By Sundarban tiger reserve and biosphere reserve is located in southern region of West Bengal state in India. It is located at 2 hours distance from Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. Canning is the gateway to Sundarban and it is well connected with train service from Sealdah station in Kolkata. There are trains to Canning from Sealdah after every half an hour to forty minutes. Canning is the starting point of Sundarban tour. Canning is also connected with road from Kolkata. There are bus services from Kolkata to Canning but this journey is not suggested to tourists and visitors because it takes much time and the journey is not comfortable. Generally local people take the bus trip from Kolkata to Godkhali or Canning in Sundarban. There is no luxury or high end bus service from Kolkata. So, I feel the most convenient way from Kolkata to Sundarban is to take a train from Sealdah to Canning station and then take a local transport to reach Godkhali from where a tourist must hire or reserve a boat for the number of days he wants to spend in waters in Sundarban.
Sundarban is a group of islands surrounded with water all around. A tourists or a visitor must hire a boat for a safari in the mangroves forest and to explore the wonders of Sundarban. There is no way one can explore Sundarban in any other mode of transport. No one is allowed to get down the boat as this is the land of The Royal Bengal Tigers and crocs.
Kolkata To Sundarban Tour
The most convenient way is to take a train from Sealdah station to Canning station. Once you reach Canning station, you can visit Godkhali directly with Tata Magic vehicle or a trekker. You will have to reserve the vehicle because there is no direct transport service from Canning to Godkhali. Local people travel via Sonakhali. In case you don’t get a vehicle, you can also opt the route used by locals. Take an Auto rickshaw from Canning to Soankhali and then take another one from Sonakhali to Godkhali. Godkhali is the point where from you must have a boat to travel because there is no road further, it is water all around.
Hiring A Boat – Sundarban Boat Tour
One can hire a boat from Godkhali or Canning. I would always suggest hiring the boat from Godkhali because it kills a lot of time sailing from Canning to Godkhali. All boats go in to jungle via Godkhali and Goshaba. I suggest transferring to Godkhali by road from Canning and then hiring a boat from Godkhali.
Boats are hired on the basis of number of days. You will have to take food along with you in the boat. There should be a cook to get your food ready because you will not have access to the land while you are in the water of the mangroves. So boats are hired on a package. The more number of heads in the boat, lower would be the cost per head.
I have been to Sundarban 4 times and each time I hired the same boat because I liked their service and attitude. I am planning to visit soon and I am sure to reserve the same boat. The fellows on the boat have to be friendly and good guides too because you would be spending a couple of days with them. They are local and they have knowledge of the place. They can take you to the place where deer are seen the most. They can also take to the channel of the rivers where a tiger can be spotted. So if the boat men are good, your trip is going to be good.
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Hi,
Very nice and detailed travelogue. The Sunderbans are a real wonder which has been in my itinerary for a long time. If all goes according to plan i will be making this trip in July along with three friends of mine. However this will be a private tour as we have decided against going with those online travel agencies. We would like to reserve a boat from Godkhali for a 2N/3D tour. The details as i have sketched out:
Day 1: Boarding on Canning local from Sealdah. Canning to Godkhali by car and then hire a boat. Night stay on boat or at Sajnekhali.
Day 2: Sightseeing entire day. Night stay at Bonie Camp.
Day 3: More exploring and return to Kaikhali. Catch any Sealdah bound train from Dakshin Barasat stn.
Would really appreciate your views and help on the following points:
– boat reservation and approximate fare, food cost etc.
– accommodation at Bonie Camp. I could not find much info but the place looks exciting.
– is it mandatory to obtain the permit from Sajnekhali only or can we get it from other places too?
Hi Arup,
I believe July is not the right tome to visit Sunderbans. In July it will be raining and rain is not a good thing when the entire trip is in boat along water bodies and rivers. I suggest you to make this trip in winter. Best time to visit Sunderbans is November, December, January and February.
If you plan to travel with 3-4 friends, I suggest you to spend nights in the boat only. It will be a superb experience. I prefer to stay in the boat only whenever I travel with friends. It will reduce your cost too.
As far as permit is required, you don’t have to worry about it. Your boatmen will arrange it for you. Permits are given to boats carrying tourist after revealing all details.
If you need I can surely help you with boat and others details. Just drop me a mail at “uvreachedavi@gmail.com” with reference to this conversation.
Hi i want to do a trip of 8 member inlcuding 1 chil ofd 4 years of age fro march 24 2016 for 1 night 2 days.Please suggest contacts over there so that
we can plan buget trip.
I have mailed you, please check and revert back.
Give me the details of the boat.
You can mail me your travel plan and all details. I will help you with all details needed. mail me at “uvreachedavi@gmail.com”
Hi,
we are a couple and planning a private trip to Sundarbans.We want to stay there for only one night.So we will be covering sights in the day time and will be staying in some of the good hotels.Is it okay if we book a zoomcar or something till godkhali or it is better to go by train? Also are hotels and ferries easily available?
Please check your inbox. I have mailed you. Do call me on my mobile. Let us discuss in detail.
Hi
The travelogue is really helpful to get the idea about this trip….we, 6 ladies are planning to go….want to hire a boat…but don’t want to be there alone with the boatmen…kindly guide….
Apologize that I couldn’t manage to reply earlier. I was busy with some stuff. I hope you understand that it is so difficult for me to check and respond to each query. I think it is better if we speak. Please call me on my mobile after 9 pm any day. I can surely help you with all details.
Pleas tell me the cost of hiring a boat from sajnekhali resort to see dobanki sandhyakjhali watchtowers
How much time it take to visit these places…..
i am visiting from 31 jan to 1 feb 2018
naveen kumar
9868428660
naveeneg84@gmail.com
A boat would cost you Rs 3,500-4,000 per day. So you can hire a boat and take it wherever you want after you have the permit from forest dept.