be aware of the following travel information.

My Love for Sundarbans

Late, I have visited Sundarbans quite a few times. I generally like to travel along with a group and we do the booking through a wildlife guide who makes all the other arrangements.

I am truly enthralled by the wildlife of the region. Then there is also the magical charm that keeps attracting me to the delta island.

They say, in the mangroves, even if you do not see a tiger, it is always spotting you. But, I would say, a Sundarban tour is not solely about tigers, it is about an ecosystem surviving against all odds. The safety of travelers here depends on them.

On one hand, the Tigers are fighting for survival in a versatile atmosphere, with saline water all around, deficiency of food and growing human pressure.

On the other, humans are also doing well to exist in a desolate complex string of islands, where life is punctuated with issues like soil erosion, floods, tropical storms and tiger attacks.

It is a tale of survival, a tale of coexistence! Visit Sundarbans to understand this mind-boggling tale of nature.

A good trip often has a good itinerary. So why should Sundarbans as a region be any different? Therefore, try planning an itinerary that serves your travel purpose and is light in your pocket.

What is a Good Itinerary for Sundarban Eco-Tourism Tour?

One of the most common questions that pop up in travelers’ minds is, ” How much time to spend enjoying the Sundarban eco tourism?” Well, I’d say it depends on what you want from your visit.

Although a day trip or one-night trip for visiting Sundarbans from Kolkata is possible, the ideal time frame for exploring the mangroves is a weekend (2N/3D).

That way, one has enough time to cultivate the wildlife as well as get along with the native culture.

Photography Trip to Sundarbans – the Latest Fad

Nowadays going for a complete photography trip to Sundarbans is possible with a specialist guide for tracking and spotting the wildlife species of the forest. In this case, there is no bound time.

It all depends on the concerned photographers (or nature lovers). These types of trips are a bit costlier.

I’ve undertaken one of them recently. It was a pleasure capturing pictures in this beautiful delta region.

What was My 3 Day Sundarban Weekend Tour Plan?

If you are heading for a Sundarban weekend tour or a 2-3 day tour,  you can follow the plan that I followed on my maiden trip. It’ll help you.

I will be putting the highlights of my weekend Sundarban tour plan below and will elaborate it in detail.

Day 1 of Sundarban Weekend Tour

On the first day of my Sundarban weekend tour, I basically traveled from my base city Kolkata to Godkhali and further acquired permits and bookings. Also, some exploration of the islands was done.

It is ideal to start your Sundarban weekend tour from Kolkata early morning. Heading out early will ensure that you reach Sundarbans by 10.00 am.

The one-hour train journey from Kolkata to Canning should be a fun ride. As you move further away from the streets of Kolkata, the view transforms from cluttered buildings to more soothing lush green farm fields.

Reaching Canning

As you de-board the train at Canning station, the hustle-bustle around the station is notable. Just outside the station, there are a number of tours and travel outlets offering a range of Sundarban tours.

It is often a good idea to refuel yourself with a cup of tea from any local vendor here. The ambience of the local bazaar is not perfect but it is one of its own kind.

Heading to Godkhali

The bus stand is a somewhat chaotic area with dozens of vehicles and drivers screaming out at the destinations. It is at this point you take a vehicle to Godkhali (or Jhorkhali). You might have to negotiate a bit with them about the price.

If you book a full vehicle, which can accommodate 8-10 people, 700 INR ($10) is a reasonable quote. In a while, you will cross the Matla river, and thereafter sights change fast, and you will feel you have entered the interiors of Bengal. In an hour you reach Godkhali.

Landing in Godkhali

The mini-port of Godkhali is again a special place hectic with lots of local business. Enjoying the setting you get the first sight of the river, and after you meet your guide, hop on to your boat.

In general, the boats have a sitting area on the top deck and a resting area beneath. Most have modern toilets. Food and drinking water are stored onboard for the next three days.

The journey begins along the waterways, and you are all set to experience the unique ecosystem of Sundarbans. The boat sails through the vast Raymangala river and gradually the village scenes start disappearing.

During this time of the day, it’s high tide and you might see water levels touching the topmost branches. A few turns through the river and you enter Sundarban, a large hoarding welcomes you to the mangroves.

Booking and Acquiring Permit at Sajnekhali Island 

You will need to take the official permit for entrance to the forest at Sajnekhali Island.  You can also take a walk along the protected area on the island.

There is a huge pond, with lots of red-faced monkeys playing around. There is a mangrove interpretation centre and the Sajnekhali tourist lodge.

Many people book this place for accommodation, but it needs to be done well in advance.

Traveling to Pakhiralaya Island 

The boat sails through the mangroves and your next destination is Pakhiralaya Island. In the native Bengali language, the word Pakhiralaya means ‘ abode of the bird.’ But again, it is symbolic.

Pakhiralaya Island is a good place to enjoy local life, markets and to see a village thrive inside the mangroves. Along with local business, this place also hosts a number of hotels.

If you are not staying at the boat, this is a good place to book your accommodation.

According to the pre-assigned plan, you either stay on this island in your guesthouse or return to the boat to cruise through the river, where the boatman wants to anchor.

Note: It is not at all unsafe to stay in the boat overnight. It might not be luxurious. But the experience of spending a night in the middle of the river is special and memorable. Ensure that you carry anti-mosquito creams here.

Day 2 of Sundarban Weekend Tour

On the second day of your Sundarban weekend tour, you should spend all the time inside the jungle. Do not expect to have good connectivity with the outside world as you are in the interior of a very thick forest.

Make sure to start early, if you want to catch good wildlife sighting.

I still remember that during my first Sundarban weekend tour, while I was staying overnight on the boat, the morning started with a heavy downpour. The surrounding villages became invisible with the shower.

Fortunately, during the day, the rain faded and our safari was not spoiled.

Observing wildlife closely

Morning time is the best time for observing some tiger activity. The tigers generally rest during the day or night and move from one island to the other in the morning or evening (during low tide).

The morning low tides also allow you to see much of the shore and activities thereon. Birds like herons and egrets can be seen fishing. You can catch sight of the mangrove heron or striated heron specific to this place.

Kingfisher activities are also significant here. If you are attentive, you can catch them feeding themselves with a crab, fish or mud skipper. It is also a good time to see estuarine crocodiles relaxing in the morning sun.

Your guide will take you through this tour.

  Making an effort to catch a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger

The guide and the boatman know well which places to sail through inside the forest. Sometimes, if there is news of activities happening somewhere, the boatman will take the boat along that prediction.

Otherwise, there are well-planned routes, through the creeks, although not all are accessible.

It is in these creeks and muddy flats that you can sight a tiger or other animals.

Having said this, I must warn you to not visit Sundarban just to see a tiger. Else,  you might be disheartened!

Heading to Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower

One of your stops in the jungle will be the Sudhanyakhali watchtower. You might encounter a gang of red-faced monkeys again and you should be careful not to carry any food, or you might be robbed.

The guides will take you to the watchtower beside the pond of fresh water. You will see the jungle fading on the horizon. Near the pond you might see herds of deer, red jungle fowls and monitor lizards.

Theoretically, tigers might come to have freshwater, but it’s a distant possibility.

Experiencing the Dobanki watchtower

Dobanki is another popular place to visit. It also hosts a tower and protected canopy walk. It is here you will walk through the jungle at a reasonable height.

You might see kingfishers really close. Do not miss the crabs that cling high in the branches of the trees.

Wonder, how they are here, thanks to the high tide some hours ago! Dobanki is also known for reasonably more tiger sighting for the presence of a freshwater pond.

Day 3 of Sundarban Weekend Tour

The third day will start again like the previous day with an early morning cruise. Sundarbans is famous for various mammals other than tiger like spotted deer and wild boar. Activities of spotted deer can often be sighted along the banks of the river.

The place also happens to be the land of raptors like Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Shikra, Goshawks and Brahminy kites. You will feel lucky if you suddenly encounter one of them flying through the creek with the mangrove at the backdrop.

In the winters, Peregrine Falcons, (the fastest bird in the world), migrates in and you might catch sight of one.

Apart from wildlife, the flora of the land might also interest you. Sundari tree, which is one of the endangered species endemic to this region is one you will see often (Sundarban derives its name from this tree) .

The roots of these trees are seen protruding out of the soil. Besides, you will also see Goran, Dhundul and Keora trees among many.

A visit to the nearby villages

After the morning safari, your boatman will leave you at the starting point. You can of course plan for a visit to one of the nearby villages like Bali or Jharkhali before the end of the trip.

You can take leisure walks in the village and according to your convenience return the same way boarding a local train from Canning to Sealdah.

Observing the hard but intriguing village life

Life in Sundarbans is tough because commuting to the main cities in South Bengal is not easy. Daily life of people depends on the availability of boats because it mostly involves crossing the river. Villagers risk their lives for their occupation.

Fishermen and honey collectors have to make a long way into the forest for fish, crabs and honey which is fatal.

Tiger attacks are not uncommon at the villages fringing the forest; and due to ignorance and illiteracy, people do not know how to react. The forest also hosts venomous snakes and hence snakebites are common in villages .

Attend  a village fair if lucky

If you happen to visit a village during the time of a village fair, you will be able to witness cultural programs and village-art. You will also get introduced to the famous folklore about the Goddess of Bonobibi , the protector of Sundarban.

The creation of such a character is unique since Bonobibi is understood to be Muslim ( by the later part of the name ‘bibi’ ). However, Islam doesn’t encourage idol worship. Hence it depicts a clear frame, that Sundarban has its own taste, life and culture. Since it is separated from the modern world, the exclusivity of life is clearly depicted .

My Personal Budget Breakdown for a Weekend Trip to Sundarbans

When I first undertook the Sundarban weekend tour, I spent money on the following things. I’m sharing them with you below so that you have a rough idea.

Note: It should be remembered that most guides and boatmen like to give a total quote for the period including everything. Hence it would be like a customized package on a boat.

A package with staying and food options should cost 3000 to 4000 INR ($ 42 to 57) per head for a trip of 3D/2N.

  The other alternative would be you can book your own hotel and your guide will look after your day-cruises and visits to the mangroves, along with all the major food options. This is a cost-effective option.

So be wise and then choose your options.

Must Carry Items on your Sundarban Weekend Tour

Sundarbans is a delta region with mangroves. It is a place where freshwater and saline water combine giving birth to a different kind of ecosystem.

Hence, it is very important that on your trip to Sundarbans, you carry the following items .

Carrying all the essential items is crucial for a good Sundarban weekend tour. The region is humid and tropical in nature so stay protected.

How to Book a Weekend Sundarban Tour?

A number of tour operators conduct weekend round trips for visiting Sundarbans from Kolkata.

Now the advantage of such package trips is that once you book such a tour, you do not have to keep in mind every minute detail.

However, there is a huge disadvantage as well. Under such package trips, you do not have time or space for exploring on your own. Moreover, the package tours can be quite expensive.

Weekend Sundarban Tour by West Bengal Government

The West Bengal government conducts several weekend Sundarban tour or tours from Kolkata. You can do your own research beforehand or dig deep in the official website of Bengal Tourism.

In addition to the tourism department of Government of West Bengal, numerous private agencies and operators also conduct Sundarban weekend tour or tours .

Before undertaking my first ever trip to Sundarbans, I had done a lot of research. So, I am sharing below the names of all the operators that I found to be credible.

I insist you make an informed decision while choosing a customized Sundarban weekend tour. Suit your travel needs and your budget. Only then proceed further.

Planning a Budget Friendly Trip to Sundarbans

Budget friendly tours to Sundarbans can be planned from places like Godkhali or Jhorkhali through guides, boatmen and locals. These are mini-ports that are entry points to the Sundarban.

For this, you can either pre-book a guide or boatman or negotiate at the point of boarding the boat.

If you are ready to mingle with the local crowd and transport, you can work out an economic budget for your Sundarban weekend tour with little help.

The nearest railway station is Canning, which is about 70 minutes train ride from Sealdah. Sealdah is a major railway station in the heart of Kolkata and can be accessed from anywhere nearby. After you reach Canning, you can take a one-hour ‘toto’ ride to Godkhali or Jhorkhali.

Once you reach one of these places you can meet your guide/boatman for your onward trip.

Packages for Touring Sundarbans

Since there are numerous operators offering packages for tripping around Sundarbans on weekends, I suggest you choose from the following three choices.

Suit your needs and your pocket and then choose your Sundarban weekend tour package. Try to go for more exploration within a limited cost. Trust me, it is possible. All you need to do is plan in advance and do your research.

Food in Sundarbans

I always feel that each place is unique in the way it provides flavours.  Sundarban has a typical Bengali cuisine with a local touch.

Tip: Pure honey is available in the villages, so if you want to purchase honey, you should inform your boatman beforehand.

Meals on the Boat

(Just to give the readers an idea of the food, I am citing an example of one whole day meal during my boat cruise).

While on your Sundarbans weekend tour, try the native Bengali food. It is delicious.

Myths, Mysteries and Practical Issues

Sundarbans is a land of myths and mysteries. This is one place wherein spite of constant friction between human and wildlife, they coexist. Sustainability is huge issue and lots of NGOs are coming up to make villages self-sufficient and simultaneously protecting the wildlife that spills out of the forest.

One more problem is soil erosion. From historic facts, it is understood some islands that once existed with human life have completely disappeared. The tropical storms don’t help the cause, destroying both animal and human life.

You might see places inside the forest with bits of red torn cloth tied on the tree. These are places where there has been a human casualty by a tiger. Nearly all villages bordering the area have had their own share of brutal scars from the king of the jungle.

Yet life goes on, perhaps with the blessing of Bonobibi!

Happy wayfaring 🙂

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.

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Asia , Bangladesh , Travel Tips

A guide to visiting sundarbans – world’s largest mangrove forest in bangladesh.

Sundarbans National park is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and grants sanctuary to around 100 alluring Royal Bengal Tigers, which are still believed to hunt humans for food. Although these rare breeds of strong swimmers are out of sight and remain hidden in the tiger reserves, solo travel still entails signing up for a travel guide.

“Sundarban” is a Bengali word that translates to “ beautiful forest .” It is the most extensive tangle of mangrove trees, at the mouth of Ganges , Brahmaputra , and Meghna Rivers, in the Bay of Bengal. The magnificent forest spans up to 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 sq. miles), of which 35% lies in West Bengal, India , and the rest of it in Khulna division, Bangladesh . An archipelago of 102 islands prevails in the Indian segment of Sundarbans, of which only 54 are inhabited.

Disclosure: All are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

• 2 Why you should visit Sundarbans
• 3.1 From Bangladesh:
• 3.2 From Kolkata:
• 4 Best time to visit Sundarbans
• 5 What to shop
• 6.1 Mid-range Accommodations
• 6.2 Budget Accommodations
• 6.3 Luxury Accommodations
• 7 Permits to enter Sundarbans
• 8 Are You On Pinterest? Click To Save This For Later Read!

