Glories of Bangladesh Tour

Welcome to the capital of Bangladesh - Dhaka! Your local guide and driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. After check-in, enjoy the rest day freely by exploring nearby places or have a good rest to prepare for the wonderful journey in the following days.

★ Privilege of Our Guests: Be Accompanied throughout Your Journey
It really disturbs sometimes when you have to get familiar with different guides through a single tour. With us, however, you will have one same guide accompanying you throughout. You will also find the guide by your side on overnight boats, who will take care of your needs when necessary.

► Insider Tips: Know These to Spice your Tours to Bangladesh:
1. Get ready to be a star among Bangladeshis. As foreign faces are rare in Bangladesh, so your presence would be very curious to them. You will get used to smiling locals approaching you just in order for a picture with you - a special cultural experience if you don’t mind. Just note not to be pickpocketed.

2. If you want to experience Dhaka in your free time, there are five means of transportation for you to choose: bus, taxi, rickshaw, converted van, and Metro Line 6, which was opened in late 2022. For those into local life, we recommend you ride in a rickshaw. Rickshaws as the main mode of transportation of Dhaka have been listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage, so has the vibrant painting on the rickshaws. They are so popular because - imagine nearly 24 million people crammed onto a 360-square-kilometer land, so traffic jams here are just part of everyday life - compared with bus or taxi, they charge less and are able to swerve, wedge in, and run through narrow alleyways. Please note that, whether you take a taxi or a rickshaw, the driver might overcharge and wait for you to bargain with them.

3. Bangladesh has many specialties that can be taken home as souvenirs. As a giant in textile and garment industry, you can’t miss its jute products like bags and hats (90% of jute in the world is produced here!), as well as handloom silk and fabrics embroidered with unique patterns and color mix. Other specialties include “mukta” pink pearls, tea leaves, cane sugar, and ethnic items.

4. Last but not the least, lower your expectations of local sanitary conditions, so you will be less disappointed. Dhaka, as we mentioned, is densely-populated and produces 6,000 tons of garbage daily, only 40% of which would be recycled or disposed. You will see waste and filth everywhere out on the streets, which in turn reflects poor local living conditions.

Accommodation: Sky City Hotel Dhaka (4 stars) / FARS Hotel & Resorts (4 stars)

In the morning, the guide will first take you to visit the Kawranbazar Vegetable Market to see what Dhaka’s largest wholesale marketplace looks like. Offering fruits, vegetable, fish, rice, among others, this market is the key stage on which local life unfolds and where to peek into the soul of Bangladesh. You will be guided through the sheer amount of people to hear exhilarating noise and meet smelly messy spaces - the backdrop of Dhaka life. Bring hand sanitizer and face masks if you feel it’s necessary. Then, head to the National Assembly (Parliament Building), which we will admire from a distance; its artistic structure will make your photos stand out. The next stop is Star Mosque, named for the star motifs covering all its white domes. Other places we will check out are: Curzon Hall inside Dhaka University, where seeds of Bangladesh’s independence were sowed; Dhakeswari Temple, dedicated to the goddess of Dhaka; Lalbagh Fort, half-completed for the death of the daughter of Shaista Khan - a Bengali commander in the Mughal Empire; Armenian Church, which is the only tangible remain of the lost Armenian tribe; and Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace.

As the sun sets, we will go to the famous Sadarghat River Port. A transportation hub used by locals for daily commute and goods transfer, it’s chaotic, yet captivating! Enjoy a boat ride on the river to feel the vibe from a unique angle. At about 8:30 pm, board a modern ship to leave for Barisal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Modern Ship - 1st Class A/C Twin Cabin

After the ship docks at Barisal in the very early morning, we will then drive to Banaripara to start our backwater cruise to the largest floating market in Bangladesh. Home to one of the largest river systems in the delta region of Bangladesh, Barisal just provides the best chance to experience such eye-opening “floating culture”. Perhaps you’d like to sample some Bangladeshi guava, staple goods here?

