Trip to Sundarban Mangrove Forest

Trip to Sundarbans Forest with PathFriend

Tour Type: Adventure Tour / Wildlife Safari / River Cruise / Nature Tour

SUNDARBAN

Areas we mostly cover

The Sundarban Forest is a diverse and complex ecosystem, influenced by fresh-water inflow, proximity to the Bay of Bengal and human activities. In the south eastern part, the biodiversity is highest. Due to open sea-facing meadows, wildlife visibility is best here. Therefore most of our tours visit Katka and Kachikhali in the South East Sanctuary.

Activities we offer in our tour:

Exploring narrow creeks by silent country boat and observing wildlife up close

Walking on the beautiful, unspoiled sandy beaches along the Bay of Bengal

Trekking through the mangrove forest

Bird-watching

Mud-baths and refreshing swim

Special Trips

Honey Collection (April – May)

After watching the official opening ceremony of the annual Honey collection season in Burigoalini, we follow a group of Honey collectors to the western part of the forest and join their search for precious honey – a livelihood that has survived through the centuries. This is a physically demanding tour, but unique and unforgettable – A true adventure in the Land of the Tiger.
Bonbibi Mela (January)

People entering the Sundarban Forest to extract forest resources, including fishermen, wood-cutters and honey collectors, pray for a safe return to Bonbibi, the local forest deity. Along the forest edge permanent shrines are built in her honor. The clay figurines are replaced and colorfully decorated once a year; a unique festive occasion with music, theaters and fairs.

Dubla Rash Purnima Mela

(Dependant on Lunar Calendar, normally end of November)

Dubla Island, situated at the mouth of the Holy River Ganges, is inhabited by fishermen during the winter months. They are joined by thousands of Hindu pilgrims for the annual Rash Mela, the festival of the Rash full moon. After joyous celebrations and fair activities the night before, the devotees congregate in long lines at the water’s edge in the early hours, holding their offerings and awaiting their blessing. This tour is a special treat for photographers and travelers interested in local traditions and festivals.

Bird-watching Tours

Bangladesh is situated on the cross-path of two major migratory flyways. The coastal areas, including Sundarban Forest, are important breeding, resting and feeding places for a large variety of resident and migratory birds.

We spend a major part of the day in the comfortable, silent country boat exploring small creeks and channels. With your observations you can help map nesting sites and update the avifauna species list for Sundarban.

Fishing with Trained Otters

This unique traditional fishing technique is only found in Bangladesh. Fishermen from the Narail/Gopalganj area breed and train their otters to increase the catch. Although they mainly work in the rivers north of the forest, they also enter the Sundarban forest. This tour will start in their home villages and follow the fishermen to Sundarban.

THINGS TO CARRY:

1. Windbreaker / raincoat / umbrella
2. Snicker shoes for walking
3. Hat / Cap for Sun protection
4. Sun-burn lotion & insects spray
5. Binoculars
6. Camera & films
7. Toothpaste & tooth brush
8. Towels
9. Bath soap
10. Medicine
11. Flash light
12. A pair of sharp eyes to locate interesting objects.

PROGRAM 01:

Dhaka – Khulna – Sundarban – Khulna – Dhaka

4 NIGHTS and 4 DAYS

Start from Dhaka by day coach & Return from Khulna by night coach

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 01:

Leave Dhaka in the morning at 08:30 by reserved AC Coach for Khulna. Arrival at Khulna in the afternoon at around 16:00 and will be transferred to our boat. Immediately the boat will start cruising towards the Sundarbans Forest. We’ll arrive at Dangmari / Chadpai forest station in the late afternoon and anchor the boat near the forest station for overnight on the boat.

Day 02:

Early in the morning we shall move to KOTKA. After arrival at Kotka, we shall go for a jungle walk up to the beach. We’ll be back to the boat for lunch. After lunch, explore the opposite side of Kotka. Dinner & overnight will be on the boat at Kotka.

Day 03:

Early in the morning we shall offer trip through small creeks and canals by country boat. Then cruise towards KOCHIKHALI. Upon arrival Jungle walk near forest office. Afternoon explore the surrounding area of Kochikhali. Bar – B – Q dinner & overnight at Kochikhali.

Day 04:

After boat trip at the early morning have breakfast. Around 10:00hrs leave Kochikhali for Khulna. Arrive at Khulna in the evening. After dinner drive back to Dhaka by reserved a/c coach. Upon arrival at Dhaka in the morning, end the tour.

