Day 1: Arrive in Dhaka; Airport Pick-up
Welcome to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh! The guide and the driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. You may spend the rest time of the day relaxing in the hotel or strolling around the downtown area to get first impressions of this city.
If you arrive early today and are not shy about being curiously watched by Bengali people, you can hang around the hotel and feel by yourself the insane energy of Dhaka, one of the most populous city in the world (65 thousand people/square km). Just remember that, as Bangladesh is an impoverished country, pickpocketing is a common street crime, so while out you won’t want to take your valuables or put them in plain sight.
► Items Needed to Enter Bangladesh:
Bangladesh grants visa on arrival to many regions, including European countries, USA, Canada, Russia, and many Asian countries. At the airport, you will apply for it with:
1. Visa fee. You will need to pay about 51 USD in foreign currencies like US dollars, pound sterling and euros to get a 30-day visa.
2. Documents that justify your visit to Bangladesh. Apart from things like a passport expiring in six months and proof of funds, to enter Bangladesh, you are also required to present an Invitation Letter, which we will take care of.
3. Evidence of hotel reservations and return ticket.
4. At least 500 USD in cash and credit limit. You will also need to prepare small bills to tip airport staff, as tipping is a culture is Bangladesh. Bengali People Bustling Urban Street
Note: To connect to free wi-fi at the airport you need to use a local cell number or International SIM card (if there is signal on your phone). Please have patience to go through the immigration process, which might be a little intricate. Before your departure, we will make sure you’ve brought every required item with you. For any problems, please feel free to contact our travel consultant.
Accommodation: Hotel Sky City Dhaka (4 stars) / Hotel Grand Palace (4 stars)
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Day 2: Dhaka Sightseeing: Visit Monumental Sites
Let’s start our private Bangladesh tour in Dhaka. To begin with, follow your guide to experience the Kawranbazar Vegetable Market, the liveliest, largest marketplace in Dhaka receiving and distributing agricultural goods. We will then take you to the National Assembly (Parliament Building). Take out your camera! Rising from a lake, this artistic architectural masterpiece can hardly be associated with politics. Next, pay a visit to Dhaka University and its historic Curzon Hall, where the Bengali Language Movement took place. The tranquil unfinished fortified palace of Lalbagh Fort is our next place. Rumor had it that this place was haunted, as it witnessed the demise of Price Muhammad Azam’s fiancée in 1684. The fort also enjoys other features to appreciate, such as the Mughal-style garden in front of the main structure. You will find pools - radiating vitality and peace - in the middle of roads between flower-laid lawns, which represents nature. Such garden symbolizes the paradise of Muslims and Persians. Dhakeswari Temple - housing the goddess that protects Bangladesh, Star Mosque - a standout for using recycled pieces of broken china for its mosaic designs, Armenian Church - the only relic left by the lost Armenian community, and Ahsan Manzil - a palace colored in bold pink are also on our to-visit list. What’s more, get inspired by the people and old streets when taking pictures! You can also play as audience from a boat on the Sadarghat River, to watch life unfolding on the riverfront. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Sky City Dhaka (4 stars) / Hotel Grand Palace (4 stars)
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Day 3: Train journey from Dhaka to Chittagong; Visit Shipbreaking Yards
While in Bangladesh, an exciting train journey cannot be missed! The guide will escort you on the Sonar Bangla Express Train to Chittagong, which leaves at 7:00 am and arrives in 7 hours. You might have heard how crazy the train surfing is in Bangladesh - those too poor to buy a ticket would risk their life to cram on the train roof for a free ride. In fact, the striking scene that went viral online only happens at Bishwa Ijtema (Islamic global gathering) or Ed Festival at the beginning of a year. Although there are official staff placed at the train stations managing this, when things are beyond control they would often turn a blind eye. But you don’t have to worry about being pushed, as you are 100% guaranteed about your comfort - you will take the most advanced train in Bangladesh, which is chaos-free. Upon arrival, the driver will meet you at the railway station. After lunch at a local restaurant, check into the hotel for a nice break. Later in the afternoon, head for the coastal area of Kumira to visit one of the largest shipbreaking yards in the world. As it’s not allowed to enter the main grounds, we will cruise on a boat near the dock to see once glorious steel giants being dismantled for recycling. You will find the tour to the yard soul-impacting, which gives you a glimpse of what a life of the poor - taking about half of Bangladesh’s population - are living. According to study, 10% of a ship is made up of heavy metal, asbestos, and other hazardous materials; however, you will see men working here having only negligible protective equipment on them - sometimes a helmet is all they have. There are always reports that a man was blinded during the wielding work, lost his body part, or even lost his life. But this doesn’t stop them from vying for the job. Those being interviewed are even reluctant to talk about the inside story, for fear of being fired and unable to feed their family, even though they are paid only less than 2 US dollars a day.
