Air:
Kolkata (131 km) would be the ideal base.
Rail:
Port Canning is the closest station, only 48 km South-east
of Kolkata.
Road:
The nearest town is Goshaba (50 km.) From Kolkata, it is best
to take a bus or car to Basunti or Sonakhali or Port Canning.
Entry points are from Port Canning, Thosiave, Namkhana, Sonakhali,
Raidighi, Basanti, Dhamakali and Najat. From here motor launches
can enter the park.
Boat:
From Basanti to Sajnekhali, you can either opt for a direct
boat or halt at Goshaba. Motor launches are also available
from Namkhana, Sonakhali to enter the park A bodbooti, which
is the local term for a small ferry, is a quaint way to get
across the river to Dok Kart from where you can reach Sonakhali
by road in 50 minutes.
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| Permits are compulsorily required if you are visiting
the Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary and can be obtained at the
Forest Department office in Kolkata. Carry your passport. To
visit any other area in the vicinity of the Sunderban, contact
the Divisional Forest Officer, 24 Parganas, 35 Gopalnagar Road,
Kolkata-700 027. (Tel: 091-033-2451037)
From the Mangrove Interpretation Centre at Sajnekhali, you
can tour the area on boats that are available on hire for
the whole day at Rs 500 and for a four-hour stretch at Rs
350. Boat permits are required. A guide is necessary.
Nominal entry fees with additional charges for still and
video cameras are subject to change at short notice. Please
enquire at the Tourist Office. West Bengal Tourism Development
Corporation (WBTDC) organises tour packages -- three-day excursions
on boats every week during the months from October to March.
The trip costs between Rs 800 for basic rooming to Rs 2,350
for twin-berth cabins.
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