Item: Highlights of Bangladesh
Rating: 5
Author: admin

Trip Facts

Duration:
12 days

Group Size:
4 Persons

Activity Level:
High

Accommodation:
Hotel, Passenger Ferry, Houseboat

Tour Type:
Adventure, Hiking, Local Experience, Culture, Nature, Wildlife

Transportation:
AC Car, Train, Tuk-tuk, Rickshaw, Country Boat

Location:
Dhaka, Bagerhat, Sundarbans, Khulna, Sonargaon, Srimangal

This arrival to departure holiday is specially designed for adventurous wildlife and nature lover travelers who love hiking and trekking. Bangladesh is home to roughly 53 species of amphibians, 19 species of marine reptiles, 139 species of reptiles, 380 species of birds, 116 species of mammals, and 5 species of marine mammals. In addition to the large bird count, a further 310 species of migratory birds swell bird numbers each year. It has the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, hoolock gibbon, Asian black bear, and other flagship species.

This tour includes the can’t miss sites of traveling in Bangladesh. Visit Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest on earth and home of man-eaters the Bengal Tiger. Experience a century-old overnight journey on the British-built Rocket steamer. See the world heritage city of Bagerhat and experience the crowded and vibrant Capitol city of Dhaka. Walk the tea trails in Srimangal and taste 7 layer tea. Trek inside Lawachara Nation Park to observe rare wildlife.

Highlights

Itinerary

Price

Includes & Excludes

Trip Notes

Review

Overview

Discover 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Explore real daily life activities in Old Dhaka with its busy beauty and tradition.
Overnight journey on a century-old Paddle Rocket Steamer
Visit ‘Mosque City Bagerhat’ the UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore the largest mangrove forest in the world a UNESCO world heritage site
Trekking and canals, creeks cruising
Journey by train and discover the countryside for its divine natural beauty
Interact with local people.
Visit the Tea Capital of Bangladesh
Taste seven layers of tea
Visit tribal villages & explore their lifestyle
Spotting endangered wildlife at Lawachara
Scenic trekking through Lawachara National Park
Enjoy a unique experience beyond your expectations.

Itinerary

Day 1

Day-01: Arrival and Welcome

A guide will meet you inside the airport, welcome you to Bangladesh, and transfer you to your hotel
Overnight at Dhaka (Omni Residency)

Day 2

Day-02: Old Dhaka Tour & Embark on Luxury Passenger Ferry

We visit the famous historic sites of New and Old Dhaka including the outside of the National Parliament House, Dhakeswari Temple, Lalbagh Fort, Star Mosque, Armenian Church, Pink Place, and Hindu Street, including a rickshaw rides through the narrow streets. We will find a good place for lunch. Start to experience river life in Bangladesh with a boat ride on the Buriganga River. Then we board the exquisite passener ferry for a memorable overnight river journey to Hularhat/Basrisal.
Overnight at Passenger Ferry (VIP Sleeping Cabin)

Day 3

Day-03: UNESCO World Heritage City Bagerhat

We wake up to the riverine beauty of Bangladesh in the morning.
We arrive in Barisal early in the morning then Drive to Bagerhat (2hrs) in an air-conditioned car and visit 15th century Mosque City Bagerhat, a Muslim city once called Khalifatabad, which is the present-day Bagerhat and is a UNESCO protected world heritage site.
You will visit most of the remaining mosques from the 15th century city Khalifatabad the whole day, including the 60-dome mosque, 09 dome mosque, and Singair mosque. You will also visit the shrine of Khan Jahan Ali, the saint general from the Turkish origin who came to spread Islam in this region and founded this great city; and Kodla Moth a very decorative and beautiful Hindu Temple from 17th century. Drive to Khulna (1hr)
Overnight at Khulna (Hotel City Inn)

Day 4

Day-04: Sundarbans (Harbaria and Kochikhali) by Boat

Today we begin discovering the wildlife and nature of thrilling Sundarban, We start cruising early in the morning towards our ultimate destination, the Sundarbans, and enjoy a delicious, fresh breakfast on board. We will stop at Harbaria Ranger Station for our first trail; on this morning walk, you can see some of the animals, birds, insects of the Sundarbans. If we are very lucky, we may hear or spot a Bengal Tiger. We will continue our cruising towards Kochikhali, having lunch on board. In the evening we have a boat trip for an hour through a narrow creek to spot different wildlife.
Overnight stay at Houseboat (Private Sleeping Cabin)

