BANGLADESH - WHERE RIVERS CONSTRUCT THE LIFE LINE
BANGLADESH - THE LAND OF THE LARGEST MANGROVE FOREST ON EARTH
BANGLADESH - WHERE ART IS PART OF OUR LIFE
BANGLADESH - WHERE RIVERS FORM THE LAND
BANGLADESH - WHERE GREEN PREVAILS IN THE SPECTRUM
CYCLING TOUR
ITINERARY
Day One: Embark on the Rocket steamer in the evening for Mongla. Overnight on board.
Day Two: The whole day on board. Disembark at Mongla in the evening. Overnight at Mongla
Day Three: Ride in the morning to Bagerhat to visit the Sixty Domed Mosque, Nine Domed Mosque, and the tomb of Khan Jahan Ali (R:). Ride further back to Mongla. Overnight at Mongla
Day Four: Drive to Tungipara in the Morning. Arrive at Tungipara before lunch. After lunch, have a short cycle ride by the Sk. Mujibur Rahman's tomb. Overnight at Tungipara
Day Five: Drive to Barisal. Arrive at Barisal in the afternoon. Ride around the town in the afternoon. Overnight at Barisal
Day Six: Early morning start for Atgarh-Kuriana to visit the Guava plantation as well as the local way of life. Get back to the town by evening. Overnight at Barisal
Day Seven: Ride to Chakhhar to visit an old mosque and the residence of Sher-e-Bangla, the first mayor of Kolkata. Get back by evening. Embark on board for Dhaka. Overnight on board
Day Eight: Disembark at the Sadarghat terminal at Dhaka. Tour ends.
HIGHLIGHTS
Rocket Steamer Steam paddle boats, locally known as ‘Steamers’, ‘steamer rockets’ or simply ‘Rockets’, were introduced in Bangladesh in the second quarter of 19th Century. Originally these passenger vessels used to operate with steam engines produced in Denny yard on the Clyde. But in 1995 all of the steam engines have been replaced by diesel engines. The three rocket steamers that still operate between Dhaka and Khulna are Mahsud, Ostrich, and Lepcha. Having a trip on a steamer lets you relax for a while and gives you a very interesting introduction of the rural Bangladesh.
Sixty Domed Mosque Shatgumbad Mosque is the largest of the Sultanate mosques in Bangladesh and one of the most impressive Muslim monuments in the whole of the Indian subcontinent. Built in the 16th Century, the mosque does not have sixty Domes as the name might mislead, rather sixty Pillars and 77 domes. Probably the name sixty Gumbad (Pillars) turned into Gambud (Dome) to raise such name in Bangla. The mosque proper, built mainly of bricks, forms a vast rectangle and measures externally, inclusive of the massive two-storied towers on the angles, 48.77m from north to south and 32.92m from east to west. The huge of the building has been supported by Stone pillars. It is one of the three UNESCO heritage sites of Bangladesh and offers a tranquil neighbourhood for the visitors. There is a museum at the site to make a visit through the history for you too.
Nine Domed Mosques Nine-Dome Mosque is located on the western bank of the Thakurdighi, less than half a km southwest to the tomb-complex of Khan Jahan. The mosque is now a protected monument of the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh. This 16th Century mosque is a brick-built square structure measuring about 16.76m externally and 12.19m internally. The 2.44m thick walls on the north, south and east sides are pierced with three arched-openings on each side; the central one, set within a rectangular frame, is larger than the flanking ones.
Tomb of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (R:) Khan Jahan Ali is a local ruler and celebrated sufi saint, who seems to have come to Bengal just after the sack of Delhi (1398) by Timur. He acquired the forest area of the Sundarbans as jagir (fief) from the sultan of Delhi and subsequently from the sultan of Bengal. He was a great builder. He founded some townships, built mosques, madrasahs and sarais, roads, highways and bridges, dug a large number of dighis in the districts of greater Jessore and Khulna.
This Saint Ruler died in 1459 and was buried in the tomb built by himself. He is revered by people and numerous people visit his tomb. An annual fair is held on the tomb premises in the first half of April every year.
Sk. Mujibur Rahman's Tomb Born on 17 March 1920 in the village Tungipara, Gopalganj, Sheikh Mujibur Rhman joined in active politics in 1949 and was very prominent and bold figure during Pakistani rule in Bangladesh. Eventually he became the most supreme leader for the country during the more than 9 months long war against Pakistan. He was given the title “Bangabandhu” which means the ‘Friend of Bengal’ in 1969. He was the first President of independent Bangladesh and is called the father of the nation. This prominent leader, along with his family, was assassinated on August 15, 1975 and was buried in Gopalganj. Bangladesh Government constructed the Tomb at his grave in honour and hundreds of people visit to pay homage to him.
