Highlights

SUNDARBAN HILSA FESTIVAL BRINGS YOU MOUTHWATERING FISH DISHES TO SEND YOUR TASTEBUDS TO A TIZZY.

PRIVATELY GUIDED & HOSTED BY AN EXPERT AND SKILLED GUIDE

CHANCES TO PHOTOGRAPH ROYAL BENGAL TIGER, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT IT'S CONSERVATION.

CELEBRATE HILSA FESTIVAL WITH THE ESSENCE OF FOLK MUSIC & TRADITIONAL TRIBAL DANCE.

EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF A COUNTRY BOAT RIDE IN THE DENSE MANGROVE FOREST THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

The month-long Hilsa festival will feature lip-smacking dishes like Hilsa Biriyani, Hilsa bhapa to Ilisher tok.

Your Journey at a glance

Hilsa is not just fish but an emotion of Bengal. Celebrating Bengali culinary heritage, the annual ‘Sundarban Hilsa festival 2022’, a much anticipated 8th edition and this time, it’s at a bigger, better.

Since both Sundarbans and Hilsa fish are significant facets of West Bengal tourism, we thought of combining them, and making Sundarban Ilish Utsav a part of our Sundarban Tour Package.This contains a host of mouth-watering Hilsa fish recipes which will keep you craving for more.
Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2022 – As we traverse through the waters of Sunderbans in the monsoons, we organize a Hilsa fish festival that has become a part of our Sundarban Tour after its tremendous success.
With the rains comes the king of fishes.

Since ages, this has rung true for foodies and fish-lovers of Bengal and Eastern India. Visitors in this part of the year always make it a point to taste the variety of sumptuous Hilsa fish recipes that the cooks here have to offer.
Although we had had this in mind since the start of our journey some 10 years back, we never got to implement it till last year August. Honestly, we were shocked by the huge response we got in our very first year. So much so, that we had to reject a lot of people as there is a dearth of sufficient accommodation in the Sunderbans.
Hence this year, we thought of arranging the Hilsa fish festival on, not one or two, but FOUR Fridays in the month of August, so that many more people can participate and enjoy this festival of the King of Fishes.
As you know, we organize a host of programs in our Sundarban tour package which include Jhumur dance (a local folk form of dance) performance and also a street play that depicts the tale of their local deity Bonbibi, who is worshipped by these delta-dwellers to seek protection against the Sunderban tiger.Apart from these, there will be Baul (folk song) performances, quizzes, games, and much more.
All these will also, be included in our Sunderbans tour package along with the festival of Hilsa fish.
celebrate the Monsoon with the rich and diverse cuisine of Bengal at the ‘Hilsa Festival’ in Sundarbans.

What to expect…

Day 1: Kolkata to Sudarbans

Explore Gosaba Island & market, Visit Hamilton Bungalow (Rabindra Nath Tagore Bungalow), Beacon Bungalow, and a walk to the remote Island (Village walk).

Kolkata to Canning –
Meet & greet at Sealdah Railway Sation Our experienced Sundarban Hilsa Festival tour manager will welcome you.

Reporting time will be 7.45 am. A train ticket is included in our Sundarban Ilish Festival Package, so just a relaxed train ticket will arrange for your tour Manager.

Our journey starts from Sealdah Station by Canning Local train at 8.28 am and reaches Canning Railway station around 9:50 a.m.
Do you know?Sealdah is one of the busiest railway stations in India and also the second-largest railway station in India.
Canning to Sonakhali –Our tour Manager will pick up the team after reaching Canning Railway Station for Sonakhali Ferry Ghat and board a cruise.
Start Cruise Safari –Now we are starting our journey towards Sundarban, breakfast with packaged drinking water will be served by our catering team on the cruise.
Please keep in mind that Sundarban is a plastic-free zone, & must remember we don’t through anything in the River like a disposal tea cup, tissue paper, Plastic, or anything.

