12 Days Private Bangladesh Tour, Daily Start & Exclusive Guide and Car

In the morning, the guide will first take you to visit the Kawranbazar Vegetable Market to see what Dhaka’s largest wholesale marketplace looks like. Offering fruits, vegetable, fish, rice, among others, this market is the key stage on which local life unfolds and where to peek into the soul of Bangladesh. Then, head to the National Assembly (Parliament Building) to see its artistic structure. The next stop is Star Mosque, named for the star motifs covering all its white domes. Other places we will check out are: Curzon Hall inside Dhaka University, where seeds of Bangladesh’s independence were sowed; Dhakeswari Temple, dedicated to the goddess of Dhaka; Lalbagh Fort, half-completed for the death of the daughter of Shaista Khan - a Bengali commander in the Mughal Empire; Armenian Church, which is the only tangible remain of the lost Armenian tribe; and Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace.

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As the sun sets, we will go to the famous Sadarghat River Port. A transportation hub used by locals for daily commute and goods transfer, it’s chaotic, yet captivating! Enjoy a boat ride on the river to feel the vibe from a unique angle. At about 8:30 pm, board a modern ship to leave for Barisal.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Modern Ship - 1st Class A/C Twin Cabin

After the ship docks at Barisal in the very early morning, we will then drive to Banaripara to start our backwater cruise to the largest floating market in Bangladesh. Home to one of the largest river systems in the delta region of Bangladesh, Barisal just provides the best chance to experience such eye-opening “floating culture”. Perhaps you’d like to sample some Bangladeshi guava, staple goods here?

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After lunch, drive to Bagerhat for a visit of the UNESCO-preserved Sixty Dome Mosque, an exemplar of ancient Bengali architecture. We will also stop by the Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali and the adjacent Nine Dome Mosque, places of worship with a history centering on the great Sufi saint Khan Jahan Ali. Later, go on a 1.5-hour drive to take the Sundarbans reserved boat.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sundarbans Reserved Boat 

Today, we will take a boat from the Mongla port to another World Heritage Site - Sundarbans National Park, which harbors the world’s largest mangrove forest safeguarding some most precious species of animals, like swimmer Royal Bengal tigers and Gangetic dolphins. First, let’s go ask for forest entry permits from Chadpai Forest Office and request an armed forest guard to protect us during the entire Sundarbans trip. We will moor near the Harbaria Eco-Center and continue to walk for 30 minutes to the wildlife gathering area. Afterwards, go back to the boat, have lunch, and head to Kochikhali. As darkness falls, the boat will dock by the Kochikhali Forest Office. Overnight on boat in Sundarbans.

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● About the Sundarbans Boat:

Without air-conditioner, accommodating up to 20 people, the small boat we will take suits our Sundarbans exploration best: it’s eco-friendly and produces little noise to scare off wild animals. Temperature here would be pleasantly cool between November and February, and it indeed can soar up especially in April, September, and October. But don’t worry! The boat has a steel-aluminum hull and a solar-powered fan to chase away the heat.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sundarbans Reserved Boat

This morning, hop in a smaller boat to travel through a creek, and then get ashore to hike into the deep forest to experience mystical nature and spot wildlife. Later, return to the boat and head for today's main destination: Kotka. After getting off the boat, we will take a stroll along Jamtola Sea Beach and enjoy the beautiful Bay of Bengal. After lunch, you will be accompanied to explore the Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the best attractions here to find many monkeys, deer, and sometimes hunting tigers. In the evening, we will prepare a BBQ dinner for you. Overnight on boat in Sundarbans.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sundarbans Reserved Boat

Your guide will take you to a local Fishing Village. Strike up a conversation with fishermen and learn about or even experience their traditional way of life. After lunch, your Sundarbans adventure trip will come to the end. The boat will dock at Mongla port, where we will drive for about 2.5 hours to the Jessore Airport to fly to Dhaka. Overnight in Dhaka.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sky City Hotel Dhaka (4 stars) / Hotel Grand Palace (4 stars)

Today, we will stop by Panam Nagar, the “Ghost City” in old capital Sonargaon, on the way to Chittagong. Once a prosperous textile city home to rich Hindu merchants in the 19th century, it was ravaged by fire of unknown origins, but now you can still feel its glorious past from the remains of those noble buildings. Next, head for Mainamati, an archaeological site in Comilla District that contains many Buddhist ruins. Shalbon Vihara is the most popular and biggest among them. A thousand years of history has eroded it to what it is like today – only the foundations of a temple and surrounding cells can be found, but its holy vibe remains and can easily take you back in time.

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After lunch, we will drive non-stop to Chittagong and overnight in a local hotel.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Agrabad Chittagong (4 stars)

Have you wondered about the fate of discarded ships? This morning, let’s go to the world's largest shipbreaking yard in Chittagong to unravel it. Your tele lens camera will help you capture the mournful moments of steel giants being dismantled and recycled. Next, visit the World War Cemetery, a Commonwealth war cemetery built after World War II, and Catholic Church, the oldest one in Bengal.

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After lunch, we will drive to Rangamati. On the way, stop by the Shrine of Bayezid Bostami, the tomb of a celebrated Persian Sufi. Upon arrival, check in at a lakeside resort in Rangamati.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Parjatan Holiday Complex Rangamati (3 stars lake view) - only option

Today we are going to take an exciting cruise tour on Kaptai Lake, the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh originally built to generate hydroelectric power. With lush mountain landscapes, the area has over time become a hidden treasure for nature lovers and adventurers to explore. Tribal cultures like those of Chakma and Tripura also add to the charm of it. We will spend 5 - 6 hours cruising and sightseeing Bonorupa Floating Market, Rajban Vihar, Chakma King House, and Shuvolong Waterfall along the way. The tour will end with a visit to the Bonorupa Bazaar. Here, experience life happening over countless boats brimming with pineapples and jackfruits to be traded. Overnight in Rangamati.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Parjatan Holiday Complex Rangamati (3 stars lake view) - only option

In the morning, we will tour around Rangamati’s iconic Hanging Bridge. Next, drive to Bandarban. Halfway through, we will visit some weaving factories.

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In the afternoon, follow the guide to Hatiabandha Tripura Village to learn the primitive lifestyle of Tripura indigenous people. Interestingly, their women play a role similar to it of men in our modern society. To round off today’s trip, we will climb a hill in Nilachal to appreciate a splendid sunset. Overnight in Bandarban.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Venus Resort Bandarban (4 stars)

Early in the morning, drive to Love Point, Chimbuk Hills and Nilgiri Hills, from the peaks of which you can find a panorama of the breathtaking sceneries around. We will then visit the tribal village of Murong Para in Bandarban. The people here will fascinate you with their independence from the outside world, even from other tribal communities. Our next visit is Bawm Village and Shoilo Propat, a small waterfall or water flow. Later, drive back to Chittagong for lunch. We will spend half an hour at Potenga Sea Beach near the airport. Fly to Dhaka later and transfer to the hotel for the night stay.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Vistana Dhaka (4 stars) - Near Airport

Today, your driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Wish you a smooth journey home!

Meals: Breakfast

* Note: If the above itinerary doesn't meet your requirements, don't forget that we are a customized tour provider. Don't hesitate to tell us your preferences, interests and budget, and we'll tailor an itinerary to meet all your needs. Let's turn your wanderlust into reality!