Location of Sundarban :

The Sundarbans is a  mangrove forest area located in the delta region of  Padma, Meghna, and Brahmaputra rivers. It spans across southern Bangladesh and a portion of the eastern part of India, primarily in the state of West Bengal.

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its unique ecosystem and biodiversity, including the famous royal bengal tigers.

Why we can visit Sundarban?

There have many reasons to visit Sundarban ,but now we discuss few of them in this section. The reason of visiting sundarban is given below

• Easy to reach to the destination: If You are planning  for a weekend trip from Kolkata then sundarban is the best choice to fulfill your requirement.
• We can plan Sundarban tour in all seasons: we can plan sundarban tour  in summer, winter and as well as rainy season also.
• Attractive and Unique tourist spots: we can visit different unique tourist spots in sundarban like Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, Do Banki Forest Camp and many more places.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1987, Sundarbans National Park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional biodiversity in both marine and terrestrial environments. Increasing Your Wild Photography Skills: If you are a wildlife  photography lover then this place suites you by it’s natural beauty .
• Witness the beauty of Forest :If you are a nature lover person and you visit the place then you are able to witness the raw beauty of nature.
• Greed of witnessing  the  Glance of Royal Bengal Tigers: If you are bored to see tigers in the zoo and now want to witness the glance of royal bengal tiger in front of your eyes then this place is the correct place for you.

How we can reach Sundarban:

Best Time to visit Sundarban:

Places to visit in Sundarban:

1. Sundarbans National Park

• A core area of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, the park is the prime attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. Here at least 78 varieties of mangroves are found it is  the best place to spot Royal Bengal Tigers, saltwater crocodiles, and various species of birds and reptiles. If you are a wild life photographer then this place is truly a heaven for you.

2. Sajnekhali Watch Tower

• It is one of the most famous watchtowers in this region, offering a panoramic view of the forest. . Birdwatching and photography are the two exciting features of the Sundarban tour. you may watch here different kind of birds  like  Caspian Tern, Osprey Herring Gull, Spotted Billed Pelican, Open Billed Stork, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher, etc.

3. Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower

• Known for frequent tiger sightings, it also offers a chance to see crocodiles  on riverbanks, deer, and various bird and species. There’s a freshwater pond that attracts wildlife.

4. Dobanki Watch Tower

• There are three places to visit here. Firstly, you can visit this  Tower to get a drone view of the place. It’s fantastic! Secondly, you can join the canopy walk. That canopy walk is about a half kilometer extended in length and in terms of height, it’s about 21 feet high from the ground level. The thrill of the scope of walking within the forest core area is thrilling but you must exercise caution.

5. Kalash Island

• The Kalash island  is located in the South 24 Parganas Forest region of Sundarban . it’s known for its untouched natural beauty and is a significant place for birdwatchers. Migratory birds often visit in the island.

6. Piyali Island

• Known as the gateway to the Sundarban tour, this island offers a more peaceful experience, ideal for those looking for serenity. The natural surroundings are stunning, and you can enjoy boat rides through the mangroves.

7. Netidhopani

• This is another great spot for wildlife enthusiasts. The watch tower offers a  capacity of 20 people. The other attraction of this place is the ruins of a 400-year-old temple that pulls visitors for its charm and attraction.

8. Burirdabri

• The watchtower here offers a carrying capacity of 10 people. You can enjoy  a mud walk and  wildlife by watching the mangrove cage trail leading to Raimangal river View Point. You can view a variety of mud scrappers, crabs, snails, and other creatures during the mud walk.

9. Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project

• The crocodile project of Sundarbans is one of the most popular tourist attractions. The place is surrounded by coastal Mangrove, a serene ambiance, and outstanraw natural beauty. The place is near Sajnekhali Jetty and is a beautiful place to spend some time.

A Trip to Sundarban from Kolkata:

Our Sundarban tour itinerary:

Day1: 

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM :- We started our journey from esplanade by ac bus then after three hours and a half drive to Godhkhali end of the road, Breakfast Tea Break on the way.

2:30 PM :- Reaching Hotel, which is located just opposite to the Sundarban Tiger Reserve surrounded by the village, forests, breeze of the river, the place where you can enjoy a peaceful weekend. After taken our bath we enjoyed our meal. The food quality was really good and  it gave us authentic Bengali taste. We tasted different types of sea fishes. it was really good experience towards us.

4:00 PM :-  A short introduction via boat to the Sundarban Bird Jungle with the lovely sunset view which is more attractive  after the ‘sunsets’ we will back to the Hotel at 6 pm.

7:00 PM :- we enjoyed local folk dance followed by  snacks Tea / Coffee.

10 PM :-  Dinner and Night stay at Hotel.

Day2:

8:00 AM :- In the morning we started Sundarban delta Safari through a boat.

8:30 AM :- Start Jungle Safari guided by our  tourist Guide at Sajnekhali Tiger Reserve.

9:30 AM :- We will start our boat Safari through various rivers, Islands & small Creeks covering Pirkhali, Banbibi Varani, Sundarkhali, Khonakhali,  Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower In this Tiger Reserve area for our share of viewing animals like  deer, crocodile, snakes, water monitor lizard, different types of birds and also Royal Bengal Tiger ( if you are lucky).

12:30 PM :- Visit Do-Banki Tiger Reserve Area & Watch Tower. It is  the 896-meter canopy walk at Do Banki gave us an opportunity to view wildlife from a netted enclosure.

