Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sundarban Houseboat launched?

Sundarban Houseboat was launched in 2013. The result was a continuous process of research and analysis in regards to hospitality and houseboat management for 2 years prior to the launch. The customisation and construction of the Houseboat was completed in 1 year 6 months’ time-frame.

Tell me more about Sundarban Houseboat and people behind it?

We believe in delivering high-quality service. Our focus is solely on our customers (guests). Thus, we concentrated on developing a customer-centric hospitality service model.

What is your office address?

Sundarban Houseboat is a company registered under the Companies Act, as well as, with the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. We understand your concern about have one-on-one communication, rather than a digital one. However, we assure you we are authentic and certified service provider in the hospitality sector. You can connect with us through Facebook and TripAdvisor, as well as, learn more about us from the experiences of our previous guests.

Can I make in-person payment at your office?

We welcome online payment, as well as, account transfer transaction. And if you reside in Kolkata, we can also collect the payment from your residence.

Can your houseboat be compared with a 4-Star Hotel?

We at Sundarban Houseboat do not brand our establishment like that of a 4-star or 5-star hotel, neither do we compare with such accommodations. Our focus and goal is to provide comfort, convenience and safe accommodation to guests. And we strive to deliver highest standard of amenities and itinerary. Luxury is subjective and we help create experiences for our guests. Our boat is designed and constructed by the professional architects and developed as a core source of mechanical engineering. We try to keep our establishment within the lines of adventure holiday, making it easy and fulfilling to explore the dense beauty of Sundarbans.

Can we get only Twin sharing cabins?

Yes, you can opt for a twin sharing cabin. We have 3 double bed cabins available.

Why the price differs for every tour and per guest?

We have two price components. One is a fixed component that includes our expenses, like, fuel, etc. Variables that are based on the number of guests, for example, forest permission, food, etc. The price is evaluated after the addition of both the components. Thus, the higher the guest count, lower will be the price per guest.

You’ve mentioned that the maximum capacity is for 14 adults. So, how can 3 cabins accommodate such a number? What is the bed capacity? How many baths are present?

Three rooms come with attached individual washrooms with baths.Each room is a double-bed room, which can be customized to accommodate 14 guests in total. Deluxe Room (Room-1) is our Special double bedroom that can house 2 guests and is ideal for couples and small families. Super Deluxe Room (Rooms 2 and 3) are our twin bedrooms (Can be joined to make it double or extended to accommodate 4 guests in each). There are additional 2 bunk beds available in the rooms, that are as comfortable as any hotel beds. We also have tents and airbeds that can accommodate an additional 11 guests who would be more than adventurous to spend their nights in the upper non-AC deck. Since it is a houseboat, our bathrooms are not humongous in size but comfortable and convenient enough to use.

What does your package includes?

Pickup and drop off from Kolkata to our ferry in an AC vehicle (if opted)

Your tour and accommodation in our houseboat.

Welcome drinks, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and snacks and dinner (regular veg or non-veg based on guests’ preference). We have an ala carte menu of snacks and drinks available, which are chargeable and not included in the package.

Forest Department entry fees for sightseeing, includes guests with STILL camera. Entry will be chargeable for carrying video cameras or conducting videographies, documentaries, etc. which guests have to pay.

How you’re defining your Luxury Houseboat experience?

Luxury is subjective. We ensure to create the best experiences for our guests. Our houseboat is designed and built in lines of the rustic nature of Sundarbans’ ambience. You will be provided with high-quality comfort, convenience and safety facilities. Our houseboat is equipped with all the facilities that guarantee comfort and safety for our guests. Our crew members are trained professionals, well-informed about all the safety measures and norms.Guests with minor children are requested to not leave them unattended or unaccompanied.

What is child policy?

We charge 50% for children within 8 years of age.

What type of cuisine you serve? Is any choice of food available?

Our experienced chef onboard serve dishes from an indicative itinerary. The menu is devised keeping guest needs in mind, as well as, their health. We finalise the menu with guest consultation prior to the tour. Early intimation is required, if you have any individualised need, health concerns, like food allergies or community based requirements, such as, only Jain cuisines, etc.

Do you provide mineral water for drinking?

We provide a 20 litre / 5 gallons of mineral water, which is included in the chosen package. 1 litre mineral water bottles are chargeable and available onboard.

What are the general terms and conditions for booking?

We provide pick-up from Kolkata via our car scheduled at 9:30 AM (if opted). The drive to Jharkhali / Godkhali is between 2 - 3 hours from where our houseboat will depart, scheduled at 1:00 PM.

After the completion of the trip, our houseboat will reach Jharkhali / Godkhali at approximately 12:00 noon - from where (if opted) guests will be dropped to Kolkata. Expect to reach Kolkata by 4:00 PM.

Our management team is proficient. We will make sure that the schedules are maintained. However, in case of delays due to unwanted or unseen situations, we requests our guests to cooperate with us.

Each tour and schedule is devised keeping guest needs and other external factors in mind. In any unlikely situation, wherein the tour is cancelled, we are accountable towards the rescheduling and it’s our responsibility to mutually agree upon the dates. If situations do not permit us to ply on a specific date, we will make 100% refund for the said trip to our guests.

In case of non payment, the booking will be cancelled without any notice and the advance amount will be forfeited.

Our package includes - welcome drink, breakfast, lunch, dinner evening snacks, tea / coffee - along with a few al carte snack and beverage items, which are not included in the packages.

