🚤 A Journey Begins — Into the Heart of the Sundarbans
There’s something incredibly magical about the moment your boat leaves the shore, gently slicing through the quiet waters of the delta. The world behind fades, and ahead lies an untouched paradise. My Sundarban Hilsa Festival adventure began just like that — on a cloudy monsoon morning, with the sky draped in grey and a cool breeze guiding our journey.
Organized by Sonakshi Travels, this wasn’t just a trip; it was a deep dive into Bengal’s culinary heritage, riverine culture, and wilderness. Known locally as Ilish Utsav 2025, the Hilsa Festival tour Sundarban has grown into a soulful celebration of Bengal’s most beloved fish — the Hilsa.
🧭 Day 1: Setting Sail from Godkhali — Into the Unknown
We started early from Kolkata, picked up by a comfortable private AC car arranged by Sonakshi Travels (📞 WhatsApp: +917980469744). After reaching Godkhali jetty, our boat awaited us — a traditional Sundarban launch with cozy seating, bamboo shades, and an inviting aroma wafting from the on-board kitchen.
🧉 Welcome Drink & Warm Smiles
The crew greeted us with a refreshing glass of lemon honey water, while our guide introduced us to the festival highlights. The boat slowly began to move, and the real journey began — the river widened, the mangroves thickened, and with every kilometer, the urban chaos dissolved into serenity.
🍴 Lunch on the Water — First Taste of Hilsa
Lunch was served as the boat glided past tiny fishing villages. A leaf-laden plate presented the star of the trip: Sorshe Ilish (Hilsa in mustard gravy) — tender, flavorful, and aromatic. Served with:
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🍚 Steamed basmati rice
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🥗 Fresh green salad
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🥘 Moong dal
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🍬 Chutney & mishti doi
Each bite told a story — of rivers, monsoons, and age-old Bengali kitchens. As a food lover, it was a revelation.
🐦 Jungle Calls & Sundown Serenity
By afternoon, we were floating deeper into Sundarban National Park. The landscape shifted dramatically — islands of dense mangrove forest surrounded us. Our guide, a local with years of experience, pointed out:
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🐊 Estuarine crocodiles sunbathing on mudflats
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🦅 Crested serpent eagles circling overhead
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🐒 Troops of monkeys leaping across Sundari trees
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🐾 Fresh tiger pugmarks near a creek bend
The eco-tour insights were enriching. We learned how Sundarban mangrove forest acts as a buffer against cyclones and a cradle for rich biodiversity.
🌅 Evening Mood — Music & Mist
As the sun dipped low, casting a golden hue over the river, our crew set up a small music session. We sipped on tea with egg devil & pakoras, while the sound of Rabindra Sangeet floated in the air — pure bliss.
🛏️ Night Stay on the Island — Rustic Yet Cozy
Dinner was served on an island resort surrounded by wild silence. The menu? A surprise!
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🍛 Aloo-begun curry
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🍖 Mutton curry cooked over wood fire
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🍚 Rice/Roti
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🧁 Sweets of the day
The rustic huts, powered by solar lamps, added to the charm. With the sound of crickets and distant owl hoots, I drifted into the most peaceful sleep I had in years.
🐅 Day 2: Into the Wild — Jungle Safari by Boat
After an early breakfast (🍞 luchi, 🥔 aloo dum, 🥚 boiled egg), we resumed our journey deeper into the core forest zones.
🛶 Jungle Cruise & Watchtowers
Our boat stopped at:
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📍 Sajnekhali Watchtower — for crocodile sightings
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📍 Dobanki Canopy Walk — to walk above mangrove swamps
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📍 Sudhanyakhali — most frequent tiger spot
Our guide explained the Sundarban flora and fauna — the respiratory roots of Sundari trees, saline-resistant species, and the delicate balance of this deltaic ecosystem.
🐟 Hilsa Dishes Galore — Ilish Utsav in Full Swing
Midday on Day 2 was the culinary high point. The on-board chef presented an elaborate Hilsa Festival lunch:
🐟 Day 2 Lunch Menu
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🐠 Doi Ilish (Hilsa in curd gravy)
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🐠 Bhapa Ilish (steamed Hilsa with mustard)
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🐟 Ilish Fry
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🍚 Rice, mung dal, begun bhaja
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🍬 Chutney, papad & mishti doi
Each dish was served with clay pots and banana leaves, accompanied by stories of its origin. The balance of flavor, aroma, and tradition was unforgettable.
🌧️ Monsoon Drama — A Rainy Surprise
As we cruised, dark clouds gathered. Suddenly, rain poured from the sky — a dramatic monsoon embrace. The boat crew pulled out tarps, we huddled in, sipping tea with paneer pakora, watching the wild dance of the Sundarbans in rain.
No words can truly capture the raw beauty of the forest under rain. The river swelled, trees shimmered, and a gentle fog wrapped everything in mystery.
📷 Photography & Wildlife Watching Tips
If you’re planning a Hilsa Festival tour Sundarban, bring:
📸 A DSLR or smartphone with zoom lens
🧥 Waterproof gear & rain cover
🦺 Binoculars for birdwatching
📔 Notebook to jot down flora-fauna observations
You’ll never know when a kingfisher flies by or a monitor lizard creeps near the bank.
🗓️ Festival Schedule — Ilish Utsav 2025 Highlights
The Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 runs from July to September, the peak season for fresh Hilsa.
🎉 Festival Inclusions:
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🚤 Private AC Boat tours
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🍛 Customized Hilsa menus daily
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🐅 Guided jungle safaris
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📸 Photography sessions & contests
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🔥 Evening cultural programs
🧳 Essential Travel Tips for Visitors
🔹 Travel Light – Carry cotton clothes, raincoats & flip-flops
🔹 Power Banks & Flashlight – Limited electricity in core areas
🔹 Mosquito Repellent – Necessary for island evenings
🔹 Respect the Forest – Silence and sustainability are key
🔹 Book in Advance – Popular dates get full quickly
🌿 Eco-tourism Notes — Travel with a Purpose
The tour is not just about food and fun. Sonakshi Travels emphasizes responsible eco-tourism:
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🌱 Waste-free travel: no plastic use on boats
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🧹 Riverbank clean-up with guests
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👨👩👦 Local employment: cooks, guides, and boatmen
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🌾 Farm-to-table ingredients sourced from Sundarban villages
Traveling here felt like giving back to nature, not just taking from it.
💬 A Personal Reflection — The Soul of the Sundarbans
What I took back was more than memories — it was a feeling. The feeling of rain on your face while the boat floats through mystery. The scent of mustard oil and fresh fish. The sound of forest silence. The sight of a deer sipping water, unafraid.
In the fast pace of city life, we often forget what stillness feels like. This journey reminded me.
📞 How to Book Your Tour
Ready to explore the magic of the Hilsa Festival tour Sundarban?
📍 Agency Name: Sonakshi Travels
📲 WhatsApp: +91 7980469744
🌐 Website: [Coming Soon: sonakshitravels.in]
✨ A Taste, A Tale, A Trip to Remember
Whether you’re a foodie, a nature lover, a cultural explorer, or someone just looking for peace — the Sundarban Hilsa Festival delivers it all. This journey wasn’t just a tour, it was a storybook — and every page was unforgettable.
So if you hear the whispers of the river, the call of the mangroves, and the aroma of steaming Hilsa in mustard — know that Ilish Utsav 2025 is calling. Will you answer?
🌊 Come Float with Us. Taste the Ilish. Touch the Wild. 🌊
– With Love, from the Waters of Sundarbans
Presented by: Sonakshi Travels | 📞 +91 7980469744