Sundarbans National Park Tour Package: Tigers, Mangroves and Creeks (3D/2N from Kolkata)
Easy: boat based, some walking and heat

Sundarbans National Park Tour Package: Tigers, Mangroves and Creeks (3D/2N from Kolkata)

3 days / 2 nightsStarts Kolkata
From ₹14,188 · See pricing
3 days
2 nights
Kolkata
start point

October to March, when the rivers are calm and the weather is dry. November to February is the most comfortable. The reserve is usually shut to tourists from about mid June to mid September.

best season
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Overview

Tour overview

The WayToIndia Sundarbans tour package is a 3 day, 2 night trip from Kolkata into the world's largest mangrove forest. You drive about 90 km to the Godkhali jetty, then cross by boat to a forest lodge near Sajnekhali. You spend a full day cruising the creeks of the Royal Bengal Tiger's only mangrove home, stopping at the Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki watch towers and a river village. The best months are October to March. We arrange every forest permit for you, for Indian and foreign travellers.

Why this trip is boat first, and tiger second

The Sundarbans is not a jeep safari park. You see it from a boat, moving slowly along wide rivers and narrow creeks. The forest is thick, the tigers are shy, and they swim and hide well. So a tiger sighting is rare, and no season can promise one.

Come for the mangroves, the birds and the river life, and you will not go home let down. If a tiger or its fresh pugmark does appear, treat it as a lucky day.

Where the Sundarbans is, and what it is

The Sundarbans lies at the southern edge of West Bengal, where the Ganga delta meets the Bay of Bengal. It is shared by India and Bangladesh. The Indian side sits in the South 24 Parganas district, about 90 km from Kolkata by road.

The Sundarbans National Park is the core of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. The national park covers about 1,330 sq km. The whole tiger reserve covers about 2,585 sq km, and the larger biosphere reserve is bigger still. It is a World Heritage Site, listed by UNESCO in 1987, and a Ramsar wetland since 2019.

The route, day by day in short

  • On day 1 you drive from Kolkata to Godkhali, about 90 km, then cross by boat to your lodge near Sajnekhali.
  • On day 2 you take a full day cruise to the Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki watch towers, with a village walk and a folk show in the evening.
  • On day 3 you cruise back in the morning, return to Godkhali by boat and drive to Kolkata.

Permits: everyone needs one

Every visitor to the Sundarbans needs a permit from the West Bengal Forest Department. For a package like this, we apply for you, so you do not stand in any queue. Please send us a photo ID for each Indian traveller a few days before you arrive.

Foreign passport holders need a special permit as well. You must carry your original passport with a valid Indian visa, and we send a scanned copy ahead to arrange the permit. OCI cardholders should check with us before booking and should carry both passport and OCI card.

When the forest is open and closed

The Indian Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is shut to tourists for about three months every year, from around mid June to mid September, so that wildlife can breed in quiet. This is also the heavy monsoon, when the rivers are rough. We do not run this trip in those months.

So plan for October to March. November to February gives the most comfortable weather and the calmest water. March and April are hotter, but warm days bring animals to the water, so some guests pick them for a better chance of wildlife.

How you reach the Sundarbans

Kolkata is the nearest big city and airport. From Kolkata you drive about 90 km south to the Godkhali jetty, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. The last part is a narrow rural road through villages and fields, so it is slower than the distance suggests.

At Godkhali the road ends at the river. From here you travel only by boat. Canning is the nearest railway station if you come by train, and we can pick you up there instead.

What you can see on the water

Spotted deer come to the river banks to drink. Estuarine crocodiles rest on the mud at low tide. Water monitor lizards, rhesus macaques and wild boar live here too. If you are lucky you may see a Gangetic dolphin roll in the river.

The Sundarbans is a birdwatcher's dream. You can see many kinds of kingfisher, herons and egrets, the white bellied sea eagle and the Brahminy kite. Keen birders come for rarities like the mangrove pitta and the masked finfoot. The forest holds around 100 tigers on the Indian side, by recent counts, but they keep well out of sight.