Day 5

Day-05: Sundarbans (Kochikhali Tiger-Point and Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary)

Early in the morning we have a cup of tea/coffee and get ready immediately to explore wildlife in nearby canals and creeks on a small wooden boat. This is also an area where we sometimes spot Bengal Tigers if we are lucky. We will walk the trail to Kotka Forest Station. On this two-hour walk, we will visit Jamtola Beach, and see spotted deer, monkeys, wild boar, reptiles, many kinds of birds, and maybe even tiger PawPrints. In the late afternoon, we will go to Kotka Watchtower for the sunset. Many herbivorous animals come here to graze and sometimes carnivorous Bengal Tigers come here for their meal, too. This is our final chance to spot Bangladesh’s Bengal Tigers.
Overnight stay at Houseboat (Private Sleeping Cabin)

Day 6

Day-06: Sundarbans (Karamjol Wildlife Rescue Center and Khulna)

We travel by boat to visit a fishing village. Life here is simple and difficult. The fishers catch fish from the river, especially prawns and lobster during low tide. After arriving at Karamjol Wildlife Rescue Center we have a one-hour walk, our last in the Sundarbans. We will visit the crocodile breeding center, deer-breeding center and see some other exquisite wildlife species. We will have our final meal (lunch) in the Sundarbans, head back to Mongla to say goodbye to the boat staff, load our luggage into our waiting car, and leave the river for the drive to Khulna.
Overnight at Khulna (Hotel City Inn)

Day 7

Day-07: Khulna – Dhaka by Train/ Car

We will leave the hotel and transfer to the Khulna railway station for the ride to Dhaka. There is time to walk around the railway station and then experience another way to travel to Bangladesh. We will travel in the first class AC compartment called Snigdha.
Our train journey will start at 08:40 AM from Khulna Railway Station towards Dhaka and it’s a nine hours long journey. You can expect to see today from the train; vast vegetation beauty in the countryside, different types of harvest fields, a lot of mango orchards, litchi orchards and other orchards well and you will see the longest steel railway bridge in Bangladesh (Hardinge Bridge) and 6th longest bridge in South Asia (Bangabandhu Bridge) which is 4.63 km long, and you will notice may local peoples day life activities. Upon arrival will transfer you to your hotel.
Or
If you want we can take a private car to drive back to Dhaka for 4 Hours
Overnight at Dhaka (Omni Residency).

Day 8

Day-08: Visit Old Capital Sonargaon

After breakfast, we drive from Dhaka to Sonargon (37 km, 2 hrs), the old capital of the Bengal region.
We visit Folk-arts and Crafts Museum, the medieval period Goaldi Mosque, a school for disadvantaged Hindu children, built only of bamboo, and the abandoned merchant city Panam Nagar. Also, we’ll visit a char (small river island) in the river Meghna, to experience the traditional lifestyle of the farmers.
Overnight at Dhaka (Omni Residency).

Day 9

Day-09: Srimangal by Train (Tea Plantations, Lemon & Pineapple Orchards)

We start early, with a pick-up from your Hotel at 06:30 AM for a 7:03 departure on the train to Srimangal. The train arrives at Srimangal around 12:00 PM, time to check-in, freshen up, have lunch, and rest a bit before visiting the beautiful gardens of Srimangal, including the tea garden (Cha Bagan) Lemon and Pineapple orchards, Rubber garden, and the tribal village of Adibasi Gram. There may be time for you to wander on your own. In the evening you will taste the most popular 7 Layers tea at Nilkantha Tea Cabin. Dinner will be either dining in at your cottage or downtown in a local restaurant to taste something special.
Overnight at Srimangal (Paragon Hotel & Resort).

Day 10

Day-10: Srimangal (Wildlife of Lawachara National Park, Tribal Village)

Early morning, we go for a rewarding wildlife trek through the Lawachara National Park. We’ll take the 3 hours trail for the maximum opportunity to see wildlife, especially the Hollock Gibbons for which this forest is famous.
In the afternoon we visit Baikka Beal, a wetland sanctuary for migratory birds. It’s a paradise for bird lovers.
Overnight at Srimangal (Paragon Hotel & Resort).