The remains of the city of Chand Sadagar in Baghmara Forest Block, the ruins at Netidhopani, the Sundarbans village drawings by Frederic P. Layard, and other historical ramshackle in the Sundarbans give an idea of the history of this delta. If you are planning to solo travel, these spots are a significant tourist attraction.

In the Mughal period, sometime around 200-300 AD, the emperors leased the lands to the residents of Sundarbans. Akbar’s army also warded off criminals to the forests, where tigers later attacked these refugees. Mughals lost most buildings to the hands of salt smugglers and Portuguese pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The British East India Company obtained proprietary rights to the area in 1757, and a Forest Department was established later in the 1800s. Soon in 1865, major forestland was declared reserved under the Forest Act, 1865, and the remaining portions were declared reserved the following year.

Why you should visit Sundarbans

Home to a plethora of wildlife species, Sundarbans is a serene web of littoral mangrove trees that line the border of India and Bangladesh. So what makes these forests unique?

• The enthralling chance to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger and other exotic species like water monitor, king cobra, or rock python.

• Throng to Sundarbans if you love birds. Bird watching is the favorite pastime in a spun-out solo travels to these swampy lands.
• There are more than 60 plant species to gawk at, like the red Kankra flowers or the yellow Khalsi flowers.
• Take a walk through the enchanting villages of the forest and discover their way of life. If you are nice enough, the local collectors will also let you savor the fresh honey samples.

• In both group and solo travels, the key motive is to view and photograph the wildlife safely, which can be done through watchtower sightings. Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Dobanki, and Burir Dabri are famous watchtowers deep in the forest to provide a panoramic view of birds, deers, tigers, etc.
• If you are bored of regular resorts or hotels, try boat housing this time. With floating boats, feel like you are living on the clouds and enjoy the local cuisine of Sundarbans.

How to visit Sundarbans

From bangladesh:.

Safaris from Dhaka and Khulna are the best way to reach and discover Sundarbans. These are made available by numerous agencies and can stretch from overnight to a week. Here are few agencies offering package trips are:

• Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070
• Exotic Holidays Ltd. , Shop # 31-32, 19c/1-A Block-F, Ring road. Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207. Tel: +8801916886225
• Pugmark Tours and Travels , KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001

But suppose you want independent trips without involving agencies (which is not recommended for Solo Travels, considering the misadventures). In that case, you can organize a trip from Munshiganj-Satkhira, Khulna, or Mongla. Issuing the permit from the Divisional Forest Office is the first of the many hassles generally taken care of by the agency on your behalf. But once the license is issued, you’ll be able to row a boat from Mongla or Dhangmari to Hiron Point. Then, at last, hire a guide from Hiron Point for strolling through the woods.

Boatmen will settle for no less than Tk 200 for the trip. For foreigners, the entry fee is 750/day (as charged by the center).

From Kolkata:

Located southeast in West Bengal, the inhabited islands of Sundarbans are accessible via both roadways and railways from Kolkata . 

Kaikhali:  Lying at a distance of 92 km from Kolkata airport, it is not so far away from the highest watchtower of Sundarbans, i.e., the Bonnie Camp. This 50 ft tall camp also facilitates an overnight stay. Other sites such as Halliday wildlife sanctuary, Kalas Islands, and the beach are also accessible. 

Canning:  Only 45 km from Kolkata, this railway head is nearest to Sundarbans Tiger Project. You can travel via public transportation to Godakhali port as well, which is 29 km away.

Godkhali port:  It is 82 km from Kolkata and 95 km from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. It is the last island and is close to the Sajnekhali Wildlife sanctuary and Sundarbans Tiger project.

Namkhana:  Farthest from Kolkata, Namkhana is 123 km from Kolkata airport. It is close to the Lothian wildlife sanctuary and Bhagabatpur crocodile project.

Best time to visit Sundarbans

The winters are the best time to get the best out of your Solo Travel Journey to the Sundarbans. The weather is more pleasant compared to any other time of the year. Also, the chances of wildlife sightings are considerably high. The animals come out from the dense greens at daytime to bask in the warmth of the sun.

A boat safari is also a good choice for experiencing a lucky encounter with a swimming Bengal Tiger and also enjoying the local food available on these floating boats. So, conclusively, the months from October to March are best suited for a Jungle Safari in Sundarbans Forests.

The other months are not so comfortable for Sundarbans visits for one or the other reason.

The hot temperatures reaching 30-42 degrees Celsius from April to June are too hot and humid for tourists to bear. Moreover, the heavy rainfall of the monsoon from July to September raises river water to dangerous levels.

What to shop

• Wild Honey extracted from the jaw of the Royal Bengal Tiger is collected by the locals during April – May. You can either sample it or even buy some for yourself or your family.
• Beautiful articles which the local people skillfully handcraft are good mementos to bring back home or gift your friends and family members after returning from your solo travel.
• Sundarbans is also famous for its organic brown rice, which is good for your health and tastes terrific.  

Where to stay in Sundarbans

Considering the ecological sensitivity and focusing on the eco-friendly aspect of the forests, the stays are given a village feel rather than a luxurious touch. Most hotels run on solar power or a generator. If you want a unique experience, you can choose to stay on a houseboat.

Mid-range Accommodations

• Sundarbans Tiger Roar Resort

This resort is best for a well-planned trip to Sundarbans for both, a homely experience and no holes in pockets.

• Solitary Nook Resort  

It is a low-key resort in the middle of lush greenery lying 105 km from Kolkata airport; this is the best resort for solo travel . It is 11 km from both Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve and Mangrove Interpretation Centre.

Budget Accommodations

• Sundarbans Jungle Mahal 

Large beds, friendly staff, and the feel of home-cooked food are what this hotel is all about. It is under budget and is a great location for sightseeing.

• Tora Eco Resort & Life Experience Center 

Tora loosely translates to “tiger”. This hotel gives you a countryside experience with warm and spacious rooms and a small pond. And it’ll surely fit right into your budget.

Luxury Accommodations

• Hotel Sonar Bangla, Sundarbans 

A friendly staff, delicious food, and all basic to up class amenities are available here. With expertise in various cuisines and fine rooms, this hotel sets itself apart from others.

• Sunderban Tiger Camp- Wildlife Resort

This rustic resort in Sundarbans National Park sits close to the Tiger Reserve Forest at Sajnekhali. The scenic beauty and flavourful cuisine of this place are beyond compare.  

Permits to enter Sundarbans

• The mandatory permit is issued at Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665.
• The permit to visit the Tiger Reserves is given by the Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, Port Canning.
• For the Foreigner Permit contact: The Joint Secretary (Forest), Govt. of West Bengal, 4th Floor, G-Block, Writers’ Building, Kolkata- 700 001. Tel: 225-5601 Ext: 411/754.
• The Entry permits can be obtained for Sundarbans Tiger Reserve at Bagna, Canning, or Sonakhali.

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Last update on 2024-08-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nafisa Habib

Nafisa Habib loves nature and often got fascinated by old beautiful architecture. Here she is with My Own Way To Travel to share her adventures on the road. To her nothing is so interesting than exploring new destinations around. And knowing a new culture and meeting new peoples on the road? Oh, yeah she just loves that too.

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Sundarbans National Park Travel Itinerary

Sundarbans National Park – The Background

How to plan your Sundarbans Tour? 

Sundarbans tour packages or plan a trip on your own , sundarbans tour packages.

• Booking a Sundarbans Tour helps you to travel to Sundarbans at a much cheaper rate
• Hassle-free completely as no need to find the guide, boat and look for hotels or transport
• All meals are generally included so no added cost.
• You can’t customise if you are a wildlife enthusiast. For example, if you want to stay at a particular place on the boat a little longer you can’t do that
• Mostly these tours are touristy so chances of seeing the Sundarbans Tigers or tracking tigers is impossible
• You will not get the insiders stories of life in Sundarbans

How do I plan a Trip to Sundarban on my own?

• Parking your car at the point of boarding the boat 
• Booking a hotel/resort/stay
• Booking a Boat
• Seeking Permission to enter Sundarbans National Park
• Getting a reliable guide

Positives :

• You can plan the way you want and take the boat anywhere you like and the chances of seeing the elusive tigers of Sundarbans is much higher
• You can mix and match the resorts and places to see for your trip to Sundarbans National Park
• You have to take the hassle of planning everything on your own.
• The trip cost will come out to be expensive

What to Expect at Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans Travel Itinerary

For travelling to Sundarbans, depending on the days ( example : 3 Days 2 Nights) the Sundarbans tour will start from a place called Godkhali from where you will take your boat and enter the Sundarban National Park. Godkhali is approximately 80 km from Kolkata and depending on the day of the week it will take you approximately 2-3 hours to reach the place.

Day 1 of Sundarbans Tour

Day 2 of Sundarbans Tour

Day 3 of Sundarbans Tour

Important tips for your sundarbans tour.

• Keep cash with you, you will not find ATMs in Sundarbans National Park. So if you rely on ATMs or Cards you will be stuck.
• Don’t carry any disposable plastic items like Mineral water bottles, plastic bag etc as Sundarbans  is a No Plastic zone and you will be heavily penalised if you are found littering the place with plastic
• Carry all important medicines with you, only the bigger islands have medicine shops but that too mostly basic medicines
• Mosquito repellent is a must. Carry a repellent which you can apply on our skin and body.
• Carry some dry food items or easy to cook meals if you are planning to go on your own.
• Never drink Tap water or unboiled water in Sundarbans
• Carry high-intensity torches, which you will need if you plan to explore the place on foot at night.

Best Time to Visit Sundarbans National Park

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Sundarbans Natiobal park has always been on my travel list. The itetenary you shared looks achievable. Hope to spot a tiger, if not definitely will enjoy the flora and fauna

I am planning to visit Calcutta and Sunderbans this October. I loved your detailed itinerary especially the tip about keeping realistic expectations on tiger spotting. Will refer to this post once again when I visit Sunderbans :)

This has been on my bucket list for years. I believe its a fragile ecosphere and most of it needs to be left undisturbed.

Sunderban has been on my bucket list for very long. Waiting for the pandemic to get over!

Sunderbans has always been famous for its natural beauty. It's a paradise for travellers. Loved your detailed post.

Thanks for sharing this informative article. Everything one needs to know about Sundarbans and to travel there is here in this post. Loved reading it.

This itinerary is perfect with so much detailed information. So, if I want to book the trip for 2 night 3 days with Netadhopani ride which tour agent is perfect or which one you suggest?

Sunderbans is an ecological wonder. Thanks for sharing such a detailed guide, especially the pros and cons of planning our own trip to Sunderbans.

The mighty Sunderbans suddenly seem so accessible. And the pictures offer such a vibe! Thank you, a ton, for penning this article down. It's as helpful as it gets.

Sundarbans is high on my bucket list. I had planned to visit it couple of years ago but unfortunately I could not. I do hope to visit it someday and thanks for this itinerary, will follow it.

Such a detailed post, takes care of all the information one needs to travel to Sunderbans. Thanks to your travels we all have gained so many helpful tips.

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Nice and useful post author. Thank you. Keep it up.

An avid traveller & photographer always on the lookout for unique destinations,culture & food.We are in search of Unknowns among Knowns and bring Offbeat and Unique destinations across the world .

Through this travel blog Shoestring Travel I intend to bring travel stories & travel itineraries so that people can pursue their wanderlust on a budget. Read more about me here

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Sundarban Tours and Travels offers thrilling adventures in the heart of the majestic Sundarbans mangrove forest. With expert guides and eco-friendly practices, we promise an unforgettable journey through lush greenery and exotic wildlife. Dive into the mystery of the world's largest tidal mangrove forest with us. Explore hidden treasures, spot elusive Bengal tigers, and immerse yourself in nature's wonders. Discover the untamed beauty of Sundarbans with us – where every moment is an adventure!

Explore the untamed beauty of the Sundarbans with expert guides.

Experience thrilling boat safaris amidst the labyrinthine waterways of the Sundarbans.

Immerse yourself in local culture with village tours and interactions.

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Viewpoints To Look Out

• Sondhyakhali

Dobaki Camp

Buridabri camp, bonnie camp.

• Netidhopani

Kalash Island

• Jhingakhali

Known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.

Sojnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary

362 km² area in the northern part of the Sundarbans delta

Sundhakhali

The area is mainly mangrove scrub, forest and swamp.

The Dobanki Watch Tower in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is one such Watch Tower which has a perennial demand among visitors and anyone who visits Sundarbans wants to visit the Dobanki watch Tower and canopy walk.

Entry point to a number of tourists attractions of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve as well as the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

This watch Tower in the Burirdabri camp is famous for its watchtower, a mud walk and mangrove cage trail leading to a view point known as Raimongal View Point.

This watchtower, 50 feet high, is the highest watchtower in the Sundarbans. An added attraction of the park is a deer enclosure.

Neetidhopani

Sundarban Netidhopani Watch Tower is a great place to explore the rich and diverse wildlife of the Sunderbans.

Kalash Camp lies in the Chulkathi-1 Block of the South 24 divisional Forest of the Sundarbans.

Summit Seekers: A Journey Through Mountain Majesty

Birds that can be sighted, the sighting of Brahmini Kites is very much likely from this watchtower

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Sundarbans National Park : How To Plan Your Trip

Sundarbans, literally meaning the ‘beautiful forests’, lives up to its name and reputation by all means.  Mangroves  are arguably among the most beautiful forests with typical salt-water resistant trees growing inside water making for quite a fascinating sight. Visiting Sundarbans in January 2023 was a wonderful experience, but it was not that easy to plan. Though it’s not really difficult to visit, I found not much information on how to plan for the best experience. So, I decided to help fellow travellers by writing this piece on Sundarbans National Park : How to plan your trip.

{Check out similar tips on more such popular national parks here: 

“ A guide to the Great Himalayan National Park ” | “ Why Kaziranga and Rhinos are so important “}

Why Sundarbans National Park is so important?

Sundarbans  derives its name from its dominant plant-  Sundari  (in local Bengali language), a mangrove species- Heritiera fomes .  Sundarbans National Park is world’s largest estuarine mangrove eco-system, and also the largest delta formed by three rivers- the Ganges and Brahmaputra (both flow through India and Bangladesh), and Meghna (Bangladesh). The rivers divide into hundreds of streams and crisscross each other to form hundreds of islands before meeting the Bay of Bengal. 

Sundarbans: some facts

Of the total area of 10,000 sq. kms of Sundarbans National Park, roughly 35% is in India, and 65% is in Bangladesh. There are 102 islands on Indian side of which 54 are inhabited (more than 5 million people residing) and 48 are reserved only for wildlife.    

Apart from providing livelihoods to millions of people, the Sundarbans also protects them from severe cyclonic storms that origin in the Bay of Bengal every year. The importance of Sundarbans National Park can be gauged from the various statuses it has received over the years:

• Sundarbans Tiger Reserve : 1973
• Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary: 1977
• Sundarbans National Park: 1984
• Sundarbans UNESCO World Heritage Site :1987
• World Network of Biosphere Reserve: 1989
• Ramsar Site : 2019

Flora and Fauna of Sundarbans National Park

Apart from the dominant Heritiera species of mangroves there are a few others like Avicennia and Xylocarpus, etc.  They form the mangrove forests that the Royal Bengal Tigers call home, and live in harmony with the large fearful salt-water crocodiles as neighbors. Apart from these two, other endangered species include the Olive Ridley turtles, Hawksbill turtles and Ganges river dolphins. Other important fauna species include spotted deer, monkeys, wild boars, snakes, lizards, and scores of bird species.  