The watch towers you will visit

  • Sajnekhali is the main entry point. It has the Mangrove Interpretation Centre, a crocodile and turtle pond, a Bonbibi temple and a watch tower. Your permits are checked here.
  • Sudhanyakhali has the best record for tiger sightings. Its watch tower looks over a sweet water pond where animals come to drink.
  • Dobanki has a raised wooden canopy walk, about 400 to 500 m long, that takes you through the mangroves above the ground, with a watch tower at the end.
  • Netidhopani, with its 400 year old temple ruins deep in the core zone, needs a longer trip. It is not part of this 3 day plan, but we can add it on a longer tour.

The people and the legend of Bonbibi

The villages around the forest, like Gosaba and Pakhiralay, live with the tiger as a daily fact. Honey collectors, fishers and crab catchers enter the forest at real risk.

They pray to Bonbibi, the guardian of the forest, before they go in. Hindus and Muslims of the Sundarbans worship her together. Her story, and that of the tiger spirit Dakshin Rai, is sung in a night long folk play called the Bonbibi Pala. At Gosaba you can also see the old bungalow of Sir Daniel Hamilton, who began a famous cooperative farming experiment here in the early 1900s.

Food you will eat

Your meals are served at the lodge, and the taste is simple Bengali river food. Expect rice, dal, a fish fry, and vegetables at most meals. Bhetki and other river fish, prawns in a mild coconut gravy and local crab are the favourites. Tell us in advance if you want pure vegetarian food, and we will arrange it.

What to buy, and how not to be cheated

  • Wild Sundarbans honey, collected from the forest. Buy it from a forest department outlet or a known cooperative, not from a roadside stall, because loose honey is often mixed with sugar syrup.
  • Bengal handloom, jute bags and cane work from the village shops.
  • Keep small cash for these, as card machines are rare once you leave Kolkata.

How we checked this page

We checked the road distance on TomTom routing on 11 November 2026. The park facts come from the Wildlife Institute, UNESCO and the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. The tourist closure dates and the tiger count come from recent news reports. Permit rules were checked against the forest department and the tiger reserve sources. Fees change often, so we do not print them here. Please confirm the current rate with us.

Tour highlights

Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, the main gate, with its Mangrove Interpretation Centre, Bonbibi temple and watch tower
Sudhanyakhali watch tower, the best known spot for a tiger sighting, beside a sweet water pond
Dobanki canopy walk, a raised wooden path about 400 to 500 m long through the mangroves
A full day boat cruise through the creeks of the Royal Bengal Tiger's only mangrove home
Spotted deer, estuarine crocodiles, water monitor lizards and many kingfishers and waterbirds
Village life at Gosaba and Pakhiralay, and the story of the forest goddess Bonbibi
An evening Bonbibi Pala folk performance at the lodge
Every forest permit arranged for you, for Indian and foreign travellers

Destinations covered

KolkataSundarbans

Best Time

October to March, when the rivers are calm and the weather is dry. November to February is the most comfortable. The reserve is usually shut to tourists from about mid June to mid September.

Ideal For

Families, couples, bird and wildlife watchers, photographers, first time nature travellers, NRI and OCI visitors

Difficulty

Easy: boat based, some walking and heat

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

Today you leave Kolkata in the morning and drive south towards the delta. Our driver meets you and takes the Basanti highway through the green farm country of South 24 Parganas. The road narrows near the end and passes through small villages, so the drive is slower than the distance looks.

You reach Godkhali, where the road stops at the river. Here you step onto your boat. The crossing to your lodge near Sajnekhali or Pakhiralay takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the tide.

After lunch at the lodge you visit the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary. You see the Mangrove Interpretation Centre, the crocodile and turtle pond and the Bonbibi temple. Your forest permit is checked here. As the light softens, your boat moves along the creeks, and this quiet first evening on the water is often the best part of the day.

