Situated at the mouth of the great Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, the world’s largest continuous mangrove forest, Sundarban, is shared by India and Bangladesh. The forest covers 10,000 sq kilometers of the delta, two-thirds of this lies within Bangladesh’s borders.

About a third of the Sundarban Forest area is covered by a complex network of tidal creeks, mudflats and small islands, and the entire forest is subject to tidal inundation.

Sundarban, Bangladesh’s only protection against tidal surges and annual cyclones has the highest biodiversity of any mangrove forest in the world. Besides the large variety in flora, the faunal diversity is amazing:

Travel Information Get there.
All travel in Sundarban is boat-based. Our tours operate out of Khulna, Mongla or Dhaka. The closest airport is Jessore, with regular shuttle service to Khulna. Bus service between Dhaka and Khulna is available.

Permit is necessary.
Permission from the Forest Department is required for all visitors entering the forest. If you visit the forest with The Guide Tours Ltd. we will take care of all the necessary paperwork.

Best season.
The Sundarban Forest offers visitors spectacular sights and experiences all year round. October to February (winter), when the sun is mild and pleasant, is generally considered the best season for visiting. The marine zone can be visited only in winter.From March to May (summer) and May to October (monsoon) temperatures and humidity are high, increasing chances for sighting snakes and nesting activities in the lush green vegetation.

Areas we 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 Kochikhali in the South East Sanctuary.

Activities we offer.
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
Participation in ongoing Research activities
Presentations offered by Nature Guides
Evening Film show
Mud-baths and refreshing swims
Whale and Dolphin Watching

Our itineraries are based on Khulna to Khulna travel, and include accommodation and excellent cuisine. Departure dates of our tours are announced in advance, making it easy for individuals to join on convenient dates. All our tours are accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced multi-lingual Nature Guides.
Exclusive tours for private groups, institutions and corporate bodies, which can be combined with research, onboard meetings, training sessions or workshops, can be arranged at any time.

Special Trips

Bay of Bengal Exploration:
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour (December – February)
Join our special trip to the Swatch of No-Ground, a deep underwater canyon in the Bay of Bengal. Aboard a sea-going fishing trawler we travel to the edge of the Swatch, where an amazing color-change indicates the drop-off. Here marine mammals congregate, as the food supply is plentiful. So far six dolphin and two whale species have been recorded in the coastal and off-shore waters of Bangladesh. Our current research focuses on systematically recording all cetacean sightings and related data as well as establishing a photo-data base for bottlenose dolphins. It is possible to combine this expedition with our regular Sundarban tours.

Honey Collection (April – June)
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 beginning 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 waters edge in the early morning 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.

Bagerhaat
Unesco-protected Bagerhaat has the more ancient mosques and mausoleums than anywhere else in Bangladesh. But the main attraction is the Shait Gombuj or 60-dome mosque. It is the largest and most magnificent traditional mosque in the country. Around the 60-domed mosque are three other smaller, single domed mosques namely Bibi Begni’s Mosque, Chunakhola Mosque and Singar Mosque. About 2 km east of the Shait Gombuj mosque is the splendid Ronbijoypur Mosque. It has the largest dome in Bangladesh, spanning 11 m and supported by 3 m thick walls.

On the western bank of the Thakur Dighi pond is the Nine-domed mosque. It has an impressive structure with mihrabs embellished with terracotta floral scrolls and foliage motifs, with a prominent chain and bell terracotta motif in the centre. Just north of the 9-domed mosque is the Zinda Pir Mosque.

A popular pilgrimage site in Bagerhat is the Khan Jahan Ali’s mazhar/ tomb. Khan Jahan Ali was one of the most respected men in Bangladeshi history and is a significant support for Islam in Bangladesh. It is the only monument that has retained its original domed ceilings. The cenotaph at the entrance is covered with tiled of various colours and inscribed with Quranic verses. The pond out front has a couple of sweet water crocodiles. There is also a single-domed mosque known as the Dargah Mosque.

Our Logistics

M. V. Aboshar
M.V. Aboshar, our largest cruising vessel, is the best choice for large groups, providing accommodation for 45 passengers in 20 basic cabins. Exploring Bangladesh, the Land of Rivers, aboard M.V. Aboshar is a special treat – we run trips from Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong to the Sundarban Forest and other destinations of interest.

M. V. Chhuti
M.V. Chhuti, the first private vessel designed for tourism in Bangladesh, was especially built for cruises to the Sundarban Forest and other areas of Bangladesh in 1995. It has been further renovated into a more comfortable boat. M.V. Chhuti is the ideal vessel for groups of up to 20 people, with basic accommodation in 10 cabins.

M. L. Bonbibi
M.L. Bonbibi is the newest addition to our fleet; this beautiful boat with spacious cabins is particularly suitable for small groups with high service standard expectations.

Our experienced, certified captains and their crew are well trained to make every trip safe, enjoyable and relaxing for all guests. A team of cooks and assistants manage the kitchens aboard our vessels with great care and perfection. Besides preparing outstanding traditional Bangladeshi dishes, they also cater to individual requirements, such as vegetarian meals and special children’s menus. All food is prepared on board, using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The Guide Tours Ltd. is one of the oldest private tour operators in Bangladesh. Our long standing tradition of excellent, professional service for local and foreign travelers is well known and respected. Since 1978 we have been operating tours to the Sundarban Forest. We aim towards providing environmental friendly tourism and support research projects to benefit this unique habitat. We provide logistical support to filmmakers, photographers or TV teams for documentary films on the Sundarban Forest and related aspects. Being the most experienced tour operator in the Sundarban Forest, we are aware of our senior position as a role model. Conservation of this fragile eco-system is our credo; we are working together with national institutions, local communities, scientists and researchers towards raising awareness, sustainable use of forest resources and responsible tourism.

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