Sundarban National Park is a gem in every aspect, so we don’t pollute it.
Explore Gosaba –
Now we will start for Gosaba Island, it will be 2hr journey.

Our destination will be two historical places named Beacon Bungalow and Hamilton Sahib Bungalow, which are situated on Gosaba Island.

The history and heritage importance of two bungalows will be heard from our Sundarban Ilish Utsav tour guide.

You can Also explore Gosaba Market by own, test some local food, chat with local people about their livelihood.
Entering the World Heritage Site –After visiting Gosaba Island we will Start for Sundarban National Park, through our boat.
We sail through the narrow creeks named Durgadoani. After 1 hr of sailing, we will reach the confluence of the Vidya river where you can get the first look at Sundarban Tiger Reserve.

Now you have the opportunity to get in touch and stay thrilling for three hours on the lap of the wild nature of South Bengal. Here on the lap of nature with purity, we arrange a buffet lunch for our tour members.
Land of Royal Bengal Tiger –You will have the experience of witnessing the amazing mangrove forest with Sundari, Garan, Geoya, Golpata, etc, and varieties of birds.
It is high time to witness the royal presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger of India and everybody should be alert and cautious as this king of the beast can move silently. They can jump, swim, and run fast to attack. So get ready with your cameras whether it is a movie or still, no matter- the tiger will not give you a pose to take snaps.

After a whole day boat ride we will reach our Sundarban Hotel, after freshening up and enjoying Traditional Drama & Folk Music based on Sundarban.

After long festy-tour you will enjoy a delightful local folk cultural performance of local tribal artists.

Some times to freshen up and relax, then dinner will be served in hotel/Resort or Cruise.

Day 2 : Entering the Tiger Reserve

Activities: Visit Sudhanyakhali, Pirkhali, Bonbibi Bharani, Gazikhali, Duelbharani, Choragazikhali, Gazikhali, Sarakkhali, Do Banki Watch Tower.

This is the 2nd day of our Sundarban Hilsa Festival.
Today we must start early because today is one of the vital days for us, we will enter the tiger reserve area of Sundarban national park.

Bed tea with biscuits will be served at Hotel. After freshening up we will start our boat from Pakhiralaya jetty ghat.

After boarding the cruise breakfast & tea will serve by our Catering team.

Now the journey began, first we will visit the Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower, but before visiting Sudhanyakhali we must take a Guide which is mandatory for entry to the National Park. So first we will go Sajnekhali Eco-tourism Complex, where we will meet & greet our Forest guide who will guide us for the whole day.

The guide will give us a short introduction to Sundarban National Park.
Now it’s time to visit our first destination, according to our Sundarban Ilish Utsav tour itineraries.
After picking up the guide from Sajnekhali we will start our boat safari, after 30mnt we will enter the narrow creeks of the jungle, now the real thrill began.

The whole day will sail through the tiger reserve area, and our boat will roam through the narrow creeks & canals.

Please keep in mind that you should keep quiet in the Jungle & don’t throw anything in the river, you must obey the National Park rules.
It’s time to visit our first Watchtower in our trip named Sudhanyakhali Watchtower.
Sudhanyakhali watch tower is famous for its tiger Sighting, the maximum number of tigers are sighted from this watchtower comparatively to the rest of the watchtowers.

You can see a freshwater pond & wildlife observation line from this watch tower. Those observation lines are the main key to getting more chances to visit wildlife closely.

After visiting the Sudhanyalhali watchtower we will sail through different creeks like Bonbibi Bharani, Gazikhali, Chora gazikhali, and Sarkakhali.

You must concentrate on the jungle because Sundarban forest is very dense & tigers play hide & seek with us. So keep your camera ready, will get minimum chances to photograph in this park

Sundarban is not only about Royal Bengal Tiger, Sundarban is the Biggest mangrove forest & world’s largest delta on the earth, it is a world heritage site.

Sundarbans are the home of many critically endangered species. You can also see small cats like the Leopard cat, fishing cat & Jungle cat in this mangrove land.