1:30 PM :-  We visited  to Panchamukhni 5 River junction.

5:00 PM :- After the enjoyment of  sundarban national park safari we  reached at Pakhiralay.

10:00 PM :- Dinner will be served at Hotel

Day3:

9:30AM:- In the morning having breakfast we go to the local village walk for a couple of hours it was really fantastic, back to the Hotel than to go to visit Hamilton Bungalow & Rabindranath Tagore Bungalow and next transfer by boat and  reached  the Godhkhali  and then borrowed toto  and reached to canning station and by train we back to Kolkata, Lunch will be provided on the way.

4To 5:00 PM :-  Reach Kolkata.

Note: We  planned for 2 night  3 days sundarban package . But  if you want  you can customize your  sundarban trip by 1 night 2 days package and one day  sundarban tour package . There have lots of tour operator who arranged your sundarban trip hassle free.

Sundarban Trip Cost:

The cost of  the Sundarban tour can vary depending upon  several factors, including the duration of the trip, the type of accommodation, the mode of transport, and the services included. Here I give you a general idea of what to expect:

Group Package Tour (2-3Days)

This is the most common option, with organized tours that include transport, accommodation, meals, and guided activities.

• Budget Tour: ₹5,000–₹8,000 per person

• • Inclusions: Basic accommodation (boat stay or simple lodges), meals, transport (by bus or boat), and guided tours.
  • Exclusions: Personal expenses, optional activities (like specialized photography tours), etc.

• Standard Tour: ₹8,000–₹12,000 per person

• • Inclusions: Mid-range accommodation (comfortable lodges or houseboats), meals, transport, and guided tours.
  • Exclusions: Personal expenses, safari permits, tips.

• Luxury Tour: ₹15,000–₹25,000 per person

• • Inclusions: Premium accommodations (luxury lodges or houseboats), meals, transport, guided wildlife tours, cultural programs, and possibly some safari permits.

Boat Fare:

I enjoyed my sundarban tour with a tour operator but if you want to know more about the boat fare then I mentioned all the prices approx in the below section.

1. Shared Boats (Group Tours)

If you are  enjoining a group tour, the boat fare is generally included in the overall package cost. However, if you want a breakdown:

• Day Trip (Shared Boat): ₹500–₹1,000 per person for a basic day trip, which usually lasts 6–8 hours and covers major attractions like Sajnekhali Watchtower, Dobanki, and Sudhanyakhali.
• Multi-Day Trip (Shared Boat): ₹1,500–₹3,000 per person per day, including basic meals and accommodation on the boat or in basic lodges.

2. Private Boats

For a more customized experience, you can hire a private boat. Prices depend on the size of the boat and the level of comfort.

• Small Private Boat (for 4-6 people): ₹5,000–₹10,000 per day.
• Medium Private Boat (for 10-15 people): ₹12,000–₹20,000 per day.
• Luxury Private Houseboat: ₹20,000–₹50,000 per day, offering a more comfortable experience with better amenities like air-conditioned cabins, gourmet meals, and onboard guides.

3. Additional Costs

• Fuel Surcharges: Depending on the distance traveled, some boat operators may add a fuel surcharge.
• Guide Fees: If a guide is not included, hiring a local guide may cost an additional ₹500–₹1,500 per day.

Permission:

1. Sundarban Entry Permit

A general entry permit is required to enter the Sundarbans National Park and the surrounding areas. These permits can be obtained from the Forest Department.

• Cost for Indian Nationals: ₹60-₹100 per person.
• Cost for Foreign Nationals: ₹200-₹300 per person.
• Where to Obtain:
  • Sajnekhali Forest Office
  • Canning (gateway town to the Sundarbans)

2. Boat Permits

In addition to personal entry permits, boat permits are required for all vessels entering the Sundarban Tiger Reserve.

• Cost: ₹400-₹600 per boat (varies depending on the size and type of boat).
• Where to Obtain: These are usually arranged by the boat operators or tour companies, but you may need to pay for it separately if hiring a boat independently.

3. Photography Permits

If you plan on taking cameras for professional photography or wildlife photography, you will need a photography permit.

• Still Camera Permit: ₹50-₹100.
• Video Camera Permit: ₹200-₹500, depending on the type of camera and usage (amateur vs professional).

4. Special Permits for Core Areas

Some areas of the Sundarbans are restricted, and entering core areas may require a special permit. These permits are harder to obtain for general tourists and are usually granted for research, filming, or specific wildlife activities.

• Cost: Varies based on the nature of the activity and duration of the stay in core areas.

5. Timing

The permits are typically issued for a single-day or multi-day duration, and they need to be renewed if the trip extends.

How to Get Permits:

• If you’re traveling with a tour operator, they usually take care of the permit process for you.
• If you’re traveling independently, you need to obtain the permits yourself at the respective Forest Offices (Sajnekhali or Canning), or sometimes directly at the entry points.

Hotels in Sundarban:

In the below section I have suggested few resorts and hotels in sundarban. If You are planning a sundarban tour then you must check this hotels and resorts.

· Banani Resort in Sundarban

·  Sunderbans Mangrove Retreat

·  Sunderbans Tiger Land

·  Sunderbans Tiger Camp

·  Sunderban Tiger Roar

·  Suranjana Holiday Resort

Note:

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Sudip Paul

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