Sundarbans??? Kulna
Hi,as i am almost on my way to Bangla Desh i am wondering how to manage cleverly to visit the Sundarbans. As I know, there is a boat (rocket steamer) from Dhaka to Kulna, so i thought to take this boat, as I assume the journey is pretty much going through parts of the Sundarbans. Its not that I have to see the tigers, as i know from previous journeys to animal areas, the animals are always somewhere else, therefor i do not bother,i rather want to see nature and local people, fishing, working, doing their daily duties, so is this a good idea to take the rocket steamer ( maybe both directions, maybe go back from one of the other stops and hire a private boat to go there...) looks like the first class option is a pleasant trip, i have local ferry experience from africa, so it cant get worse i think.
or maybe is there anybody out there of planning the same thing around end of july,...?!!
thanks for suggestions
1
If you can contact Mahmud he could direct you. He's a one man ambassador for Bangladesh. You have the right idea as my people say in the Sundarbans you don't see the tiger, it sees you. They are actually a bit baffled about forens wanting to see them. Interesting vestigial fears..2
While you can take the rocket to Kulna (it's an amazing journey), when you get to the area, you won't be able to get too far into the Sunderbans on a local boat.When you go on the 3+ day journeys arranged (for example by "Bengal Tours", you have all permits and guards organised before you travel. You are not permitted to go into the deeper parts of the region without the required paperwork.
You can certainly arrange with some of the locals in Kulna to take you a little way into the Sunderbans, but not very far.
Tigers are certainly in the region but they smell and hear you long before you will see them. It's more likely that your adversary will be the crocodiles in the estuary which can tip up small boats.
You may also have some issues with the monsoon rains (not sure if it will be hitting at that stage).
3
As zoltan says, the Rocket journey is amazing. But unfortunately now a days rocket goes only till Morelgonj, some miles from Khulna. So, better get of Hularhat station at 11 a.m. Take bus to Bagerhat, visit 60 domed mosque and head to Mongla. In mongly :1. You will find many boats offering day long trip to Sundarbans. Bergain with the help of any local.
Better :
2. You contact with Mr. Ferdous (manager of Govt owned Hotel Pashur) and request him to arrange boat for Sundarbans. Request him to ensure :
a) to go till Harbaria
b) take armed guards with you (it is mandatory)
c) if possible to tag with other foreigners to save the cost.
d) five food and ater for lunch
He is very co-operative man.
Other hand, if you want to enjoy the Sundarbans, you have to take 3-4 days journey with Bengal or Guide tours. But unfortunately they do not arrange trip frequently due to off season. Even though, you can check.
Note : Please do not want to see tigers because many people saw the tigers as first time but could not tell the story to anyone :)
6
zoltan, you should take care of your knees as you have been suffering since long.Tasin is in class III now and Likes cricket. His favorite team is Australia :)
Please allow some time for Bangladesh.
Mahmud
7
This is the year (I hope), where at least one knee will be fixed and give me some ability to move freely.Very happy to hear that your son is doing well - but shouldn't he be following Bangladesh cricketers ? :-)
And, I hope to visit again in the not too distant future. It's still a country of which I have fond memories.
8
Hi Debabrata Ganguly da, thanks for your inquiry. I am trying to sort out a route for you which as under ( dont know your duration of visit. So, I am just mentioning the route and trasnport :-Enetr BD via Benapole border at 11 a.m. Take bus to Khulna n reach afternoon (Bus fare BT Taka 250)
- Go to Mongla for daylong Sundar trip (If u wish)
- Early morning start journey to Bagerhat to viist 60 dome mosque (World heritage). From Bagerhat take the bus to Barisal (3 hours journey, Fare BD Taka 150)
- From Barisal early morning take the ferry (Sea Truck) to Mojuchudhuryhat. After 3 hours get of there and take Noakhali Bus (1.5 hours)
- From Noakhali take the bus to Dhaka.
- Dhaka Kolkata By bus.
Note : Now a days Rocket does not go to Khulna. It goes till MOrelgonj. So, you cn skip this trip but to cover Riverine beauty, you can tak Barisal-Mojuchodhuryhat boat trip as suggested.
Even though, if u want to take Rocket steamer trip, let me know. I will suggest.
In Sundarabsns, it is mandatory to take an armed guard with all groups (even 1 person) with a fee (BD Taka 300) for protection.
Reg expenses, it depends on where you will stay on that. In general Bangladesh is 20% cheaper than Indian cost. So, you can calculated with the above info.
9
Cn i go to Barisal from benapole???????U've mentioned the route to noakhali from mojuchowdhuryhat...is there any parjatan hotel in noakhali??????Edited by: ganguly95
11
from mojuchowdhuryhat, you told that you will go Noakhali. From Noakhali you can take eighetr train or bus to Chittagong.There is no Parjatan hotel in Noakhali but you will find some good budget hotels in that area.
13
Our prog schedule is like this...Kolkata to Benapole den Barisal by bus
Barisal to Kuakata
After that Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat by launch den Noakhali
Noakhali to Chittagong(by bus or train as u've suggested) den Cox's Bazar
den Cox's Bazar to Dhaka by bus
Dhaka to Benapole
Barisal to Kuakata
After that Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat by launch den Noakhali
Noakhali to Chittagong(by bus or train as u've suggested) den Cox's Bazar
den Cox's Bazar to Dhaka by bus
Dhaka to Benapole
Now i've few querries:
1)My forefather's home land was in barisal-kalashkathi....how will we visit dat place???
2)From Noakhali to Chittagong does the train arrive from Fenni???If yes den how will we go there????
3)In Cox's Bazar where is the nearest bus stand???is it at teknaf????
4)How will we book rocket steamer ticket????(Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat)
Besides Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat, please suggest another steamer experience dat we cn avail......
Thanks
14
Our prog schedule is like this...Kolkata to Benapole den Barisal by bus
Barisal to Kuakata
After that Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat by launch den Noakhali
Noakhali to Chittagong(by bus or train as u've suggested) den Cox's Bazar
den Cox's Bazar to Dhaka by bus
Dhaka to Benapole
Now i've few querries:
1)My forefather's home land was in barisal-kalashkathi....how will we visit dat place???
2)From Noakhali to Chittagong does the train arrive from Fenni???If yes den how will we go there????
3)In Cox's Bazar where is the nearest bus stand???is it at teknaf????
4)How will we book rocket steamer ticket????(Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat)
Besides Barisal to Mojuchoudhuryhat, please suggest another steamer experience dat we cn avail......
Thanks
