Who are we?

Whistle Stop, We & Bonochhaya

This is a common query for all, that how large or big is our company “Whistle Stop”. You do agree with that it’s a problem of a very large set up in Tourism Services to maintain the personal touch and also it’s a problem of a too-small company to give a proper standard of services. “Whistle Stop” is of the right size to keep the balance between the two: professionalism and personalized service.

When you contact “Whistle Stop” for some travel services, you are not only our client, but more precisely you are our respected ‘GUEST’ and so we always try to portray our first-hand knowledge about the products and services. Our main objective is to give you a memorable hospitality service in a responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly way.

Already you could understand that hand-crafted tours or tailor-made tours are our most comfort zone (for a group or individual). At the time of designing the tailor-made tours, team “Whistle Stop” believes that, when you are planning to visit North Bengal for Jungle Safaris or Mountain Tours, it’s our responsibility to inform you about the world-class tea of Makaibari, or about the Dooars Museum at Kalchini. We also do not forget to showcase the heritage of different tribal communities, or about the scope of white water rafting on Tista river. Similarly, we are very eager to give you an experience of a country boat ride in Sundarban when the sun is setting down along with the chirping of birds. We and our associates are professional and keep no stone unturned to mold your travel plan into a memorable experience.

From the year 2003 I am attached with the travel industry. In 2017 I created a start-up company named “Whistle Stop”. Now we are honored to announce that “BONOCHHAYA”: offbeat sundarban homestay is our flagship project, just 110 kms from Kolkata(CCU), for the last few years.

Who am I

Shamik Bhattacharya

Shamik Bhattacharya: After completing post-graduation in Economics (Spl paper: International Trade) from Calcutta University, in 2003 got attached to the travel industry. In 2017 I create a start-up company named “Whistle Stop“.

Last few years I was also attached to the ‘Blue Homestay’ movement in North East. Our main objective is showcasing the Intangible Cultural Heritage of different communities and community development and livelihood enhancement via the market link up in a sustainable way. ‘BONOCHHAYA”, offbeat sundarban homestay is a unit of “Whistle Stop”,

As an assistance to Mr. Sujitkanti Sur, I had explored and interacted with the people of Sundarban from the very beginning. It’s my pleasure that as a resident of this area till today am much more connected with the locals. After Ayella and Yass we moved to the interior of Sundarban to give them ration and essentials. We are very happy to announce that for Pakhiralaya, Dulki and Sonagaon we are able to arrange a water pumping machine (2 horsepower) for pumping the saline water from ponds and cultivation fields. We believe it will enhance the strength of local people to fight against flood and storm in a sustainable pattern. Before Puja Holiday we managed to give basic garments to the children of Sundarban (200 children), we believe as per our ability some children will be happy to wear ‘Notun Jama” in the festive season of 2021.

Me and Film Industry

In the last 17 years, I Shamik Bhattacharya worked with Mr. Anjan Dutta, Smt Roopa Ganguly, Mr. Sandipan Roy, and many others as a location consultant and logistical coordinator for the shooting of different feature/documentary films. In the recent past am working as a researcher with the Doordarshan Film Division and engaged in making a documentary on the cultural heritage of Sundarban and local folk.

Me and Travel Fraternity

For the last 10 years, I worked as different portfolio holders (Ex-Asst. Secretary, Ex- Jt. Secretary, and Ex- Vice President) of Travel Agents Association of Bengal (TAAB).

Men behind Whistle Stop and Bonochhaya

Late Sujit Kanti Sur

A researcher from Sundarban. Late Mr. Sujit Kanti Sur was a famous teacher of Gosaba Rural Reconstruction Institution. He spent his whole life as a student of folk culture. Not as an outsider, but as a local he tried to understand the correlation between culture and economic development of Sundarban. His first article was “Exploitation, Struggle, and Bonbibi” was published in Frontier magazine. We are honoured to get some chances to be a part of his research and got his blessings.

Mr.Swarup Bhattacharya

After completing post-graduation in anthropology from the University of Calcutta, in 1997 he started research on the Bengal maritime culture, with a focus on man-boat relationship from an anthropological perspective, through intensive field-based research.
Worked as a guest research scholar in Centre for Maritime Archeology, Roskilde, Denmark under the National Museum of Denmark and interacted with world-renowned maritime archeologists and scholars – Ole-Crumkin Pedersen, Basil Greenhill, Sean McGrail, Lucy Blue, Colin Palmer, Fred Hocker, Jan Bill – to name a few.
In India, worked on maritime heritage and maritime technology as a research associate of National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (under CSIR), and as a senior research fellow of Anthropological Survey of India, and later as a research associate of Archeological Survey of India.
He was Associated with setting up of Heritage Boats of Bengal Museum in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Mr. Kaushik Bhattacharya

Anthropologist and Ethnographer, associated with Bidhannagar College, Govt. of West Bengal. For the last 25 years, he is working on folk culture and folklore of the Indigenous community of East Himalayan, central India, West Bengal, and South India region, especially Modhubony Painting, Warli Painting, Gondi Painting, and prehistoric rock art. His recent Publications- Madhubani Painting: Marker of Indian Civilisation, Purbo Himalayer Putro o Konyara: in Bengali. His guidance and direct involvement help us to improve our product knowledge.

