Hiran Point is a protected sanctuary in the Khulna range in the southern part of the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans are known as the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is located along the banks of the Parramatta Kunga River. Hiran Point is alternatively referred to as Neel Kamal. Hiran Point has rapidly transformed into a protected sanctuary, providing a haven for various animal species, including monkeys, deer, tigers, birds, and reptiles. One of the reasons people visit the Sundarbans is to witness its diverse wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Chitra deer, Large Egret, Crying Khocha, Dhyani Buck, and other similar species. This makes it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
While strolling down the charming wooden road at Hiran Point, one can expect to encounter various animals, including deer, monkeys, crocodiles, and more. Furthermore, there is a watchtower situated at a place called Keorasuthi, which is a mere three kilometres from Hiran Point. One can appreciate the natural beauty of certain areas in the Sundarbans, like Hiran Point, by visiting the watch tower.
Cost
Students enrolled in the sanctuary region must pay a daily transportation cost of BDT 30. Domestic visitors must pay a fee of BDT 150. Foreign travellers must pay a fee of BDT 1500.
The cost of travel for students outside the sanctuary is twenty takas, while domestic tourists are charged seventy takas. Tourists from foreign countries must pay one thousand takas, and researchers are charged forty takas for the journey.
Additional fees comprise a daily guide price of BDT 500, a daily security guard fee of BDT 300, a daily launch crew fee of BDT 70, and a daily telecommunication fee of BDT. 200.
These fees are in addition to the one the Forest Department charges for travel. In addition, the fee for renting the video camera is BDT200 for domestic tourists and BDT300 for international travellers. Passengers must pay Bdt 50 per person for a three-day journey across the Sundarbans during Ras Purnima.
The fee for a registered trawler is Bdt. 200, whereas the rate for an unregistered trawler is Bdt. 800. Additionally, each trawler has a daily cost of BDT200.
Transport
More than a hundred businesses in the Sundarbans region are directly or indirectly engaged in tourism. Having a reliable tour operator can significantly simplify the process of travelling. Buses with air conditioning and those without it are available for travel from Panthpath, Sayedabad, and Gabtali in Dhaka to Bagher Hat. The fares for these buses range from 700 to 2000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT).
You can take a train from Dhaka Kamalapur to Bagher Hat, passing through Khulna. The launch service offers travel options from Khulna to Bagher Hat Mongla Port and Rupsa to Hiron Point.
Additionally, launch fares are available to the Sundarbans from Morel Ganj, Saral Khala, and Bagher Hat. These options are in addition to the ones mentioned above.
Where to stay
Accommodation options are available at three different locations in the Sundarbans: Kochikhali, which is situated at Tiger Point; Nilakamal, located at Hiron Point; and Kotka, which can be accessed through the forest department’s restrooms.
Regarding staying at Nil Kamal, the cost per room is BDT 3000 for domestic tourists and BDT 5000 for foreign travellers. The charges for domestic tourists in Kochikhali are BDT 3000/-, while foreign tourists are charged BDT 5000/-. In Kotka, the charges for each room are BDT 2000 for domestic tourists and BDT 5000 for foreign tourists.
Mangla City offers accommodations through hotels operated by tourist corporations, while regular hotels can be found in the Pashur port area. Moreover, both Satkhira and Khulna boast a wide range of top-notch hotels that provide excellent accommodations for overnight stays.