Man eaters of Sundarbans:

There are less than 500 Royal Bengal Tigers in their flame like skin coat still roaming the forests of Sundarbans of which Indian side has around 100. Unlike anywhere else, t hese majestic animals seek out human beings for food! Strange that it sounds, it’s actually true (watch an interesting  video ). For centuries, people living in the Sundarbans National Park area fall prey to the second largest tiger species (after Siberian tigers) in the world. No other animal attacks human beings for food. Tigers elsewhere don’t attack humans either; they are quite shy of, and even scared of humans. But not the ones in Sundarbans! 

Why? There are a number of theories on this. Here is an article I found interesting: “ 10 Reasons Why Most Sundarbans Tigers Are Man-eaters “.

Sundarbans National Park : Beyond the tigers

While meandering around in the Sundarbans National Park, I got a call from my mom. She asked me- “why are you visiting Sundarbans”? I told her nonchalantly that we were looking for the tigers! She couldn’t really understand why we would take all the pains to visit Sundarbans to see a tiger! We could easily do that in a zoo, she retorted. It got me thinking none-the-less. 

Were we really there to see a tiger? Not really. Tiger was the last thing on my mind when I first thought of visiting Sundarbans. All I was thinking of was the fascinating mangrove forests. In any case,  the chance of sighting a tiger is negligible (a s in case of any other tiger forest) . Tiger or no-tiger, Sundarbans is a charming place to explore and experience with love.

People and culture of the Sundarbans:

Close to the date of travel, I thought of experiencing the local culture, or at least, the local life. But I didn’t know how. All the vlogs on YouTube show that the tour agencies arrange for some cultural programs in the resorts. But somehow none of the visuals of those shows impressed me much.  So, instead of booking a guided tour package (by bus) from Kolkata, we preferred to directly reach Canning, the nearest railway station to the Sundarbans National Park, and explore ourselves.

Luckily, however, it just happened inadvertently that we got a chance of experiencing the local life. In the following paragraphs, I’ll tell you how, so that you can plan accordingly.

Sundarbans National Park is still unadulterated by the poisons of modern life. One can walk around pollution-free, peaceful sleepy villages, interact with its innocent humble people and observe their easy going lives. In itself this would be a surreal experience. 

Our two-day trip to the Sundarbans

We had previous experience of visiting similar mangrove forests in  Odisha  – Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha mangrove forests and sanctuaries. But Sundarbans is much larger and has global reputation. So, our excitement was understandable.  After spending a day in the city of joy, we headed for the Sundarbans National Park.

Day-1: Canning- Gadkhali- Gosaba- Pakhiralay

Not an ideal beginning

We had thought of starting early in the morning from Kolkata. But Parina was not feeling well in the morning, so we started late- about 10.30 AM from Sealdah station. The local train took about 1.30 hours to reach Canning, the nearest station to Sundarbans National Park; so, it was 12 PM when we arrived there. 

There are quite a few tour operators just outside the Canning station offering various types of packages starting from 2N/3D to 5N/6D itineraries. But we had only 1N/2D, of which we had already lost half a day! The bigger problem was that all the motor-boats that onboard the tourists from a nearby jetty- Sonakhali had left for the day!

After quite a lot of persuation, a helpful tour operator did set up our trip. He suggested dropping us at a resort in Pakhiralay directly by late afternoon. And we would join the rest of the tourists the next day for a boat-ride around the national park. It might seem like a lost day, but it was not.

Blessing in disguise:

They took us by an auto-rickshaw to the next nearby jetty at Gadkhali, some 30 kms away from Canning. At Gadkhali, we crossed the first river (Bidyadhari) on our way by a boat that the locals use for their regular commuting. On the other side of the river was Gosaba, a village with a market place. A boy from the tour operator met us at Gosaba jetty, and took us by a small taxi to Pakhiralay.

If we would have taken a boat-ride from Sonakhali to Pakhiralay on the first day, it would have been the same experience as of the second day that we were going to have. Instead, we reached Pakhiralay in the afternoon, and checked in at the allotted resort.  Since we had a lot of time on our hands in the afternoon till evening, we decided to explore the local village by foot. It proved to be an amazing experience, a blessing in disguise.

If we knew that Hamilton bungalow is situated on the same island (Gosaba), we would have definitely visited, but somehow, it went amiss.

Our resort- Sanjog:

One cannot really call it a resort, but people call all the guesthouses and hotels in Sundarbans National Park area as resorts. This one we stayed in is a new property that has come up during the pandemic. It’s not luxurious, but definitely comfortable and spacious. There were two double beds in the room; most of the rooms in the resort are designed this way. Maybe the idea is to accommodate a family of 3-4 in one room. That’s not a bad idea!

A walk around Pakhiralay village:

Pakhiralay, a quaint village by the beautiful Datta river was the best thing that happened to us on this Sundarbans trip. With more than 900 families, and nearly 5000 population, it’s not really a small village, but a poor one. Majority of the households belong to the Schedule Castes. They live in very modest thatched houses. However, they definitely looked to be the happiest people- very content with their lives and resources.

I got a feeling of going back in time, like 20-30 years! Because of its remoteness and inaccessibility , the islands in the Sundarbans National Park remain long back in the past. One can imagine how life was everywhere else decades ago just by observing how people live here today. The raw charm of a village life is so close to my heart! None of them exists elsewhere now-a-days.

Life and livelihoods:

Our walk around the village gave a good insight into how the people lived there, and what their livelihoods are. Their predominant occupation is subsistence agriculture, and that too mainly paddy, a non-cash crop. Livestock like cows and hens are their insurance against a bad day. Most of them depend on the forests for honey and firewood. They also catch fish from the rivers and waterbodies around them for their daily requirement of protein. Besides, every household has a small pond in front of it where they get some fish for their meal, and water for domestic purposes. 

However, drinking water is a major concern for people there because the ground water is saline (being close to the sea). Water water everywhere, but can’t drink a sip! In recent times, the government has provided some community tap water facilities for the villagers, but they are typically irregular. Moreover, they have to fetch water from these taps far from their houses manually over their shoulders/ heads.  

Impact of tourism on life and environment in Sundarbans:

In recent times, increasing tourism has added another source of livelihoods for the locals. Scores of small resorts/ guesthouses have come up catering to the needs of tourists. However, these properties mostly belong to rich businessmen from Kolkata. Local people do get opportunities to work at these properties for meagre salaries though. Additionally, some people work with the tour operators in the motor-boats carrying the tourists. 

On the flip side, hundreds of motor-boats wandering through the forests of Sundarbans National Park generate tons of carbon dioxide everyday! In the long run, they add up significantly. Presence of large number of tourists also means a threat to the natural fauna and flora of the region.

Though global warming has bigger macro level contributing factors, there is no doubt that increasing tourism in the forests also contributes to this concern. 

It’s a typical developmental catch-22 situation. While o n one hand  tourism helps livelihoods of local poor households, on the other hand it contributes to the problem of global warming.

Impact of Global Warming and Climate Change:

We met an elderly man on our walk. He told us that he used to work as an agricultural labourer in a sugarcane field in Uttar Pradesh in his younger days. But now he works as a care-taker at a small resort on the bank of the river. He also shared with us, in his own way, his concerns about global warming and land inundation in Sundarbans National Park area. He showed us parts of the resort where he works which is now submerged in the river (see picture below). Every few years the river widens a bit more and consumes scores of houses. Quite scary for people living in the Sundarbans!

According to a study conducted by Jadavpur University, sea levels are increasing 3.14 mm every year. Two islands have submerged already, and another one is in imminent danger. Life and livelihoods of millions of people are at stake. Government needs to take action immediately, and on a massive scale.

Saraswati Puja in the village:

I knew beforehand that Saraswati Puja (worshipping of Goddess Saraswati) is an important festival in West Bengal; but didn’t know how much. It was a pleasant sight to see Saraswati pandals every here and there in the villages of Sundarbans National Park. Saraswati idols are kept for puja in these pandals for 3-4 days. The real surprise was to see how everyone in the village- from kids to elderlies get involved in a big way. They play games through the day together, and have a community feast in the evening.

In Pakhiralay, we saw groups of men and women playing interesting games in paddy fields. There was an an anchor commentating on the proceedings on mic. Middle aged women played a game where they filled up water bottles by running with palmful of water from a bucket kept 20 meters away. Elderly men played a game of passing on a cap to each other’s head like in the game of musical chairs. And children were enjoying watching their parents in action!

In Odisha (where I grew up), though Saraswati Puja is observed, it’s not this elaborate- mostly limited to schools and colleges.

Day-2: Sajnekhali- Dobanki- 'Five Rivers Meeting Point'

Second day of our trip began with a knock on the door early in the morning, actually too early for us, before sunrise. At the door was a boy selling fresh palm nectar. Parina was especially interested in tasting the sweet nectar extracted from the palm trees. We had one small glass each; it tasted like a sweet fruit juice only, and was refreshing. This nectar becomes alcoholic after sunrise, and is popular among locals as toddy or tady. We couldn’t sleep much afterwards. The morning tea arrived in a bit. And by 7 AM, we were ready for the day.

We followed other tourists, actually our boat-mates to the jetty. It was quite a scene at the jetty with 4-5 motor-boats onboarding tourists. We boarded our boat with much excitement for the day.

Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary: 

Our first stop was Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary, less than 30 minutes away across the Datta river. The Forest Department has created a small watch tower and a mangrove interpretation center for tourists. The watch tower offers lovely view of the forests from the top. However, the interpretation center is not that great. One gets to spend about 20-30 minutes there, and then back to the boat.   

Sudhanyakhali:

Once back in the boat, they served us breakfast: puri- chhole- gulab jamun, the most popular breakfast option in Bengal. Less than an hour’s boat-ride took us to our second destination- Sudhanyakhali forest camp. There is another small watch tower; but the main attraction is the variety of mangrove species on display with information. After spending another half an hour at the camp, we were back in the boat.

Dobanki camp:

From Sudhanyakhali to Dobanki forest camp, it was a long ride in the meandering rivers through the mangrove forests. Having lunch on the boat with views of the mangroves was a nice experience. After nearly 4 hours of boat ride, we reached the Dobanki forest camp. On the way, we sighted some spotted deer. Just before reaching there, we had our first major animal sighting- a crocodile sunbathing on the mudflats of the river. 

They have created a long safe pathway (closed on both sides) for the tourists to walk across the camp. We could spot a few spotted deer while walking through the camp. That was it! 

Five-rivers meeting point: 

In less than an hour from Dobanki, we reached the Five-rivers meeting point (or, Panchmukhani in local language): three major rivers- Bidyadhari, Matla and Datta,  and two minor rivers- Chadabida and Hedokhanga. Honestly, I’m not sure of the names though! Just a few miles away, the rivers meet with the Bay of Bengal. It’s a huge expanse of water. From the boat itself, one can’t really see the rivers meeting each other; can just imagine their paths from the horizon. 

Watching the sunset beyond the five-rivers meeting point was perhaps the high point of the day. From there, it was a 2-hour boat ride back to Pakhiralay jetty. 

Animal sighting:

Through the day, we could sight only one major animal- two crocodiles, and of course some minor animals- a few spotted deer, a monitor lizard, some monkeys, and that’s it! On the mudflats of the river, it was interesting to observe the mudskippers, a variety of amphibious fish that can remain over land, and walk over land for considerable period of time. They are the link piece in the evolutionary transition of animals from water to land. 

However, as I said earlier, Sundarbans National Park (like any other forest) is not all about tigers, or wild animals. There are more to explore, and that’s what we did.

Making some new friends:

Like always, it was great to meet new people on the trip. When you spend long days and evenings together, you tend to know your travel mates to some extent, and build a bit of camaraderie. Some of them helped us with tips on exploring Kolkata in a better way on our way back. All of them in our boat were from West Bengal, though some of them live outside of Bengal. Very sweet people to know and exchange some life stories.

Back to Kolkata:

Once back at Pakhiralay, we collected our luggage from the resort quickly and rushed to the main market to catch a vehicle to Gosaba from where we would cross the river to Gadkhali. The same boy who dropped us at the resort the previous day was waiting for us, but there was no vehicle. We could only see the flat-seated motor-rickshaws. He told us that we have to take one of those to the jetty, some 10 kms away! It was a difficult ride for Parina because of her cervical issues, but she managed somehow. 

When we reached Gosaba jetty, it was pitch black, but the boats were still operating. We took one to cross over to Gadkhali side where an auto-rickshaw was waiting for us. Another one hour, and we were at Canning again. Fortunately, one local train was about to start, and we boarded. 

By the time we reached Kolkata at about 10 PM after the long hectic day, Parina was already unwell. She vomited on the road itself, and I followed suit late in the night. Parina remained unwell the next day, and took rest in the hotel room. But I felt well next morning, and explored Kolkata thoroughly.

How to plan your trip to Sundarbans National Park

About sundarbans tourist area:.

Sundarbans National Park is spread across a large area, though only about a fourth of that is open for tourists. The main tourist area starts from Canning. Most of the tourists start either at Sonakhali (18 kms from Canning) or at Gadkhali (30 kms from Canning). This depends on the plans and packages on offer from the tour operators. However, most of the tour operators have tie up with resorts in the islands of Gosaba, Bali and Satjelia. These islands are just on the fringe of the Sundarbans mangrove forests area. 

Pakhiralay is one of the most important village in Gosaba island (block) that serves as a base location for venturing into the mangrove forests. It’s just across the Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary.

Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is a subset of the larger Sundarbans National Park. The Tiger Reserve has three main zones: the buffer zone, the sanctuary zone and the core zone. Tourists can go only into the  buffer zone. One doesn’t need to worry about these things because all the boat owners know about this, and know the routes.

How many days?

One can choose whatever number of days one wants or have on hand. The most popular plans are 2N/3D packages. But I think 1N/2D is a good enough plan. However, a lot of tour operators don’t offer 1N/2D plans for commercial reasons. A 2N/3D plans look like:

• Day-1: Sonakhali- Gosaba- Pakhiralay
• Day-2: Pakhiralay- Sajnekhali- Dobanki- Five Rivers Meeting Point- Pakhiralay
• Day-3: Pakhiralay- Jharkhali- Sonakhali/ Gadkhali 

How to plan:

• Easy way is to choose a package of your choice from the tour operators in Kolkata or Canning, wherever you choose to start from. And join them as per plan.
• Best way is to plan yourself. Reach Gadkhali by taking a local train to Canning, and from there by auto-rickshaw. Cross over from Gadkhali to Gosaba by a local ferry. Spend the day exploring Gosaba island- Hamilton bungalow, Rabindranath bungalow and village life. Book a resort in Pakhiralay (10 kms from Gosaba) to stay the night. Book a day-trip boat-ride in the forests for the next day (or more). This way, you have one day to explore the rural life and culture on your own, and one full day to explore the forests.
• More than one day in the boat moving around the forests: I felt it is a bit too much. There is not much to see in the forest camps like Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali or Dabanki.
• If you are desirous of having the experience of spending a night on the boat in the river, you can choose such a package.

