If you are wondering how to organize your Sundarban trip from Kolkata, we have great news for you. We’ve been to the massive park several times and have all the information you need to do so on your own. You will have a blast!
The Sundarban in the Bay of Bengal is the world’s biggest mangrove forest. The area is in two countries, Bangladesh and India. Three rivers run through it: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. The Sundarban National Park is in India.
UNESCO included the entire area in its List of World Heritage Sites. You will see thick mangroves, rivers, streams, crocodiles, deer, monkeys, fish, and if you are very lucky, the world’s biggest feline: the Tiger. You will have the time of your life!
How to Reach Sundarban from Kolkata
Trains to Canning
If you are in Kolkata, you must know how to reach Sundarban National Park. The closest entrance to the park is only 40 miles (60 km) from the city. You need to go to Canning first. The town is on the Matla River.
Trains depart from Sealdah train station in central Kolkata. The earliest train leaves at 5:40 AM, and the latest at 11:30 PM. There are trains almost every half an hour. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and a half.
Sealdah Railway Station is in the center. Take a bus or an inexpensive taxi to the station. The journey to Canning is an attraction in itself, so grab a window seat. As soon as you exit Kolkata, you travel through gorgeous rice fields.
Buses to Gosaba
From Canning, you have to go to Gosaba Island, some 20 miles (32 km) southeast. As soon as you exit the train station in Canning, turn right and go to the Canning – Basanti Road. You will be in the middle of a market.
Ask around for the bus to Gosaba. Buses leave approximately every half an hour. The journey to Gosaba takes 1.5 hours. Pay for your inexpensive ticket on the bus and enjoy the ride. You will travel with locals and experience their culture firsthand!
Take note that the Canning to Gosaba bus route takes you to a ferry ghat called Ghadkali. You have to cross the river to Gosaba proper. However, everyone calls it the bus to Gosaba. It’s the final stop.
Crossing the River and Getting to Your Hotel
Walk to the ghat, pay for your ticket, and hop on the ferry to Gosaba Island. Boats leave when full, approximately every 20 minutes. It takes less than 5 minutes to cross the river. Boats operate all day long.
The ferry ghat in Gosaba Island is next to a market. You have to take a tuk-tuk from there to your hotel. No matter where you stay on the island, it’s a short ride. Gosaba is beautiful and perfect for pictures.
If you are going to Dayapur Island, take another tuk-tuk to the Jotirampur Ferry Ghat on the other side of Gosaba Island. It’s a 15-minute ride. Hop on another boat to Dayapur. Once in Dayapur, take a tuk-tuk to your hotel.
Organized Tours from Kolkata
Though there are plenty of things to do in Kolkata, there are no organized Sundarban tours that you can hire online. Isn’t it great? No mass tourism in Sundarban! However, you can organize your own tour to Sundarban. Arrange for a private car and a driver in Kolkata.
We usually talk directly to drivers on Park Street. Expect to pay upwards of 50 USD for transportation to Gosaba. Once there, take the ferry. You can also arrange for private transportation from Canning to Gosaba. It shouldn’t be more than 20 USD. Take note that it’s not easy to find a car with a driver in Canning.
If you are brave, you can rent a car in Kolkata and drive yourself to Gosaba. However, you have to leave your car in Gadkhali Ghat and cross. Besides, you can’t tour the islands or the park with a car.
Where to Stay in Sundarban
Gosaba Island
Hotel Sonar Bangla is where to stay in Sundarban. Without a doubt, it is the best hotel in the entire area. Not only that but it’s got a fantastic location. The hotel faces the Datta River on Gosaba Island.
The luxurious property is a short tuk-tuk ride from the ferry. However, it feels in the middle of nature. It’s got a massive pool with lounges and a bar. All you can see is the jungle. The hotel’s garden is splendid!
The rooms are huge and come with extra-comfy beds. All rooms have a balcony or terrace. The best ones on the top floor have fantastic views. We really liked the onsite restaurant. They even provided us with box lunches when we toured the park.
Dayapur Island
The other great hotel in the area is the Sunderban Tiger Camp. It faces the Datta River but on Dayapur Island. The property is a short tuk-tuk ride away from the ferry terminal. It’s next to a temple.
We love it because it is in the middle of the jungle. It’s a property with bungalows scattered around the garden. Thus, all you sense is nature. The rooms are extra big and have private bathrooms and a terrace perfect to sit and relax.
They can arrange for private tours around the park and for pick-up from both ferries. Due to its location, it is a bit isolated, and that’s exactly why we like it. The service is warm and very professional.
What is Sundarbans National Park Like
It’s difficult to describe Sundarban simply because there isn’t a place quite like this anywhere on the planet. We are talking about endless mangrove forests, thousands of rivers, incredible flora and fauna, and the cutest towns ever!