Special Tips for This Day: Start early from Kolkata, because the last stretch of road is slow. Carry a hat, sunglasses and water for the boat, as there is little shade on deck. Keep your ID copies, and for foreign guests the original passport with visa, ready for the permit check at Sajnekhali.

Today you spend the whole day on the water, which is the heart of this trip. After an early breakfast your boat sets off into the wider rivers and the narrow creeks of the tiger reserve.

You stop at the Sudhanyakhali watch tower, which has the best record for tiger sightings. From the tower you look over a sweet water pond where deer, wild boar and, now and then, a tiger come to drink. Sit quietly, because noise sends the animals away.

Later you reach Dobanki and walk its canopy path, a raised wooden walkway about 400 to 500 m long that carries you through the mangroves above the ground. Along the way your guide points out the breathing roots of the sundari trees, kingfishers, herons and mudskipper fish on the banks.

In between, you take a short walk through a river village near Gosaba or Pakhiralay to see daily life, the fish ponds and the brick paths. In the evening, back at the lodge, you watch a Bonbibi Pala, the local folk play that tells the story of the forest goddess, followed by dinner.

Special Tips for This Day: Keep your voice low and your phone on silent at the watch towers, because quiet means a better chance of seeing wildlife. Wear dull green or brown clothes, not bright colours. Carry binoculars if you have them, and a zoom lens, as the animals stay far off. Stay seated inside the boat and never go to the water's edge in the forest.

Today you take one last morning cruise, when the air is cool and the birds are most active. This is a good time for photographs of the creeks in soft light and for a final look for wildlife on the banks.

You return to the lodge for breakfast and then board your boat back to Godkhali. From there your car drives you to Kolkata, where the trip ends. If you have an evening flight, there is time to reach the airport in comfort.

Special Tips for This Day: Do not book an early afternoon flight from Kolkata, because the boat and the road both take time and the tide can delay the crossing. Keep a buffer. Carry any wild honey you buy in a sealed bag inside your main luggage, not your hand bag, for the flight.

Temples on the way

Sacred temples you can visit

On this journey you come close to 1 holy temple of India, from the Shakti Peetha circuit. Below you can see each temple and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan with a calm mind and enough time.

Where you stay

Kalighat Shakti Peetha

Shakti Peetha · Shakti · West Bengal

While you stay at Kolkata, you can have darshan at Kalighat Shakti Peetha.

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites on this journey

This tour takes you close to 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. These are places the world has recognised as our shared treasure. Below you can see each one and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan and sightseeing with time to spare.

An easy day trip from your stay

Sundarbans National Park

Natural · Inscribed 1987 · West Bengal

Sundarbans National Park makes an easy day trip from your stay at Kolkata (about 42 km).

Want to plan your trip around India’s World Heritage Sites? See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.

Travel tips

Before you go to the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, creek by creek

Permits, the season, the tide and the boat decide a Sundarbans trip more than anything else. Here is what you need to know, in one place, before you travel and while you are there.

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTSKOLKATA TO SAJNEKHALISEEN BY BOAT ONLYPERMITS DONE FOR YOU

The shrines

Swipe →
01
Godkhali
About 90 km from Kolkata
The jetty where the road ends and the boat begins
02
Sajnekhali
Main entry
Permit point, Mangrove Interpretation Centre and Bonbibi temple
03
Sudhanyakhali
Watch tower
The best known spot for a tiger sighting, by a sweet water pond
04
Dobanki
Canopy walk
A raised wooden path about 400 to 500 m long through the mangroves
05
Gosaba and Pakhiralay
River villages
Daily life, the Bonbibi story and the old Hamilton bungalow
06
Netidhopani
Core zone
A 400 year old temple ruin, for longer trips only
01Permits

Permits: everyone needs one

Every visitor needs a Forest Department permit. Foreign passport holders need a special permit as well. For a package, we apply for you.

