FAQ Sundarbans National Park Know Everything

​What is the best time to visit Sunderbans?


The Sundarbans National Park welcomes visitors all year round, though the peak tourist season spans from September to March. This period offers pleasant weather, ideal for spotting crocodiles sunbathing along the riverbanks. It’s advisable to steer clear of the Christmas and New Year weekends when crowds inundate the rivers, making it noisy and challenging to observe animals. In contrast, summer brings higher chances of animal sightings as they gravitate towards artificial water bodies near the watchtowers.

How can I plan my Sundarban tour? How to visit Sunderban?


Located a hundred kilometers from Kolkata, Sundarbans National Park offers various overnight accommodation options for visitors eager to embark on a boat safari tour. Ideal bases for these adventures include Pakhirala Village, Bali Island, and Dayapur Island, situated opposite the Sajnekhali watchtower. Alternatively, staying at Jharkali, closer to the forest’s core area, provides convenient access to boat tours. Safari rates typically range from INR 5000 to 7000 per day, contingent on the season. Additional charges apply for jungle entry and guide services.


Is Sundarban safe to visit? Is Sundarban safe for tourists?


Sundarbans stands as the largest mangrove forest on Earth, renowned for its unique inhabitants, including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and plentiful crocodiles. Despite their presence, there hasn’t been a single reported instance of tiger or crocodile attacks on tourists. Entry into the forest requires mandatory guides, ensuring visitors’ safety. Concerns about mosquitoes and other insects are minimal, providing a worry-free experience amidst nature’s wonders.

What are the park entry charges to Sundarbans?

For a single-day tour encompassing Sajnekhali, Sudhayakhali, and DoBanki Watch Towers in Sundarbans, the entry charges are as follows: Boat entry to the jungle costs Rs 500 for Indians and Rs 1000 for non-Indians. Entry charges per head are Rs 120 for Indians and Rs 500 for non-Indians. Guide charges are Rs 700 for Indians and Rs 1500 for non-Indians. Similar charges apply for Bonnie Camp and Kalash Island. However, for Nethidhopani Watchtower, situated within the core area, all charges are doubled.

Local villagers serve as guides in Sundarbans, possessing substantial knowledge about the jungle and its inhabitants. While they may lack proficiency in languages other than Bengali, travelers seeking guides fluent in English or Hindi should arrange for one separately.


How can I go to Sundarban from Kolkata?

To reach Sundarbans, travelers have multiple transportation options:

By Train: From Kolkata’s Sealdah Station, take a train to Canning (1 hour journey). From Canning, proceed by road to Godhkhali (1 hour). After crossing the ferry to Gosaba Town (30 minutes), continue the journey by auto van or mechanized rickshaw van for about 45 minutes to Pakhirala Village, offering various accommodation options. Alternatively, from Canning, travelers can take buses, autos, or shared jeeps to Jharkhali, where accommodations are available. Note that these trains are public transport, lacking reservation systems or class compartments, and may become crowded due to regular commuter traffic.

By Road: Two popular routes connect to Sundarbans. One route passes through Baruipur Canning, approximately 100 kilometers from Kolkata, taking about 4 hours due to heavy traffic. The other route, via Basanti Highway, covers a longer distance but offers lighter traffic, resulting in a slightly shorter journey time. If traveling via Godkhali, travelers will be dropped there and can proceed by ferry and land route to Pakhirala. Alternatively, if heading to Jharkhali, travelers can directly drive there.

What is famous in Sundarbans? What is Sundarbans famous for?


The Sundarbans forest harbors numerous rare and globally threatened wildlife species, including the estuarine crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), Gangetic dolphin (Platinista gangetica), and olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Divided into the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division in India, this mangrove forest stands as the sole habitat globally where tigers thrive amidst mangroves.

How can I reach Sundarban from Howrah?

Direct train connections from Howrah to Sundarbans are unavailable. Travelers must instead reach Sealdah Station to access train routes to Sundarbans. Alternatively, road transport is available for traveling to Sundarbans. We provide convenient pickup and drop-off services directly from Howrah Station for travelers opting for road transport.

How can I reach Sajnekhali from Kolkata?


Traveling from Kolkata to Sundarbans involves taking a train from Sealdah Station to Canning, a journey of approximately 1 hour. From Canning, proceed by road to Godhkhali, another 1-hour trip. Upon reaching Godhkhali, cross the ferry to Gosaba Town, which takes around 30 minutes. From Gosaba Town, continue the journey by auto van or mechanized rickshaw van for approximately 45 minutes to reach Pakhirala Village, where various accommodation options are available in resorts and lodges. Sajnekhali Watch Tower and Tiger Camp, located opposite Pakhirala Island, can be accessed by hiring a boat from Tiger More Jetty in Pakhirala Island.

How can I go to Sundarban from Sealdah?


