Bangladesh Adventures & Lifestyles – 7 Days

Tour Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Dhaka — Mughal Heritage

Arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon exploration of Dhaka’s Mughal heritage: visit Lalbagh Fort (1678), the atmospheric unfinished Mughal palace complex where the central mausoleum houses the tomb of Pari Bibi, the governor’s beloved daughter. The Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Audience) and the three-domed mosque speak of 17th-century Mughal grandeur in Bengal. Continue to Ahsan Manzil, the “Pink Palace” — the 1872 riverside mansion of Dhaka’s nawabs with its grand sweeping staircase, ornate ballroom, and the dramatic story of Bengal’s aristocratic life. Evening rickshaw ride through Old Dhaka’s narrow lanes, the city’s 800,000 cycle rickshaws creating a mesmerizing flow of color and movement. Welcome dinner. Overnight at 4-star Dhaka hotel.

Day 2: Sonargaon — Ancient Capital & Panam City

Day trip to Sonargaon (27 km east), the ancient capital of Bengal from the 13th to 17th centuries. Visit the fascinating Folk Arts & Crafts Museum, housed in the restored Sardar Bari mansion, displaying Bangladesh’s stunning traditional crafts: jamdani muslin, nakshi kantha embroidered quilts, brassware, and terracotta art. Walk through Panam Nagar (Panam City), an eerily beautiful ghost street — 52 ornate 19th-century merchant mansions lining a single narrow road, abandoned after the 1947 Partition. The decaying facades with their Corinthian columns, arched windows, and intricate brickwork tell silent stories of Bengal’s wealthy Hindu merchant class. Visit the 1519 Goaldi Mosque, a jewel of pre-Mughal Sultanate architecture. Afternoon return to Dhaka. Evening exploration of Dhaka’s contemporary art scene at Drik Gallery. Overnight at Dhaka hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Cox’s Bazar — The World’s Longest Beach

Morning flight to Cox’s Bazar (1 hour), home to the world’s longest natural sea beach — an unbroken 120km of golden sand facing the Bay of Bengal. Check in to your beachfront hotel. Afternoon beach exploration: walk the seemingly endless shoreline where weathered fishing boats are pulled up on the sand and fishermen mend their nets in the sun. Visit Himchori waterfall, cascading down a green hillside to meet the beach. For the adventurous, optional parasailing over the Bay of Bengal — soaring above the turquoise water with panoramic views of the coastline stretching to the horizon. Sunset at Laboni Beach, the main beach point, watching the sun sink into the Bay of Bengal while local families enjoy their evening promenade on the sand. Overnight at 4-star Cox’s Bazar hotel.

Day 4: Ramu & Deep-Sea Fishing Adventure

Morning visit to Ramu, a historic Buddhist village 15 km from Cox’s Bazar. Explore the stunning Ramu Buddhist Temple complex featuring a 100-foot reclining Buddha — one of the largest in South Asia — and ornate pagodas with golden spires. The temple’s intricate wood carvings and serene atmosphere create a deep sense of peace. Continue to the ancient Ramkot Buddhist Monastery, believed to date back over 1,000 years. Afternoon: embark on a deep-sea fishing excursion into the Bay of Bengal aboard a traditional wooden fishing trawler. Try your luck at catching red snapper, grouper, and the prized hilsa fish in the rich Bay of Bengal waters, with an experienced crew to assist. Evening seafood barbecue on the beach with your day’s catch. Overnight at Cox’s Bazar hotel.

Day 5: Nazirartek Dry Fish Village & Inani Beach

Morning visit to Nazirartek, the fascinating dry fish processing village south of Cox’s Bazar. Watch the traditional preservation process on vast bamboo racks where thousands of fish — pomfret, ribbon fish, Bombay duck, and tiny shrimp — dry in the tropical sun. The pungent-savory aroma, the colorful displays of silver and gold dried fish, and the rhythmic work of the village create a uniquely Bangladeshi sensory experience. Continue to Inani Beach, 30 km south, where coral stones and rock formations create a dramatic contrast with the pale sand. At low tide, the rocks emerge like a sculpture garden in the sea. Afternoon return to Cox’s Bazar for free time on the beach. Evening opportunity to try fresh coconut water and local snacks from beach vendors. Overnight at Cox’s Bazar hotel.

Day 6: Return to Dhaka — Hidden Corners

Morning flight back to Dhaka. Afternoon exploration of Dhaka’s hidden corners. Visit the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid), a jewel box of a mosque whose walls and domes are completely covered in intricate blue star mosaic tiles — a unique fusion of Mughal architecture with British colonial-era ceramic craftsmanship. Explore the Armenian Church (1781) and its adjacent cemetery where weathered tombstones record the lives of Armenian merchants who once dominated Dhaka’s jute trade. Visit Shankhari Bazaar, the 300-year-old Hindu artisan street where skilled craftsmen still carve exquisite conch shell bangles. Walk along the Buriganga River at Sadarghat as the evening launches prepare for departure. Farewell dinner at a heritage restaurant. Overnight at Dhaka hotel.

Day 7: Depart Dhaka

Morning visit to the national Parliament Building, Louis Kahn’s architectural masterpiece — one of the 20th century’s most significant buildings, its geometric concrete forms rising from an artificial lake. Last shopping at Aarong for authentic Bangladeshi handicrafts. Transfer to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for departure.

Inclusions

• 6 nights in 4-star hotels (3 Dhaka, 3 Cox’s Bazar)
• Daily breakfast + selected meals
• Round-trip domestic flights Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• English-speaking guide throughout
• Deep-sea fishing excursion with crew & equipment
• Parasailing (optional — included in price)
• All site entrance fees
• All airport transfers