After watching a sunset, come back to the downtown area for a one-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Agrabad Chittagong (4 stars)
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Day 4: Transfer to Rangamati by Car; Sightsee in Rangamati
Today we are going to Rangamati. On the way, pay a visit to the Shrine of Bayazid Bostami, known for being a Sufi holy site and its giant tortoises, which you can feed with bananas. Next, take a boat to tour around Kaptai Lake, the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh for hydroelectric purpose. Enjoy floating on the lake and see spots like Bonorupa Floating Market, the Buddhist temple of Rajban Vihar and Chakma King House (Chakma, Bangladesh’s largest tribe). Pass by Shuvolong Waterfall, which has an ethereal veil of water falling off but would run wild during monsoon. In the evening, experience the busy floating market at Bonorupa Bazaar. Overnight stay in the government cottage type hotel in Rangamati. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parjatan Holiday Complex (3 stars) - only option
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Day 5: Visit Iconic Rangamati Bridge; Transfer to Bandarban and Sightsee
In the morning, let’s take a stroll around and admire Rangamati’s iconic Hanging Bridge. Next, drive to Bandarban. On the way, we will visit several weaving factories. In the afternoon, visit the Hatiabandha Tripura Village to learn about the primitive way of life of Tripura indigenous people. Finally, proceed to Nilachal to appreciate beautiful mountain scenery and sunset. Overnight in Bandarban. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Venus Resort (4 stars)
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Day 6: Explore Tribal Villages in Bandarban; Transfer to Cox’s Bazar
In the morning, drive to Chimbuk Hill and Nilgiri Hill, from the peak of which you’ll have a fascinating memory by overlooking the surrounding landscapes. We will also stop by the tribal village of Murong Para and gain insight into Murong people’s solitary lifestyle. Then we will continue driving to Cox's Bazar. On the way, visit Farukpara Bawm Village, where you can find churches telling Bawm people’s beliefs in Christianity, and the Ramu Buddhist Temple, famous for having Bangladesh’s largest reclining Buddha. As today’s trip ends, we will transfer you to the hotel in Cox’s Bazar. Cruising on Lake Having Fun on Sands
★ Special Experience: Spend a Night by the Longest Beach on Earth Tonight, you will sleep at the hand-picked Long Beach Hotel, which overlooks a 120-km-long beach, the longest in the world. You can spend your energy in gym, playing pool or swimming; or simply relax in Jacuzzi or by having a sauna. Barbeque, café, and a restaurant offering cuisines of various countries would bring your tour experience to a new level.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Long Beach Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 7: Maheshkhali Island Tour in Cox's Bazar
After breakfast, we will take a boat to Maheshkhali Island. Upon arrival, the tour guide will show you around the Rakhine Buddhist Temple and leave some time for you to explore the island on your own. Then, go to a local fishing port to watch how fishermen load and unload fresh catches. After the visit, take the boat back to the mainland of Cox's Bazar. Relax during the remaining time of the day. Overnight in Cox’s Bazar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Long Beach Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 8: Tour Himchari and Inani Sea Beach; Fly back to Dhaka
In the morning, we will drive to Himchari (National Park), a tropical forest to spot wildlife, enjoy sceneries of green hills and blue sea from hilltop, as well as hear the sound of waves striking the nearby Inani Sea Beach, the broadest beaches on this planet, where we will spend some leisure time next. However beautiful the beach is, its secluded location explains why it’s less-travelled. Here, you will find many traditional fishing boats, whose distinctive shape, like a pressured crescent moon with curved prows, would remind anyone of Viking ships.
Return to Cox's Bazar at noon for lunch. If you want any local crafts as souvenirs, you may get your chance at Burmese Market, our next destination. In the evening, fly back to Dhaka and the guide will escort you to your hotel near the airport.
★ Special Arrangement: Overnighting Near the Airport By choosing a hotel near the airport, we intend to spare you the burden of rushing through the notoriously dense crowds of Dhaka to catch your flight. Of course, we are glad to change to a hotel located in downtown Dhaka, if you want to explore it further in your tomorrow’s free time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Vistana Dhaka (4 stars) - Near Airport
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Day 9: Dhaka Departure; Airport See-off
Today is the last day of your Bangladesh trip. The driver will transfer you to the airport on time according to your flight timetable. We wish you a nice journey home!
► Recommended Activities for Your Free Time:
If you have plenty of free time today before departure, it’s recommended you check out Bangladesh’s National Museum (16 km from airport) and the nearby National Art Gallery to learn more about local history, art, and culture. You can also take a stroll around Shadeed Minar, the memorial erected for those sacrificed themselves during the Bengali Language Movement in 1952.
We’d be remiss if we don’t remind you of this again: as most attractions are far away from the airport, if you want to check them out, you will have to make sure you’d leave enough time for coming to the airport (here the traffic moves at 4.8km/h on average, not much faster than the walking speed). Besides, the airport’s official guideline also suggests you to arrive 4 hours before you take off. While in the airport, you should be aware of those friendly people who come over to help you with the luggage - they will charge you in the end for their service.
Meals: Breakfast
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