Air conditioning is available in every cabin between 9:30 PM and 5:30 AM. If you require AC during the unlisted hours, it will be chargeable. However, the same is not applicable for guests opting for the Premium Package. For Premium Package, air conditioning is Free of charge.

The fare covers Forest Department entry fees for all sites. Still photography is not chargeable. Guests who wish to make videos, documentaries or similar visual content, they will have to make the necessary payment.

Guests are requested to provide the following details, including that of children - Name, Age and Gender. Guests from abroad have to provide us photocopies of their Visa and Passport and carry their originals. The process is required for seeking permission from the Forest Department.

All communication with Foreign Guests will be made by our management via email and with our Domestic guests, it will be through phone and / or email.

All disputes are subjected to Kolkata Jurisdiction. In case of any delay in payment beyond 7 days, interest of 24% p.a. will be applicable.

We are committed to conserve the Sundarban Ecosystem. Thus, we expect our guests to share the same sentiment towards the environment. Discarding waste in the river will call for a penalty imposition by the Forest Department.

Is there any predefined route for each package and the destination will be covered within that package?

The routes depend on natural elements and factors. We try to make sure our guests are communicated about the routes prior to the commencement of the trip. Furthermore, the rerouting or changes are subjected to external factors or weather conditions.

How do you handle group trips?

We can offer group trips for groups starting from 14 people up to 25 people. We have three rooms available in our houseboat. We will make arrangements for all the guests in those rooms only. After getting your booking requests, one of our booking agents, will help you understand the total process regarding a group trip.

What type of flora and fauna experiences can we get by visiting Sundarbans?

Sundarbans is the largest mangrove in the world. It is home to not only the mighty beast - The Royal Bengal Tiger, but also many other species of birds and creatures. It is home to over 84 flora species, which nurtures in the brackish Swamy water, alluvial soil and seawater of the woodland habitation. The unique ecosystem of the wilderness gives life to not only the menacingly mighty tigers but also a myriad species - from foxes, fishing cats, pangolins, flying foxes, common grey mongoose, wild boars, macaques, spotted deer to a diverse pack of crustaceans.

Will there be a tour guide to help us explore different sites in Sundarban?

Yes, we will have a designated tour guide from the Forest Department available during the entire trip.

What are the different room options available?

Currently, we have 1 Deluxe Room and 2 Super Deluxe rooms. Each room, is fully loaded with the all the facilities, including the availability of hot water. However, our source of hot water is through Solar Energy. Thus, it might take some time for the hot water to flow immediately. In such a case, you can call for assistance from our crew members.

What will happen in case of a trip cancellation?

Tour cancellations usually take place due to unavoidable situations. In case of such an occurrence, we reschedule the date (s) to available date (s) or provide full refund to our guests, but from the receivable amount only without any charges or interests. Kindly note: We will not be liable to payments related to incidental damages / expenses incurred by guests on account of booking cancellation from their respective banking institutions.

How will you accommodate bookings, if a guest postpones or cancels the trip?

We offer a convenient and adaptable source of services to our customers. Guests can change their trip date (subject to availability) 15 days prior to the original scheduled tour date. In case of any unavoidable situation, guests can cancel their booking within 30-days after making a full payment, with the liability of incurring the cancellation charges, as mentioned earlier. If the same guest who had earlier cancelled the booking, book another slot, we adjust the cancellation charges with the booking amount (booking when made within 6 months of the cancellation)

30 days or more from the scheduled trip - 3000 INR per night.

15 - 29 days: 30%

4 - 14 days: 40%

1 - 3 days: 60%

Date of trip: 80%

**Tax collected (if any) is non-refundable.**

**Cancellation charges are based on the package price value.**

**For cancellation from 3 days to date of the trip, only 50% of the cancellation charges is adjustable.**

**First rescheduling is allowed without any payment of additional fee. Second and further cancellations are subjected to payment of cancellation charges of 3000 INR per night. If the booking is made via a travel partner, the cancellation charges will be apppcable based on whichever price is higher.

Will the pickup and drop-off vehicle be exclusive for a guest or do we have to share with other guests? What will be the arrangement for a large group?

If you have an exclusive houseboat booking (entire houseboat is booked), the pickup and drop-off vehicle will be available exclusively for you. If not, you will have to share the vehicle with other guests. In case of a large group, we will provide a luxury winger, with reclining seats available to house 9 guests. For additional number of guests, we will provide another vehicle based on the number of passengers.

Which location will be for pickup and drop-off?

The pickup and dropoff will be based on the convenience of our guests (any part of Kolkata). Multiple pickups and dropoffs for a single booking, will be chargeable on a per kilometre basis. Pickup and dropoff from nearby Kolkata locations, like, Dum Dum, Howrah, etc. will call for minor additional charges.

Will guests be housed in the houseboat throughout the trip or will they be commuting to other places?

Guests will be taken for specified places of interests and sightseeing in and around Sundarbans.

Is your Houseboat safe to travel?

Sundarban Houseboat follows all the safety norms and conditions as per the prescription by the Inland Water Transport Authority (IWT). We have our houseboat equipped with the necessary safety and security gears - Lifebuoy and Life Jacket.

Our houseboat is designed and constructed with high standards, equipped with advanced technologies to help offer comfort and a peace of mind to our guests. We have an advanced GPS system installed, which allows us to monitor every movement. We also have a depth finder installed to detect the water level and ensure safety of transportation during a low tide situation.

Along with these, we also have the installation of modern security alarm system, with a panic button, designed to alert not only the cabin crew but also the natives residing in and around the forest. In case of any situation, the GPS system will transfer a distress message to our head office, police department and the Forest Department.