The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to the Royal Bengal tiger. Most of it lies in Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh side is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Foreign visitors are welcome, and a ship tour from Khulna is the classic way to see it.
Here is what you need to know before you book a Sundarbans tour in Bangladesh.
Permits and the forest fee
- Bring your passport. The Forest Department permission is issued against it, and the operator needs your details a few days before sailing.
- Foreign nationals pay a separate, higher forest fee than Bangladeshi visitors. Our package price includes the fee for Bangladeshi nationals only, so we add the foreigner fee to your quote.
- You cannot enter the forest independently. Every overnight visit goes with a licensed operator, a guide and an armed forest guard. We arrange all of this.
- Season: the forest is closed to tourists every year from 1 June to 31 August. Read the best time to visit.
Getting to Khulna
International flights land in Dhaka. From there:
- By road: since the Padma Bridge opened, buses reach Khulna in around 4 to 5 hours.
- By train: intercity trains, including the Sundarban Express, now cross the Padma Bridge.
- By air: fly from Dhaka to Jashore, then drive about 1.5 hours to Khulna.
We can book your domestic flight with the tour. More detail in how to get from Dhaka to the Sundarbans.
What to expect on board
- A 3-day, 2-night trip from Khulna to Harbaria, Kochikhali, Dimer Char, Katka and Karamjal, with all meals on board. See the Sundarban Tour Package.
- Bangladeshi food: rice, fish, chicken, vegetables and lentils, with tea throughout the day. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
- Lively company. Most passengers are Bangladeshi families and groups of friends, especially at weekends from November to February. For a quieter trip, choose weekdays or a premium ship.
- Guides: if you need an English-speaking guide, tell us when you book and we will confirm availability on your ship.
- Choose your cabin level from budget to premium. See Sundarbans tour cost by ship.
Practical tips
- Cash: carry Bangladeshi taka. There are ATMs in Khulna, but none in the forest.
- Mobile signal fades in the deep forest. Buy a local SIM in Dhaka for the rest of your trip.
- Dress modestly, in light cotton clothes and long trousers for forest walks.
- Drones are banned in the Sundarbans.
- Wildlife: you will see spotted deer, monkeys, crocodiles and many birds. Tigers are rarely seen, though pugmarks on the mud are common.
- Full list: Sundarbans rules and what to pack.
Book your Sundarbans tour
Send a request from the Sundarban Tour Package page with your dates, the number of travellers and your nationalities. We reply on WhatsApp with the ships that have space and a full price, including the foreigner forest fee.