To be honest, we haven’t seen a single tiger so far. However, we’ve seen huge crocodiles, charming deer, turtles, birds, and lots of monkeys! That’s why it’s hard to believe that a place so pristine is just a couple of hours from such a big city as Kolkata.
Sundarban is one of our favorite places in all of India. It’s more than just the park. The towns on the islands are gorgeous! You will love walking about aimlessly learning about the local culture. Sundarban has it all: nature and culture!
How to Visit the National Park
Private Boat Tours
You have to visit Sundarban tiger reserve with a boat. You can’t enter the park on your own. First you have to go to Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary on the Datta River. That’s the main entrance to the park.
You pay for your entrance ticket and a mandatory guide. There’s an office, a couple of enclosures with turtles and crocodiles, and a watch tower. Hotels and agencies organize half and full day tours. Expect to pay upwards 40 USD per person.
We strongly recommend taking whole day tours. Boats tour the rivers and canals slowly close to the coast. They stop once at another compound with a watch tower, and again in a place where you can walk on a giant canopy. Trust your guide and follow his advice. Guides know where are the best spots to see animals.
You can also go on a shared boat tour. To do so, head to the market in Gosaba and ask around. Since almost nobody speaks English, it can be difficult. The agencies are close to the ferry ghat.
The shared boat tours are much shorter than the private ones. The boats are bigger and a bit noisier. Thus, it’s a bit harder to see animals. On the plus side, you get to travel with locals.
We strongly recommend going on a private tour. You will have more time and get to see more animals. Finding like-minded travelers to share the cost is a great idea. Ask around in your hotel and nearby guesthouses.
Other Things to Do in Sundarban
Walk or Bike around the Island
Of all the things to do in Sundarban, visiting both islands is a must. It’s very easy to go from one to the other. Walk, bike, or take a tuk-tuk to the ferry ghat and cross the river.
You can take your bike on the ferry. Ask in your hotel for bikes. The Sonar Bangla Hotel has. If you don’t feel like biking, hire a tuk-tuk and ask your driver to take you everywhere. Both islands are safe.
Everyday life in Gosaba and Dayapur is fascinating. Most people are farmers. You will see farm animals everywhere! Get your camera ready, take your time, and enjoy mingling with the locals. The sunsets from the islands are epic.
Visit Gosaba Town
Gosaba’s market is next to the ferry ghat. It’s the biggest market on the island. It’s a fantastic place to grab a drink and people-watch. Daniel Hamilton’s bungalow is north of the market. The Scottish businessman lived there in the 19th Century.
Rabindra Tagore’s bungalow is south of the market. You will see his statue next to the police ghat. There’s a park and a bungalow. The celebrated Indian visited the area and stayed in the bungalow when Hamilton invited him over.
From Tagore’s bungalow, walk south to the Satsang Vihar temple next to the coast. There are two smaller temples on the island. There’s also a church. We weren’t able to find out if it’s historic, but it sure looks like it is.
Where to Eat and Drink
One of the reasons we strongly recommend the Sonar Bangla Hotel and the Tiger Camp Hotel is food. Simply put: there aren’t many restaurants on the islands. In fact, most restaurants are pretty basic and close at night kind of early.
Therefore, it can be tricky to find a place to eat, especially in the evening after visiting the park. Take note that most restaurants are near the market in Gosaba. It’s even harder to find a proper restaurant in Dayapur.
Most of the restaurants in Dayapur are next to the ferry ghat. The hotels we recommend have proper restaurants with great food and drinks. Ask them for a lunch box to take on your boat tour of the park. Remember to take back all your garbage.
When to Visit Sundarban
You can visit Sundarbans National Park all year round, but the best time to visit is winter. With temperatures ranging between 56 F to 90 F (13 C to 30 C), October to February have the best weather. It hardly rains.
With temperatures from 78 F to 95 F (25 C to 34 C), March to June are the hottest months. However, since it’s a delta, it’s windy and fresher than in Kolkata. Besides, these months are low season. You will have the park to yourself!
Going during the monsoon is also an option. It rains half of the time in those months, and it can be very hot. The tide is high, and everything is very dramatic. We’ve been through a couple of epic storms in the area and had a ball.
Useful Tips
Don’t rush through the park and spend time in the towns. What’s the point of traveling so far if you don’t have time to enjoy this beauty? We strongly believe that you should stay at least 2 nights in Sundarban. For places to stay in Kolkata check out this post.
Wear bug repellent all the time. It’s a natural area, so there are plenty of mosquitoes and other insects. It rains a lot, so take an umbrella. It can be extremely hot too, so wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Since it can be slippery, wear proper shoes. Flip-flops are not advisable. There are no ATMs on the islands, so take enough cash. Wear a light jacket in winter. Arrive early to the train station so you can grab a seat.
Leave a Reply