So should keep your eyes on the forest, your patience can make your chances double to sight the world-famous Royal Bengal tiger, Sundarban is the only mangrove land on the earth where the tiger rules.
After 2hr we will reach the Do-Banki watch tower.
Apart from the Watch Tower, there is also a Canopy Walk. This Canopy is about half a kilometer long, 496 meters to be precise, and at a height of about 20 ft from the ground.

It resembles a flyover with a 12 ft high iron net fencing in the form of a canopy to protect tourists from wildlife. This canopy offers an ariel view of the Sundarban forest. Like the other watchtower, there is a freshwater pond. You can see Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizards, Wild Boars and a variety of birds like the Adjutant Storks, Jungle Fowl, Eagles, Raptors as well as Falcons can be sighted here.

Lunch will be served at Boat. You can experience the taste of the different types of delicious Hilsa fish recipes on the boat.

In the evening we will reach Hotel Jetty ghat. After freshening up enjoy the Hilsa Festival evening program at the hotel premises, evening snacks & tea will serve at Hotel.

Dinner will served at hotel between 9pm to 10pm, your tour manager will inform you about tomorrows tour programme.

Day 3: The journey continues...

Activities: Visit Sajnekhali Watch tower, Mangrove interpretation center, Bonbibi Temple, and take a country boat ride to the Pakhir Jungle.

Wake up at the Morning. Morning tea with biscuits will be served at Hotel. After freshening up and checking out from the hotel, we will start our boat safari from Pakhiralaya jetty ghat. After reaching the boat breakfast & tea will serve by our Catering team.
Today we will visit the Sajnekhali Eco-Tourism Complex.
We will visit a turtle pond, named river terrapin (Batagur Baska) & a breeding hatchery inside the Eco-tourism Complex, the Northern River Terrapin is one of the most threatened turtles on the earth, and the 99 individuals in captivity at Sajnekhali Complex represent one of the largest colonies of the species.

Here we will visit Sajnekhali Watchtower, you can experience the aerial view of the Mangrove vegetation, we can see the freshwater pond in front of the watch tower if you are lucky you can witness the wild animal like spotted dear, Wild boar, Water monitor Lizard or Royal Bengal tiger.

After that it’s time to visit the Mangrove Interpretation center, the complex will teach you about Sundarban Wildlife, the Mangrove forest & its livelihood. We will see a Crocodile pond beside the Interpretation center.

You can also see a Bonbibi Temple inside this complex, Banbibi is a guardian spirit of the forests worshiped by both the Hindu and the Muslim communities. You can also find different kinds of Mangrove trees like Sundari, Garan, Geoa, and Hethal, to identify those trees you can also take help from a forest Guide or Tour Manager.
After that we will start for Pakhir Jungle for Bird watching & a thrilling boat ride (Birds Sanctuary). From Our big tourist boat, you will be shifted to a small country boat. This journey you will never forget.
After the country boat ride you will be shifted to the Big Tourist boat. Delicious Hilsa fish preparation will be served at Lunch.

At 4 pm we will reach Sonakhali ferry ghat.

From Sonakhali we will start for Canning Railway Station by auto.

By train, we will reach Sealdah Railway Station at 7 pm. We hope that you have enjoyed your fullest during the Sundarban Hilsa Festival.

Tour Package: Food Menu Overview

Is Sunderbans safe for tourists in rainy season?

In general, touring Sundarbans is considered 100% safe.

Sundarbans is the land of the world’s most ferocious tiger, but still, Sundarban is one of the safest tiger reserves in the world, thanks to the forest department. You always feel safe at home when you are on the Sundarban tour. Iron net fencing always protects you from Wild animals.

July, August & September is the rainy season, the river will be very calm during the rainy season, and there is no heavy rolling in the river, so it will be a very comfortable tour for nature lovers.

Our crew members always guide you when you are roaming through the boat or you are in tiger Land. The People of the Sundarbans are very friendly, cooperative & always ready for help.

