Dhaka – Sonargaon – Dhaka – Jessore – Sunderbans – Barisal – Dhaka – Chittagong – Bandarban – Bandarbazar – Ramu Buddhist Village – Cox’s Bazar – Dhaka
Hotel
Transport
Sightseeing
Activity
Tour Guide
INCREDIBLE BANGLADESH
Arrival: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka
Langauge: English, Spanish, German, Italian, French
Highlights
City Tour of Dhaka as per the program
Excursion visit to the ancient city Sonargaon
Sundarbans- Cruise through the forest
Explore the amazing biodiversity of Sundarbans
Explore the historic mosque city of Bagerhat
Excursion to Swarupkathi
Cruise from Barisal to Dhaka
Excursion to the Chittagong Ethnological Museum
Meet more than 15 tribes in Bandarban
Enjoy a visit to Bandarban Golden Temple
Shangu River Boat Cruise
Visit Ramu Buddhist Village
Visit Cox's Bazaar
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Dhaka
Meet and assist on arrival at the Airport by our airport representative, Transfer from the Airport to the hotel.
Dhaka is the most populous city in Bangladesh and one of the largest metropolises in South Asia. The name Dhaka (also written as Dacca) is said to refer to the Dhak tree, which was once common in the area, or to the Dhakeshwari ("The Hidden Goddess"), whose shrine is located in the western part of the city. It is located north of the Buriganga River, a channel of the Dhaleswari River, in the south-central part of the country.
Check in to Hotel. (Hotel Check-in time 14.00Hrs)
Overnight Stay at the Hotel
Day 2 - Dhaka
Breakfast at the hotel, later enjoy a city tour visiting the following –
AhsanManzil (Pink Palace) (Remains closed on Thursdays) - The palace is considered one of the most important architectural icons of the country and is divided into two parts, known as the east and west side. This the stately red structure was once the official residence of the Nawab’s family and was built in the mid to late 19th century.
The river port of Sadarghat - Sadarghat is the river port of Dhaka and the center of the social, economic, and cultural life of the city. The crowds of workers, fishermen, and tourists make a visit to the porta chaotic and sometimes challenging experience, but worth it for the unique insight into the life of the city.
The Shakharibazaar(Hindu Street) - This colorful and lively area is the 300-year-old center of the Hindi community in Dhaka. The area is crisscrossed by alleys with tiny workshops where craftsmen and artisans practice their ancient traditional crafts, making everything from dragons to jewelry.
The Lalbagh fort -The half-finished Lalbagh Fort and its well-kept gardens are a slight departure from the hustle and bustle of old Dhaka. Its construction began in 1677 under the direction of Prince Mohammed Azam, the third son of Emperor Aurangzeb. However, the death of Khan's daughter PariBibi (Fair Lady) was considered such a bad omen that the fort was never completed.
The Dhakeswari temple -Dhakeshwari, means "Goddess of Dhaka", is the primary Hindu temple and state-owned and is, therefore, the national temple of Bangladesh. According to the legend Dhakeshwari was built in the 12th century by King BallalSen of the Sena Dynasty. The current temple is two hundred years old and was built by an agent of the East India Company.
Dhaka University / Curzon Hall- Curzon Hall was built in 1904 by Lord Curzon, it is the highlight of every visit to Dhaka University. The Grand Raj-era building combines European and Mughal architecture in typical Indo-Saracen style and matches in its elegance and splendor the surrounding buildings such as the Old Supreme The court, the Mausoleum of the Three Guides, Shaheedullah Hall, and Dhaka Gate.
The National Parliament House from outside- The main characteristic of the building is its monumental presence. The large concrete mass lined with marble strips and characterized by the openings in the exterior walls, and the predominance of geometric shapes in circular and rectangular concrete offer a great homage to the building, in keeping with the noble functions of the interior.
Overnight Stay at the Hotel
Day 3 - Dhaka - Sonargaon – Dhaka
Today you will enjoy the excursion visit to the ancient city Sonargaon.
The Sonargaon was the old capital of Bengal in the medieval period. Sonargaon was the seat of the medieval Muslim rulers. Many rulers from the 13th Century used Sonargaon as their Capital. Sonargaon was also known as the city of Panam and was a focal part of the renowned Deva Dynasty. Today, people visit the historic city of Sonargaon for its immense beauty and for the ruins of buildings and relics that date back to the era of Bengal. The Goaldia Mosque is situated in the Goaldi village and is a wonderful example of an ancient Sonargaon building. The Folklore Museum is another attraction, which houses a variety of artifacts.
Overnight Stay at the Hotel
Day 4 - Dhaka - Jessore - Khulna - Sunderbans
Fly to Jessore in the early morning and drive to Khulna (62 km).
On arrival in Khulna transfer to the cruiser, board in the port, later time for wash & Change, and some time to stretch your legs over a cup of tea.
Sail towards Sunderbans
The Sundarbans National Park is a Unesco protected site, and the world's largest mangrove forest, it is said that a cloak of mystery and danger rises above the Sundarbans. The park is both dark and disturbing at the same time and consists of a vast network of interconnected waterways that extend some 80 km inland from the Bay of Bengal.
Dinner & overnight stay onboard the cruiser
Day 5 - Sundarbans - Cruise through the forest
In the early morning (depending on weather conditions) the boat continues the cruise and reaches the forest station Katka in the early afternoon.
The accompanying guide offers some activities in and around the Katka Nature Reserve, such as a boat trip on land in a small canal, a gentle walk behind the Katka Forest Station. The gigantic area of Sunderban consists of a labyrinth of waterways and is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Besides hundreds of bird species, deer, pythons, salt water crocodiles, rhesus monkeys and monitor lizards, the Bengal tiger is the most famous inhabitant. We make excursions through the forest from our boat with a small boat.