After lunch, drive to Bagerhat for a visit of the UNESCO-preserved Sixty Dome Mosque. An exemplar of ancient Bengali architecture, this medieval mosque is mesmerizing in many aspects. Up close, you will also marvel at the intricate floral patterns carved on its terracotta tiles. If you see into the archways from the outside, the interior is dark, but it’d be another story if you walk inside - it’s spacious and bright, with the interplay of lights and shadows making you wonder about ancient wisdom. There is also a big pond behind the mosque, bringing the peaceful beauty of this place to a new level. We will also stop by the Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali and the adjacent Nine Dome Mosque, places of worship with a history centering on the great Sufi saint Khan Jahan Ali. Later, go on a 1.5-hour drive to the hotel in Mongla.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Pashur (3 stars) - only option

Today, we will take a boat from the Mongla port to another World Heritage Site - Sundarbans National Park, which harbors the world’s largest mangrove forest safeguarding some most precious species of animals, like swimmer Royal Bengal tigers and Gangetic dolphins. To spot Bengal tiger takes some luck, but even if you happen not to have any, you will be greeted by numerous other flora and fauna which demonstrate how unique the local ecosystem is. It’s important to note that, the following boat tour will cover some remote places where there is a lack of public restrooms, so you will have to prepare for it in advance.

First, let’s go ask for forest entry permits from Chadpai Forest Office and request an armed forest guard to protect us during the entire Sundarbans trip. We will moor near the Harbaria Eco-Center and continue to walk for 30 minutes to the wildlife gathering area. Afterwards, go back to the boat, have lunch, and head to Kochikhali. As darkness falls, the boat will dock by the Kochikhali Forest Office. Overnight on boat in Sundarbans.

● About the Sundarbans Boat
Without air-conditioner, accommodating up to 20 people, the small boat we will take suits our Sundarbans exploration best: it’s eco-friendly and produces little noise to scare off wild animals. Temperature here would be pleasantly cool between November and February, and it indeed can soar up especially in April, September, and October. But don’t worry! The boat has a steel (aluminum) hull and a solar-powered fan to chase away the heat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sundarbans Reserved Boat

This morning, hop in a smaller boat to travel through a creek, and then get ashore to hike into the deep forest to experience mystical nature and spot wildlife. Later, return to the boat and head for today's main destination: Kotka. After getting off the boat, we will take a stroll along Jamtola Sea Beach and enjoy the beautiful Bay of Bengal. After lunch, you will be accompanied to explore the Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the best attractions here to find many monkeys, deer, and sometimes hunting tigers. In the evening, we will prepare a BBQ dinner for you. Overnight on boat in Sundarbans.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sundarbans Reserved Boat

Your guide will take you to a local Fishing Village. Strike up a conversation with fishermen and learn about or even experience their traditional way of life. After lunch, your Sundarbans adventure trip will come to the end. The boat will dock at Mongla port, where we will drive for about 2.5 hours to the Jessore Airport to fly to Dhaka. Overnight in Dhaka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sky City Hotel Dhaka (4 stars) / FARS Hotel & Resorts (4 stars)

Today, we will stop by Panam Nagar, the “Ghost City” in old capital Sonargaon, on the way to Chittagong. Once a prosperous textile city home to rich Hindu merchants in the 19th century, it was ravaged by fire of unknown origins, but now you can still feel its glorious past from the remains of those noble buildings. As moss has climbed on many ruins, this 20-square-kilometers (7.8-square-mile) area enjoys an eerily beautiful vibe, creating a cinematic view for you to appreciate. Architecture and history buffs, get your camera ready! The early morning would see the city at its most tranquil; from 9 am on, visitors - including students - will begin swarming in. Next, head for Mainamati, an archaeological site in Comilla District that contains many Buddhist ruins. Shalbon Vihara is the most popular and biggest among them. A thousand years of history has eroded it to what it is like today – only the foundations of a temple and surrounding cells can be found, but its holy vibe remains and can easily take you back in time.

