A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans are the world’s largest mangrove forest. The remote region of Sundarban is home to elusive Royal Bengal Tigers, saltwater crocodiles and various bird species.
The Sundarban tour packages are carefully designed to offer travellers an immersive experience. These packages often include a combination of adventure, nature, and local culture. Whether you’re cruising silently through the water channels, observing wildlife from the watchtowers, or enjoying local traditional cuisines, each activity reveals a different facet of this unique ecosystem. So let’s find out what activities these tour packages offer for visitors.
List of Activities at the Sundarbans
A journey to the Sundarbans is more than just a gateway; it is an adventure into an ecologically rich landscape. Here’s a look at the most popular activities included in the tour packages.
1. Boat Safari
Boat Safari is the most exciting way to experience this place. It takes you through the vast network of rivers, creeks and mangrove forests. As you cruise through the delta, keep an eye out for the Royal Bengal Tiger, crocodiles, otters, and deer. The calm waters are also home to a wide variety of birdlife.
Most tours offer multiple boat rides for more wildlife sightings. You can also find boat packages with rooms and other facilities. These safari boats are comfortable and safe, so you can have a good time.
2. Kayaking
For people seeking a more intimate and hands-on adventure, Kayaking offers a lifetime experience. Paddling slowly through the silent, narrow backwaters provides a unique perspective of the mangrove wilderness. Unlike motorboat safaris, kayaking allows you to explore the routes less travelled. Exploring the flora and fauna at your own pace gets you closer to nature.
Kayaking must be done under the supervision of a guide for safety and navigation. These guides will also acquaint you with the local biota. Also, carry water, a camera and a waterproof bag for your other belongings. Always maintain a safe distance and do not disturb the animals. The ideal time for kayaking is the winter months from November to February, as the weather is pleasant.
3. Beauty of Nature
The Sundarbans is a wildlife heaven where nature thrives in its rawest form. Stretched over 10,000 square kilometres of diverse landscape, the region is a labyrinth of waterways, mudflats, and dense mangrove forests. Its intricate network forms one of the planet’s most unique and biodiverse ecosystems.
The morning scenes of birds taking flight, deer tiptoeing along the banks, and golden sun rays reflecting off the water surface are surreal. This is the time when the air is filled with the sounds of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves. The evening times are also enchanting when the sky transforms into a canvas of warm hues. The serene rays of the setting sun glow over the mangroves and river, creating a magical atmosphere.
4. Wildlife
The Sundarbans is not just the largest mangrove forest with stunning natural views, but also a habitat for wild animals. The main attraction is the Royal Bengal Tiger, renowned for its distinctive stripes and swimming skills. These big cats are elusive and have adapted to a semi-acquatic life. Other than tigers, you can spot:
- Wild boar
- Chital
- Gangetic dolphin
- Irrawady dolphin
- Leopard cats
- Fishing cats
- Rhesus macaque
- Common otter
- Black finless porpoise
- Small Indian civet
Reptiles like saltwater crocodiles, dangerous snakes (such as the king cobra, common cobra, Russell’s viper, rat snake) and common krait are also sighted.
Sundarbans is also home to a vivid variety of bird species. It welcomes a large number of migrants from higher altitudes, especially in the winter. Species such as water turtles and sea turtles are also found here. This place is also home to various kinds of frogs, fish, crabs, shellfish, and trilobites.
5. Hotel Stay Opposite the Forest
There are various options available to stay opposite the forest. Such stays can offer an up-close experience with wildlife. If you want to enjoy a blend of comfort with raw and untamed nature, choose a tour package for Sundarbans that includes a stay opposite the forest. You can also enjoy some freshly cooked local delicacies. The peaceful surroundings, slow pace, and proximity to raw nature can make your stay a meditative and unforgettable experience. It serves as a perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts.
6. Tribal Dance
Tribal dance is an interesting way to learn more about the region, local communities and their connection to nature. Some hotels, resorts and community tourism projects often organise cultural evenings with cultural folk dance. It’s a nice way to unwind your day by immersing yourself in the folk music and tribal dance along with a night fire camp.
7. Bono Devi Jatra Pala
Bono devi Jatra Pala is a traditional folk theatre and musical drama performed in certain regions of the Sundarbans. This musical drama celebrates the revered guardian spirit of the forest, Bonbibi. This drama is not just for entertainment; it’s a ritual and cultural symbol of the delicate balance between humans and nature.
8. Bird Watching
Bird watching at the Sundarbans allows you to sight and observe both resident and migratory birds. With over 300 bird species recorded, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, especially from November to February. Many Sundarban tours include the birdwatching activity, as this is the hotspot. There are dedicated bird-watching spots that offer views of birds at their best. Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, Netadhopani, Dobanki Watchtower, and Sudhanyakhali Watchtower are important bird-watching spots.
You can spot birds like:
- White bellied sea eagle
- Spoonbills
- Sandpipers
- Stilts
- Whimbrels
- Curlew
- Thick-knees
- Osprey
- Green shanks
- Pond herons
- Grey heron
- Brahminy kite
- Shikra
- Crested serpent eagle
- Short-toed eagle
- Seagulls
- Sunbirds
- Purple heron Night heron
- Indian shag
- Yellow-footed green pigeon
- Cuckoos
- Egrets
- Varieties of ducks, geese and storks
Some rare species, like the Goliath heron and the Buffy Fish Owl, have been spotted occasionally.
9. Cultural Experience
A cultural experience at Sundarbans goes beyond wildlife encounters and scenic boat rides. It offers a glimpse into the rich tradition and how people live closely connected to nature. Whether it’s folklore and beliefs, festivals and celebrations, traditional crafts, cuisines or cultural programs, everything has something spellbinding about it.
10. Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography offers a thrilling and challenging pursuit at the Sundarbans. From elusive tigers and basking crocodiles to vibrant kingfishers and the uncanny root of mangroves, this mysterious landscape is a dream for nature photographers who enjoy capturing the raw environment. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to snap the natural beauty. A local guide can improve the chances of spotting.
Conclusion
The Sundarbans is a beautiful ecosystem where land, water and forest merge. A trip to Sundarban offers much more than just a getaway. It’s a rich tapestry of wildlife exploration, cultural immersion, and ecological discovery. From thrilling boat safaris to wildlife photography, each activity reveals a different facet of the region. Whether you are a naturist, cultural explorer, a photographer or a wanderer, the Sundarbans has something for everyone.