So don’t worry take an adventurous journey to the world’s largest delta.

According to the Study Sunderbans

home to 428 species of birds, like the Masked Finfoot and Buffy fish owl, are recorded only from the Sunderbans.

Birds which can be seen around the year are – Collared kingfisher, Lesser adjutant stork, Brahminy kite, Changeable hawk-eagle, Crested serpent eagle, osprey, Shikra, White-bellied sea eagle, Lesser Yellownape, Changeable Hawk Eagle (both dark and pale morphs), White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, and Buffy Fish Owl.
Winter birds like -Brown-winged kingfisher, black-capped kingfisher, Peregrine falcon, Grey-headed Lapwing.
Monsoon birds like -Ruddy kingfisher, Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Whistler.

Precautions for COVID 19

Safety & security is our main motto. Sundarban tour, safe tour.

Still worry about COVID hygienic issue?

Regular Thermal Screening test for Guest, Boat Crew, Manager before the tour.
Daily Boat Sanitization.
To ensure Social distancing, tourist capacity shall be reduced by 50% in Boat.
Fully Sanitized Car for pickup & drop service (Chargeable).

Jewel of the Mangroves

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3 Days from INR 3,800 per person

TAKE YOU FIRST STEP TO THE SUNDARBAN HILSA FESTIVAL

NIGHT STAY AT AC HOTEL 5800

July : 29 - 31

August : 5 – 7, 13 – 15, 19 - 21, 26 - 28

September : 2 – 4, 9 – 11

PRICE AND INCLUSION

Night stay Boat – 3,800/-
1 Night Boat & 1 Night Hotel – 4,300/-
Night stay Hotel – 4,800/-
Night stay at AC Hotel – 5,800/-
By car package – 800 extra

Cost Includes

5N Accommodation in Houseboat.
All permission, Guide charges, Entry fees.
Night stay at Boat.
All Meals.
Mineral Water.
Video Camera Charges wherever applicable
Any extra Meals

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Kolkata to Kolkata by car transfer
Hotel Accommodation (if any).
Tips to Guides/ Crew member.
Movie Camera Charges.
Any item not mentioned in the “inclusion” list.

TREMS AND CONDITIONS

All cancellation requests must be sent through email to sundarbanwildlifeexpedition@gmail.com The refund policy mentioned below will be applicable to an amount outside of the 25% booking amount.
All cancellations before 90 days from the departure date: 100% refund.
All cancellations between 60 – 90 days from the departure date: 50% refund.
All cancellations between 31 – 59 days from the departure date: 25% refund
All cancellations within 30 days from the departure date: No refund can be made. We are sorry!

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What is so Exceptional about our Safari Boat?

Our own camofludge boat – MV LA FIESTA

Our sole love of this Sundarban Wildlife Photography in India Tour for the Wildlife Expeditions is our very own creation – our cruise – “LA FIESTA,” a camouflaged, totally unnoticeable object build to hide in the woods. This helps us to move even closer to our creatures without getting noticed. Our skillful and competent workers have put a lot of effort to build this specialized boat, keeping in mind the nature of the forest.

Features to look for

when on the cruise for the Wildlife Expeditions

6 Cylinder Boat – Our cruise is a 6 cylinder boat with less vibration- making it a perfect match for a wildlife photographer to take that clear click. Our visitors can take their best shot without any engine noise and no shaking whatsoever.
No seepage issues because of the brilliant work done towards the construction of the cruise.
Our “LA FIESTA” comes with an added advantage called the smooth reversible gear, helping the cruise to move in all directions within spilled seconds. This always helped our photographer visitors take that quick shot whenever required.
The inbuilt Genset and Back-up battery helps our wildlife photographers take those uninterrupted photographs for days without running out of those batteries and posting the photos on time while keeping their laptops and phones charged all the time.
Our Cruise is divided into two decks – Upper and Lower – Lower Deck is solely prepared to keep in mind the need to rest after a hectic shoot day. Though in a system of the dormitory, still separating it with the other beds with the help of curtains on each side and window on the other side, ensuring privacy while you are charging up for the next morning of the best safari in India.
Keeping in mind the safety and security, our upper deck is protected with the complete construction of the railing on all sides.
Our Upper Deck also has a tent for up to 3 -4 visitor simultaneously.