Other travel tips

Best time to visit:.

• October to March are the best time, especially the winter months of December-January.
• Summer months of April to June are too hot and humid to enjoy
• Monsoon months bring heavy rains; so, it’s not safe to visit

Best time of the day for animal sighting:

The Forest department allow tourists from morning to evening; no one can stay back after the sunset. Animal sighting is better during low tide because the mudflats open up, and animals can be easily seen on the river banks. Typically, high tides happen in the night (due to moon) and continue till late in the morning. Then low tides continue till the evening. So, best times to see animals are late afternoon and early evening. 

How to reach:

• Train: Canning is the nearest railway station to enter Sundarbans National Park. Local trains operate between Kolkata and Canning regularly through the day.
• Bus: Regular buses operate from Esplanade (Kolkata) to Canning and Sonakhali
• Car/ Taxi: Canning is about 65 kms and Sonakhali is around 80 kms from Kolkata; so, taking a taxi or driving your own car is not much of a difficulty
• If you have booked a package from a tour operator in Kolkata; you can just go to their pick-up point, and that’s it. 

Where to stay:

• If you have chosen a tour package, you have no choice; they will offer you a resort in one of the nearest islands to enter the forests.
• Or, you may choose to spend the night on the boat itself; check out the packages on line
• If you are managing your trip yourself, you should book a resort in Gosaba island, most appropriately in Pakhiralay village. 

Where to eat:

• Tour operators offer good food on-board and at the resorts
• If you are on your own, there are small restaurants/ hotels in Canning, Gadkhali and Gosaba offering local food. Not much option though.

How to move around:

• To move around the islands, one will find small auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, flat-seated motor-rickshaws
• For venturing into the mangrove forests, of course, boats are the only way. It’s cost effective to join the shared boats. However, if you want more freedom and explore smaller channels, it’s better to hire small boats; they will be a little costlier though.

Things to carry:

• It’s a good idea to carry some mosquito repellant, especially in spring-summer season (avoid monsoon in any case)
• Electricity supply can be erratic at times; so, a torch will be helpful 
• Wear light sports shoes; cover your feet all the time since you may come across harmful insects and snakes while walking in the evening
• Keep your cap/hat and sunglasses all the time with you; the sun is too strong in the afternoon even in the winters
• Wear light cotton outfit, especially in the spring-summer season; humidity levels would be really high
• Keeping chocolates and light snacks is a good idea since there are not many good shops out there
• Carry some cash all the time; difficult to find ATMs there.

Concluding note

Sundarbans National Park is definitely among the top 5 National Parks in India, and one of my favorites. We didn’t expect, and didn’t sight a tiger, still we were happy. However, the local infrastructure and tour packages need a lot of improvement. The tour operators don’t provide good guides who can interact with the tourists. The local resort owners can make the experience far better by designing the resorts with local ethos. They should also offer rural/ cultural experiences to visitors as part of the packages.

Planning your own trip is the best thing to do

Till the time things improve, one can plan on their own, and have the best experience. Hopefully, this article helps one to some extent.  To summarize:

• Sundarbans National Park is mainly about mangroves, river cruises and tigers
• However, observing local life and culture can be equally enriching an experience
• Look for a tour package that offers cultural experience in the package, or else, plan yourself for the best experience; it’s not at all difficult
• Walk around the villages and interact with local people learning their perspective on life, livelihoods, forests, wildlife and tourism. 

12 Responses

Jayvanti Einjen

Very Very nice information keep it up

stampedmoments

Thank you! Waiting for the next trip 🙂

Beautifully captured Sunderban in words and pics

Thanks Rupali 🙂 Have you been to Sundarbans? It’s such an amazing place!

Soumen Chatterjee

Thanks for lovely information.As it states Sundarbans National Park is world’s largest estuarine mangrove eco-system, and also the largest delta formed by three rivers- the Ganges and Brahmaputra (both flow through India and Bangladesh), and Meghna (Bangladesh). The rivers divide into hundreds of streams and crisscross each other to form hundreds of islands before meeting the Bay of Bengal. Pakhiralay, a quaint village by the beautiful Datta river was the best thing that happened to us on this Sundarbans trip. With more than 900 families, and nearly 5000 population, it’s not really a small village, but a poor one. Majority of the households belong to the Schedule Castes. More over a lot of local NGOs are working in and around the villages. The drinking water is a great concern for the villages as it’s close to the sea so during flood the most of the villages gets submurged in the water.Though tourism has impacted the lives of people but it also cause environmental issues as many boats hover round and emits harmful carbon dioxide. 2nd was Sajnekhali- Dobanki- ‘Five Rivers Meeting Point’. I think u must have tasted palm tree nector juice in Bengali we say Khejur gacher ros but if u keep it for hours under sun then it gets fermented and becomes alcohol which is called ” Tari”. Sudhanyakhali forest was awome , so do Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary.Dobanki forest camp must have been a nice experience. Five-rivers meeting point (or, Panchmukhani in local language): three major rivers- Bidyadhari, Matla and Datta, and two minor rivers- Chadabida and Hedokhanga. Next was ,Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is a subset of the larger Sundarbans National Park. The Tiger Reserve has three main zones: the buffer zone, the sanctuary zone and the core zone. Tourists can go only into the buffer zone. Righty said Sudarban is more than seeing animals and most people visit to see the great Royal Bengal Tiger which is very different to find or get a sight. But now and then people staying in the villages get attacked by tigers when they go in the forest to get woods or collect nector from the bee hives. I think in the boat you must have got to eat a lot of Bengali cuisine specially variety of fish. Overall it’s a fantastic blog.

Hey Soumen! There again! Thanks for reading, and leaving a feedback.

Ryan Biddulph

Seeing those trees growing inside of the water always fascinated me when I watched nature shows about the Sundarbans as a kid in the States. Also, seeing tigers stalking folks, and the genius people who designed masks that flashed eyes and a face on the back of their heads. Eyes always on the tiger even when walking away. Smart!

Hi Ryan! Good to know that you learnt about the Sundarbans in your childhood. Yeah, it’s such a fascinating place! Would love to know more about you. Will check your website. Thanks a lot for your feedback.

Sarita Rout

We live so near to the national park, and yet have not visited till now. Reading this, now inspired to visit soon.

Oh yes, you must visit Sundarbans; plan the coming winter.

Very informative blog. It makes me want to visit Sundarbans one day.

So glad to know that the blog was helpful. Thanks for your feedback. Please keep connected. Cheers!

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The Sundarbans : A long cherished dream

This travelogue is about my tour to the Sunderbans. Myself with some of my friends visited the Sunderban National Park in January 2015. Since I live in Kolkata, it is easy for us go places around south Bengal. Twice I went to the Sagardwip, the largest island in the Sunderban (once to attend Sagarmela and another on a general tour). But never I had been to the core of the Sunderbans. To fulfil that long cherished dream we went out in January last week this year.

SUNDERBAN means beautiful (sunder) forest (ban) in Bengali. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. After division of country, apprx 60% area went into Bangladesh, balance 40% lies in India. It was inscribed as world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. So we decided to visit this area placed so near to Kolkata.

23rd January 2015 – From Kolkata to Canning : Since the last weekend of January offered some holidays, we preferred to have a 2 night 3 day tour starting from 23-01-2015 and contacted a very private and homely tour operator. We took a local EMU, namely Canning local, to get down at terminal Canning station at around 10.50 in the morning. It normally takes 2 hr journey from Sealdah south station. At Canning, other tourists of our group assembled, counted to be 20 in total, and got introduced to each other while having a nice pack of snacks. But my friendly advice to all to avoid rail journey, rather take SUV or jeep type of car from Kolkata, or can make the entire journey by launch itself starting from river Hooghly at Kolkata. There are govt package tour, as well as AC launch tour operated by renowned private companies.

From Canning to Sonakhali : From Canning railway station we went straight to Sonakhali ghat. A four cylinder launch “MB Maa Chandi” was waiting for us. It was a small but comfortable double decker launch with inbuilt toilets. The upper deck was equipped with seating facility in the front side and kitchen, dining space and a toilet in the back side. The lower deck was housed with many double beds in a dormitory system with two toilets in the front side. The motor room was inside a separate chamber in the back side. All the tourists taken their respective beds and placed all baggage there. Then we sat in the upper deck and the journey from Sonakhali started just before 12 noon.

Group Photo

River Journey

Rivers in the Sunderbans are totally different from the ones we used to see in other parts of India. There are numerous rivers with continuous flow towards the south in case of low tide (bhata). The flow is reverse in case of high tide (jwar). Rivers are wide and inter-connected with each other with so many water channels. All are natural. The banks are glossy muddy and do sparkle when direct sun fall on them. Small red crabs are commonly seen everywhere. There are crocodiles also, but not so common in densely populated banks. But one should be vigil enough not to fall prey to them.

Aerial Root

Dead Wood Art

Journey started to the interior of Sunderbans :

To Gosaba: We continued our journey through the river. There were human habitations on both the river banks. Gradually, presence of human beings and domestication started decreasing. River got wider. Mangrove forest still not started to be seen. First we stopped at Gosaba. It took almost 50 minutes to reach there. Just in front of the ghat, there was local police station. On turning to the right, we visited the bungalow, where Shri Rabindra Nath Tagore stayed on 30th and 31st December 1932 on an invitation of Sir Daniel Hamilton. The bungalow is surrounded by a nice garden, where a full size statue of Tagore is placed. The old bungalow could survive the devastating hurricane Aila that pulverised entire south Bengal on 25-May-2009. We came back to launch and had freshly cooked hot and smoky lunch. From Gosaba, we proceeded to our next venue Sajnekhali tiger reserve.

Bungalow at Gosaba

Tagore Statue at Gosaba

To Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve: In this part of the journey we could see the famous mangrove forest, since we entered into a totally different world. The bushy forest was not tall enough, but was very dense, so that any animal can easily hide behind it. Apart from Sundari tree, there was Hetal, which is very favourite of the royal Bengal tigers. In this area, rivers are very wide. Somewhere it is so wide that you cannot see the opposite bank. Our launch pilot continued to drive the vessel close to the river bank, keeping a safe distance of 30 feet and allowed us to have a close view of the natural forest. We were simply speechless. The surrounding was absolutely calm and quite. Only sound was that of the engine of our launch. We saw lot of wild monkeys and many species of birds. But no tiger could be seen.

Journey Thru Channel

Sajnekhali Gate

We reached Sajnekhali tiger reserve at around 3 pm. Here you have to get the permit issued by Sunderban Tiger Conservation Foundation Trust. The permit is essential to visit Sunderbans. It would be better to mention here that, in all tiger reserve islands, the area, where govt. employees, tourists make movement, are safeguarded with thick wire mesh high boundaries. Right from start of river ghat, upto the inner most area, you will find high wall of iron grid. In this island also, the office area, permit counter, handicraft selling centre, watch tower – all are surrounded by wire mesh boundary for protection from tiger. Useful notice board mentioning entry fee, fee for camera, guides etc. is placed at prime position.

Sajnekhali Park

Sajnekhali Rate List

A govt owned tourist lodge is available at Sajnekhali for accommodation, which has non-AC suite, non-AC double bedded room and dormitory. The surrounding is very natural and calm, far from city noise.

Sajnekhali Room Booking

There is a Banbibi temple nearer office area. Let us have a brief idea about Banbibi. Since time immortal, human beings kept safe distance from tigers. In many places in India, tiger is worshipped for safety. In north Bengal, tiger god is named “Sonaroy”. In south Bengal, his name is “Dakshinroy”. Simultaneously, a goddess is also there named “Banbibi”. This goddess is religion independent. It means, both hindus and muslims do worship Banbibi. Before entering into core area, woodcutters, honey collectors, fishermen etc. worship Banbibi or Dakshinroy for protection.

Now let us come back to Sajnekhali. In this island, there is a beautiful museum with top corporate look. Plantations and living beings at Sunderbans have been very well depicted in this museum. There are some clay models of tiger and fishermen, who just look like real ones. Our visit to this island was enjoyable. Then we moved on to our next venue at Sudhanyakhali tiger reserve.

Sajnekhali Museum

To Sudhanyakhali Tiger Resevre: We reached Sudhanyakhali at 4.30 pm. Here also we visited the Banbibi temple first. Then we went up to the top of watch tower. The sun was tilting towards the west. The golden glow made the surrounding very mysterious and romantic. From high above we kept on looking at the fresh water pond created for animals. They come here to drink water and allow tourists to have a glance at them. Fortunately we saw so many deers roaming around the pond. A little one was running here and there fearlessly just like our own kids behave in a park. Some were drinking water and some went away towards the surrounding forest. We stood atop the tower and enjoyed the pure air. Adjoining forest and river could easily be seen. Then the security personnel requested us to vacate the place to go back to our launch. As because tigers can come out in the evening, our priority should be to remain safe with all ladies and kids. We boarded our launch at 5 pm safely.

Pond for Deers

Pond for Wildlife

We decided to anchor near Pakhirala island and spend the night inside the launch. I already written earlier that the lower deck housed so many double beds kept in a typical dormitory pattern. Everybody got into their beds and lied down for taking rest. The day was very hectic for us. We took rest for half an hour and take a quick decision to go to the nearby Pakhirala island.

Pakhirala Island: As we anchored very near to the Pakhirala island, it took only few minutes to reach the river ghat. The island was a densely populated one. It was a typical village with many hotels and so many local shops displaying gift items for the tourists. The items are not made over there, but mostly brought from Kolkata. We visited tea shops and fish market. Fish was more costly than Kolkata, we could not understand why, but were really fresh. Even prawns were live and moving. We tried to buy white honey, as white honey of Sunderban is famous. But the quality was poor, as it was contaminated with high proportion of water. Our launch pilot advised us to buy in the months of Chaitra and Baishakh, as honey collectors collect fresh honey in those months. After having local snacks and tea, we came back to launch.

We had our dinner prepared at launch. No room left by our tour operator for any complaint. Food was good. We sat on the upper deck and gossiped endlessly. As preceding 20th was Amavasya, the night was starry without moon. After so many years I could see nearly horizon to horizon night sky, which is absolutely impossible in metro cities. We tried to identify stars. Somebody was singing in local tune from not very far away. The night was God given gift. As midnight was approaching, we got down to the lower deck to have sleep. Next day would also be hectic again. My body was tired. Right from the morning we were in movement and covered a huge distance so far. Sleep took no time to engulf me with its motherly touch.

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40 Comments

Dear Shantanu

A brilliant post with good pictures. It is good to read the details of this journey in your free-flowing style.

Welcome to Ghumakkar.

Keep travelling and sharing..

Santanu, its a big effort, I am very happy but not full. If it write in Bengali I think it will be more catchy to me or us.

