RE: SUNDERBAN ISLANDS: - To reach Sunderbans the best route is via Sonkhali (Basanti). Sonkhali is 100 kms (03 hrs) drive from Calcutta city. Then Sonakhali to Sajenekhali (The Jungle Lodge) is 2½ hrs. All the places (Islands) of Sunderban Forest has to be visited by boat and no one is permitted to land at any place other that two/three places where there are watch towers for viewing animals e.g. The Royal Bengal Tiger, Dears, Birds etc. - Accommodation available is only the Tourist Lodge, which is very basic. US $ 15 per double per night on room only basis. - Minimum 02 nights stay in Sunderbans is required to visit the main places and it can be extended upto 03 nights. - To visit Sunderbans a boat /launch has to booked in advance. - Pax cannot proceed directly from the Calcutta airport to Sunderbans as foreigners need a special permit to enter Sunderbans, which is issued in Calcutta by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. So they will have to come to the city for obtaining the permit and later on proceed to Sunderbans. - Formalities required for Permit: Valid passport and Visa in original and presence of client incase of FIT and presence of the Group leader incase of Group. The day for obtaining the permit should be a working day, hence the arrival in Calcutta should be arranged accordingly.

RE: SUNDERBAN ISLANDS: - To reach Sunderbans the best route is via Sonkhali (Basanti). Sonkhali is 100 kms (03 hrs) drive from Calcutta city. Then Sonakhali to Sajenekhali (The Jungle Lodge) is 2½ hrs. All the places (Islands) of Sunderban Forest has to be visited by boat and no one is permitted to land at any place other that two/three places where there are watch towers for viewing animals e.g. The Royal Bengal Tiger, Dears, Birds etc. - Accommodation available is only the Tourist Lodge, which is very basic. - Minimum 02 nights stay in Sunderbans is required to visit the main places and it can be extended upto 03 nights. - To visit Sunderbans a boat /launch has to booked in advance. - Pax cannot proceed directly from the Calcutta airport to Sunderbans as foreigners need a special permit to enter Sunderbans, which is issued in Calcutta by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. So they will have to come to the city for obtaining the permit and later on proceed to Sunderbans. - Formalities required for Permit: Valid passport and Visa in original and presence of client incase of FIT and presence of the Group leader incase of Group. The day for obtaining the permit should be a working day, hence the arrival in Calcutta should be arranged accordingly.Kindly be informed that as per the authorities of the Forest department boats can be used for the game viewing only during the day. For hiring or chartering the boats for an overnight is not permitted.

MESSAGE FROM EXPRESS - CCU (E-MAIL DATED 24-5-2001)
Sunderbans
01 NIGHT/ 02 DAYS PACKAGE

Day 01: After breakfast drive- Kolkata to Sonakhali [Basanti ]-100 Kms - 3Hrs. At Sonakhali boat will be waiting for GRP/FIT at the jetty. It is approx. 3 hours cruise to Sajnekhali [Tourist Lodge] when direct cruise. Alternatively Sonakhali to Gosaba [Village] by boat 1.5 hrs. Gosaba to Pakhiralay by cycle Risksha van which is a ride through the village. At Pakhiralay the same boat will be waiting for the pax to transfer them to Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge. Pakhiralay is on the opposite side of the Tourist Lodge. On arrival at the Lodge permit formalities has to be cleared with the assistance of the accompanying guide. Aftermoon viewing from the watch Tower at Sajnekhali. Overnight at Lodge

Day -02:- Early morning cruise though the forest to Sudanyakhali. Viewing from the watchtower. Visit to Pirkahali, Gazikahali, Sadakkhali, etc. These are the places where the chances of viewing tiger are more. Back to Sonakhali where the car/ caoch will be waiting for the clients to transfer them to Hotel in Kolkata.
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TOUR COST: Per person basis

01 PAX 02 PAX 03 PAX 4- 7 PAX 8 - 14PAX 15 &Above
11,800 7,500 6900 6000 5,500 4700

Cost Includes:

Transfer from CCU/Hotel to Sonakhali and back.
Boat hiring charges
Accomodation on twin sharing basis on MAP basis.
Guide fees
Permit fees
Porterage

Cost excludes:

1. Items not mentioned above.
Sunderbans
2Nights/3daysDay 01: Departure from Hotel by 7 AM by car/coach for Sonakhali/Basanti 100 Kms [ 3 hrs, drive].On arrival at Sonakhali board the boat which be waiting for the Grp/FIT. Boat will drop the pax at Gosaba [village] From Gosaba pax will go through the village by cylce Riksha van for about 01 hour. The Riksha will take the pax to Pakhiralay where the same boat will be waiting for the pax and will transfer them to the Tourist Lodge [Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge] Pakhiralay is just opposite to the Tourist Lodge. On arrival at the Tourist Lodge permit formalities has to be completed with the assistance of the Guide. Overnight at the Tourist Lodge.

Day 02: AM cruise through the forest and visit to the watch tower at Sudnyakhali, Tiger Project ,Gazikali, Pirkhali, Sadakkhali and back to Lodge

Day 03: Visit to the different islands, River Dutta, Widow village and back to Sonakhali where the car/caoch will be waiting for the pax to transfer them back to Hotel in Kolkata.

TOUR COST: Per person basis

01 PAX 02 PAX 03 PAX 4-7 PAX 8-14 PAX 15 & above
14,200 9, 500 8500 7,400 6,500 5250

COST INCLUDES:

Transfer from City hotel to Sonakhali by car/coach.
Boat hiring charges
Accommodation on twin sharing on MAP Basis.
Guide Fees
Porterage

Permit fees

COST EXCLUDES:
1. Items not mentioned above.