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Bangladesh
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.
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Day 3: Drive Dhaka - Rajshahi
We stop first in the Sirajgonj district to visit the weaving of Lungi & Gamcha (traditional sarong & towel) Meet the local artisans.
Continue to the 11th century Puthia (city of temples) where we visit the Hindu Terra cotta temples. This temple complex consists of 14 structures surrounded by rectangular shape water canals with four entrances with a variety of architectural styles.
Onward to Rajshahi, known for silk and it's the center of silk production.
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Day 4: Rajshahi
Visit Alpona Gram Village to see the beautiful ritual painting (traditional artwork). Explore the village and interact with the residents.
This afternoon visit Varendra Research Museum (considered one of the oldest museums and perhaps the best & richest museum in Bangladesh),
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Day 5: Rajshahi-Paharpur-Mahastangarh—Bogra (UNESCO)
This morning drive to Paharpur to visit Somapura Mahavihara, the ruins of the Buddhist Vihara. UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the most impressive archaeological site in Bangladesh. It served as an intellectual center of Buddhism from the 7th to the 12th century CE.
Proceed to Mahastangarh, the earliest urban archaeological sites discovered thus far in Bangladesh. It contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapuranown; another UNESCO world heritage site, dating back to the 3rd century BC. A limestone slab bearing six lines in Pakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC. The fortified area was in use until the 18th century AD.
Together with the ancient and medieval ruins, the mazhar (holy tomb) of Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar built at the site of a Hindu temple in Mahasthangarh. He was a dervish (holy person devoted to Islam) of royal lineage who came to the Mahasthangarh area with the objective of spreading Islam among non-Muslims.
Continue to Bogra, one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh.
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Day 6: Bogra: Excursion to the Chars
A full day excursion to see the Chars, large sandbank islands that are isolated from mainland.
We cruise on Jamuna River to the chars on a country long boat with an engine. We can see how the river erosion and floods affect local people's life.
We will disembark the boat and walk into a Char village to observe the simplicity of Char life: their cultivation, education, culture, commerce, society. We will have lunch in a basic restaurant on the bank of the river (Rice, Dal, smashed potato, chicken curry).
The Jamuna River, approximately 22 km wide, is the main distributary channel of the mighty Brahmaputra River as it flows from India to Bangladesh. The Jamuna is a braided stream characterized by a network of interlacing channels with numerous sandbars enclosed in between them. The sandbars, known in the Bengali as chars do not, however, occupy a permanent position. The river deposits them in one year very often to destroy and redeposit them in the next rainy season. The process of deposition erosion and re-deposition has been going on continuously making it difficult to precisely demarcate the boundary between the district of Pabna on one side and the district of Mymensingh Tangail and Dhaka on the other. Breaking of a char or the emergence of a new one is also a cause of much violence and litigation.
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Day 7: Return to Dhaka. Enroute Visit Dhamrai Craft Village
En route visit Novoratna Mandir, a medieval Hindu temple located in Hatikumrul village.
After crossing Jamuna bridge visit Sharee weaving village in Tangail district (Sharee is the traditional women's wear in Bangladesh) and see local artisans weaving beautiful Sharees.
Next stop is Dhamrai, a small market town known for its fine pottery, brass casting and other traditional arts. Some are still being practiced today.
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Day 8: Drive Dhaka-Srimongal
Enroute stop to visit the local brick factory to see one of the old ways of making bricks and one of the rice mills.
Upon arrival in Srimongal, the country's tea capital, visit the charming tea plantations and the tea gardens. See how the local tea workers live and work. Taste multi layer tea in a local tea stall.
Afterwards we head to the villages of the Monipuri tribal people for an insight into their daily lives.
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Day 9: Explore Srimongal
The day is dedicated to exploring the area around Srimongal, one of the country's most beautiful regions. Begin with a morning walk in the Lewacheera National Park to experience the mysterious rain forest that has more than 460 different species of birds, primates, mammals, including the extremely rare Hoolock gibbon, which we hope to spot.
We visit a village of Khasia tribe and see their daily lifestyle. After lunch we visit Baikkah beel, a wetland sanctuary for migratory birds.
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Day 10: Srimongai -Chattogram (formerly Chittagong)
We start with a drive to Vanugach to see the traditional pottery village. Spend some time with the local artisans to see their works and perhaps try yourself how to make the pottery.
Return to Srimongal early afternoon to catch train to Chattogram and enjoy an opportunity to observe the rural countryside from relative comfort, This is a very nice journey that allows you experience the different geography of Bangladesh.
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Day 11: Chattogram - Bandarban
This morning a tour of Chattogram (formerly known as Chittagong). This is vibrant port city was the was home to the largest population of British in Bengal next to Kolkata (Calcutta) during the colonial times. Places of interests are largest sea fish market, Sadarghat water front, salt washing process and a boat trip in the Karnafully river to see harbor activities.
After lunch drive to Bandarban.
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Day 12: Bandarban (tribal market day) – Chattogram - Dhaka
This morning we visit weekly tribal market in Bandarban with an opportunity to meet and interact with different hill tribes. This market has its unique atmosphere since it belongs to different tribal people.
We then take a boat trip on the Sangu river by traditional wooden boat and visit Marma tribal village. Meet Karbari (Headman) and interact with the villagers.
After lunch we drive to Chattogram airport and flight back to Dhaka.
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Day 13: Depart
Transfer to the airport