Day 11

Day-11: Free Morning, Srimangal – Dhaka by Train

This morning is free to do anything you like on your own. We depart for Dhaka at 10.31 on the 718 Jayantika express or 09.10 on the 774 Kalani Express. Depending on which train we take, we arrive at Dhaka between 2 and 4 pm.
Overnight at Dhaka (Omni Residency).

Day 12

Day-12: Departure and Goodbye

Pick you up from your hotel, transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule and say goodbye.
End the Highlights of Bangladesh Tour.

All of our staff are vaccinated including booster dose!
We maintain COVID-19 protective measures to ensure a safer touring environment for everyone
This tour is available to start every day except Tuesday and Sunday.
Regarding Rocket, as it is public transport so sometimes many cabins are reserved for VIPs of a government authority. We must try our level best to reserve your cabin if not possible then we will go by traditional ferry (locally called Launch).
We are not responsible for any schedule change of Rocket (if it does happen we will go with a traditional ferry)
The train can be delayed sometimes as is common in Bangladesh.
Regarding train tickets, we must try to get AC 1st class seats if not available then 2nd class, the difference between 1st class and 2nd class is AC (air-conditioning only in 1st class)
Our guide will be with you on the train
Accommodation (Twin Sharing Basis): at Rocket Steamer / Passenger ferry (Launch) with Air-Conditioned Cabin, at Hotel with Air-Conditioned room and hot water facilities. On the chartered boat inside the Sundarban with non-air-conditioned sleeping cabins.
To enter the mosque please wear long, shorts are not allowed by the authorities to enter the mosque, women should wear a scarf to cover their heads while entering the mosque.
Meals: Overall Bengali Cuisine; Lunch on day one, all meals in the Sundarban from day three morning today five afternoon (03 Breakfast, 03 Lunch, 02 Dinner), late afternoon snacks for 03 days, and unlimited drinking mineral water, tea, coffee while in the Sundarbans.
The chartered boat for the Sundarban excursion: with elementary facilities without air-conditioned, no electricity, and hot water available upon request, there is a solar lighting system in the boat and an electric generator will be available for a couple of hours every day in the evening for charging your gadgets.
Cell Phone signal is poor while we are in Sundarban some places you will get only 2G network.
If possible please bring these staff; a Raincoat, umbrella, Snicker shoes for walking, a Hat or Cap for Sun protection, Sunburn lotion, insect spray, Binoculars, a Camera, and of course one pair of curious eyes to locate interesting species.
Regarding that long trekking; if you don’t prefer to do this activity then you can have a sit in front of the boat and enjoy the canal cruise you might locate something interesting here as well.
For a single supplement add $140 required.
Since local people don’t see many foreign tourists they might be a bit curious but are very friendly and cooperative people. Please be polite to the local people.
Please be respectful of Bangladeshi culture and tradition because you may encounter situations different from your tradition and culture.
Be prepared to face some traffic congestion on the highway.
The itinerary is flexible and can be changed according to your reasonable request.
We require full payment in advance while you are booking the tour, you can see our Online Payment system here….

Overall Trip Rating

5 stars - Based on 1 review

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Incredible Adventure in Bangladesh
Mark P (Phoenix, Arizona) October 5, 2018

I had an incredible adventure exploring Bangladesh thanks to Bangladesh Scenic Tours. From the crowded streets of Dhaka to the villages up the Buriganga River and on a train ride back to Dhaka, there's much to see and experience. Obaidul, my guide is knowledgeable, friendly and capable. He made my adventure comfortable and exciting. Experiencing Dhaka city can be intimidating without an experienced guide. Obaidul took me places off the tourist route to places only locals go. I felt like I saw the real city. My trip on the Rocket paddle wheel boat was memorable not only for the trip but also for the opportunity to meet local people who shared the trip with me. Obaibul translated for me, took me to local, safe restaurants, and gave me the opportunity to meet local people. Bangladesh Scenic Tours is he best tour companying Bangladesh. I look forward to another Bangladesh adventure with Obaidul.