PACKAGE SHALL INCLUDE:

1. Dhaka-Khulna-Dhaka AC bus ticket.
2. Cruise inside the Forest with M.V.KOKILMONI
3. Accommodation on our cruiser on twin sharing basis
4. Meals:
5. All activities inside the forest as per itinerary.
6. Small country boat to make trips inside small canals/creeks.
7. Mineral water for drinking during the trip.
8. BAR-B-Q dinner on the last night inside the forest.
9. Forest fees, permission & armed forest guard from the forest department.
10. An accompanied Guide during the trip.

• Breakfast from day 2 – Dinner on day 4
• Lunch from day 2 – Dinner on day 4

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

1. Drinks both hard and soft.
2. Items of personal nature and items not mentioned above.
3. Fees for the video & still cameras of the guests.

STANDARD MENU:

Breakfast:

• Toast, Butter, Egg-omelet/fry, Jam, tea & coffee, seasonal fruit. Or
• Chapati, omelet, mixed vegetable, tea & coffee, fresh fruit.

Lunch:

• Plain rice, mixed vegetable, thick dal (lintels), fish fry, salad, tea & coffee, dessert. Or
• Plain polau, fried vegetable, chicken curry, salad, tea & coffee, dessert. Or
• Khichuri, potato chop, fried vegetable, mutton curry, salad, tea & coffee, dessert.

Dinner:

• Plain rice, vegetable chop, thick dal, fish or chicken curry, mixed vegetable, salad, tea & coffee, dessert. Or
• Fried rice, French fry, boiled vegetable, chicken curry, salad, tea & coffee, dessert. Or
• Noodle & fried rice, mixed vegetable, Bar-B-Q chicken & fish, salad, tea & coffee, dessert

*** Chef will select the day’s menu from the above items.

Program 02:

Explore SUNDARBAN with Kotka and Kochikhali wildlife sanctuary.

TOUR DURATION: 4 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS or 3 Days/ 2 nights

Day 01: Leave Dhaka at 22:30 pm by reserved AC Night Coach for Khulna. From Khulna to Mongla by a/c Car. Or fly to jessore and transfer to Mongla by our reserved vehicle.

Day 02: Arrival at Khulna in the early morning, and will be transferred to our boat and immediately the boat will start cruising towards the Sundarbans Forest. We’ll arrive at Kotka around 1600 hrs. In the late afternoon hiking in the Kotka forest area to see wild life and forest. Overnight at Kotka on the boat.

Day 03: Early in the morning we shall offer trip through small creeks and canals by country boat to see the wildlife and feel the forest from very close. After breakfast Jungle walk, etc will be offered. At around 12:00 hrs start cruising towards Kochikhali wildlife sanctuary, upon arrival Jungle walk near forest office. Bar – B – Q dinner on boat & overnight on the boat at Kochikhali. Overnight on the boat at Kochikhali.

Day 04: Early in the morning we shall offer trip through small creeks and canals by country boat. Around 1200 hrs, leave Kochikhali for Mongla. Arrive at Khulna in the evening. After dinner drive back to Dhaka by reserved A/C coach. Overnight drive.Or fly back to Dhaka from Jessore.

Upon arrival at Dhaka in the morning, END of TOUR.

PRICE PER PERSON (in BDT):

2 pax	3 pax	4 pax	5 pax	6 pax	7 pax	8 pax	9 pax	10 pax	11 pax	12 pax
45000	25000	22000	18000	17000	16000	15000	14000	13500	13000	12500

Child (2-10 years): 30% less than the adult price.

Child (below 02 years): will not be charged.

* Special Rate for Group Tour Package

PACKAGE COST INCLUDES:

1. (Dhaka-Khulna-Dhaka by AC  Scaniya bus)  and (Khulna – Mongla – Khulna by a/c Car).
2. Cruise inside the Forest with exclusive tourist boat.
3. Accommodation on twin sharing basis
4. All meals from day-2 today-4.
5. All activities inside the forest as per itinerary.
6. Small country boat to make trips inside small canals/creeks.
7. Mineral water for drinking during the trip.
9. Forest fees, permission for Bangladeshi national
10. An accompanied Guide during the trip.

PACKAGE COST EXCLUDES:

1. Drinks both hard and soft.
2. Items of personal nature and items not mentioned above.
3. Forest permission fees (1700 Taka per day) for foreign national and the video & still cameras 300 Taka per day of the guests.

PROGRAM 03

Cruises Rocket (Paddle Steamer in Bangladesh), Overnight cruises towards 60 dome mosque (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Sundarban forest.

Day 01: Dhaka to Morolgonj by Paddle wheel steamer
In the afternoon (16:00 hrs), we start journey to Sadarghat steamer port. After arrival at Sadarghat accommodate the Rocket steamer & start cruise at 18:30 hrs. The famous paddle wheel steamer (now converted from steam to marine diesel engine) on ward to Morolgonj under Bagerhat. Night pass in the 1st class AC cabin on the boat. Overnight at steamer.