Mr. Asesh Sengupta

More than two decades Asesh Sengupta is working on the design and implementation of data strategy for development research. As a researcher, Asesh worked with different International Development Organisations on livelihood studies concerning diverse ecosystems and heavily contributed towards policy research and analytics. He had been very closely working with us to develop livelihood opportunities for communities and people from environmentally constrained ecosystems like Ramsar designated East Kolkata Wetland to Sunderbans of West Bengal, as well as the hills of North Bengal and forests of North & South Bengal.

Late Mukunda Gayen

Famous Poet of Sundarban. Late Mukunda Gayen was also a beautiful narrator and his in-depth knowledge of the social and cultural history of Sundarban always enlightened us.

All of my friends and associates of Sundarban like Samar from Dayapur island, Arpan from Jharkhali, Krishnopada from Satjelia island, Biswajit from Pakhiralay, Mangol from Kumirmari Island, and Babu Gaji from Samsernagar are doing the job of research & operation and exploring new or lesser-known destinations of Sundarban more or less successfully.

And many more are behind us, especially without our office colleges and caretakers we can’t sustain. Here I would like to mention some more name of our associates like Ashesh from Kolkata, Biplab from North Bengal(Darjeeling, Dooars, Sikkim region), Toufique from Bangladesh, Oshadi from Srilanka, Raju from Nepal, Kartik from Andaman, and thanks to all my friends from travel fraternity without whom it’s impossible to step forward.

Experience the Heart of Hospitality

Join us on a journey where culture, nature, and personalized service come together to create unforgettable memories.

Bonochhaya: offbeat homestay at Tridibnagar, Jharkhali, basanti, Sundarban, 24 parganas (south) is a perfect escape to serenity. It is really rejuvenating. Tranquil environment and hospitality will help you to take a fresh deep breath in between weekly hectic and busy urban schedule.

Strategic location of Tridibnagar is awesome in respect of Offbeat Weekend Destination. It’s just 110 km drive from Kolkata. This is the only place in Sundarban where you will get direct motorable road access up to our stay and easy access for Sundarban Jungle Safari. From Jetty Dobanki Canopy walk is just 45 minutes sailing, not only that from Bonochhaya we also offers Newtadhopani watchtower, Bonnie Camp and Kalash Island Jungle Safari Tours and Sundarban Packages.

If you have leaning toward life and History of Sundarban we may suggests some hand crafted tours. Numerous water channels of Ganga (creeks) forms a cobweb in the Sundarban. Literally all lands are interlinked with water system. So, connection between two landmasses, Island of this region, is only possible through boats. Inhabitants of Sundarban develop various types of watercrafts to sustain their lives for their livelihood. Boats play a pivotal role in this area and that culture may be termed as boat culture. Rituals, belief system, boatmen song, boat race are all part of this boat culture. So we may design your exclusive Sundarban Package Tour in such a away where Heritage Boats of Bengal Museum in Kolkata will be a part of your Sundarban visit itinerary and after that on the way of Bonochhaya you may visit an Archaeological Museum on Sundarban where our specialised guide will help you to understand the historical footprints of civilisation in Sundarban.

In Bonochhaya me and all of us are from nearby localities. So if you want you may spend a day having lunch with local community, village visit by local transport to interact with fisherman or jungle goers and experiencing local craft and cultural inheritance.

BONOCHHAYA : offbeat sundarban homestay in Nutshell

Just 110 km from Kolkata – easy drive for a quick retreat
Cozy & comfortable homestay with nature all around
Comprise of 07 cottages, 04 Muchan Hut and 02 rooms
AC and non AC accommodations are available
Wake up to the sweet chirping of birds
Fresh seafood delights – crab, prawn, chepti fish & more
Our travel desk offers tailor made and hand crafted weekend tours and Sundarban tours
Rent a car and pick up & drop transportation is also available

Contact us

Whistle Stop
MSME/UAM No: WB18D0021936
Registered office: Gosaba, Sundarban
24 PGS south, PIN- 743370
City Office: Kolkata
E-52A, Akarshan Apartment, Kalachandpara,
Garia, Kolkata-700084

Bonochhaya: Offbeat Sundarban Homestay

A unit of “Whistle Stop”

Tridibnagar, Jharkhali, Basanti

24PGS South, PIN- 743312

Location Map

Phone: +91 8653213519 / 9830580022

WhatsApp: +91 9830580893

Email: bonochhayasundarban@gmail.com / tours.whistlestop@gmail.com

Web: www.bonochhayasundarban.com

Open: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 07:00pm

Closed: Sunday: Full day