Bangladesh travel guide

Our holidays to Bangladesh take you to a low-lying land where waterways rule the way of life. The vast Padma (Ganges) and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers are the lifelines, feeding fertile plains and mangrove forests. In the southerly Sundarbans, Bengal tigers precariously share the freshwater pools, creeks and mangrove forests with local fishermen and honey collectors. Following these age-old routes of traders and pilgrims is a peaceful departure from the rapid rickshaw cities.

The national flag of the sun rising over a green land was designed after independence in 1971. The red represents the thousands who died for independence – a loss that’s still felt today.

Although 90 percent of Bangladeshis identify as Muslim, the Dhakeshwari Hindu Temple, Star Mosque and Armenian Church in the capital, Dhaka, clue you in that there are many more beliefs at work. Further north, the city of Sylhet is surrounded by Sufi shrines and 19th-century tea estates. Find out more in our Bangladesh travel guide.

See all our Bangladesh Holidays

Give us a call

Bangladesh is…

a country dependent on a fragile network of sacred rivers and fertile deltas.

Bangladesh isn't…

just about tigers.

Things to do in Bangladesh…

Go on a wildlife safari – minus the motors. Bangladesh shelters some seriously shy animals, so pack sturdy hiking boots, thick socks and long trousers and track them on foot with the help of an expert ecologist or park ranger. After all, there’s nothing quite like padding alongside the footprints of a Bengal tiger. But how to get there? Century-old paddle steamers nicknamed Rockets navigate the route from Dhaka to the Sundarbans in around 20 hours. Learn to enjoy the long drives. If you go for a comprehensive 18-day tour of Bangladesh, be prepared for drives of up to 200km. The antidote? Stop off at the mosques, villages and viewpoints along the way. Long trips can often be tailored to you, so just let your tour guide know if you’d prefer to break up the journey. Meet local people. Visit the fishermen who use trained otters to round up fish – a tradition that instead of endangering otters has protected and increased wild populations. In Jaflong, stone collectors are torn between gold rush pay packets and dangerous working conditions. A visit to the Khasi people, meanwhile, will help you understand an ancient matrilineal society with roots in South East Asia. While Christian missionaries shaped their beliefs, many Khasi still worship the ancestors and invoke sacrifices in times of trouble.

Contact Us

Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.

01273 823 700 01273 823 700

Call us until 6pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Things not to do in Bangladesh…

Ignore the Rohingya refugee crisis. In 2017, Cox’s Bazar – a 125-kilometre-long beach popular with surfers – became the centre of the Rohingya refugee crisis, as almost a million refugees fled across the border from violent persecution in Myanmar (Burma). The camp remains, struggling with overcrowding, diphtheria outbreaks and landslides during the monsoon season. Underestimate the power of cricket. Bangladeshis’ love of cricket goes far beyond following their national team at Test matches. You’ll see impromptu matches popping up everywhere from rural greens and beaches to city alleyways. If there isn’t a bat and ball to hand, then planks of wood and a piece of fruit will do. Let Delhi (or Dhaka) belly put you off eating out. Ask your guide or tour leader about the best street food stalls – syrupy doughnuts and fried potatoes are popular in the cities. The ubiquitous national dish, ilish fish curry, is a must-try; it’s usually paired with rice and paratha flatbread. Jackfruit is also found in everything from curries and koftas to dessert. Ignore the cities. The wildlife and national parks are the main reasons why travellers book a holiday to Bangladesh. But don’t overlook Dhaka – a clash of pink palaces and rickshaw packed roads. For something more relaxed, head to Sylhet. Its Sufi shrines and cathedral-quiet wildlife reserves are tucked amongst the tea hills of northeast Bangladesh.

Bangladesh travel guide