National park · India
Sundarbans National Parkसुंदरबन राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
Buy entry ticket (≈₹300 per person), go early; best hikes: Sajnekhali watchtower (2 h) or Chargheri mud‑flat trek (4 h); visit Oct‑Feb; avoid 23 Jun no‑tourism day.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²)
- Total area of the Sundarbans (Indian and Bangladeshi parts) is about 10,500 km²; the national park itself is roughly 1,330 km² (check).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kolkata
Sundarbans National Park covers the Indian side of the world's largest mangrove forest on the Ganges Delta. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a tiger reserve, home to the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, and the Gangetic river dolphin. Access is by boat from Godkhali; the park is a plastic-free zone and closed on 23 June each year.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Sundarbans Tiger Reserve.
Size and age
10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²) · national park since 1966
Total area of the Sundarbans (Indian and Bangladeshi parts) is about 10,500 km²; the national park itself is roughly 1,330 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kolkata.
Why go
- Mangrove forest with Bengal tigers and diverse wildlife.
- Watch towers give rare tiger and crocodile sightings.
- Boat trips showcase the delta's ecosystem.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, good wildlife spotting.
- FebMild, low rain.
- MarHeat rises, occasional showers.
- AprHot, increasing humidity.
- MayPre‑monsoon heat.
- JunMonsoon, strong winds.
- JulHeavy rain, river rise.
- AugPeak monsoon.
- SepMonsoon still active.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Bengal tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Saltwater crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| River dolphin (Platanista gangetica)Oct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Godkhali Gate | Main entry, ticket office, boat launch. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary | Watch tower, interpretation centre, guide hire. | Guided visits only. |
| Chargheri Mud‑flat Area | Mud‑flat trek and coastal walk. | Guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | INR 300 (≈ US$4) | person | Approximate 2026 estimate (check). |
| Boat guide (per day) | INR 1,500–2,000 (≈ US$18–25) | day | State‑run or private; includes guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek (e.g., Chargheri) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300≈ US$4
- ₹1,500–2,000≈ US$18–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Wikidata – Sundarbans National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Plastic
- No plastic allowed; carry out all waste.
- Guides
- Required for all treks and boat trips beyond the main gate.
- Swimming
- Prohibited due to crocodiles and tiger danger.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission (check).check
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; only use provided cooking facilities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Houseboat (M.V. La Fiesta)
4‑room houseboat, meals included, night on water.
Near the park
Matla Tourism Property (Sajnekhali)
Dormitory ₹250 per bed with breakfast.
Near the park
Prakrity Village Resort
Eco‑resort in Gosaba village, rooms with basic amenities.
Safety
Tiger attacks high
Crocodile encounters medium
Boat safety medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to watch tower.
- Trails are uneven, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- No‑plastic policy enforced throughout the park.
- Choose operators that pay community fees and employ local guides.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sundarbans National Park?
Entry is about ₹300 per adult; children often half price. Guide and boat fees are extra.
What are the best hikes in Sundarbans National Park?
Sajnekhali watch tower (2 h) and Chargheri mud‑flat trek (4 h) are the most accessible and rewarding.
When is the best time to visit Sundarbans National Park?
October to February offers dry weather and good wildlife spotting; avoid the monsoon (June‑September) and 23 June (no‑tourism day).
Do I need a guide for a boat safari?
Yes, all boat trips must be with a licensed guide or state‑run operator.
Can I bring plastic bottles into the park?
No. The Sundarbans is a plastic‑free zone; bring reusable containers and take waste out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sundarbans National Park
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