  • Indian travellersSend us a photo ID for each traveller a few days before you arrive. We apply for the forest permit, so you do not stand in any queue.
  • Foreign nationalsYou need a special permit. Carry your original passport with a valid Indian visa, and send us a scanned copy ahead so we can arrange it.
  • OCI cardholdersPlease check with us before booking, and carry both your passport and your OCI card.
Good to know

Your permit is checked at the Sajnekhali office when you enter. Keep your ID and permit papers handy on the boat.

02Season

When to go, and when the forest shuts

The season is October to March. November to February is the most comfortable, with dry weather and calm water.

  • November to FebruaryThe best weather and the calmest rivers. These are the most popular months, so book early for holidays and long weekends.
  • March and AprilHotter, but warm days bring animals to the water, so some guests pick them for a better chance of wildlife.
  • The monsoon monthsHeavy rain and rough water. We do not run this trip then.
Yearly closure

The Indian Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is shut to tourists for about three months every year, from around mid June to mid September, so that wildlife can breed in quiet.

03Tigers

The truth about seeing a tiger

A tiger sighting is rare and cannot be promised. Come for the mangroves, the birds and the river, and a tiger is a bonus.

  • Why sightings are rareThe forest is dense, and the tigers are shy. They swim and hide well, and you watch only from the boat and the towers, so most visitors do not see one.
  • Where the chance is bestSudhanyakhali has the best record. Sit quietly at the tower and watch the sweet water pond, because noise sends animals away.
  • How many there areThe Indian side holds around 100 tigers, by recent counts. Even so, treat this as a mangrove and bird trip first.
04Getting there

Road to Godkhali, then boat

You drive about 90 km from Kolkata to the Godkhali jetty, then travel only by boat.

  • By roadKolkata to Godkhali is about 90 km and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. The last part is a narrow rural road through villages, so it is slower than the distance looks.
  • By boatAt Godkhali the road ends at the river. The crossing to your lodge near Sajnekhali or Pakhiralay takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, with the tide.
  • By trainCanning is the nearest railway station. We can pick you up there instead of Kolkata if you come by train.
05On the water

Simple rules for a safe cruise

We use registered boats with life jackets and a local guide. A few simple rules keep everyone safe.

  • Stay in the boatStay seated inside the boat, and never step down to the water's edge inside the forest. Keep children away from the sides.
  • Back before darkForest rules do not allow boats inside the creeks after dark, so every cruise returns before sunset.
  • Keep it quietKeep your voice low and your phone on silent at the watch towers. Quiet means a better chance of seeing wildlife.
06What to look for

Beyond the tiger

The real reward is the birds and the river life. Carry binoculars and a zoom lens if you have them.

  • AnimalsSpotted deer come to the banks, estuarine crocodiles rest on the mud, and water monitor lizards, rhesus macaques and wild boar live here. You may see a Gangetic dolphin roll in the river.
  • BirdsLook for many kinds of kingfisher, herons and egrets, the white bellied sea eagle and the Brahminy kite. Keen birders come for the mangrove pitta and the masked finfoot.
  • The mangrovesWatch for the breathing roots of the sundari trees that give the forest its name, and the mudskipper fish that walk on the banks at low tide.
07People and legend

Bonbibi, guardian of the forest

The villages live with the tiger as a daily fact. Honey collectors and fishers pray to Bonbibi before they enter the forest.

  • Bonbibi PalaHindus and Muslims here worship Bonbibi together. Her story, and that of the tiger spirit Dakshin Rai, is sung in a night long folk play, which you can watch at the lodge.
  • GosabaAt Gosaba you can see the old bungalow of Sir Daniel Hamilton, who began a famous cooperative farming experiment here in the early 1900s.
  • A village walkA short walk through a river village shows you the fish ponds, the brick paths and daily life on the edge of the forest.
08Food and shopping

River food, and what to take home

Meals are served at the lodge, in simple Bengali river style. The one thing to take home is wild Sundarbans honey.

