Discover Bangladesh Tour

Highlights Tour

Day 1-2: Dhaka

Arrive and transfer to hotel. The following day we will visit, Dhaka University Art Institute, Old Dhaka, Tara Mosque, Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), Sadarghat Port and a rickshaw making workshop.

Day 3: Dhaka - Chattogram (formerly Chittagong)

We stop first in Sonargaon, one of the old capitals of the historic region of Bengal. Visit the Folk Museum, Goaldi Mosque, Panam City; ancient Bengal city 13-19th century and Mahamani Buddhist Temple and Museum. Continue to Chittagong.

Proceed to Comilla where we visit the WWII cemetery and Mahamani Buddhist Temple and Museum, time permitting.

Day 4: Chattogram

Full day tour including Sree Chatteswari Kali Temple- built in 18th c (guardian of the city); Sadarghat; old city walking tour. Boat ride to see the ship breaking yards .

The Chittagong Hill Tracts

Day 5: Excursion to Rangamati

A full day excursion to see the country's tribal region. This will be a long but fulfilling day. We drive to the foothills to Rangamati, the capitol of the Chittagong hill tracts on Kaptai Lake. We visit the Tribal Cultural Museum & then Rajbon Bihar.

Afterwards, a boat trip on the Kaptai Lake. Travel through the gorge to see Subalong and visit some tribal families on the islands where you can see them making handloom fabrics & see their daily lifestyle.

Return to Chattogram for overnight.

Day 6: Chattogram-Dhaka-Depart

Fly to Dhaka dep 8:40 am, arrives 9:40 am.

Those ending the Highlights tour – a five minute walk to the international terminal for flight home or if you have an evening flight or need an overnight, take hotel shuttle to airport hotel – additional cost applies.

OR CONTINUE on the IN-DEPTH TOUR

Day 6: Dhaka - Rajshahi

This morning we depart to Rajshahi with stop en-route to visit Dhamrai, a small market town once famous for its fine pottery, brass casting and other traditional arts. Some are still being practiced today. We'll be hosted by a family that has been casting brass for over 200 years. A very interesting experience of a true Bengali village.

Continuing, we visit the 11th century Puthia (city of temples), Puthia King's Palace, terracotta ornate temples, Shiva temple and the largest Shiva linga of the Indian sub-continent.

This evening, enjoy sunset from the banks of the Padma River (the Bangladesh part of the Ganges River).

Day 7: Rajshahi

This morning visit Varendra Research Museum (considered one of the oldest museums and perhaps the best & richest museum in Bangladesh), located in the center of the city.

We then drive to Chapainawabganj district near the Indian border to visit medieval Choto Sona Masjid & Darasbari mosque and other interesting sites.

Afternoon we visit Alpona Gram Village to see the beautiful ritual painting (traditional artwork). Take stroll in this small village and see their wonderful Alpona artwork

Day 8: Paharpur-Mahastangarh--Bogra

This morning drive to Paharpur (2hr 45 min) to visit famous Buddhist world heritage site. This is the most impressive archaeological site in Bangladesh. It dates from the 8th century AD.

Next, the tour proceeds to Mahastangarh, another UNESCO world heritage site and famous Buddhist monastery dating to the 3rd century BC.

Continue to Bogra, one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh.

Day 9: Bogra - Chars - Dhaka

We depart early to visit the Chars of the Jamuna River. We’ll drive approx 45 min to Sirajganj town, on the bank of the Jamua River between Bogra and Dhaka. Then by boat we cruise one hour to the chars.

We will disembark the boat and walk 10 minutes to a Char village to observe the simplicity of Char life: their cultivation, education, culture, commerce, society. We return to Sirajganj and drive to Dhaka approx 5.5-6 hours.

Day 10: Dhaka - Depart

Take hotel shuttle to airport.

Option to Add on India's Sundarbans

Extension to Sundarbans on a Luxury Cruise. Please request.

Trip Length

6-day Visit Bangladesh - Highlights
10-day Explore Bangladesh - In-Depth
4-day Extension to Sundarbans on a Luxury Cruise.

Dates

Highlights: January 19-24, February 3-8, November 13-18, 2023
In-Depth: January 19-28, February 3-12, & November 13-22, 2023
January Follows Sri Lanka; February & November Follow South India

Optional Extension to Sundarbans on a Luxury Cruise.

Land Cost

2023 PRICES:
Highlights From: $1800 based on minimum of 4 people. Single room Supplement $210
In-Depth From: $2320 based on minimum of 4 people. Single room Supplement $340

Accommodations

4 star hotel in Dhaka
3 star elsewhere

Group Size

4-12 guests

Included Meals

All breakfasts
Highlights: 4 lunches
In-Depth: 8 lunches

Reading List

Suggested Reading