A grand multi-week journey across Bangladesh - Brahmaputra and Sundarbans cruises, UNESCO heritage, tribal hill tracts, tea gardens and Cox's Bazar.
Arrive at Dhaka International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel for breakfast and rest. Explore Lalbagh Fort, the Liberation War Museum, take a rickshaw ride and a gentle walk through Korail slum and the city centres. Overnight in Dhaka.
A full-day exploration of Dhaka with local experiences, including the Parliament House (outside), Karwan Bazar photo walks, the Pink Palace, Star Mosque, Armenian Church, Shankhari Bazaar, Hindu Street, a Buriganga river boat ride with dockyard and the Dhaka University campus. Experience Old Dhaka's vibrant life and architecture.
Visit a weaving village, pottery workshops and the historic Atia Mosque, and enjoy a homestay experience. Walk and cycle through lush village paths surrounded by rice fields and greenery.
Drive to Kurigram's Chilmari for an overnight Brahmaputra cruise, living the life of the river's islands aboard a local boat for one night and two days, starting with the Chilmari haat (market day). Visit the chars to see fishing and village life with local food cooked on board, then transfer to Rangpur for the night.
Meet an organization still doing organic indigo dying and see the process, followed by Rangpur's famous shatranji mattress factory (a GI product). Visit the Kantanagar Temple, Nayabad Mosque and surrounding villages, then transfer to Joypurhat with overnight in Rangpur.
Visit the Paharpur Buddhist temples UNESCO site, including the temple and museum. Drive to Bogra and explore the oldest citadel of Mahasthangarh dating from the 3rd century BC, including Govinda Bhita and the museum, then enjoy the busy city life of Bogra in the evening.
Visit Mahasthangarh bazar and the dry chili fields, then Natore Rajbari. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges river with sunset, before overnight in Rajshahi.
Visit a community-supported Santal tribal village and the Nachol painting village. Explore the Nawabganj heritage mosques including Choto Sona Mosque and Darasbari Mosque, then enjoy time by the Ganges riverside in the afternoon.
Drive to Jessore, visiting the terracotta temple city of Putia including the Shiva temple, palace and Govinda temple, followed by the Hardinge bridge and tobacco plantations. Enjoy the music of Lalon and participate in the Lalon followers' gathering in the evening, with overnight in Jessore.
Transfer to Mongla and board the boat for the Sundarbans mangrove forest, stopping at forest offices and villages along the way. Overnight in the Sundarbans forest.
Cruise through mangrove channels and visit the Kotka-Kochikhali wildlife sanctuary area. Walk into the mangroves, enjoy the silence of the forest, take jungle walks, climb watch towers and join boat trips and other activities.
Visit some local fisherman villages, then transfer to Barisal via the Bagerhat UNESCO heritage site including the 60 Dome Mosque and 9 Dome Mosque. Overnight in Barisal.
Drive early to Banaripara to board an engine boat, visit the biggest weekly market at Boitakhata, the Mia Bari Mosque and the interesting floating gypsy village. Overnight in Barisal.
Cross the Padma River by ferry and visit Balihati Zamindar Palace and local craftsmanship, with overnight in Manikganj.
Drive to Dhaka, visiting the Dhamrai metal craft village, the Savar National Monument, local temples and heritage sites in Dhamrai, pottery works and the loading and unloading activity at Amin Bazar.
Take the morning train to Sreemangal and spend two days hiking in Lawachara Forest and visiting the Khasia and Manipuri tribal communities, tea gardens and schools. Enjoy cultural experiences including a classical Manipuri dance session, with overnight in Sreemangal.
Drive to Chittagong, exploring a Buddhist heritage temple and viewing one of the world's largest ship breaking yards from outside, before transferring to the business capital Chittagong.
Visit the largest fish market of Bangladesh, walk the bridge for the best harbor view, and see the WWII cemetery, Chandanpura Mosque and the shrine. Get an overview of the port and cruise the Karnaphuli river followed by the sunset, with overnight in the business capital.
Drive to Bandarban via the Chittagong fish market and explore tribal villages, markets and cultural traditions. Hike in the remote villages of the Marma, Mru and Tripura, try tribal food, cruise the Sangu river and visit the Tiger Hill viewpoint. Enjoy a cultural program and a special Mru village visit to learn their traditional Krama religion. Overnight in Bandarban.
Transfer to the beach city of Cox's Bazar for two nights, visiting Buddhist temples, a Rakhaine tribal village and traditional boat-making workshops. Take a fast boat trip to see salt processing, try the seafood and join surfing training.
Take a morning flight to Dhaka and drive to the old capital Sonargaon, exploring Panam City, the Folk Art & Craft Museum, Boro Sardar Bari, Goaldi Mosque and riverside villages, learning the history of Bengal's former capital.
Transfer to Dhaka airport for your departure flight.