Welcome aboard, Santanu! Well written post equally supported by nice pictures. In the year 1991-92 I visited Sundarban, it was a crocodile project and we made our journey through boat for an hour or two to reach there. We passed through channels and saw mangroves. But in many Sundarban travelogue that I read recently, I did not find any mention of that. Do you have any idea of that?

Thanks for sharing. Hope to read more of your travel stories at Ghumakkar in futue.

Well done friend and keep sharing the highlight of various tours travelled by you in future.

Dear Uday, Anupam, Anjan and Akash – thanks to all of you for your valuable comment and support. Your feedback will surely help me to upgrade my style and presentation further. 2nd part and 3rd part (last part) of this series are forthcoming, where journey to many islands and reserves has been narrated.

Anupam, during our 3 day journey, I talked to many local people and crew of other vessels. But unfortunately I did not come across any crocodile project. I will keep your feedback in mind when I would go for next visit to other parts of Sundarban.

KEEP ON WRITING SANTANU DA, YOUR WRITE UP WAS REALLY WORTHFUL AND LIVELY.REALLY YOU SHARED A TRUE EXPERIENCE.

SUMIT KUMAR HERP VARANASI

Dear Sumit, Thanks for your appreciation and motivation. Regards Santanu

Santanu ji, smashing Ghumakkar debut ! Sundarbans is one of the areas of which very little has been written about in travel sites. Thanks for a wonderfully informative post. Can you share with us the details of the fares the Ferry Cos. charge and which is the better option to choose if one is travelling from Kolkata-The Govt. ferries or the Private ones?

Dear Venkat ji, Thanks for your feedback. While writing the travelogue I adhered to the guidelines of this forum by refraining myself from exhibiting any information, which may purport to mean business promotion. So please send me test mail at “[email protected]”, where names, mobile numbers etc. of pilot of the launch (4 cylinder vessel) can be provided. At the same time, please visit website of Govt. of WB, who operate regular tour to the Sundarbans under various packages. Try to stay for a night at Pakhirala (which is congested, but full of warmth) and another night at Bonnie camp (which is though deserted, but totally safe). Take help of both wikimapia and google map to get acclamatised with the entire locality before the journey starts. It is better to keep away from un-reputed and un-reliable private tour operators. Hope I have clarified your query. Regards Santanu

Thanks for your prompt feedback, Santanu ji.

Hi Santanu:

Really enjoyed reading the travelogue. It felt like I was traveling with you. Lovely pictures too. Keep it up!

Regards, A.

Dear Ashim, Many thanks for having gone thru my travelogue while sitting far far away in Seattle. I enjoy your appreciation which confirms your virtual travel in the Sundarban while reading my article. Please keep your eye on 29-5-2015 and 02-5-2015 for next parts of this travelogue. Also enjoy articles available in this site well written by so many experienced travellers. Regards Santanu

Dear Santanu

Nice and wonderful travelling experience. Also thrilling in some of the areas. By any chance could you find any tigers from a far flung distance ?

One more request, please write this in Bengali with some more attractive photographs and sceneries.

Very good write up.

Thanks for sharing

Dear Jyoti, Thanks for your appraisal. Please watch out next parts of my travelogue, wherein I have narrated tiger sighting incident. So far as writing in Bengali is concerned, I am yet not very much aware of any site where travel posts in Bengali can be posted. Typing is another problem. However, I will look towards satisfaction of your requirement and advise. Thanks again for your support dear. Regards Santanu

Dear Santanu Da,

This was very informative, very simply put…..and that you enjoyed the trip very much was very evident in the manner in which you have been able to recollect all the details and pen them down.

Just the one thing……accumulated from my association of five years with you are memories of your style of speaking……detailed descriptions punctuated with witty comments….which always made me listen to everything that you said with rapt attention. I think that element would come through more naturally if you wrote in Bangla…….and would make the place you write about just so much more “alive”!!!

Do think about it….and write some more. You are too talented to restrict your writing to comments written in microscopic hand-writing on those green note-sheets!!

Loved this!! Thank you!!

OK dear Jitendra, I will keep your suggestion in mind while writing future travelogues. I also believe that decent humour, which is a part of our daily life, also adds spice and life to a written article. Thanks for your support. Regards Santanu

Dear Santanu, What a wonderful narration! It’s simply great.I had never been to that part,but after reading your travelogue I think I had. The pictures were equally good. Eagerly waiting to read the next part. Please keep going…

Dear Bhaskar, Many thanks for your appreciation and support. Instead of writing an official type of report, I tried to follow a totally different approach, in which a reader would feel to have a virtual travel alongwith me. Please keep your watch on 29-4-2015 and 02-5-2015 at this forum for next part of the travelogue. Thanks again with warm regards Santanu

Welcome aboard Santanu Dada.

Your first story is prompting me to pack my bags and head for that star-decked night or the local village to have tea/maanch-jhol or for those mangroves. As Venkat has noted that not a lot has been written on Sundarbans so it is really heartening to see this story. And at Ghumakkar, we do have a lot of people from the East but still only a few articles.

At Ghumakkar, it is perfectly fine to mention the ferry company which you took, including prices, mobile numbers, website addresses. The editors at Ghumakkar read every single posting (all stories, all comments) and if we suspect any thing which looks like promotional then we actively work with the Author and resolve it. I guess if you are satisfied with your tour-operator then he should benefit from it. Having info like cost, rating would help fellow traveling to plan better. Of course, you should decide on how you want to share that info.

And about writing it in Bengali, we have not yet published in any other language apart from Hindi and English. But we can always try. If you choose to write sometime then do send me and I would test on whether the site can handle it or not (in terms of readability and any technical issues).

Let me now move to Part 2.

Dear Nandan,

Thank you for your spontaneous, out of heart and well communicated appreciation and comments. I am glad that my post has won your heart, while providing some useful information through text or photos.

Though we have availed services of a ‘single person owned homely private tour operator’ named RAJA (Mobile no.8902655644, 9874652045), but the pilot cum ferry owner Sh.SANTOSH MANDAL (Mobile No.9732509755) requested us to contact him directly, in case of future requirement, so that some amount of cost can be saved by the tourists. Reduction in cost payable to intermediary means equivalent amount can be invested to cover some additional points. Our package cost amounted to Rs.4000/- per person (inclusive of all kind of refreshment, foods etc.). Journey started from Canning Rly Station and ended at the same place – cost to operator.

I recommend you to visit website of Tourism dept., Govt of WB. for a standard professional service. My suggestion is, stay one night at Pakhirala island (there are some standard hotels). At this place, you can roam around the local market in the evening. It is full of life. Dont buy honey (honey of Sundarban is famous), except in the months of Chaitra and Baishakh. Alternately, you can stay at Sajnekhali tourist lodge in the first night.

Stay another night at Bonnie camp, where Govt lodge is available. This is remotely placed, but you will surely enjoy the tranquility and environment.

Try to go to “KALAS” island (we have not covered this island), which is placed further south, virtually floating on Bay of Bengal. This would take another day. It means, the entire tour would be a 3 night 4 day trip.

If you are not taking a package tour, rather willing to book the vessel directly, then talk to the vessel owner well in advance about safety aspect at various places, which is very essential.

About writing in Bangla, I am thinking it seriously to make it happen shortly. Thanks for your so much of encouragement and support.

Regards Santanu

Dada! A fabulous narration. Informative & straight. Enjoyed the virtual tour & tickling to do the trip asap. I guess, govt settings are always safe & should be preferred to support the touristy advancements.

@ Nandan: Publishing multi-lingual is a good idea!

Keep travelling Ajay

Dear Ajay, Thanks for your kind comments. I observed that in recent years, the state Govt. has initiated a new professional effort to attract tourists in various parts of Bengal. Their website gives a lot of information. Let people avail the facilities offered and assess. Regards Santanu

I am very much attracted with your detail information. Thank you.

Thank you Bishnu Babu

Quarantine has all stuck at home. Read this blog to explore the mystery and magic of the Sundarbans and how it has been impact by cyclone Amphan!

https://www.artfervour.com/post/myth-miracle-and-misfortune-sundarbans-unbound?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=SMO_blog_sunderbans%20unbound

Thank you dear AM

I think Sunderban is not only a holiday destination. Other than the back water cruise and the jungle safari, Sundarbans has a lot to tell us about life. How persistence pays in the face of all adversity. How we life makes come back everytime after mother natures wrath tries to defeat us.

Madam, valid points correctly raised by you. Thank you.

Thank you for this wonderful article about the largest mangrove forest in the world.

I really enjoyed reading your article. Thanks for sharing your experience which is very informative for all who will make plans for Sundarban. I would love to go there.This post is surely inspiring and informative.

Really very happy to say, your Sundarban blog post is very interesting to read. I never stop myself to say something about your post. Really you post detailed information about your Sundarban trip. After reading your post anyone can make his Sundarban tour plan. Thank you and good luck with the upcoming articles.

Yah .. this is wonderful information about sundarban. In fact Sundarbans is amazing and a great destination for winter travel. I visited this wonderful place in 2019 January. The experience was amazing and I was lucky enough to spot a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger while boating towards DoBanki watch tower. Saw Lots of birds .. specially the Brahmani Kite .. and the big Madan Bird .. it was an amazing trip ..I am planning to travel Sundarban again between December 2021 to January 2021.

Thanks, Santanu for sharing your experience there in Sundarbans :)

Your blog entry on the Sundarbans is quite intriguing to read, and I’m very delighted to express that.

I really enjoyed reading your post. Your experience sounds like it would be great, and I would love to feel that excitement too. Good job on providing such a valuable post about Sundarban!

To explore among the largest Mangrove forest in the world one should never miss a chance to visit Sundarban which lies on the delta of the mighty Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna on the Bay of Bengal. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) is situated in the southwest of Bangladesh between the stream Baleswar in the East and the Harinbanga in the West. This forest is known for the Royal Bengal tiger, wide ranges of flora and fauna, amazing species of animals and birds, estuarine crocodile, and Indian Python

Nice post author. Thank you. Keep it up.

Sundarbans Bengal tigers are so furious and attractive that one cannot control their breaths.

very Informative post . I love nature so I am passionate about greenery , forest , topography of Sundarban , Mangrove , Wild animals , flora and fauna , Tiger Reserve plants etcetera . For Travels call or whatsapp 91 070636 25370/

086170 81574

Thank you for giving me more beautiful knowledge about this blog

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Journey to the roof of the world

I just got back from the famous Delhi- manali-keylong-leh–kargil-dras-zozila-srinagar-patnitop-delhi highway and the writeup from bikerdude is really gr8. Atleast for me it would have…

Crafting Memorable Sundarban Tour 2 Night 3 Days Itineraries: Exploring Wildlife Tourism

Its breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and unique ecosystem make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Crafting a memorable Sundarban tour itinerary for 2 nights and 3 days requires careful planning to ensure you experience the best of what this stunning region has to offer, particularly in terms of wildlife tourism.

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction to Sundarban

Your Sundarban adventure begins with your arrival at the designated meeting point, typically in Kolkata or nearby. From there, you’ll embark on a journey to the gateway of Sundarban, where you’ll board a boat or launch to start your exploration. During the journey, take in the scenic beauty of the riverbanks and keep an eye out for bird species like kingfishers, herons, and egrets.

Upon reaching the Sundarban, settle into your accommodations and freshen up. After a delicious lunch featuring local cuisine, head out for your first wildlife excursion. Explore the surroundings on foot or by boat, accompanied by experienced guides who will help you spot wildlife such as crocodiles, deer, and various bird species. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the mangrove forests, creating a picturesque backdrop for your Sundarban adventure.

Day 2: Immersive Wildlife Encounters

Wake up early to the melodious chirping of birds and embark on a thrilling wildlife safari through the dense mangrove forests. As you navigate through the intricate network of waterways, keep your camera ready to capture glimpses of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, whose presence adds an element of excitement to your journey. Marvel at the sight of playful dolphins frolicking in the river as you continue your exploration.

Break for a hearty breakfast amidst nature before continuing your wildlife encounters. Visit the various watchtowers strategically located within the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, offering panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Keep your binoculars handy to spot rare bird species like the Masked Finfoot and the Mangrove Pitta, adding to the thrill of your wildlife safari.

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely cruise through the winding creeks, soaking in the tranquility of the surroundings. As the day draws to a close, gather around a bonfire under the starlit sky, sharing stories and experiences with fellow travelers. Indulge in a sumptuous dinner featuring freshly caught seafood, a culinary delight that perfectly complements your Sundarban experience.

Day 3: Exploration and Departure

On your final day in Sundarban, set out for one last exploration of the mangrove forests, perhaps visiting some of the lesser-known islands and creeks that offer unique opportunities for wildlife sightings. Engage in birdwatching activities, spotting migratory species that flock to the region during certain seasons.

After a fulfilling morning of exploration, return to your accommodations for a hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to Sundarban. Reflect on the memories created during your 2-night, 3-day adventure, knowing that you’ve experienced the magic of one of the world’s most unique and biodiverse ecosystems.

Conclusion:

Crafting a memorable Sundarban tour itinerary for 2 nights and 3 days requires careful planning to ensure you make the most of your time in this stunning region. By incorporating immersive wildlife encounters, scenic boat cruises, and cultural experiences, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, or adventure seeker, Sundarban offers something truly special for every traveler.

And for those seeking convenience, consider booking a Sundarban Tour Package that includes all essentials for a hassle-free experience.

Experience the wonders of Sundarban Tour , where nature’s beauty and wildlife thrive in harmony, leaving you awe-inspired and rejuvenated.

Embark on a seamless journey from Kolkata To Sundarban , where every moment promises new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

Explore the diverse Sunderban Packages available, each offering a unique perspective on this natural wonderland.

Discover the perfect Sunderban Tour Package From Kolkata , designed to cater to your preferences and ensure a memorable adventure from start to finish.

Crafting Memorable Sundarban Tour 2 Night 3 Days Itineraries – Book Your Adventure Now!

Are you ready to embark on a journey into the heart of Sundarban’s wilderness? Experience the thrill of Sundarban Wildlife Tourism with us at Sundarban Wildlife Tourism. Our expertly crafted 2-night, 3-day itineraries promise unforgettable wildlife encounters, scenic boat cruises, and cultural experiences.

Contact us today to reserve your spot:

Address: Pakhiralaya, Tiger more jetty ghat, Gosaba, West Bengal 743370

Phone No.: +91 9903337710, 9830625984

Email: [email protected]

Find us on Google Maps: Sundarban Wildlife Tourism

Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime – book your Sundarban tour now!

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Gift Yourself An Unforgettable Adventure at Sundarbans

Sonakshi Travels - Sundarban Travel Blog

Sundarban 1 day tour, sundarban one day tour.

Welcome to the Sundarban 1 Day Tour , also known as the Sundarbans One Day Tour , which has been named “Touch the leaf” due to its fast-paced nature. This Sundarban 1 Day Tour starts at early in the morning, around 5:30-6:00 hrs from Kolkata, and concludes in the evening, between 19:30-20:00 hrs, depending on the tides conditions of Sundarban river and traffic conditions of roads.

