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The Grand Bengal Explorer: 24-Day Ultimate Tour

Our most comprehensive journey, the 24-day Grand Bengal Explorer, covers every corner of the country from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Experience river cruises, UNESCO heritage sites, remote tribal villages, and the world's longest natural sea beach at Cox's Bazar. Travel with confidence with the #1 ranked tour operator on TripAdvisor, supporting local schools along the way.

24 Days Bangladesh including Sundarbans & Brahmaputra Cruise — hero
Overview

What you’ll experience

Duration
27
Group Size
2
Difficulty
moderate
Activity
cultural
Highlights

Why this trip?

  • Old Dhaka local experiences, photo walks and Buriganga boat ride
  • Overnight Brahmaputra cruise and char life from Chilmari market day
  • Kantanagar Temple, indigo dying and Paharpur UNESCO Buddhist site
  • Lalon festival and Baul music near Kushtia
  • Multi-day Sundarbans mangrove cruise to Kotka-Kochikhali wildlife sanctuary
  • Bagerhat UNESCO heritage and Barisal floating markets
  • Srimangal tea gardens, Lawachara hike and tribal communities
  • Bandarban hill tribes, Sangu river cruise and Cox's Bazar beaches
Itinerary

Day by day

  1. Day 01

    Day 1: Arrive Dhaka

    Meals · Breakfast
  2. Day 02

    Day 2: Dhaka City Tour

    Meals · Breakfast
  3. Day 03

    Day 3: Tangail Heritage Village

    Meals · Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 04

    Days 4-5: Chilmari Market Day & Brahmaputra Cruise

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 05

    Day 6: Kantanagar Temple & Indigo Dying

    Meals · Breakfast
  6. Day 06

    Day 7: Paharpur UNESCO & Mahasthangarh to Bogra

    Meals · Breakfast
  7. Day 07

    Day 8: Bogra Red Chili & Ganges Cruise to Rajshahi

    Meals · Breakfast
  8. Day 08

    Day 9: Santal Tribal Village, Gaur Heritage & Ganges Cruise

    Meals · Breakfast
  9. Day 09

    Day 10: Rajshahi to Kushtia & Lalon Festival

    Meals · Breakfast
  10. Day 10

    Day 11: Kushtia to Mongla & Sundarbans

    Meals · Breakfast, Dinner
  11. Day 11

    Day 12: Sundarbans Adventure

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  12. Day 12

    Day 13: Bagerhat UNESCO Heritage to Barisal

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13

    Day 14: Barisal Floating Markets, Gypsy Village & Heritage Sites

    Meals · Breakfast
  14. Day 14

    Day 15: Barisal to Manikganj

    Meals · Breakfast
  15. Day 15

    Day 16: Manikganj to Dhamrai to Dhaka

    Meals · Breakfast
  16. Day 16

    Days 17-18: Sreemangal Forest & Tribes

    Meals · Breakfast
  17. Day 17

    Day 19: Sreemangal to Chittagong via Ship Breaking Yard

    Meals · Breakfast
  18. Day 18

    Day 20: Chittagong Sightseeing

    Meals · Breakfast
  19. Day 19

    Days 21-23: Bandarban Hill Tracts

    Meals · Breakfast, Dinner
  20. Day 20

    Days 24-25: Cox's Bazar - Teknaf - Cox's Bazar

    Meals · Breakfast, 01 Sea food dinner
  21. Day 21

    Day 26: Old Capital Sonargaon Tour

    Meals · Breakfast
  22. Day 22

    Day 27: Departure from Dhaka

    Meals · Breakfast
Included
  • ✓26 nights in selected hotels or homestays on double/twin sharing basis
  • ✓Breakfast daily and meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • ✓All transfers with private AC car and train tickets
  • ✓Boat trips including Dhaka, Barisal, Kurigram, Bogra, Rajshahi, Sundarbans, Chittagong, Bandarban and Cox's Bazar
  • ✓Cox's Bazar to Dhaka flight
  • ✓All sightseeing as per itinerary, entry fees, forest permits and government fees
  • ✓Local guide throughout
  • ✓Cultural experiences: Manipuri dance, special Lalon program, Bangla cooking class and photography walks
  • ✓Sundarbans private boat with all meals on board, forest guards and permits
Not included
  • —International flights
  • —Visa fees
  • —Lunches and dinners not mentioned
  • —Personal expenses
  • —Tips for guide, driver and boat crew
  • —Travel insurance
Tripadvisor reviews

What travellers say

6
6863mariella
Cugnasco, Switzerland

“Just think about enjoying every moment!”

Just everything perfect! We did a 2-week tour: our only “concern” was to get up in the morning and show up in the hotel lobby to enjoy the day! Afridi was our impeccable guide and the driver Zia extricated himself wonderfully in the traffic, nothing short of chaotic! Our needs were taken into account and we also appreciated the flexibility shown by our guide. The atmosphere was cheerful, the knowledge of the country excellent and not least Afridi speaks commendable English! THANK YOU very much for this wonderful adventure!

January 2026
T
Tom
Washington DC

“Fun, interesting and truly authentic experience in Bangladesh”

My mom and I went on this trip in September 2025, and it was so much fun. Bangladesh is not a common travel destination for Westerners, but I am so glad we took a chance and traveled here for a week. We spent several days touring beautiful tea plantations, interacting with locals, visiting different villages, hiking in the forests, trying new foods, visiting a local village school, and making new friends. The best part was that it was 100% authentic. Our tour guides, Alfridi and Shymol, went out of their way to make us feel safe, happy and satisfied.

September 2025
a
annabelle v
Ghent, Belgium

“A.M.A.Z.I.N.G”

What a trip! What a ride! What a country! What an experience! It was amazing! We got into contact with the real Bangladesh — amazing people, good food, chaos and peace. We’ve got it all!

April 2025
G
Guido Helga
Bredene, Belgium

“Simply the best”

Just back from a 14-day beautiful tour through Bangladesh with Beyond Borders (Belgium) and Bangladesh Eco Adventure. Wonderful. There is a full program and we saw a lot of the country. Mahadi and Jerry did everything they could to show us as much as possible of this beautiful country. We visited Dhaka, Sonargaon, Sreemangal, Lawachara National Park, Mongla, Barisal, Chittagong and a Sundarban forest 3-day cruise. Often very adventurous — getting around by comfortable bus, boat and train. Lots of local markets, contacts with locals, good hotels, good food. One of our top trips among the many we have made all over the world.

March 2025
B
Benoît and Jany Chassatte

“Unforgettable experience”

Mahadi took us on a trip to Sundarban last March. It was an unforgettable holiday. Everything was so well organized. The team (drivers, boat team) were kind and helpful. With the engine boat we got to explore the beautiful waterways and with the small rowing boat we got close to the mangrove forests with their wild animals. We also got to know this unique and precious environment better through Mahadi’s explanations and books. If you could only visit one place in Bangladesh, we highly recommend this trip.

March 2021
M
Mohamed M

“10/10 Would recommend them for all Bangladesh tourism!”

Mahadi at Bangladesh Eco Adventure and team really made the trip a dream come true — they handled all logistics, were on time, excellent communicators, well priced and had immense local knowledge. We went to the Sundarbans for a few days, as well as day tours in Sonargaon and Dhaka. Sundarbans in particular is a must see. Myself and my friends had a wonderful time and would not hesitate to recommend them as the people to trust with all your travel and tourism in Bangladesh.

January 2026
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