Want to explore the wilderness? Well, pack your bags and take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans National Park. It is a 10,000 sq. km park that forms a delta at the confluence of the two mightiest rivers of India – the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. Bordering the Bay of Bengal, this park also separates India and Bangladesh.
In English, the word “Sundarban” means “beautiful forest”, which it truly is. Best known for its dense mangrove trees and the famous Royal Bengal Tigers, Sundarbans Delta is a paradise for nature lovers. Furthermore, you get to see various types of birds and reptiles amidst this mystical land. There are various travel options from Kolkata to Sundarbans. With Sundarban tour package, you can plan a complete trip to the beautiful forests.
Interesting facts about Sunderbans Delta
- The Sundarbans Delta is the largest river delta in the world. In fact, it is often compared to the Amazon Rainforests in it’s construct.
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- This one of it’s kind Sunderbans Delta is world famous for it’s biodiversity, particularly its dense and thick mangrove forests which provide shelter to the famous Bengal Tigers.
- Also, Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in the saline coastal waters of the delta. These forests play a critical role in protecting the coastline from erosion and storm surges.
- The Sunderbans Delta is the most fertile region of the world.
- Apart from Bengal Tigers, the Sunderbans Delta also host estuarine crocodile, Indian python, spotted deer, and various species of birds, fish, and invertebrates.
- The ecological balance in Sunderbans Delta is very delicate, and ever changing with environment changes.
How to Reach Sundarbans?
Ideally, people would take Kolkata as the starting point for reaching Sundarbans. The distance from Kolkata to Sundarbans is 130 km. Though the distance is not very long, the timing varies according to the means of transport you’re considering. However, there is no direct means of transport to reach the forest. You must travel by train, air or road (bus/car) to reach the entry points. From there, you can opt for a boat ride and explore the wilderness. As the whole delta is separated from the rest of the mainland through marshlands, river streams and backwaters.
| Entry Point | Distance from Kolkata | Timing | How to Reach Sundarban From Here |
| Canning Rail Station | 45 km | 1 hour 20 minutes | Head Sonakhali by road and take a boat to Sundarbans |
| Sonakhali Launch Ghat | 74 km | 2 hours 33 minutes | Boat to Sundarbans |
| Godkhali Ferry Ghat | 84 km | 2 hours 55 minutes | Boat to Sundarbans |
| Jharkhali | 102 km | 3 hours 30 minutes | Boat to Sundarbans |
By Air
The nearest airport to Sundarbans from Kolkata is Dumdum Airport, which is 110-120 km from the start of Sundarbans trip. So, if you’re out of Kolkata, you can catch a flight and reach Dumdum Airport. From there, take a bus, taxi or car and reach Godkhali, Sonakhali or Jharkhali. From there, you have to take a boat to the Sundarbans.
By Train
here’s no direct train service to Sundarbans. Trains will also be close to the entry point, but from there, you have to rely on boats. The nearest rail station from Kolkata is Canning, which is 45 km from Sundarbans. The trains close to Sundarbans depart from Sealdah Junction and arrive at Canning Junction.
By Road
You can book a cab or a bus and reach the entry points of Sundarbans, and from there, you can access waterways.
- Bus: There is no direct bus service from Kolkata to Sundarbans. However, you can find various bus services from locations like Esplanade and Howrah. Availing buses can take you close to Sundarban stops like Canning, Sonakhali, Namkhana, Raidigi and Najat. Once you reach the stop, there are boat services that will take you to the mangrove forests. You can find both AC and non-AC buses Kolkata-Sundarban tour.
- Car: You can also rent a car or avail of the taxi service to experience the ultimate road trip to Sundarbans. Depending on the entry point, your road trip to Sundarban can be short or long. Once you reach an entry point, take a boat and go to the beautiful forest.
Things to Do in Sundarbans
Sundarbans offer tourists an adventurous trip in the dense mangrove forests. Here, you can do the following activities
Bird Watching
Sundarbans is rich in avifauna. Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, located in the northern part of the national park, is a haven for bird watching. There you can spot exotic birds like herons, Indian shag, sunbirds, cuckoos, buffy fish owl and more. The bird watching experience here will remind you of some of the most famous bird sanctuaries of India like Rangnathittu Bird Sanctuary Karnataka that we visited last year.
Spot Royal Bengal Tigers
Sundarbans offers one of the largest reserves for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Based on Camera Trapping, the least number of tigers in the reserve is 79. There are also other regions outside the reserve where tigers are found in abundance. It is difficult to predict the whereabouts of tigers because of their secretive nature. You can talk to the local guides of the forest and visit the place. If you’re lucky, you might actually spot the vivacious Royal Bengal Tiger. Although we have encountered Royal Bengal Tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park during our trip to Madhya Pradesh. But to see them in their own homeland is a thrill of another level.
Look Out for the River Dolphins
Among the abodes of Gangetic Dolphins in India, Sundarbans is a notable name. Near the brackish waters of the Sundarbans estuary, you can witness the dolphins. With reduced freshwater flow and rising salinity, river dolphin populations are steadily declining. So, plan a trip to the Sundarbans and witness the river dolphins before they harbour elsewhere.
Plan Village Tours
Get acquainted with the tribal culture of Sundarbans. Amidst the mangrove forests, there are various small villages which you can go to understand their lifestyle. Get to know the local people of the place, spend some time with them and embark upon an unforgettable journey.
Head Out for Night Safaris
As thrilling as it sounds! Visiting the forest during the daytime is exciting, but night safaris hit differently. If you love exploring natural habitats, you can sign up for a night expedition. The best attraction of night tours in Sundarbans is to witness the sight of phytoplanktons. These are plant-like organisms that glow in the dark. If you’re in luck, you may also spot a few wild animals, which you probably have missed out on during the day safari.
Travel Tips for Visiting Sundarbans
Here are a few travel tips for heading to Sundarbans
- Obtain a travel permit from the Forest Department at Sajnekhali or from the office of West Bengal Tourism in Kolkata if you’re travelling solo. However, if you’ve booked your trip with travel agencies, they can make the arrangements for you.
- The National Park has no ATMs, so carry enough cash.
- When you enter the forest for birdwatching or catching glimpses of magnificent fauna, make sure you stay silent. Loud noises can scare the animals away, so keeping the environment calm is advisable.
- If you’re visiting Sundarbans during the summer or monsoon season, pack essentials like sunscreen, mosquito repellent and umbrellas/raincoats. Pack warm clothes if you’re visiting the park during winter, as the weather remains dry and cold.
- Though not strictly followed, it is essential that you’re not using plastic bags or bottles in the forest and dumping them here and there as it disrupts the ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
If you want to unwind and spend time with nature, Sundarbans will be your next travel destination. From Kolkata to Sundarbans, there are various means of transport that you can avail of. The place has got some amazing attractions which will offer you different activities. All you have to do is sign up for Sundarban Tour Package and witness the amazing flora and fauna this place beholds and get to know the tribal culture of the place. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to the forest.