  • What you eatExpect rice, dal, a fish fry and vegetables. Bhetki and other river fish, prawns in a mild coconut gravy and local crab are the favourites. Ask ahead for pure vegetarian food.
  • Wild honeyBuy forest honey from a Forest Department outlet or a known cooperative, not a roadside stall, because loose honey is often mixed with sugar syrup.
  • Carry cashKeep small cash for village shops and honey. Card machines are rare once you leave Kolkata.
Take this home

The forest that keeps its secrets

A still creek, a kingfisher, a pugmark in the mud.

You may not see the tiger, but you will feel it near. The Sundarbans rewards the patient and the quiet. Come for the mangroves and the birds, respect the water and the people who live beside it, and carry home a jar of their wild honey.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓Accommodation for 2 nights at a Sundarbans forest lodge or resort, on twin sharing.
  • ✓All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 3, served at the lodge.
  • ✓Road transfer from Kolkata to Godkhali and back by private vehicle.
  • ✓The boat for the cruise and all transfers on the water, with life jackets.
  • ✓All forest entry permits and fees for the places in the plan, arranged for you.
  • ✓A registered local guide on the boat, as the forest rules require.

Not included

  • ✕Train fare or air fare to and from Kolkata.
  • ✕Lunch and dinner in Kolkata, and any meals outside the lodge.
  • ✕Still camera and video permit fees charged by the forest department.
  • ✕Tips, laundry, drinks and personal expenses.
  • ✕Travel insurance.
  • ✕Anything not listed under inclusions.

What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 47 reviews
S
Shivani Gupta★★★★★
“Had a wonderful experience with way to india for my badrinath kedarnath yatra.everything was well organized-from travel accommodation to food. A special thanks to Ms. Neha who managed everything so beautifully n was extremely supportive n cooperative throughout the journey. They took great care of us n darshan was done very smoothly.”
3 weeks ago · Google
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
4 months ago · Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
5 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Three days and two nights is the usual trip from Kolkata. It covers Sajnekhali, the Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki watch towers and a village walk at an easy pace. Add a day if you want to reach the Netidhopani core zone, which is a long boat ride deeper into the forest.

October to March is the season, and November to February is the most comfortable, with dry weather and calm water. March and April are hotter, but warm days bring animals to the river. Avoid the monsoon, and note the reserve is usually shut to tourists from about mid June to mid September.

A tiger sighting is rare and cannot be promised. The forest is dense, the tigers are shy, and they swim and hide well. There are around 100 tigers on the Indian side, by recent counts, but most visitors do not see one. Sudhanyakhali gives the best chance, so treat this as a mangrove and bird trip first.

Yes. Every visitor needs a permit from the West Bengal Forest Department. For a package like this, we apply for you, so you do not queue. Please send a photo ID for each Indian traveller a few days before you arrive.

Yes. Foreign passport holders need a special permit and must carry the original passport with a valid Indian visa. We send a scanned copy ahead to arrange it. OCI cardholders should check with us before booking and carry both passport and OCI card.

You drive about 90 km from Kolkata to the Godkhali jetty, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours on a slow rural road. From Godkhali you travel only by boat. Canning is the nearest railway station, and we can pick you up there if you come by train.

Yes, with normal care. We use registered boats with life jackets and a local guide. Forest rules do not allow boats inside the creeks after dark, so every cruise returns before sunset. Stay seated in the boat, and never step down to the water's edge inside the forest.

You can see spotted deer, estuarine crocodiles, water monitor lizards, rhesus macaques and wild boar. Birdlife is the real reward, with many kingfishers, herons, egrets, the white bellied sea eagle and the Brahminy kite. You may also see a Gangetic dolphin roll in the river.

Yes, because the trip is boat based and gentle, with little hard walking. Keep children seated in the boat and away from the edge. The sun and heat can tire anyone, so carry water, a hat and any regular medicines, since medical help in the forest is limited.

Pack light cotton clothes, a hat and sunglasses, and a light warm layer for winter mornings and evenings. Carry mosquito repellent, sunscreen, binoculars and enough cash. Dull green or brown clothes work best on the boat, because bright colours can send wildlife away.

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