Atgarh-Kuriana This is a very old marketplace for the locality, held by the Shandha River. Farmers mainly from the surrounding areas come once in every week with their farm productions in traditional boats. Since surrounding locality is famous for guava plantation, the main item displayed in the market is guava. Visiting one such guava farm would be a memorable experience.
Chakhhar This is the birth place of Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque, the first mayor of the Kolkata city corporation and a very renowned political figure in the subcontinent. Apart from this, the whole area is beautiful and has few old mosques and markets.
Sadarghat Terminal Sadarghat a large ghat or wharf at Dhaka city's approach to the River Buriganga. Originally, it was built as a place for landing of boats, launches and even ships coming to Dhaka from other places. Established in the 19th Century, this is said to be one of the largest river ports in the world. Every day about 30,000 people and about 200 large and small passenger launches depart and arrive at the terminal.
CULTURE TOUR
ITINERARY
Day One: Visit the National Museum in the morning. Visit an art Gallery in the afternoon. Watch a stage theater in Dhaka at National theater. Overnight at Dhaka Day Two: In the morning drive to Sonargaon to visit the Folk Museum and the ancient city, Panam Nagar. Have a Half day river cruise on the river Buriganga in the afternoon. Overnight at Dhaka Day Three: Drive in the morning to Dhanbari. Visit Modhupur National park in the afternoon. Enjoy a local cultural show in the evening. Overnight at Dhanbari Day Four: Morning drive to Sri Mangal. Enjoy the scenic beauty at the tea garden in the afternoon, while driving to local tribal villages. Overnight at Sri Mangal Day Five: Trek into the Lawachara Reserved Forest in the morning. Enjoy a tribal cultural program in the evening. Overnight at Sri Mangal Day Six: Drive back to Dhaka. tour ends.
HIGHLIGHTS
National Museum The Bangladesh National Museum preserves and displays the cultural property and heritage, as well as specimens of natural history of Bangladesh. It is located at Shahbagh, Dhaka. The museum is well organized. Itwas formally inaugurated on March 20, 1913. The four-storied building of the museum has 43 galleries on a total floor space of 238,000 square feet. It has a collected 82,475 objects. The most significant objects are ancient petrified wood (2.5 million years old) collected from lalmai and mainamati; blackstone Naga Darwaza (serpent doorway) of 10th-11th century collected from Bangarh, Dinajpur; pieces of atom bombs blasted in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in 1945; mat made of ivory; objects of the Liberation War of Bangladesh; objects used by the martyrs of the language movement; muslin of Dhaka; items of folk art and crafts; coins of emperor Sher Shah; terracotta plaques; sculptures and collection of contemporary art including various types of statues.
Sonargaon The ‘village of Gold’ is the literal meaning of the name. Since before 11th Century, this has been a very important trading centre in the region for a long time till 17th Century, when Dhaka was made the capital of Mughals. During its long glorious history the town has seen several kings and rulers of different origins and religions. The ancient city has been traced to have embraced a wide tract bounded on the east, west and south by the Rivers Meghna, the Shitalakhya and the Dhaleshwari respectively and on the north by the Brahmaputra River. It is now a township in the name of an upazila about 27km southeast of Dhaka in the Narayanganj district. Ancient city of Panam Nagar and few majestic buildings are the attractive remains of its old glory.
Buriganga River Buriganga is a very small river of only 27 km long. On average the river is 400m wide and 10m deep. It is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River, which is called Jamuna in Bangladesh. Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh is situated by this river. Majority of the water transports linking Dhaka to the southern part of Bangladesh use this river. Sadarghat is the main terminal, while Damra is also used for minor purposes.
Modhupur National park Home of the beautiful capped langur monkey, wild boar, barking deer and a galaxy of bird species, the Madhupur National Park, covering around 8500 hectares, is one of the rich patches of old-growth Sal forest in Bangladesh. In addition to its abundant wildlife, the park also provides a home to the Mandi tribal peoples. This area was once famous for tigers, though are not found any longer.
