We are delighted to announce an all-encompassing ‘modular’ trip to Bangladesh in association with our dear fixer and Envoy Kawsar. This trip will consist of modules; you can pick the ‘modules’ you want to do or do them all at a reduction of 5%.
In February, we will only take a very small group in order to pilot this offering and perfect it for our much bigger group planned for next October. The prices below are for the February trip which is being performed at a discount.
Dates: FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 7, 2025
This tour covers all 5 NomadMania regions, 6 DARE places, and all 3 World Heritage Sites.
A unique range of experiences, from exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, bustling markets, and historical landmarks to witnessing unique exclaves, serene river cruises, and the vibrant culture of Bangladesh. Each module takes you to distinct regions, providing opportunities for cultural immersion, natural beauty, and encounters with off-the-beaten-path destinations.
This is a “SLOW” trip
The itinerary allows for time to submerge yourself into your surroundings and get a proper feeling of the ambiance.
This tour is divided into “modules”
Day 0 (Feb. 21) – arrive in Dhaka during the day. Rest from your flight, meet the group, and relax before an intense trip. Alternatively, opt for a night flight that arrives in Dhaka before 5 a.m. on Feb. 22 to connect with the early flight to Saidpur listed below.
Module 1 – North-western Bangladesh
By Federica Petrilli
Day 1 (Feb. 22) – Early flight for Saidpur; breakfast. We will drive to Tetulia Upazila (2 hours), a DARE place on the border with India popular with locals. Enjoy the sights. Return with a stop at Dahala Kaghrabari, formerly an Indian exclave, the only third-level exclave in the world, incorporated into Bangladesh in 2015; this is also a DARE place. Return to Saidpur for a short city tour before dinner.
Day 2 (Feb. 23) – After breakfast, we leave Saidpur for Dahagram-Angarpota, the only remaining exclave of Bangladesh which takes you through a 200-meter corridor of India; this is also a DARE place. Enjoy the exclave and look out to India at the border marker. Drive south to the district capital of Rangpur before heading back to Saidpur for overnight.
Day 3 (Feb. 24) – Today will be a longish drive taking us via Hili on the border with India to the Bihar at Paharpur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will also visit the Kusuba mosque and then head to the town of Puthia, which is also well known as well as enjoying a river cruise. Overnight in Rajshahi.
Day 4 (Feb. 25) – Morning tour of Rajshahi including its riverside with a boat trip and a visit to the archaeological museum. Early afternoon flight to Dhaka – end of Module 1.
Module 2 – North-eastern Bangladesh
Day 4 (Feb. 25) – Connect from the previous flight to Sylhet. First visit to the bustling city for dinner. Overnight in Sylhet.
Day 5 (Feb 26) – Day trip to Jaflong, one of the prettiest places in Bangladesh and a ‘crazy’ border situation with India. Following this, enjoy a 2-hour river cruise to Lala Khal before returning to Sylhet for further exploration of the city.
Day 6 (Feb. 27) – Morning drive to Zakiganj on the border with India, a DARE place. On the way back visit a tea plantation, before taking the flight to Dhaka. End of Module 2.
Module 3 – South-western Bangladesh
Day 6 (Feb. 27) – Take the overnight boat from Dhaka to Barishal, an experience in itself.
Day 7 (Feb. 28) – Morning arrival in Barishal. Visit the floating market and enjoy a river cruise. Then take the road to Khulna for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 (March 1) – Visit two World Heritage Sites in one day – first the 60-dome mosque at Bagerhat and then have a day trip to the Sundarbans. Return late for another overnight in Khulna.
Day 9 (March 2) – Early drive to Jessore for a morning flight to Dhaka. End of Module 3.
Module 4 – South-eastern Bangladesh
By Axel Wacht
Day 9 (March 2) – Continue from before with a flight to Cox’s Bazar. We head to the refugee camps office on arrival to get the permit for the activity of Day 11; explore the markets including the fish market, and the beach of Cox’s Bazar if time allows before dinner.
Day 10 (March 3) – Today is our helicopter flight to St. Martin’s island, a DARE place, where we will spend the whole day before taking the helicopter back.
Day 11 (March 4) – Morning visit to the Rohingya refugee camp of Kutupalong. We follow this with a visit to Buddhist temples more reminiscent of Myanmar before heading down to Teknaf, another DARE place, the southernmost tip of mainland Bangladesh; look at Myanmar across and enjoy the 120-mile beach (the longest in the world) before returning to Cox’s Bazar for dinner, followed by a late flight to Dhaka. End of Module 4.
Module 5 – Dhaka
(this module can substitute any of the above in terms of timing except Module 1)
Day 12 (March 5) – Full-day exploration of Panam City
Day 13 (March 6) – Full-day exploration of Dhaka
Day 14 (March 7) – Departure. End of Module 5 & trip; alternatively, make arrangements to stay extra in this amazing country but note that visas on arrival allow you 15 days.
Prices
This tour is priced per module to allow maximum flexibility. However, for our small group in February, we will give preference to those willing to do the whole 14-day trip.
The price includes:
- Hotels in twin room with breakfast except on Day 9 when no breakfast will be provided due to flight scheduling. Hotels are the best available in Saidpur and Rangpur and better class ones (4* approx.) in Sylhet, Khulna, Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka
- Meet and greet at Dhaka airport and airport transfer on departure
- Dinners with a soft drink
- Boat ride from Dhaka to Barishal
- All road transportation and entrance fees where applicable
- All domestic flights
The price does not include:
- Lunch. Due to the scheduling, a stop for lunch will not be made except where acceptable options are available, which will be payable on the spot. We strongly suggest having a big breakfast and equipping yourselves with some snacks until dinner. We prefer this than a low-budget lunch in rural areas which may have unforeseen consequences
- Insurance
- Additional drinks
- Tips
- Additional expenses
- Helicopter ride. The price below does not include the helicopter ride or the new entrance fee to St. Martin’s Island, as visits will only restart in December 2024 and definitive pricing is not yet known. We expect a price of approximately $270 per person for the whole St. Martin’s experience, but this will only be confirmed in due course
Prices per module for the February 2025 departure are:
- Module 1: $620
* including Day 0 - Module 2: $450
- Module 3: $495
- Module 4: $420 (without St Martin’s estimated at $270)
- Module 5: $440
Entire trip (with discount; without St Martin’s estimated at $270): $2440
We strongly suggest that you only take hand-luggage with you on the trip; we have two nights in Khulna which can allow for laundry to be done in the middle of the trip.
We’re excited to see you in Bangladesh! This one-of-a-kind itinerary offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and diverse experiences.
To apply please fill out the form below
Please remember to mention which modules you’re interested in. Thank you 🙂
