Bangladesh

We spent a week in Bangladesh in Chinese New Year 2013.

Unusually for us, who like to travel independently, for this trip we booked a tour company to look after us.  Bangladesh is a wonderful country, but very under-developed, especially when it comes to tourism.  They just don’t get that many tourists so I can imagine that getting around independently, while definitely possible, might be challenging.  As we were travelling with T. and her grandmother booking a tour company made sense to us.  It was also very affordable which bagged it for us.

When: February 2013

Who: A, T & A’s mother

How:  We flew from Guangzhou in China with xxx airlines.  Once in Bangladesh we were with Tiger Tours who picked us up from the airport, arranged all transport, guides, etc)

Weather:  Hot and dry (the summers are sweltering and very wet, so this was a good time of year to go.

Sights:

Dhaka: Dhaka old town, Lalbargh Fort, boat day trip out on the river which was wonderfully relaxing. The pink palace, the ferry docks, spice markets & old buildings

Sonargoan: wonderful old, sadly decaying, old mansion houses dating from 19th century.

Notes:  Bangladesh is a muslim country, so it’s a good idea to cover legs and shoulders (T-shirts are fine), the Dhaka traffic is horrendous, allow for and know that you will be on the bus for a long time sometimes.

Tips:  Take a rickshaw – brilliant way to get around, ladies buy & wear a salwar kameez as these are not only comfortable but also culturally appropriate.

Links:  Tiger Tours Bangladesh www.tigertoursbd.com – I cannot praise and promote these guys enough.  They looked after us sooooo well.  All the staff we met were friendly, warm, welcoming, informative.  7 days, including all transport, hotels, guides, drivers, lunches, breakfasts, entry fees came to US$735 per person – at just over $100 a day considering what was included, I think that’s reasonable.