From Sealdah Railway Station in Kolkata, travelers can embark on a journey to Sundarbans via a train to Canning, which takes approximately 1 hour. Upon reaching Canning, continue the journey by road to Godhkhali, another hour’s drive. At Godhkhali, board a ferry to Gosaba Town, a 30-minute voyage. From Gosaba Town, proceed by auto van or mechanized rickshaw van for approximately 45 minutes to reach Pakhirala Village, offering various accommodation options in resorts and lodges.

Alternatively, from Canning, travelers can opt for bus, auto, or shared jeep transportation to Jharkhali, where accommodations are available. It’s important to note that the trains servicing this route are public transports without reservation systems or class compartments. These suburban trains cater to the daily commute of numerous individuals for work and other needs, which can occasionally lead to overcrowding, potentially making the journey unpleasant for tourists.


How can I plan my Sundarban tour?


Explore Sundarban National Park through various options tailored to your preferences. For solo or duo travelers, join our group tours departing every Friday and Saturday for 1-night or 2-night packages. Larger groups of over 5 can customize their tours any day of the week. We also offer day tours from Kolkata, providing a convenient option for those with busy schedules, although it’s a bit hectic. Additionally, luxury tour packages including AC houseboat rides, luxury resort accommodations, photography tours, and adventure excursions are available upon request. Contact us for further details and to schedule your adventure.

How many tigers are in Sundarbans?


The latest estimates from the West Bengal Forest Department indicate a positive trend in tiger numbers within the Indian Sunderbans. The tiger population increased to 96 in the year 2019-20, up from 88 in 2018-19. However, if you’re traveling with the sole aim of sighting Royal Bengal Tigers in the wild, you may face disappointment as tiger sightings are rare, though not impossible. In the event of encountering tigers, they might be injured or elderly, seeking easy prey in villages. The Jharkhali Tiger Rescue Center serves as a refuge for such tigers, offering visitors the opportunity to observe these majestic creatures, along with crocodiles, in captivity.

How far is Sundarban from Kolkata?

Sundarbans National Park is approximately 110 Kms from Kolkata. It is well connected by rail and road from Kolkata. Some roads are longer, so t depends which route you plan to take. But it generally it takes 3-4 hours to reach Sundarbans from Kolkata in whatever way you prefer to travel.

How can I reach Sundarban by car?


There are two main roads connecting to Sundarbans. One route, via Baruipur Canning, is approximately 100 kilometers from Kolkata and typically takes around 4 hours to drive due to heavy traffic. The other route, via Basanti Highway, is a longer distance, but the lower traffic volume usually results in a shorter journey time.

If you prefer to approach Sundarbans via Godkhali, you can either be dropped off there or park your car in one of the paid parking garages (charges are based on a per day/night basis) and then take the ferry and land route to Pakhirala. Another option is to book a houseboat exclusively from Godhkhali to Pakhirala and beyond for a jungle safari. However, it’s advisable to negotiate hard, as there is a syndicate operating on a cooperative basis, which might lead to higher prices.

Alternatively, if your destination is Jharkhali, you can directly reach there by car. From Jharkhali, you can stay at a resort and tailor your jungle tours according to your preferences and schedule.


How can I go to Sundarban by train?


Traveling from Kolkata to Sunderbans involves taking a train from Sealdah Station to Canning, which takes approximately 1 hour. From Canning, continue the journey by road to Godhkhali, another 1-hour drive. Upon reaching Godhkhali, board a ferry to Gosaba Town, a 30-minute journey. From Gosaba Town, proceed by auto van or mechanized rickshaw van for about 45 minutes to reach Pakhirala Village, where various accommodation options are available in resorts and lodges. Alternatively, from Canning, travelers can opt for bus, auto, or shared jeep transportation to Jharkhali, where accommodations are also available.

What are the best hotels near Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary?​  What are the best lodges in Sundarbans National Park?

Pakhilala, particularly Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, offers various lodging options, ranging from basic lodges with essential amenities to more luxurious hotels and resorts. Among the top choices are United 21, S2, and Gateway Resorts, which provide excellent facilities and services. Additionally, there are numerous other hotels scattered across different islands, each offering proper accommodation. Jharkhali is one such location known for its comfortable lodging options.

What are the chances of sighting tigers in sunderbans?

Recent estimates from the West Bengal Forest Department indicate a rise in the population of Royal Bengal Tigers in the Indian Sunderbans. The tiger count for the year 2022-2023 increased to 96, up from 88 in 2018-19. However, if you’re traveling with the intention of spotting these majestic creatures in the wild, you may face disappointment as tiger sightings are rare, though not impossible.

To increase your chances of encountering tigers, consider visiting the Jharkhali Tiger Rescue Center. Here, tigers that venture into villages in search of easy prey, often due to injury or old age hindering their ability to hunt, are captured. At the center, visitors can observe these magnificent creatures in captivity, alongside some crocodiles.

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