After lunch, we will drive non-stop to Chittagong and overnight in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Agrabad Chittagong (4 stars)

Have you wondered about the fate of discarded ships? This morning, let’s go to the world's largest shipbreaking yard in Chittagong to unravel it. Your tele lens camera will help you capture the mournful moments of steel giants being dismantled and recycled. You might’ve heard how some news media say the shipbreaking industry is poisoning local environment and public health, but if you ever have a talk with locals, you will know that although their life would be put at risk, they would nevertheless scramble for the job because “it helps them survive in the poor environment”. Next, visit the World War Cemetery, a Commonwealth war cemetery built after World War II, and Catholic Church, the oldest one in Bengal.

After lunch, we will drive to Rangamati. On the way, stop by the Shrine of Bayezid Bostami, the tomb of a celebrated Persian Sufi. Upon arrival, check in at a lakeside resort in Rangamati.

★ About the Hotel We Select for Tonight:
Parjatan Holiday Complex Rangamati, though a 3-star hotel, is the best choice for you to savor the landscape around Kaptai Lake. The balcony of your room gives you a wide field of vision and seems to hang just above the lake water, which would easily immerse you in the natural beauty of the lakescape.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parjatan Holiday Complex Rangamati (3 stars lake view) - only option

Today we are going to take an exciting cruise tour on Kaptai Lake, the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh originally built to generate hydroelectric power. With lush mountain landscapes, the area has over time become a hidden treasure for nature lovers and adventurers to explore. Tribal cultures like those of Chakma and Tripura also add to the charm of it. We will spend 5 - 6 hours cruising and sightseeing Bonorupa Floating Market, Rajban Vihar, Chakma King House, and Shuvolong Waterfall along the way. The tour will end with a visit to the Bonorupa Bazaar. Here, experience life happening over countless boats brimming with pineapples and jackfruits to be traded. Overnight in Rangamati.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parjatan Holiday Complex Rangamati (3 stars lake view) - only option

In the morning, we will tour around Rangamati’s iconic Hanging Bridge. Next, drive to Bandarban. Halfway through, we will visit some weaving factories.

In the afternoon, follow the guide to Hatiabandha Tripura Village to learn the primitive lifestyle of Tripura indigenous people. Interestingly, their women play a role similar to it of men in our modern society. To round off today’s trip, we will climb a hill in Nilachal to appreciate a splendid sunset. Overnight in Bandarban.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Venus Resort (4 stars)

Early in the morning, drive to Love Point, Chimbuk Hills and Nilgiri Hills, from the peaks of which you can find a panorama of the breathtaking sceneries around. We will then visit the tribal village of Murong Para in Bandarban. The people here will fascinate you with their independence from the outside world, even from other tribal communities. Our next visit is Bawm Village and Shoilo Propat, a small waterfall or water flow. Later, drive back to Chittagong for lunch. We will spend half an hour at Potenga Sea Beach near the airport. Fly to Dhaka later and transfer to the hotel for the night stay.

★ About the Hotel We Select for Tonight:
The Hotel Marino Royal Dhaka you will stay for tonight is right near the airport, which makes it convenient for you to get to the airport tomorrow (your driver will pick you up at the hotel). Of course, if you still want to linger in central Dhaka tomorrow for some time, we can change the hotel to cater to your needs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Marino Royal Dhaka (4 stars) - Near Airport

Today, your driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Wish you a smooth journey home!

► Recommended Points of Interest to Visit for Your Free Time:
1. Dhaka Christian Cemetery (20 km from airport). Here you will particularly be interested in Columbo Sahib’s Tomb, an age-old photogenic octagonal tower overgrown with plants.
2. National Museum (16 km away from airport) and the nearby National Art Gallery. 
3. Shadeed Minar (17.5 km from airport). This is the memorial built for martyrs who died during the Bengali Language Movement in 1952.

If you do decide to hang out in downtown today, you will have to make a schedule and leave enough time for squeezing through dense crowds of people and vehicles to catch your flight. Another thing of note is that, you need to reach the airport 4 hours prior to departure, which is recommended in the airport’s official Departure Guideline. Indeed, you will find a chaotic sea of people and go through a slow check-in process. You can also consult your professional local driver about how to manage your time. While at the airport, beware those coming up to help you with the luggage, who are not airport staff but tip seekers.

Meals: Breakfast