Sundarbans, literally means beautiful forest, is a combined forest in Bangladesh and India and a haven for photographers and travelers, and is the biggest mangrove forest in the world and is a treasure island of biodiversity. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The part of the forest within Indian Territory is called Sundarbans National Park and is in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water/marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. 

Paradise for wild life and greenish dense forest adventures and enthusiastic photographers, looks for the real panoramic region as the canvas, come over to Sundarbans. This forest has the credit of large number of Sundari trees and some claim that Sundarban derived its name from these trees. One who likes nature in its wildest forms, Sundarbans is the prime location which is not to be missed. Sundarbans offers a very extra ordinary view and a wild journey for a life time to recall. 

Meandering rivers, springs, creeks and beautiful estuaries, Sundarban is ruled by the unique natural beauty of its surroundings. Wildlife flourishes in Sundarbans, leading with the Royal Bengal Tiger. The mighty Royal Bengal Tiger, ultimate and unopposed king of the forest, is majestic, cunning and merciless to its prey. It is the natural habitat of many other famous wild life animals like jungle fowl, giant lizards, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and many more that the nature lovers would get a very good chance to have a close look. Migratory group of Siberian ducks is an attraction in some seasons, a beautiful scene of these ducks flying over sail boats fully loaded with many items like timber, fuel wood, honey, fish and shell adding to the serene natural attractiveness of the Sundarban. 

The main tourist point is Nilkamal known also as Hiron Point for watching vociferous wild animals and natural beauty. Katka is another place where wind animals mare freely and also good for bird watching. Vast area of verdant valleys starting from Katka to tiger point in Kachikhali provides opportunities for adventurous wild trekking. Tin Kona Island is well known for deer and wild tiger and Dublar Char Island for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where flocks of spotted deer are frequently seen to graze. 

Fast Facts

State: West Bengal District: Parganas Famous for/as: Wildlife Languages: Bengali, Hindi Best Season: Sep - Mar Weather: Summer 20 to 42°C, Winter 9 to 32°C Altitude: 7 m Pincode: 734014 STD code: 03218

Website: http://www.sunderbantigercamp.com

Phone 033-22488271/73 (Foreigners wishing to visit Sundarbans have to obtain a special permit. This is mandatory as per Government rule)

Timings 7.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price Entry Fees: Rs 15 (Indian), Rs 150 (Foreigner) Still Camera: Rs 300 Video Camera: Free Boat Fee: Rs 100 (per Day) Guide: Rs 200

When To Go The climate of Sundarbans is hot during summers and pleasant during winters. It is best to visit Sundarbans duringSeptember-March. Winters (November to February) are really pleasant with atmospheric temperature goes down up to 10°C and not crossing a higher temperature of 34°C. It is really a good time for sightseeing and visiting wild life sanctuary. Summers (March to May) have hot atmosphere and maximum mercury level can soar up to 42°C. March is ideal for jungle activities and wildlife visits, while April and May has hot weather which makes it difficult for tourism. Monsoons (June to September) months offer heavy monsoon rainfalls. It is not a good time for visiting wild life sanctuary but the green environs of the place is worth seeing. The major attractions of Sundarbans are the wildlife. The honey collection season falls on the summers. October and November offers pleasant weather which makes it perfect for wildlife activities. Rainfall in Sundarbans is quite heavy and it may not be a good time for wildlife trips but the scenic environs can be enjoyed. Attractions Sundarbans National Park     mustsee Sundarbans National Park was proclaimed as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and is declared wildlife sanctuary in 1977. It was adorned on the UNESCO World heritage in 1987 and the Sundarbans region as a whole was announced in 1989 as Biosphere Reserve. Sundarbans National Park is the leading mangrove forest in the world, containing majority of mangrove types identified in the world and these grow up well in the Sundarbans. There are many varieties of plant species, nearly 64, with the capacity to withstand extreme conditions and salty shower on account of tidal effects. Some of the more commonly found plants and trees in the park are Goran, Genwa, Dhundal, Garjan, Kankra, Sundari and Passur. The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 200 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have developed a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters, and are world famous for their man-eating tendencies. Some of the more popular birds are also found in this region. The Sundarbans National Park houses an excellent number of reptiles as well. The species that are declared as endangered lives protected within the Sundarbans, including Batagur baska, Royal Bengal Tiger, King Crabs, Olive Ridley and Turtle. One can enjoy wildlife safari by boats floating down through the various lanes formed by the many flowing rivers and can have a close look at the most impressive wild animals. This is a place for an adventurous tourist not to miss. Contact: 033-22488271/73 (Foreigners wishing to visit Sundarbans have to obtain a special permit. This is mandatory as per Government rule)  Timings: 7.00 am to 5.00 pm  Charges: Entry Fees: Rs 15 (Indian), Rs 150 (Foreigner) Still Camera: Rs 300 Video Camera: Free Boat Fee: Rs 100 (per Day) Guide: Rs 200   Dublar Char Island     popular Dublar Char, a beautiful island known for its picturesque scenes, is famous for fishing and is a place for fishermen with abundant of fish fauna. One can enjoy the fishing here and have a first hand experience of this fun filled activity. The Island has all the natural beauty of any of the world renowned Islands. It is an attractive island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze. A casual walk around the Island provides the tourist with the chance of spotting many wild animals. With water all around and with lots of fish fauna, Dublar Char offers unique experience to the enthusiastic visitors. Hiron Point (Nilkamal)     popular Hiron Point is a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other spectacular and rare wildlife animals. Also known as Nilkamal, it is famous for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles and many precious birds. This place attracts many tourists owing to its natural beauty and innate splendor. This is a place to have a look at the rare species of wild animals and birds, to be noted in the diary of bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. The visitors can get a comfortable stay in the three-storied Rest House of the Mongla Port Authority with prior booking. Katka     popular Katka a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching. Katka is well known for many rare and majestic wild animals. At Katka, one can see many precious wild animals right from tigers to deer and also varieties of birds and many kinds of monkeys. Here one can hear the natures’ music mixed with the wild fowls in the mornings and evenings. For those interested in wildlife trekking, the vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) is an ideal route. Don’t miss this place if you are an adventurous tourist. Tin Kona Island     popular Tin Kona Island, literally means three cornered Island, is another popular spot for wildlife spotting in Sundarbans. Tin Kona Island is renowned for tiger and deer, where one can come across the real wildlife. This island has an enchanting, but wild beauty merged with wild forests and estuaries. Many tourists visit this Island just to have some relief from the busy town life and to get ideal resting place, merged with the wild beauty of forests and natures’ blessings. Sundarbans does not have railway station. Howrah Jn (HWH) is a nearby train station connected to Kolkata.  Santragachi Jn to Howrah Trains      Trains to Howrah depart from 1 station in Kolkata: Santragachi Jn (SRC)      Related: Howrah to Sundarbans No Train Departure Arrival Duration Running Days 1 Howrah Mail (12840) 03:24 AM (Santragachi Jn) 04:10 AM (Howrah Jn) 0h 46m All Days 2 Howrah Mail (12809) 05:13 AM (Santragachi Jn) 05:50 AM (Howrah Jn) 0h 37m All Days 3 Ypr Howrah Exp (12864) 05:30 AM (Santragachi Jn) 06:10 AM (Howrah Jn) 0h 40m All Days 4 Koraput Hwh Exp (18006) 05:44 AM (Santragachi Jn) 06:25 AM (Howrah Jn) 0h 41m All Days 5 Hte Rnc Hwh Exp (18616) 05:55 AM (Santragachi Jn) 06:35 AM (Howrah Jn) 0h 40m All Days See All Note: The running days are from Kolkata.