The Sundarban single day tour pacakge  offers a glimpse of the stunning Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, the Sundarban Delta, and the Sundarban National Park in all its grandeur. During this Sundarban One Day Tour , we will visit the top two attractions, namely the watchtowers of Sajnekhali and Sudhanyakhali .

When to start from Kolkata for Sundarban day tour?

However, we advise you to keep in mind that this Sundarban tour requires a long journey time from Kolkata, so it is advisable to opt for it only if you are pressed for time. Additionally, we can customize your Sundarban Day Tour to suit your time constraints and consider your train or flight arrival and departure timings.

Experience the Sundarban Day Tour , starting at just Rs. 4000 per pax for a group size of a minimum of 12 pax departing from Kolkata.

Day 1: The Sundarban Day Tour commences at 5:30-6:00 hrs from Kolkata

• Arrival at Godhkhali port between 8:30-9:00 hrs
• Arrival at Sajnekhali Watch Tower at 10:30 hrs
• Visit Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower at 2:30-3:00 hrs
• Return to Godhkhali/Sonakhali by 16:00-16:30 hrs
• Return to Kolkata by 19:00-19:30 hrs, marking the end of your Sundarban One Day Tour .

For more details about the package costs of Sundarban travel package

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Best places to explore & top things to do in sundarban national park, west bengal.

India may have a myriad of exciting wildlife destinations located throughout its length and breadth but one place that offers a pristine and riveting environment, not just for the animals but also for the visitors is the beautiful Sundarban National Park .

It derived its name from a Mangrove plant called Sundari which is found in abundance here. Numerous creeks and tributaries, waterways and islands make Sundarbans the most attractive and alluring National Park of India. It is also one of the most unique and large mangrove ecosystems of the world.

This most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ideal place to see wildlife at its best and is widely popular for the beautiful orange black striped Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides, this national park that consists of 102 islands on the Indian side also houses various small enclosures such as crocodile and turtle farms, and there are wildlife museums as well as watchtowers. You can also find a few wildlife sanctuaries located in the Sundarban Islands of Lothian and Halliday which add so much to your Sundarban Wildlife tour.

Useful Information & Quick Facts on Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Recommended Tour Package

• 3 Nights 4 Days Sunderban Wildlife Tour
• 2 Nights 3 Days Sundarban Tour from Kolkata
• 4 Nights 5 Days Sundarban Tiger Safari Tour

Sundarban Complete Travel Guide

Here’s a complete travel guide to this one of its kind national park in West Bengal.

Location of Scenic Sundarbans 

Sundarban National Park is around 110 kilometers from the Durga Puja Capital, Kolkata and if you travel by car, the roads will lead you to Godkhali (almost three hours’ drive). Traversing rural villages into this popular destination where the mangrove forests are found in abundance, which by the way is famed for being the largest mangroves in the world can be witnessed only in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve.

How Can We Get There?

However, the question of how to reach Sundarban paradise can be resolved by saying it is only accessible via boat to Sajnekhali island, which is considered to be the entrance to the national park. As a matter of fact, this island is where you can get the entry tickets for the park which are Rs 60 for Indians and 200 for foreigners.

Best Time to Visit Sundarbans

To make your visit memorable, the best time to visit the Sundarban National Park is during the dry seasonal months from November to February.

Boat Safari Timings

8:30am to 4:00pm. No boat is allowed after 6:30pm at Sundarbans.

Where to Stay in Sundarban?

Being an eco-friendly place in India, you can find simple accommodation options rather than luxury ones with a complete village and wildlife feel. And in order to find standard budget hotels, the largest island of Sundarban, Gosaba is the place to go. There are also a number of jungle camps and tourist lodges in Sundarban National Park that offer comfortable stay amid nature and the wild.

Some of the best places to stay in Sundarbans are –

• Sundarban Mangrove Retreat – Enjoy the luxury and comforts
• Sundarbans Jungle Camp – Blend with the Nature
• Sundarban Chital Tourist Lodge – For the views of enchanting wilderness
• Sundarbans Tiger Camp – Serene surroundings
• Tiger Safari Resort – It’s in budget and you can view amazing sunrise and sunset
• Tiger Roar Resort – Scenic private lake and soul pleasing migratory birds
• Sundarban Riverside Holiday – Best place for nature lovers

Other Interesting Blogs to Read

• Best Places to Visit in West Bengal
• Popular National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in West Bengal

Fun Activities to Try around Sundarbans

This go-to-destination certainly has a unique approach, with land and water along with multiple islands. Here, you can explore various species found in Sundarban Tiger Reserve such as saltwater crocodiles, hawksbill turtles, river dolphins, Bengal tigers and many more. In fact, for a rather interesting and exciting trip, you can read the following list of the things you can do in Sundarban National Park during your wildlife holiday here.

Full Day Tour of the City of Joy – Kolkata

Visiting the famed UNESCO wildlife destination in West Bengal, Sundarban and not touring around Kolkata city is so not done unless you are a native. Now, it is not necessary to go for a sightseeing tour but why not seize the opportunity and run for it. Here, this vibrant city offers old treasures like the Trams, which you have to ride to experience true Kolkata and traverse the famous attraction, Howrah Bridge.

To make this the best trip, make sure to visit Kolkata one day prior to visiting Sundarban and take up a full day tour. During the tourist places you can quickly pay a visit to Park Street for their amazing restaurants and pubs; Victoria Memorial to see its elegant architecture, Birla temple that is fully endowed in white marble, Marble Palace Mansion to see antique collections and the oldest museum in India, The Indian Museum.

Try Your Luck to See the Royal Bengal Tigers and Ganges River Dolphins in Sundarban

Since no jeep safaris are available, tiger spotting can become rather a difficult task and if your goal is to solely spot the ferocious Sundarban Bengal Tigers, you have to try your luck. You can only take a Wildlife boat safari in Sundarban National Park since the tiger reserve mainly consists of islands, waterways, creeks, and canals.

To sight river dolphins, a boat cruise is an ideal and only option, as you traverse tall and tangling mangrove forest you may even spot a few beautiful species dwelling on the bank of the river. For dolphin sighting, the cruise will take you further out in the open river where the aquatic species dance and offer you an entertaining show.

Bird watchers Paradise – Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary

One of the best places to visit around Sundarban Tiger Reserve for birdwatching, Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary is a haven for exotic feathered species and of course, the watchers. You can come here and be lost amidst the lush greenery and the beauty of the confluence of Malta and Gumdi Rivers.

You can also visit the Sajnekhali watchtower for better chances to spot wild species. In Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, you may get to have a close encounter with bird species such as Caspian Tern, Osprey Herring Gull, Spotted Billed Pelican, Open Billed Stork, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher and also the rare winter bird, Asian Dowitchers.

One of a Kind Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project

Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, on the other hand, is a hatchery ground for saltwater crocodiles, located adjacent to the island of Lothian; it is a widely visited tourist attraction in Sundarbans. Surrounded by littoral mangrove, peaceful ambience and natural beauty, this crocodile project area is worth your time. A day spent here can help you explore and even make you learn a lot, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project is the sole crocodile project in the whole of West Bengal and it can be easily accessed via Sajnekhali jetty.

Be a Part of the Gangasagar Mela in Sagar Island of Sundarban

A devotional affair that is held annually on the island of Sagar in Sundarban is Gangasagar Mela. Perhaps, Travelling to Sundarban National Park during the winter months of January (14 -15) get you a chance to be a part of this spiritual fair. This auspicious gathering invites a mélange of devotees from across the globe who come to West Bengal state to drown their sins in the holy River Ganga. So, to say, this religious festival of Gangasagar is the second largest fair in India after Kumbh Mela.It is one of the best ways to enjoy the best of Sundarban Tourism.

Note: A sight not to miss is an auspicious day of Makar Sankranti (the last day of the fair). During this day you get to witness a ritual where a large crowd of pilgrims takes bath/dip their body in holy water, Ganga.

Guide the New Hatchlings of Olive Ridley Turtles into the Sea in Kanak Island

A beautiful sight you get to see during your trip to Sundarban is perhaps located a few islands further in Kanak Island. A visit here can make you appreciate wildlife even more as you help the new hatchlings of the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles into the sea. Turtle spotting is one of the best things to do here. These turtle species are believed to come 100 kilometers off the seashore just to lay their eggs in the moist sandy beach and the nesting period lasts from the months of December to March. You can plan a whole day trip to Kanak Island and enjoy the beach and the charming island of Sundarban National Park.

Observe the Flora and Fauna from Various Watchtowers of Sundarban

Not many species are visible from the boat tours the national park houses, so, in order to make your visit worthwhile, there are many watchtowers built in different islands of Sundarban. With Dobanki, Sajnekhali, and Sudhanyakhali located at a convenient distance, you will definitely find a crowd here, unfortunately making it hard to get a chance to spot animals through your binoculars without bumping with others.

However, there are other watchtowers that are less visited, on a positive note, you may get to spot rare species since there won’t be less interference from the howling visitors. Despite being located at a distance, a full day outing might just be worth-it, visiting some watchtower tourist hotspots like Burir Dabri located on the border of Bangladesh and Netidhopani, from where you get to see a 400-year-old temple as these are some of the best tourist destinations to visit nearby Sundarban.

• Best Places for Wildlife Safari in India
• Best Destinations for Family Vacation in North East India

A rendezvous with the wild in Sundarbans will certainly spellbind you. Take this scenario, for instance, even if you have planned a one-day tour, you may consider staying back at least a few days. Trust me, this popular wildlife place has so much to offer, you may have to redo your entire itinerary. And perhaps planning a rejuvenating weekend trip or a family vacation with kids to Sundarban National Park would only do justice to your holiday. It is indeed a beautiful place to fulfill your wildlife quest.

So, what have you thought about your next wildlife adventure tour? If you consider Sundarbans and need help in assisting your trip, call us at +91-9212777223 or send us your queries at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Other Important Wildlife Tourism Resources

• Popular National Parks of India
• Popular Wildlife Tour Packages
• Wildlife Conservation: Reasons Why We Need to Save Wildlife

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. how to book a sundarban boat tour.

For bookings of Sundarban Boat Tour you can contact TourMyIndia for all the necessary arrangements of transportation, guide and finest hotels for your comfort and blissful vacation. You can book your tour from the official portal. If you are an Indian citizen, you need valid ID Proof, Aadhar Card or any other document like driving license, voter ID card etc. If you are a foreigner you need to give the complete details of your passport.

Q. How many days are enough to cover Sundarbans?

3-4 days are absolutely enough to cover Sundarbans. You will have enough time for sightseeing along with a great wildlife experience.

Q. What are the top places to see in Sundarbans?

Top places to see in Sundarbans are –

• Bhagabatpur Crocodile Breeding Center
• Netidhopani
• Sajnekhali Watch Tower
• Burirdabri Camp
• Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kalash Island

Q. Can we see Sharks in Sundarbans?

Yes, you will be able to witness Six species of Sharks in Sundarbans.

Q. What are the covid Guidelines to follow for Sundarban Tourism?

• You must have a Fully vaccinated covid certificate.
• You must maintain a proper social distance and always carry a mask and a sanitizer.
• You need to book your hotel and permit online in advance.

Published: 14 Oct, 2021

About the author

Abhishek Gurung

Abhishek Gurung is a writer whose passion for food and travel is an unending affair. He likes going on treks and camping in the woods, loves exploring forts and architecture, he is a cycle enthusiast who likes to contribute something to the environment, travel photography and videography is another interest as he sees life in a cinematic point of view. He likes the idea of living in offbeat destination where the mode of communication is to interact with each other. Coming from Nagaland, he has visited some beautiful valleys and remote villages and appreciates nature as it is and as it should be.

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Breathedreamgo

The transformational travel guide

Guide to the amazing Sunderbans of India

THE SUNDERBANS IS A region that crosses India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It’s a massive mangrove forest, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and known for a wide range of fauna such as the Royal Bengal tiger , Ganges River dolphin, estuarine crocodile, and many more rare and endangered species. The Sunderbans is on the Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world. Numerous rivers feed into it, including the mighty Ganga (Ganges), Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The delta created by these rivers is a vast and diverse marine ecosystem that includes the Sundarbans.

Overall, the Sunderbans and the Bay of Bengal is a region rich in biological diversity. In the north-eastern part of the Indian Ocean, it’s home to fascinating coral reefs, estuaries, and a wide variety of wildlife and birds. It’s also home to millions of people – with a unique culture influenced by the wetlands, waterways, shifting islands, extreme weather, and other unique features of this region. The coastal regions along the Bay of Bengal feature multiple sites of historical and religious significance, as well as old sea ports.

Among the Bay of Bengal’s most interesting natural phenomena are the monsoon-laden winds that make some parts of the Indian sub-continent among the wettest places on earth.

Table of Contents

A journey to the Sunderbans

When I was in Kolkata for Durga Puja , I had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Sunderbans. It’s only a two-three hours’ drive from Kolkata to Sunderbans National Park. After driving through many small towns and villages on the way, we reached Gothkhali Jetty where we took a two-hour boat ride to Sunderban Tiger Camp .

Sunderban Tiger Camp is a small resort on the banks of the Dattwa River, literally immersed in the natural environment of the Sunderbans. You don’t even need to leave the grounds to experience the local flora and fauna. Accommodation is in separate cottages or rooms in a newer building. The room was comfortable, otherwise it’s a simple resort, suited to families and nature lovers.

Each day I stayed at Sunderban Tiger Camp, we went out by boat into the national park, slowly plying the waterways, looking for animals along the banks, birds in the sky, and marine creatures such as crocodiles. I was accompanied by a local guide and the boat crew. At certain points, where there’s a ranger station, the boat docked and we walked along a boardwalk to a watch tower, to see a bit of the interior.

Naturally, everyone was hoping to see the Bengal Tiger , however, sightings are very rare. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see such a unique landscape, where water is the predominant feature, and mangrove forests go on for as far as the eye can see. The dense foliage makes it difficult to see past the mangrove roots, from the boat. We rarely saw more than a thin strip of land, and animal sightings were rare: mostly crocodiles and deer.

Occasionally, we saw local people and fishermen out on the waterways of the Sunderbans, and invariably they were travelling in very small boats, much smaller than the tourist boats. The Sunderbans is known for large Bengal tigers that can swim long distance, and large saltwater crocodiles — and, unfortunately, frequent attacks on humans, many of them fatal. I could not help but feel concerned for their safety, whenever I saw them. I was aware we were probably at some risk, too, but very low compared to the fishermen and local people.

Nevertheless, the real joy of the Sunderbans is just being there . It’s a unique landscape and culture, a biodiversity hotspot, and unlike almost anywhere else on earth. The boat safari, aboard a vintage wooden boat, is a leisurely way to see the park. There’s nothing to do but relax and watch the scenery go by. And drink tea! They serve tea aboard, and it’s a lovely touch. Sunderban Tiger Camp also sent along a packed lunch.