Note – We do not prefer more than 8 to 10 visitor while on the trip maintaining the sanity and interest of the trip – lesser the people, more the silence.

Sundarban Wildlife Photo Safaris highlights & updates

Just by travelling with ‘Sundarban Wildlife Tourism’, you make a meangingful difference to land, wildlife & people of the areas operate in

If you are looking for a “wildlife tours near me” then this is a complete 5/3 days Wildlife Photo Safaris tour with no halts cruising through the major creeks of the national park of Sundarban attempting to cover the major and the minor sighting.
Expert at work – More than 10 Year Experience guide come photographer Samir Sarkar, alongside best Forest Guide & local people experience making this a major success.
To celebrate the wildlife photography holidays we have our own ‘LA FIESTA’ cruise with 6 cylinder engine for fast movement, minimal noise, and less pollution.
This wildlife photography tour is designed by the joint effort of a team for the best wildlife holidays, comprising of experts photographers, naturalist, and a local guide.
We will be accompanied by the crew member who was either a fisherman or a honey collector before, their experience enriches in this Tiger Safari India Tour.

Why Hilsa Festival with us?

Sundarban Wildlife Tourism is ISO 9001 : 2015 Certified Company, we are never compromising with Quality.

We are 5 stars rated Sundarban tour operator on Google, Facebook & TripAdvisor.

24 x 7 Doctor on Call Services in any kind of medical emergency.

Guest safety & security is our main priority.

More than 15+ years of experience, 1200+ Sundarban tours, and 15,000+ satisfied guests throughout the world.

We are trying to accommodate our guests in the best hotel in Sundarban.

Power Backup facilities in Hotel during tours.

The experience tour manager, making sure that arrangements run as smoothly & enjoyable.

The world needs more stripes

Did you know that there are less than 4,000 of these strikingly beautiful cats left in the world?

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ROYAL BENGAL TIGER

Photo Gallery

Photo taken by tour mentor Samir Sarkar

Frequently asked questions

How is the boat stay facility in Sundarbans?

Night stay at Boat is only for those who love adventure and want to stay a night in a different ambiance & experience a stay from regular life.

In Sundarban Hilsa Festival Night staying at boat facilities is not like a hotel, only primary facilities available on the boat, dormitory pattern on the lower deck, we will offer separate double sharing bed, 1 Common western washroom & 1 Common Indian Washroom.

You can expect mobile Phone charging facilities at Night.

But, if you need comfortable facilities then choose night stay at Hotel Package.l.

Who will our tour Mentor ?

Samir Sarkar is an Indian-based Nature & Wildlife Photographer, Conservationist & Wildlife enthusiast. His love for wildlife made him quit his IT Job & Business, & took up Wildlife photography as a full-time passion.

He has served as a Wildlife tour guide, and conservationist in Sundarban National Park form 2012.

He will conduct the whole Sundarban wildlife tour.

How many tigers are there in Sundarban?

In the 2014 national census, 76 tigers were traced in the zone. In 2018, the number of big cats was 88. The 2020-2021 Census conducted by the state forest department had found 96 tigers in the delta.

Why the tiger is called Dakshin Ray?

Dakshin Ray (“King of the South”) is a revered deity in the Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh who rules over beasts and demons.

He is regarded as the overall ruler of the Sundarbans. Through his ascetic power, he took the form of a tiger called Dakshin Rai.

What type of forest is Sundarban?

The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world (140,000 ha), lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal.

It is adjacent to the border of India’s Sundarbans World Heritage site inscribed in 1987.

The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes.

The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger, and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.

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