In Bangladesh you will find the world's longest uninterrupted beach and largest mangrove forest.
Famously poor and heavily prone to flooding, Bangladesh makes an unlikely tourist destination, and a trip here is certainly off the beaten track. But if you're happy to leave behind your home comforts and willing to get out and explore, this beautifully green and wonderfully welcoming country could be one of the most fascinating places you ever visit. The country boasts 3 UNESCO Heritage sites: Sundarbans - the largest Mangrove forest of the earth; the ancient Sixty Domed Mosque in Bagerhat and the ruins of the Buddhist Monastery Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur.
Tour Highlights:
♦ Dhaka - the hectic capital city, an intense and thriving metropolis of about 12 mln. people
♦ Cox's Bazar - a seaside town, known for the longest natural sandy sea beach in the world (125 km)
♦ Sundarban - the largest Mangrove in the world with lots of bird life and some Royal Bengal tigers
Itinerary:
Day 1. Dhaka
Arrival at Dhaka international Airport (the trip from Europe will most probably begin the day before). Transfer to the hotel. City tour: Dhaka university - Oxford of the East, Sahid Minar, Curzon Hall, Dhakeshwari Hindu temple, Lalbagh Mughal fort, National Parliament building, Dinner and overnight.
Day 2. Dhaka - Khulna
After breakfast proceed to Khulna via Mawa ferry Ghat. En route we will visit 60-Dome mosque (World Heritage Site), Nine Dome Mosque, Thakur Pukur & Tomb Of Saint Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat. At the evening we will arrive to Khulna, where we will overnight.
Day 3. Khulna - Sundarban
After early breakfast proceed to Mongla/Khulna to get onboard the ship for Sundarbans & start cruising through the river Mirgamari, Harintana, Shella etc. During this long cruise we will enjoy different wild animals like spotted Deer, Rhesus Macaque, colorful Birds and especially the white large Egrets, White bellied sea Eagle or huge Crocodiles. Playful diving of Gangetic dolphins in the river waters is a common feature in this great jungle. Lunch on board. In the afternoon we will arrive to Katka Island and anchor the boat. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day 4. Sundarban
Shortly after sunrise we will explore the narrow creeks aboard a wooden rowboat, allowing a close look at the unique mangrove fauna & flora. After a leisurely lunch the guide will offer a variety of activities, including an easy trek to the pristine beach facing the Bay of Bengal, a hike through the mangroves and an evening boat trip. Overnight on board in Kаtka.
Day 5. Sundarban - Khulna
After breakfast on the ship, we will start sailing back with the high tide and cruising the whole day. Arrival to Khulna will be in the evening. On the way we will enjoy the peaceful cruise through the creeks of the mangrove forest. After having dinner on board you will disembark the ship for a overnight at a hotel in Khulna.
Day 6. Khulna - Dhaka - Chittagong
After breakfast drive to the Jesshore Airport for an early morning flight to Dhaka, where we will have lunch and some rest. Another flight will take us from Dhaka to Chittagong. Transfer to the hotel and then boat ride in Karnafuly river. Dinner and overnight in Chittagong.
Day 7. Chittagong - Rangamati
After breakfast drive to Rangamati (77 Km). En-route we will visit the famous Rajban Vihara Buddhist Complex. Check-in hotel. After lunch we get on board the reserved cruising boat to enjoy the fantastic cruising through the crystal clear water of the vast Kaptai Lake, the largest manmade lake in Asia. Enjoy the extra ordinary tourist spot at Shuvolong and hill top tribal village. In the evening visit hanging bridge, tribal village on the hill slope by the lake side and the tribal market. Dinner and overnight at Rangamati.
Day 8. Rangamati - Bandarban
After breakfast drive to luminous hill district of Bandarban (about 60 km) through the forested hills and tribal villages. We will have a stop at Sukbilash, where we will do some walking through small hill river, white sand, beautiful mountains and paddy land, then have a lunch at a local restaurant with typical Bangladeshi food. When we reach Bandarban there will be a transfer to hill top hotel/resort, where we will have dinner and stay for the night.