I highly recommend reading up on the Sunderbans before visiting. There are several good histories and guide books such as Forest of Tides and The Mystic Mangroves, and for fiction I recommend The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh. Below is some background information about the wildlife and culture of the region compiled by myself and Shubham Mansingka of TravelShoeBum .

Sunderbans and Bay of Bengal Cultures

India’s cultural riches can be intoxicating, often overwhelming to visitors, and it is no different for the states on the coast of Bay of Bengal. With history stretching back millennia, and traditional cultures living in the same time-honoured way, the Bay of Bengal region is a dazzling cornucopia and the home of numerous UNESCO World Heritage monuments and sites.

In Puri, on the coastline of Odisha, the sacred Lord Jagannath temple famous for the annual Rath Yatra is a sight to behold. In fact, the word juggernaut comes from the force of the huge chariots that are paraded through town during this festival. Odisha is also home to the Konark Sun Temple , which represents the sun god’s chariot. It’s a 13th century architectural marvel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the treasures of India.

Among the many superb sites on the Bay of Bengal coast are the UNESCO listed Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu – which date from the 7 th and 8 th centuries – wondrous caves of the Jain religion, the mystical and ancient monasteries of Buddhism, and pre-historic paintings.

The Bay of Bengal region has a multifaceted cultural heritage , with its ancient mix of animist, Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic religions. Bangladesh, which was part of India before independence and the partition of the country in 1947, is the newest country on the bay. It’s a heady amalgamation of beaches, ruins, bazaars, boat rides, wildlife, and colourful festivals.

The villages of Bangladesh maintain a traditional culture, and produce folk art, that has survived for hundreds of years. On the remote islands of Bangladesh, you can find both traditional fishing villages and indigenous tribal cultures that make you feel you have stepped back in time. Here you can see locals extracting sea salt by traditional methods and experience a floating rice market.

Some of the fascinating towns of Bangladesh include Cox’s Bazaar, with the world’s longest beach, stretching more than 100 kilometres, and Bagerhat, at the meeting point of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. This ancient town was founded in the 15th century and is known as the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat , and recognized by UNESCO for the exceptional number of mosques and early Islamic monuments.

The landscape of Myanmar is dotted with pagodas, including the oldest pagoda in the world. Myanmar was formerly called Burma, and it has long been home to ethnic and religious diversity. While the majority of the population is Buddhist, the country is also home to Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. Among fascinating cultural delights, Bagan showcases a colossal complex of thousand-year-old temples, and one can canoe through the still waters of Inle Lake to see locals fish in a unique way.

The capital of Myanmar was shifted to Naypyitaw in 2005, but the former capital, Yangon, remains the cultural and commercial heart of the country. Among Yangon’s heritage sites are numerous British era churches and the tomb of the last Mughal emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Wildlife in Asia 

This post is part of a series on Breathedreamgo about Wildlife in Asia that seeks to highlight rare, unique, endangered, and/or fascinating animals in Asia. The series includes:

• How to see wild tigers in India
• Guide to the animals of India
• Going on a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka
• Meet The Komodo Dragon

Bay of Bengal and Sundarbans Wildlife

The Bay of Bengal region in India is host to a variety of ecosystems with a dense concentration of wildlife and birds. Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha is a unique habitat of mangrove forests, interspersed with numerous creeks and mudflats. The Bay of Bengal region including Sundarbans is the largest mangrove ecosystem in India and has more than 60 species of mangroves.

The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha is a hot-spot of biodiversity. It is home to a large population of giant salt water crocodiles and the world’s largest, and most important, nesting ground for the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. Numerous wetlands are scattered throughout the sanctuary and they serve as feeding grounds for more than 50,000 migratory birds during the winters.

Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve lies in West Bengal, in the Sundarbans delta, the largest mangrove forest in the world. This is the kingdom of the Royal Bengal tiger and home to many other wildlife species, such as the Indian grey mongoose, leopards, Olive Ridley sea turtles, wild boar, jungle cat, flying fox, chital deer, pangolin, and many more animals of India .

Bangladesh’s landscape on the Bay of Bengal ranges from marshy deltaic forest and wetlands to glistening rice paddies and forested nature reserves to rolling hills full of misty tea gardens. For a small country, Bangladesh has more than 700 rivers, 17 national parks, numerous offshore islands, and one coral reef. Bangladesh is one of the 10 countries most affected by global warming and is extremely vulnerable to a rise in sea level.

Bangladesh shares the Sundarbans with India. On the Bangladesh side, Sundarbans Reserve Forest is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s a magnificent area of scenic beauty, natural resources, rich biodiversity, and a breeding ground for numerous endangered species.

The Teknaf Game Reserve near Cox’s Bazaar protects some of Bangladesh’s few remaining wild elephants, and other rare wildlife such as the hoolock gibbon and Ganges River dolphin. A significant number of the country’s bird species can also be sighted here and a highlight of the reserve is the Kudum Cave, also known as the bat cave.

Myanmar’s Bay of Bengal coast is a long stretch of palm-fringed, white-sand beaches. The country is home to a wide variety of ecosystems including rain forests, wetlands, coastal, and marine ecosystems. The entire country is rich in resources and enjoys a great diversity of flora and fauna.

The many rivers that flow through Myanmar are surrounded by mangroves, swamp forest, lakes, and marshes that provide a natural habitat for a large variety of marine and animal species. There are more than 20 national parks and wildlife reserves spread across Myanmar and quite a few of them lie in the Bay of Bengal region. Among the wildlife found in Myanmar are tigers, clouded leopards, Asiatic black bears, gibbons, and barking deer.

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Ultimate Sundarban Tour Guide: Must know

This Sundarban tour guide will be sufficient for you to know everything about Sundarbans such as how to reach Sundarbans. What’s the Best time to visit ? what are the best accommodation places to stay? what all entry permits are required? which is the best tour operator for Sundarbans? and many more things.

Sundarbans is located in the southern part of Bangladesh ( 60% area ) and in the West Bengal state of India ( 40% area ). It is the largest mangrove forest (trees which grow in salt water generally) in the world and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal tiger. If you’re planning the ultimate Sundarban tour, here’s everything you need to know:

How to reach sundarbans

• The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (India).
• Sundarbans is located at a distance of 87 Km from Kolkata airport.
• from here you can easily rent a taxi or tempo traveller to Godkhali and then a boat to Sundarbans.
• The nearest railway station is Canning (India).
• Canning is a small station and is not properly connected with major stations such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
• From Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore you can take a train to either Howrah (HWH) or Sealdah (SDAH).
• From Sealdah you can take a local train to Canning.
• or you can a hire taxi / Tempo Traveller to Godkhali and then a boat to Sundarbans.
• You can hire a car or take a bus from Kolkata to reach Godkhali, and then a boat to the Sundarbans.

You can check the prices for taxis and tempo travelers here.

Best Time to Visit Sundarbans

The best time to visit Sundarbans is from September to March end.

The temperature is comfortable at that tim e not too hot and also there is no monsoon in these months. 

Popular Activites in Sundarbans

Boat jungle safari:.

Sundarbans has a boat jungle safari. you can book a boat as per your choice.

Bird Watching

Sundarbans have 50+ different bird species. a tip for all travelers to carry your binoculars for the Sundarbans tour.

Tiger Tracking

Why do you visit Sundarban? if i ask 100 travelers then 100% will say to spot the giant royal Bengal tiger. Tiger tracking is very famous and as of now, Sundarban has 500+ tigers.

Village Walks

Village walk is the best part of Sundarban where you visit the local village and know more about the place, their culture and tradition.

Top Places to visit

Sajnekhali Watch Tower

Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower

Dobanki Watch Tower

Packaging list Sundarbans

• Don’t forget to carry basic medicines for headache, pain, first-aid, vomiting, stomach ache, etc, and also carry your medicine as there are very few to no medical shops.
• Carry identification documents such as the Aadhar card of each member including kids. 
• Wear comfortable shoes and avoid sleepers. Ladies should also wear shoes.
• Carry only important luggage items . The luggage bag should be lightweight.
• Don’t forget binoculars for bird watching.
• Carry the sunscreen with an SPF of 40+ and also carry shades.

Sundarban trip cost

Sundarbans trip cost will be around 3000 INR for the year 2024. if you want to know full details for Sundarbans trip cost then click here .

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Sundarban Lokenath Travels

Sundarban tour package.

Since 2005, our professional guide has served our customers with utmost attention to preserve the Sundarban Tour in your memory. Our guests are always pleased with our dedication to them and that we provide them with such a comfortable and fun Sundarban Tour at such a low cost. To everybody, our Sundarban Travel package is the greatest. Forever, our clients say we are the best West Bengal Tourism. We’re working on a Sundarban Tour Package itinerary to give you the most bang for your buck. We’ve created a variety of Sundarban tour packages to make your trip unforgettable. Before going on a Sundarban tour, you should receive a general overview of the Sundarban. We are the type of Sundarbans tour and travel company that can organize a journey to the Sundarbans for our guests from Kolkata and Caning. Follow our Sundarbans packages for more information. You can also create your custom Sundarban Trip .

1 Day Sundarban Tour

Sundarban Tour 1 Night 2 Days

Sundarban Tour 3 Days 2 Night

Sundarban Hilsa Festival

Hilsa Festival is the most popular festival of Sundarban. Huge number of people gather at Sundarban to join this festival. We arrange pocket friendly packages with best services. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and lets go. “Maacher – Raja” Illish is an emotion of bong soul. Bengali culture is incomplete without hilsa. Its taste and flavor leaves you speechless. After eating different delicious hilsa dishes you must feel heavenly.

Why choose us

Sundarban Lokenath Travels a locally owned and operated Sundarban tourist agency . We take reservations and give the best pricing possible without using an intermediary. Any Sundarban tour operator in Kolkata would be unable to provide the services we provide in this price range. Food is not an additional cost; it is included in your book’s Sundarban package . Furthermore, the food is cooked in a sanitary manner. Our clients have access to local tour operators who are knowledgeable about all Sundarban Tourism attractions. We offer pick-up and drop-off services in Kolkata and Canning. Our guests can stay in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. We prefer to provide our customers with good local meals. if you want any extra service then feel free to contact us at Sundarban Lokenath Travels

Diverse packages

Choose the packages that best suit your needs

Sundarban Touristic

Our rates ensure a cost-effective journey.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

In 2005, the journey of satisfying and caring for customers began. Our clients’ affection inspired us to grow our tour and travel business in the Sundarban, making it a far more enjoyable experience for our visitors. Traveling through the Sundarban with us is a fantastic experience.

What can I do to make a Sundarbans tour more enjoyable?

A Sundarban Tour can be done in a variety of ways. To begin, you should establish a starting point. If you are from another city or state, I believe KOLKATA is the best spot to keep as a base. Kolkata can be reached by plane, train, or bus. For a hassle-free Sundarban tour , consider our Sundarban Tour Package.

Tourism With Sundarban Lokenath Trvels

Take a local tour and have fun:-, taking a boat ride:, forest trip:, atm accessibility:, riding of boat:-, royal bengal tiger., click here to get other some important information.

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7 Top Sundarban Tour Operators and Packages

There are many Sundarban tour operators that offer different types of package tours to the Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal. Most are predefined group tours with fixed itineraries and can either be day tours, overnight, or multiple nights with set accommodations included. You will be picked up from Kolkata and dropped back there and can either stay aboard a boat or on land. Hotels and resorts also provide their guests with tour packages.

Help Tourism Sundarbans Jungle Camp

Help Tourism specializes in purposeful, eco-friendly travel to natural areas in east and northeast India. The organization has its own "resort", the Sundarbans Jungle Camp on Bali Island, and boats for river cruises. The resort was built in partnership with locals to provide them with a livelihood and reduce tiger-human conflict. Its six comfortable, ethnic thatched cottages with modern attached bathrooms are located on the banks of the Bidya river. Locals are all employed in the running of the resort and as guides.

Tour packages of various lengths from two to four nights are available. Expect to pay around 40,000 rupees for a private three-day package for two people. This includes transport from Kolkata, accommodations, all meals, boat cruises, naturalist and local guide, park entrance fees, village experience, and country boat ride. Special birding tours are also possible. Bookings can be made through the Help Tourism website, although unfortunately, it's not very ​user-friendly.

Tour de Sundarban

Tour de Sundarban (also known as Backpackers) has its own exclusive purpose-built accommodations and boats as well. The solar-powered Eco Village, located on Satjelia island, has 20 mud cottages with attached western bathrooms, hammocks, and a community center for travelers to hang out in. The company was founded by three "brothers" (they are actually an uncle, nephew, and cousin), who were so inspired by a visit to the Sundarbans that they decided to start taking other people on trips there.

Their tours are most suited to energetic, adventurous and sociable people, who are not looking for luxuries—but rather a village feel, fun ambiance, and value for money. The accommodations are rustic and local transport, including ferries and rickshaws, is used (which is all part of having an authentic experience).

Two and three-day packages are offered, as well as day tours. Their rates include transport, accommodation, Bengali food, permits, boat safari, village walk, and evening performances from local musicians. Expect to pay 5,500 rupees per person for two night, three days. There is an option to spend one night on the boat. Tours are usually limited to 15 people. One-day tours are possible for groups of four or more. The cost is 3,000 rupees per person.

Sundarban Chalo

Sundarban Chalo is another tour company, run by a group of four brothers, that provides budget backpacker-style tours to the Sundarbans. The tours are similar to those offered by Tour de Sundarban. The main difference is the accommodations, which are non-exclusive. Guests stay in basic cottages at a "resort" in Pakhiralay on Gosaba Island, near where the main market is. Again, don't expect luxuries or resort-style facilities. The tour includes a sunset at the Sundarban Bird Jungle, local village walk, and visits to Hamilton Bungalow and Rabindranath Tagore Bungalow. Sundarban Chalo also operates a day tour from Kolkata. The price for group tours ranges from 2,800 rupees per person for one day, increasing to 5,300 to 6,800 rupees per person for three days. The company conducts the tours using its own boat, built in 2015.

Sundarban Eco Tourism

Based in Gosaba, at the entrance to Sundarbans National Park, Sundarban Eco Tourism is popular with domestic Indian tourists. The company has been in business since 2015 and offers reasonably priced tour packages ranging from one to three days. The tours depart from Kolkata, and guests can opt to travel either by train (the cheapest way) or car. Expect to pay 2,600 rupees per person for a one-day package by car. A three-day package by car costs 5,000-7,000 rupees per person, depending on the number of jungle safaris. Accommodations are provided in decent budget hotels in Pakhiralay.

Sundarban Houseboat

Inside Sundarban Houseboat

If you'd prefer to stay on a boat rather than on land, and you're looking for a private and personalized tour experience with a touch of luxury, check out Sundarban Houseboat. The unique boat has been specially designed and renovated to provide ​inviting classy hotel-style accommodations. You won't need to sacrifice comfort to stay on this boat. There are three bedrooms, all with attached western bathrooms, that can accommodate groups of 14 to 25 people in total. Facilities include air conditioning, flat screen TVs in all rooms, living and dining room with sofas, kitchen with gourmet chef, sun deck with loungers, library, games, and movies.