Dinner & overnight stay on the boat on board the Katka
Day 6 - Sundarbans - Explore the amazing biodiversity of Sundarban
Shortly after sunrise, we invite you to explore the narrow creeks on board of a wooden rowing boat and to have a close look at the unique mangrove fauna and flora.
After a leisurely breakfast, the guide offers a variety of activities, including an easy hike to the pristine beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal or a hike through the mangroves to Tiger Point. Please note that shortly after the group has left the boat in Katka in the late morning for a long walk to Tiger Point, the boat continues its cruise to Kochikhali (Tiger Point) where the group meets the boat and the boat returns the trip back to Mongla.
After 06/07 hours cruise, the boat stops at the Dhangmari Forestry Department for an overnight stay on board.
Dinner & Overnight stay on the boat
Day 7 - Sundarbans - Barisal via Bagerhat
After an early breakfast on-board the cruiser, you disembark from the boat in the port of Mongla and drive to Bagerhat (approx. 01 hrs / 36 km drive).
Explore the historic mosque city of Bagerhat- The mosque city is located in the suburbs of the city of Bagerhat. The city got worldwide attention after it was marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the city is an ideal model of the architectural ensemble, the Sixty Dome Mosque has attracted a lot of attention. The mosque with 60 columns and 77 domes is tempting and gives you an insight into the past.
Later you will drive on to Barisal and check-in at the hotel.
Barisal - Barisal, officially called Barishal, is located in the delta of the Padma Rivers (Ganges and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) on the Kirtonkhola, a branch of the Arial Khan River. The city is sometimes called the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of Bengal". Founded as a community in 1876, it is a commercial center, especially for rice, jute, and fish.
Day 8 - Barisal - Dhaka
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to explore the Swarupkathi - Pirojpur area, which is home to the famous "Barisal Backwaters" and the floating market - traversed by numerous streams and canals, which are actually the lifelines of Barisal. Farmers including vegetable and fruit farmers, fishermen – are dependent on the boats as boats are the only medium to connect rivers and canals, therefore floating markets, which sell agricultural products such as vegetables, rice and local fruit on floating boats, attract visitors because they are different from traditional markets.
Return to Barisal and cruise in the afternoon with the AC catamaran from Barisal to Dhaka (1500/230 hrs)
Late evening arrive in Dhaka and check into the hotel
Overnight stay in a hotel
Day 9 - Dhaka - Chittagong - Bandarban
After breakfast you fly to Chittagong.
Chittagong is a fairly large, sprawling city and has the largest international seaport in the country. Similar to Dhaka, the streets are full of rickshaws, although the city makes a little more effort to keep its streets and sidewalks clean than Dhaka does.
Upon arrival, enjoy a guided interpretation tour to the Chittagong Ethnological Museum- One of the most culturally enriching attractions of the city is the Ethnological Museum. Visitors are guided through the centuries to discover the development of the twelve tribes in Chittagong and the 29 ethnic groups in Bangladesh.
Later continue to drive to Bandarban
Bandarban is the most remote and least populated area in Bangladesh. The lure of the highest peaks of Bangladesh through virgin forests and the chance to meet more than 15 tribes of the region at close range is growing among Bangladeshis as well as tourists from other countries.
Upon arrival in Bandarban transfer to the hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 10 - Bandarban
After breakfast, enjoy a trip to the Golden Temple.
The Buddha DhatuJadi(also known as Bandarban Golden Temple) is located near the city of Balaghata in Bandarban. Dhatu is the material remains of a holy person, and in this temple the relics belong to Buddha. It is the largest Buddhist Theravada temple in Bangladesh and has the second-largest Buddha statue in the country.
Later enjoy a boat cruiseon a traditional boat along the picturesque lifeline The Shangu River- it is the complete part of the natural beauty of Bandarban. It follows a northern detour in the hills to Bandarban. This river has been flowing through the hills for thousands of years. This river is often used for transportation, agriculture and other necessary products for the people in remote communities.
Later, enjoy the interaction with tribals while exploring the villages - meet Marma, Tripura, and Bom-ethnia
Overnight at the hotel
Day 11 - Bandarbazar - Ramu Buddhist Village - Cox’s Bazar
After breakfast, you will drive to Ramu Buddhist Village- Ramu, just a few kilometers from the beach town of Cox's Bazaar, with a Vihara built by Emperor Ashoka the Great, is renowned for the large reclining statue of Lord Buddha. It is said that the breast bone is embodied in the head of a statue of Lord Buddha at this place. Upon entering the vihara, a 23-foot tall silver statue of Emperor Ashoka comes into view, as do his dharma chakra pillars.
After the visit, you will go to Cox's Bazaar
Cox's Bazaar, is a town bordering the Bay of Bengal, the town was founded in 1869 as a community and named after Hiram Cox, who in 1799 oversaw the settlement of Arakan refugees before the conquest by Myanmar (Burma). With a long, uninterrupted beach Cox's Bazaar is a small port and a popular resort connected to Chittagong by road, rail and air.
In the evening you can explore the Burmese conch shell market or the beach along the long shoreline in Cox Bazaar.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 12 - Cox's Bazar
After breakfast, the day will be at leisure.
Optional – We sail to the historic "Maheskhali Island" by crossing the bay channel with a speedboat. Here we visit the old Adinath temple on the hill and the Rakhain village with its colourful Buddhist temple, later return to Cox 'Bazaar
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 13 - Cox's Bazar - Dhaka Departure
After breakfast - free time. In the afternoon domestic flight from Cox's Bazaar to Dhaka for the return trip home / destination onwards.