Day 02:: Full day cruise by Paddle wheel steamer to Morolgonj

After full day cruise Rocket will arrive Morolgonj by 16-17 hrs. Drive to Bagerhat by AC car to visit the historical sixty domes Mosque and The world heritage site along with other historical places of nearby areas. Transfer to Hotel Passur** by the river bank and overnight stay at hotel Pasur

Day 03: Early morning, immediately the boat will start cruising towards the Sundarbans Forest. We’ll arrive at Kotka around 1600 hrs. In the late afternoon hiking in the Kotka forest area to see wild life and forest. Overnight at Kotka on the boat.

Day 04: Early in the morning we shall offer trip through small creeks and canals by country boat to see the wildlife and feel the forest from very close. After breakfast Jungle walk, etc will be offered. At around 12:00 hrs start cruising towards Kochikhali wildlife sanctuary, upon arrival Jungle walk near forest office. Bar – B – Q dinner on boat & overnight on the boat at Kochikhali. Overnight on the boat at Kochikhali.

Day 05: Early in the morning we shall offer trip through small creeks and canals by country boat, leave Kochikhali for Mongla. From Mongla to Jessore by reserved car and by evening flight back to Dhaka from Jessore.

Price per person in BDT:  35,000

Price shall include:

1.Cruise inside the Forest with exclusive tourist boat.
2. Accommodation on twin sharing basis
3. All meals during Sundarban cruise.
4. All activities inside the forest as per itinerary.
5. Small country boat to make trips inside small canals/creeks.
6. Mineral water for drinking during the trip.
7. Forest fees, permission & armed forest guard from the forest department
8. An accompanied Guide during the trip.

9. Air ticket ( Jessore to Dhaka)

10. Rocket Cruise (Dhaka – Morolgonj).

11. A/C Car for sightseeing and transfer

PACKAGE COST EXCLUDES:

1. Drinks both hard and soft.
2. Items of personal nature and items not mentioned above.
3. Fees for the video & still cameras of the guests.

4. Food during Rocket cruise and hotel Pashur.

PROGRAM 04:

Cruises Rocket (Paddle Steamer in Bangladesh), Overnight cruises towards 60 dome mosque (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Sundarban forest.

Day-01: Dhaka to Morolgonj by Paddle wheel steamer
In the afternoon (16:00 hrs), we start journey to Sadarghat steamer port. After arrival at Sadarghat accommodate the Rocket steamer & start cruise at 18:30 hrs. The famous paddle wheel steamer (now converted from steam to marine diesel engine) on ward to Morolgonj under Bagerhat. Night pass in the 1st class AC cabin on the boat. Overnight at steamer.

Day-02: Full day cruise by Paddle wheel steamer to Morolgonj

After full day cruise Rocket will arrive Morolgonj by 16-17 hrs. Drive to Bagerhat by AC car to visit the historical sixty domes Mosque and The world heritage site along with other historical places of nearby areas. Transfer to Hotel Passur** by the river bank and overnight stay at hotel Pasur

Day-03: Full day trip to Sundarbans
After early breakfast board the tourist boat (fiber boat) towards Sundarbans mangrove forest (2 hrs journey) through the Passur River and visit the Karamjal panoramic tourist Resort and salt water crocodile’s arboretum. You can walk through a wooden path deep inside the forest (1/2 km) to observe the forest vegetation and the wildlife like spotted deer, Monkeys wildfowl and beautiful birds. We will spend whole day by cruising different rivers and canals up to Harbaria forest point to feel the forest from very close with a rare chance to see a tiger and the fishermen. Return to Mongla and overnight at Jessore Hotel.

Day-04: By morning flight back to Dhaka
After breakfast by morning flight back to Dhaka.

Price per person: Taka 26000 (we need minimum 2 persons to run this trip)

Price shall include:

English speaking tour guide

A/c Vehicles

Rocket Steamer Trip

Sundarbans Trip/forest permission and taxes

A/c Accommodations on twin sharing basis

Air Ticket (Jessore-Dhaka)

Tour Guide English speaking.

Price shall exclude: 

Food/Mineral Water/soft Drinks and tips.

Price per person: Taka 21,500  one way Mongla- Khulna by Car and Khulna – Dhaka by A/C Bus

(we need minimum 2 persons to run this trip)

Address: PathFriend Tour Operator

House # 157/B, Road # 22, DOHS Mohakhali, Dhaka

Cell: +880 1913394033, +880 1672081920.

E-mail: info@pathfriend-bd.com, papon.pathfriend@gmail.com

Web:  www.pathfriend-bd.com

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