JOURNEY THROUGH BANGLADESH

• Short description
• Basic information
• Program
• Map
• More about Bangladesh
• A short video
• How to join us
• Ask for more information

Short description

This program grew out of my month-long exploration of Bangladesh. I’ve carefully chosen places that reveal the country’s authentic beauty. While Bangladesh may not have world-famous landmarks, the country itself is the attraction—travelers come to experience a genuine character that still shines through in most regions.

Our journey begins with a flight to Dhaka, the capital, where we’ll explore the distinctive river port—one of the largest in the world—along with Old Dhaka and its historic Hindu quarter.

In the Barisal region, we’ll venture beyond the city, traveling by boat through countless canals, visiting fishing villages, and immersing ourselves in Bengal’s extraordinary landscapes. We’ll spend one night on a private boat as we explore highlights such as the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO site. After returning to Dhaka, we’ll continue by minibus to Srimangal, Bangladesh’s tea capital.

In Srimangal, we’ll walk through vast tea plantations and visit villages of the Tripura, Garo, and Khasi tribes, encountering cultures that have preserved centuries-old traditions. We’ll also visit a tropical forest reserve known for its Hoolock gibbon monkeys.

From Srimangal, we’ll board the first-class Paharika Express to Chittagong. There, we’ll explore the lively fish market, watch ships along the Karnaphuli River, and visit salt workshops and dried-fish facilities, among other fascinating places. We’ll then fly back to Dhaka for our return flight to Sofia.

Accommodation includes 4- and 5-star hotels (with one 3-star stay). Transportation varies between bus, train, boat, ship, and a domestic flight.

All photos and videos are from my visit to Bangladesh.

Basic information

This program provides an overview of the trip’s key details. If you need a solution tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact us via email. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to the trip’s starting point, as well as airport/hotel transfers and any required documents. Our team will support you throughout the entire planning process. Feel free to reach out via email!

Program

Day 1 Departure from Your Home

We’ll arrange your tickets from wherever you wish to depart. Please contact us for more information.

Day 2 Arrival in Dhaka

This morning, we’ll arrive in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The group will fly from Istanbul Airport. For those arriving on different flights, we’ll arrange individual transfers to the hotel. Our first group meeting will take place at the hotel in Dhaka (or at Istanbul Airport if everyone joins there). We’ll discuss the upcoming trip, provide instructions, and answer any questions. More details about the hotel, meeting time, and location will follow.

Today, we’ll explore Old Dhaka, home to some of the city’s most impressive and atmospheric buildings. We’ll wander along Hindu Street, the vibrant heart of the city’s Hindu community.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Sadarghat, one of the world’s most remarkable river ports and Dhaka’s main attraction. We’ll spend plenty of time there, taking in the spectacle of thousands of boats and ships and the lively flow of people coming and going. We’ll also take a boat ride to local shipyards for a closer look at traditional boat-building techniques. We’ll spend the night in Dhaka.

Day 3 Transfer to Barisal

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Barisal (approximately 4 hours). After checking into our hotel, we’ll explore the city and nearby villages, including one known for its pottery workshops. We’ll spend the night at Hotel Grand Park—a 4-star hotel and the best accommodation in Barisal.

Day 4 Villages around Barisal

Today, we’ll continue our immersion in rural Bangladesh. From Banoripara port, we’ll board boats to explore the region. The Barisal area is crisscrossed by canals, with villages lining the banks. Along the way, we’ll see vibrant floating markets, brick factories, and other fascinating sights. In the late afternoon, we’ll travel to Mongla and board our private vessel to explore the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO site. We’ll spend the night aboard the ship.

Day 5 Sundarbans

This morning, we’ll explore this vast nature reserve by small boat. The endless mangrove forests are crisscrossed by canals and rivers and support an incredible variety of wildlife. We’ll take an easy 2-kilometer walk on designated concrete paths through the forest and visit a crocodile farm. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Dhaka for an overnight stay at our 4-star hotel.

Day 6 From Dhaka to Srimangal

Today, we’ll travel by minibus to Srimangal, Bangladesh’s tea capital, about 4–5 hours from Dhaka. En route, we’ll visit textile workshops, fabric-dyeing facilities, rice-processing plants, and other fascinating sites. In the evening, we’ll check in to the Grand Sultan Golf and Resort—a 5-star property surrounded by tea plantations and jungle.

Day 7 The Tripura, Garo, and Khasi Tribes

Our day begins with visits to both pineapple and tea plantations, which made this region famous worldwide. We’ll explore several estates and learn the full tea-production process.

Next, we’ll visit villages of the Tripura, Garo, and Khasi tribes. On an easy trek through the jungle between villages, we’ll learn about their traditional betel cultivation methods. We’ll spend the night at the Grand Sultan Golf and Resort (5 stars) in Srimangal.

Day 8 Tropical forest with monkeys; express train to Chittagong

Early this morning, we’ll visit Lawachara National Park, home to the rare Hoolock gibbon monkeys. We’ll explore several villages nestled within the park boundaries. In the afternoon, we’ll board the first-class Paharika Express to Chittagong—a seven-hour journey with sweeping views of rural Bangladesh’s endless rice fields and villages. We’ll arrive in Chittagong, the country’s second-largest city, in the evening. We’ll spend the night at the 4-star Hotel Agrabad (or similar).

Day 9 Chittagong

Early this morning, we’ll explore the vibrant fish market, salt workshops, and fish-drying facilities, along with other intriguing sites. We’ll stroll along the Karnaphuli River, passing moored ships on our way to a shipyard where traditional wooden vessels are built. In the evening, we’ll take a domestic flight to Dhaka and spend the night at a hotel near the airport.

Day 10 Flights back home

Today, we’ll take our return flights home.

Map

My stories from Bangladesh

More about Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a captivating destination, especially for travelers who venture off the beaten path. With few tourists, it offers rare opportunities for adventurous travelers and photographers.

The country’s greatest treasure is its people. During my month-long journey, I was repeatedly moved by their genuine warmth and curiosity. Their simple way of life and eagerness to connect with the outside world were truly inspiring. For photographers, their openness to being photographed was invaluable.

Visitors become instant celebrities almost everywhere they go. Locals gather with genuine curiosity—never hostility—and embracing these encounters often leads to the most rewarding moments.

Like many developing nations, Bangladesh faces challenges such as poverty, slums, and hardship, yet the resilience of its people—especially the children—shines through. Even amid difficulties, joy prevails.

The crime rate is similar to that of comparable countries and is mostly limited to household and street crime. Relatively low levels of petty crime should not discourage visitors.

The country occasionally experiences “hartals”—strikes tied to elections or political events—which can affect public transport, banks, and city services. However, they are typically announced in advance and can be avoided with careful planning.

A short video

How to join us

Please email us for more information about this trip or to sign up. We’ll respond promptly and keep you updated on all organizational details. If you’re a group of 5–8 people, we can discuss dates that work for you. You can also join the list for future trips—just send us your names. That’s it!

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