Packages are available for a duration of one to four nights (or more, on request!), visiting various watchtowers, islands, and villages. The boat can be hired exclusively, or on a per room basis. Rates vary according to guest requirements. Book as far in advance as possible because it is popular!

Vivada Sundarban Cruises

Another option for a luxury Sundarban cruise is aboard Vivada's M.V. Paramhamsa. This huge cruiser has four decks with 16 state cabins of 165 square feet and, 10 state cabins of 135 sqaure feet, as well as a sun deck, bar, restaurant, coffee shop, and massage parlor with steam and sauna room. The boat sails to the Sundarbans weekly from Kolkata, with three-night packages available. Day trips and excursions along creeks are organized in a smaller vessel, and there are numerous opportunities for village visits. Cultural programs also take place in the evenings on the boat's sundeck. Rates start from around 50,000 rupees per person for three nights.

West Bengal Tourism

Sharell Cook

Government-owned West Bengal Tourism operates popular one-night and two-night budget cruise packages to the Sundarbans, staying aboard their boats. The organization has two large cruisers, Sarbajaya (the better of the two) and Chitralekha. The one-night tour package includes visits to Sudhanyakhali, Sajnekhali, and Dobanki watchtowers. The two-night package includes an additional visit to Jhingakhali watchtower.

What you need to keep in mind when booking these tours is that the boats can not travel through the more narrow waterways due to their large size. Being restricted to wide waterways means less chance of wildlife sightings. Plus, these are group tours with up to 50 people. Expect to pay around 6,500 rupees per person for two nights.

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Sundarban tour in bangladesh from mongla. wildlife tour - not a typical picnic party. private & small groups., 3 days   $560* us, sundarban tour bangladesh (wildlife tour—not a typical picnic party).

Experience an unforgettable Sundarban tour in Bangladesh from Mongla, home to the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on a 3-day exploration aboard our small houseboat. Departing from Mongla, the gateway to the forest, our small-group tours accommodate a maximum of 6 travelers only – unlike the picnic parties of the traditional operators from Khulna on large boats with 40-70 people, wasting a full day in a round-trip to reach the forest and back. Get an authentic experience of Sundarban and a chance to see Bengal tigers, spotted deer, river dolphins, wild boars, clawless otters, salt-water crocodiles, and many other species of birds and wildlife.

Our Sundarban tour in Bangladesh will take you on an exclusive 3-day tour on a small boat to experience the Sundarban Mangrove Forest for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We offer private and small group Sundarban tour from Mongla which is wildlife-focused and strictly maintain safety and food hygiene.

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and one of the wildest, least-known environments in southern Asia. Located in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal, the Sundarban extends over 10,000 sq km. Two-thirds of the Sundarban is located in Bangladesh, and the rest is in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated a wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Sundarbans is the home of 104 Royal Bengal Tigers, 30,000 spotted deer, 35 species of reptiles (including giant cobras and pythons and eight species of amphibians), 300 species of birds, 120 species of fish, 42 species of mammals, numerous river dolphins, wild boars, claw-less otters, monkeys, and salt-water crocodiles together with many other species of wildlife. Hundreds of rivers, creeks, and canals are the veins of the forest, making it a pristine environment.

Sunrise in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. © Photo Credit: Tina Manley.

Our Sundarban tour in Bangladesh from Mongla will take you deep inside the forest on a small houseboat to experience this magical environment for three whole days. Unlike other tour operators in Bangladesh, we organize this tour with a maximum of 6 participants and take our guests through some exclusive parts of the forest from Mongla, where the traditional operators with their larger vessels can not go because of the shallowness of the canals. It ensures maximum wildlife spotting opportunities for our guests and provides an exclusive experience away from the regular tourists in the forest.

This tour starts and ends at Mongla, located on the forest’s edge (240 km from Dhaka, 53 km from Khulna). You can book our longer Sundarban tour packages for the convenience of commencing and finishing in Dhaka; all of them offer a superior experience.

Tour Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the captivating Sundarban, the largest mangrove forest on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during an extensive three-day exploration.
• Spend your nights on a small houseboat, anchoring in different locations within the Sundarban, ensuring a truly immersive experience.
• Navigate the intricate network of creeks and channels within the Sundarban aboard a traditional wooden rowing boat, maximizing your chances of spotting wildlife during the magical early mornings and evenings.
• Embark on a guided forest trail, accompanied by armed forest rangers, to delve deeper into the heart of the Sundarbans’ lush vegetation and spot more birds and wildlife.
• Visit a dolphin sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Ganges and Irrawaddy Dolphin species, offering a rare opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
• Indulge in the pristine beauty of the Sundarbans’ finest beach, a secluded gem deep within the forest where you can relax and rejuvenate away from the crowds.
• Visit a fishing village in Sundarban and experience how they live struggling with natural disasters.
• Explore a crocodile and turtle breeding center, where you can observe these fascinating reptiles up close and learn about the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them.

A map of the 3-day Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh from Mongla by small boat with Nijhoom Tours.

Itinerary of Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh

Contact us for the Detailed Itinerary

Price of Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh

• 6 Pax Gruop: $560 US Per Person
• 2-5 Pax Group: Please contact us for the price
• 7-16 Pax Group on a Medium Boat: Please contact us for a discounted price
• Private Tour: Please contact us for the price

Inclusions and Exclusions

Sundarban tour in bangladesh includes:.

• Accommodation on the boat in a sleeping cabin on a twin-sharing basis.
• $115 US per person forest permit fee.
• All meals, drinking water, tea, and coffee while on the boat at Sundarban for three days.
• An English-speaking guide.
• All tips other than our guide and boat crew.

Does not include:

• Any food or drinks other than those mentioned above.
• $25 US fee for video camera in Sundarban (if any).
• Any personal item.

Departures and Availability

Contact us for the Latest Schedule

Why Sundarban Tour with Nijhoom Tours

How is your sundarban tour in bangladesh different than the others.

★ Wildlife Tour: Unlike the traditional cheap picnic parties in Sundarban, ours are wildlife tours . Spotting as much wildlife as possible is our primary focus. We take our clients to places deep inside Sundarban where there will be higher chances to spot wildlife. ★ Small Boats: We use small boats with shallow drafts to go to small channels where bigger ships can not go and can see more wildlife. ★ Silent Boat Trips: Unlike others, we use silent wooden rowing boats without engines to explore the small creeks and channels so we do not scare off the animals. You'll see more birds and animals on our boat trips on the creeks and channels. ★ Safety: The safety of our clients is always our priority. Unlike everyone else, we always use life jackets during boat rides on the small creeks and channels to protect our clients. ★ Food Hygiene: We strictly maintain food hygiene on our boat, about which very few people in Bangladesh have any idea. So unlike others, foreigners getting sick from food is rare on our boat. ★ Cleanliness: Although we use a basic boat, we keep it clean and provide clean bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, and comfortable beds and pillows. ★ Knowledgeable Guides: We provide knowledgeable guides on our tours, who will be able to tell you about the wildlife and the forest. ★ Numerous Positive Reviews: Unlike others, we have numerous positive reviews of our Sundarban Tours on TripAdvisor from our past clients who've had a pleasant and memorable experience of the forest with us. You'll have a great experience on our tour too!

Why book Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh with Nijhoom Tours?

★ Great Experience: You’ll have a great experience on our Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh, as we are a multi-award-winning local tour operator in Bangladesh with vast local knowledge and the highest quality. We have the highest number of reviews in Bangladesh on TripAdvisor (375+ reviews) from our clients with an average rating of 5 on 5. We’ve been featured in the International Travel News Magazine multiple times, published in California, USA. ★ Support a Local Business: By directly booking with us instead of the giant foreign online platforms like Viator, ToursByLocals, GetYourGuide, TourRadar, Expedia, Kayak, or many others like them dominating the industry with huge marketing budgets, that only sell other local companies' tours and charge them a hefty commission, you are also supporting a local small business instead of a big foreign corporation. ★ Scheduled Tours: We have scheduled tours year-round. You can join any of them and reduce your cost. ★ Fast Communication: We reply fast. Communication with us will be a breeze. ★ Smooth Payment: Making payments with us will be swift for our Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh. We offer multiple payment options with credit cards and bank transfers. You can pay us in major local currencies online and avoid paying any charges for making cross-border payments for our tours. ★ Comfortable Car: We'll provide a decent, comfortable, clean car with air-conditioning. ★ Safe Driver: We'll provide a safe driver who will drive you safely in a country where everyone drives like crazy. ★ On-Time Pick-up: We'll not be late to pick you up and give excuses for traffic. ★ No Nuicense: We will not annoy you by taking a few dozen selfies with you on the tour and posting them directly on social media.

How is your [ls_content_block getvar="vartour"] different than the others?

• Unlike the traditional cheap picnic parties in Sundarbans, ours are wildlife tours . Spotting as much wildlife as possible is our primary focus. We take our clients to places deep inside Sundarbans where there will be higher chances to spot wildlife.
• We use small boats with shallow drafts to go to small channels where bigger ships can not go and can see more wildlife.
• Unlike others, we use silent wooden rowing boats without engines to explore the small creeks and channels so we do not scare off the animals.
• The safety of our clients is always our priority. Unlike everyone else, we always use life vests on the channels during boat rides to protect our clients.
• We strictly maintain food hygiene on our boat, about which very few people in Bangladesh have any idea. So unlike others, foreigners getting sick from food is rare on our boat.
• Although we use a basic boat, we keep it clean and provide clean bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, and comfortable beds and pillows .
• We provide knowledgeable guides on our tours, who will be able to tell you about the wildlife and the forest.
• Unlike others, we have numerous positive reviews of our Sundarbans Tours on TripAdvisor from our past clients who've had a great experience of the forest with us.

Why book [ls_content_block getvar="vartour"] with Nijhoom Tours?

• Because you’ll have a great experience on our Sundarbans Tours, as we are a multi-award-winning local tour operator in Bangladesh with vast local knowledge and the highest quality.
• We have the highest number of reviews in Bangladesh on TripAdvisor (370+ reviews) from our clients with an average rating of 5 on 5.
• We’ve been featured in International Travel News Magazine multiple times, published in California, USA.
• Communication with us will be a breeze. Making payment will be swift for our Sundarbans Tours.
• We'll provide a decent, comfortable, clean car with air-conditioning and a safe driver , and be careful about your safety on the tour.
• We'll not be late to pick you up and give excuses of traffic. Nor will we annoy you by taking a few dozen selfies with you on the tour and posting them directly on social media.
• By directly booking with us instead of the OTA platforms that sell other companies’ tours and charge them a hefty commission, you are also supporting a local small business instead of the big foreign corporations.

Silent cruise with a rowing boat on a Channel with proper safety with Nijhoom Tours. © Photo Credit: Nijhoom Tours.

Experiences of Sundarban Tours with us

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Special thanks to the cook who prepared vegan meals for us

Both places are magical – Bagerhat and the Sundarbans

Had a small boat without engine in order not to scare off animals

Perfect organization in a disorganized country

We were not expecting to fall in love with Bangladesh

We had the boat in the Sundarbans to ourselves

Sundarbans was such a serene experience

We loved every minute on the boat in Sundarbans

Wonderful experience for anyone wanting to do something different

We saw a lot of wildlife on the small boat rides

Put Bangladesh on your must see list

Must see Sundarban tour

A Great Bangladesh Tour

Road Less Traveled? Try Bangladesh

Full-On Fantastic!

Rocket and Sundarbans Tour 6 Days

A fantastic experience off the beaten path

Sundarbans Tour with Rocket

Best Decision I Made

Expertly planned and exciting: flawless

Great Sunderban tour

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Sundarban Excursion with Rocket

6 day tour to Bangladesh with Nijhoom Tours

Wonderful country, wonderful people

Six days tour in the Sundurbans

Sundarban tour also included in.

Our Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh is included in most of our holiday packages. You can book one of these packages too to visit Sundarban:

• Highlights of Bangladesh (11 Days)
• Glories of Bangladesh (14 Days)
• Raas Festival Tour (16 Days)
• Best of Bangladesh (18 Days)
• Discover Bangladesh (28 Days)

FAQs on Sundarban Tours

Why sundarban tour in a small group.

• Because your best chance to spot wildlife on a Sundarban tour is when you go on a tour with a very small group. This will increase your chance to spot wildlife many times.
• All the traditional tour operators in Bangladesh run tours in Sundarban on a 40-70 people group. Going on a Sundarban tour with a big group like these, people end up seeing very little or no wildlife at all. We organize only small group tours to give you the best experience of Sundarban for your time and money.

Why Sundarban tour in Bangladesh instead of India?

• 60% of Sundarban is in Bangladesh part which is denser and more diverse with its wildlife, flora, and fauna.
• You visit a wild forest in Bangladesh, not a national park. Everything you see in Bangladesh part of Sundarban is wild.
• You spend the full three days inside the forest while doing the Sundarban tour with us in Bangladesh. You can spend just one day inside the forest while doing a Sundarban tour from India.
• On a Sundarban tour in India, you stay at a hut in a village outside the forest. In Bangladesh, you stay on our comfortable houseboat with a Western-style toilet deep inside the forest, anchoring in different places every day. There will be armed forest rangers on board for security.
• In India, you visit the forest with an engine boat starting from the village. In Bangladesh, we'll take you to explore the creeks and channels deep inside the forest with a noiseless wooden rowboat. You float on the channels quietly in the tranquil environment and get the best chance to spot wildlife while they do not flee hearing the disturbing noise of the engine.
• Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh with us offers more activities, e.g. walking deep inside the forest, spending time on a beautiful sandy beach at the Bay of Bengal inside the forest while you hardly see any people, watching wildlife from an observation tower overlooking a freshwater pond where animals come to drink, explore creeks and channels with noiseless row-boat to increase your chance to spot wildlife, visit wildlife sanctuaries, and many more.

Why to start Sundarban tour from Mongla instead of Khulna?

• Because you reach the forest within 15 minutes of starting from Mongla. If you start from Khulna, half of your day is wasted just to reach the forest and another half day to come back. All the traditional tour operators in Bangladesh run their tours from Khulna, while we run our Sundarban Tour in Bangladesh from Mongla.

Why doing a day tour in Sundarban is a complete NO?

• Never do a day tour of Sundarban! You might want to quickly sample Sundarban to save time and money, but it will be a full waste of your time and money as you will end up visiting just an Eco Park and a zoo which will be very disappointing, no matter who you do the tour with! It will be simply a bad taste of the forest. Either do a three days tour or save it for a future trip. There is nothing in between!

More Sundarban Tours in Bangladesh

Bagerhat & Sundarban Tour

Dhaka, Bagerhat & Sundarban

Sundarban Safari

Bangladesh Photography Tour

Classic Bangladesh

Glories of Bangladesh

Raas Festival Tour

Express Bangladesh

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Sundarban Wildlife Tourism - Best Travel Experience at Mangrove Forest.

Explore the Sundarban Tour Package by boat with Delicious Lunch

You might be able to see the Sundarban Royal Bengal Tiger

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