Day 9. Bandarban
After breakfast we will drive in a local 4x4 jeep (Chander gari) for a panoramic trip to a remote village. There is not less that 12 to 13 indigenous tribal groups generated from the Sino-Tibetan origin that migrated mainly from Arakan and found safe shelter to this hill plateau just 250-300 years ago. Among them prominent groups are Chakma, Marma, Tipera, Tangchaya, Khumi, Lushai, Pankhu, Bhom, Kuki, Reangio etc. The visit of Meghla Eco-Park of Tiger hill and the beautiful lake will enhance your travel experience. Dinner and overnight at Bandarban.
Day 10. Bandarban - Cox's Bazar
After breakfast our tour continues to Cox’s Bazaar (87 km). En- route we will visit Buddhist Khyang at Ramu, Rakhain tribal community. Upon arrival to Cox’s Bazar we can relax and enjoy the world’s longest unbroken sea beach on our own. In the afternoon we will visit the forested hills at Himchari and reach Inani (29 km). On the way back we will stop at Himchari Eco-Park on the hill top. In the evening we will visit the Burmese conch shell market and enjoy a dinner with sea fish. Overnight in Cox's Bazar.
Day 11. Cox's Bazar - Mаheskhali - Cox's Bazar
After breakfast we will sail to the Historical ‘Maheskhali Island’ by crossing the bay channel on board a speed boat. Here we will visit the ancient Adinath Temple at the hilltop and the Rakhain Village with its colorful Buddhist Temple. Return to Cox’s Bazar for dinner and overnight.
Day 12. Cox's Bazar - Dhaka - Departure
After breakfast - free time. In the afternoon domestic flight from Cox`s Bazaar to Dhaka. At Dhaka airport we will wait inside airport for the flight back home.
Visa: All European citizens need a visa to visit Bangladesh. Please, contact the local Embassy in your country for visa application procedure and price. We will provide visa invitation. Most European nationalities can obtain visa upon arrival - about 51 USD (to be confirmed on spot). Please, send us a scanned colourful copy of your passport when ordering the tour.
Practical information: ►Avoid travelling to Bangaldesh during Ramadan in the monsoon period (June - September) ►The cabins on the ship to Sundarban are small with 2 berths and a sink, fairly clean shared bathrooms. There is a central dining room with a chef cooking Bengali meals ►Prices of many things, entry fees etc. are higher for foreigners than for the locals. When shopping you can bargain for item with even fixed price signs. ►Credit cards are widely used and ATMs can be found in the cities. However, bring cash on the ship and when visiting some smaller places.►Avoid going out alone after dark. ►Be careful about the sanitation procedures of local street food and snacks.►Tap water is not safe and bottled water is recommended ►Pollution is a serious problem especially in big cities like Dhaka you might experience breathing difficulties.
Continuation: This tour can be combined with a visit ti Bhutan for four days, and flight back to Dhaka from Friday to Monday. You can see the tour price and itinerary in Bhutan here. Flight price by Druk Aır Dhaka-Paro-Dhaka approx. 400 EUR
Price Includes:
accommodation in a double room with an suite facilities at standard hotels and in a double cabin on board the ship to Sundarban with shared bathrooms
full board (from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12) + 1 bottle of mineral water per day
transfer from/to airport
transport according to the program and entrance fees
cruise to Sundarban,in Rangamati and Maheskhali
English speaking local guide
Not Included:
flight tickets to/from Dhak
insurance
tips and personal expenses
drinks
visa
domestic flights
optional tours on spot
Additional Services:
domestic flights: 200 EUR (to be confirmed upon ordering the tour)
Supplement for 2 persons travelling together (single room supplement is not included if any):on request
Vacation Extensions:
Bhutan, Sikkim & Darjeeling
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