Lawachara Reserved Forest This is a reserved forest located about 12km from Sri Mangal Town, and approximately 212km from Dhaka. The forest has an area of 4,750 hectares. It was declared National Park in 1997. Biological Diversity in the Lawachara National Park consists of 460 species, of which 167 species are Plants, 4 amphibians species, 6 reptile species, 246 bird species, and 20 mammal species. Hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock) is one seriously endangered higher primate that lives in this forest. It is also called a Bird Safari. Birds of different species are found here and anyone can always trek along the adventurous mud stairs, carved into the hills, while listening to the continuous chirping of birds.
NATURE TOUR
ITINERARY
Day One: Drive to Rangamati in the morning. Visit Rajbono Vihara, Chhakma Rajbari, Tribal Museum in the afternoon. Overnight at Rangamati
Day Two: Lake cruise to Shubholong Bazaar and the waterfall. In the afternoon visit some Tribal villages. Overnight at Rangamati Day Three: Drive to Bandarbans. Stay at Nillgiri, a three thousand feet high station. Overnight stay at Nilgiri Day Four: Visit boga lake, and stay at Hillside resort. Overnight at HillSide resort Day Five: Drive back to Dhaka. Tour ends
HIGHLIGHTS
Tribal Cultural Museum This is the only Tribal Cultural Museum in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. It was established at Rangamati town in 1978 and run by the Tribal Cultural Institute. It preserves valuable objects and articles of different tribes representing their socio-economic, cultural and historical tradition. They are typical tribal dresses, ornaments, arms and ammunitions, coins, statues made of wood, bronze and other metals, musical instruments, ivory products, handicrafts, paintings on tribal life etc.
Shubholong Bazaar Shubholong is one of the most attractive scenic spots in Rangamati. Traditional boat is the only way to access the bazaar. Interestingly, the bazaar itself sets on little boats and is organized by the tribal people from the surrounding areas. Local products like banana, beans, pineapples etc are the items available in the market.
Rajbonobihar This is a pretty modern Buddhist Pagoda located in the town. The live nature of the pagoda and serene environment is very soothing.
Boga Lake
The highest hill-enclaved lake of Bangladesh. 1216 ft above sea level. Neither any stream falls in it, nor any stream goes out. But it never dries up. Both the natural scene and the warmth of local tribal people in the area are beautiful. It is 65 km from Bandarban town and 15 km from Ruma upazilla.
FOREST TOUR
ITINERARY
Day One: Drive in the morning to Khulna. Arrive in the afternoon. Get on board. Start cruising towards Sundarbans. Anchor at Dhangmari. Overnight on board.
Day Two: Cruise further to Kotka. visit the sea beaches and walk through the forest. remain anchored at Kotka. Overnight on board.
Day Three: Early in the morning, have a country boat ride into the deep forest in the late morning, cruise back to Kochhikhali. Anchor at Kochikhali. Overnight on board.
Day Four: Morning cruise back to Khulna. After dinner, get embark the rocket steamer for the journey back Dhaka. Overnight on board.
Day Five: The whole day would be on board. Overnight on board.
Day Six: Arrive at Dhaka in the morning. Disembark the steamer at Sadarghat Terminal. Tour ends.
HIGHLIGHTS
Sundarbans
Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest of the world, having more than 6000 Square Kilometer of its 10,000 Square kilometer in Bangladesh. This is a national park and UNESCO heritage since 1997. One of the major lives in this forest is the Royal Bengal Tiger, which is believed to have only 500 members still alive. Spotted dears, Monkeys, Crocodiles are among other commonly seen animals in the jungle.
Recent studies revealed that the Bangladesh Sundarbans support diverse biological resources including at least 120 species of commercially important fishes, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and eight amphibian species. Winter is perfect time for visiting Sundarbans.
Rocket steamer Steam paddle boats, locally known as ‘Steamers’, ‘steamer rockets’ or simply ‘Rockets’, were introduced in Bangladesh in the second quarter of 19th Century. Originally these passenger vessels used to operate with steam engines produced in Denny yard on the Clyde. But in 1995 all of the steam engines have been replaced by diesel engines. The three rocket steamers that still operate between Dhaka and Khulna are Mahsud, Ostrich, and Lepcha. Having a trip on a steamer lets you relax for a while and gives you a very interesting introduction of the rural Bangladesh
Sadarghat Terminal Sadarghat a large ghat or wharf at Dhaka city's approach to the River Buriganga. Originally, it was built as a place for landing of boats, launches and even ships coming to Dhaka from other places. Established in the 19th Century, this is said to be one of the largest river ports in the world. Every day about 30,000 people and about 200 large and small passenger launches depart and arrive at the terminal.
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What an amazing trip!! Journey Plus did a great job. Thank you. -Nigel J Alexander, UK
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