Sundarban Travel Guide

Everything you need to know before you go

Plan Your Trip

Your Complete Sundarban Guide

From how to get here to what to expect — we've got you covered

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Best Time to Visit

  • October – February: Best season. Cool weather, clear skies, excellent wildlife sightings.
  • March – May: Warmer but still good. Tiger sightings increase near water sources.
  • June – September: Monsoon. Forest may be partially closed. Not recommended.

🌟 Peak season: November to January. Book at least 2 weeks in advance.

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What to Pack

  • Light, muted-colour clothing (avoid bright colours in forest)
  • Insect repellent (essential)
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Binoculars for wildlife watching
  • Camera with zoom lens
  • Personal medications
  • Torch/flashlight
  • Cash (ATMs are limited in the area)
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Permits & Entry

Entry into the Sundarban Tiger Reserve requires permits from the West Bengal Forest Department. All permits are included in our packages — you don't need to arrange anything separately.

Permits required: Forest Entry Permit, Boat Permit, Camera Permit (for professional cameras).

✓ Hotel Ariyen handles all permits for you.

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Budget Planning

  • Package cost: ₹1100 – ₹2800 per person
  • Train to Canning: ₹30–80 (from Sealdah)
  • Bus/auto to Gosaba: ₹50–100
  • Ferry to Pakhirala: ₹20–40
  • Personal shopping: Variable

Total budget for 3-day trip from Kolkata: ₹3000–4000 per person (all inclusive).

Getting Here

How to Reach Hotel Ariyen

1
Kolkata → Canning (Train)

Board a train from Sealdah Station to Canning Station. Trains run frequently. Journey time: ~1.5 hours. Cost: ₹30–80.

2
Canning → Gosaba (Bus/Auto)

From Canning Station, take a bus or shared auto to Gosaba Ferry Ghat. Journey time: ~1 hour. Cost: ₹50–100.

3
Gosaba → Pakhirala (Boat)

Take a ferry or private boat from Gosaba Ferry Ghat to Pakhirala. Journey time: ~30–45 minutes. Cost: ₹20–40.

4
Pakhirala → Hotel Ariyen

Hotel Ariyen is a short walk from the Pakhirala boat ghat. We can arrange pickup — just call us before arrival.

🌿 Pro Tips from Our Guides

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Start boat safaris at dawn — wildlife is most active in the early morning hours.

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Stay quiet on the boat. Loud noises scare away wildlife, especially tigers.

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Apply insect repellent before every boat trip. Mosquitoes are active near the water.

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Download offline maps before you go. Mobile data is unreliable in the forest.

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Carry enough cash. There are very few ATMs in the Sundarban delta area.

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Respect the forest. Do not litter, feed animals, or stray from designated paths.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

Let us handle all the details — permits, transport, meals, and more