2024
Tour leader: Yves
• Arrive in Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh.
• We will be picked up by our driver and transferred to the hotel.
• Today we will visit the Kawranbazar Vegetable Market before heading off to the National Assembly where we can take photos. After, we will visit Curzon Hall, Dhakeswari Temple, Lalbagh Fort, Armenian Church, the Star Mosque and Ahsan Manzil.
• Next we will go to the famous Sadarghat launch terminal where we will enjoy a country boat ride along the river.
• Around 8:30pm we will start our overnight boat journey to Barisal.
• We will arrive into Barisal in the very early morning. We then drive to Banaripara to start the backwater cruise to the traditional floating market where we will also meet the villagers and school children.
• We will head back to the city for lunch, then will visit the Pottery Village in Bakerganj.
• After we will return to our boat for our overnight journey back to Dhaka.
• In the early morning we will arrive back into Sadarghat, Dhaka. We will then head to Panam Nagar in the old capital Sonargaon. Here we will visit the abandoned Panam City, Folklore Museum and the Ishakha Palace.
• Next we will go to Mainamati in Comilla to visit the Buddhists Vihara; ‘Shalbon Vihara’ being the most popular and largest amongst them.
• After lunch we will visit the World War 2 Cemetery and then head back to Dhaka.
• Transfer to the airport, and off we go to the Land of the Thunder Dragon!
• Fly into Paro, Bhutan and drive to Thimphu, the capital of this tiny Buddhist nation.
• Check out the giant Buddha statue and Craft Bazaar which is a one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and artisan arts and crafts. Plus many other sights in this quaint little city.
• Overnight in Thimphu.
• Bright and early, we drive through the Dochula pass and stop at Punhaka. On a clear day you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges.
• We may visit the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple which was built to honour His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
• Next we drive onto Wangdue and on the way visit the Divine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
• After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho Chu (male river) and the Mo chu (female river). We will also visit the massive Kuenray, the Coronation Hall of all Bhutanese kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mochu.
• Evening drive to Punakha.
• In the morning we will head back to Paro. Here we will visit the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower), the Paro Dzong and then walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.
• In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.
• Overnight in Paro.
• Time to visit the crown jewel of Bhutan: The Taktsang Monastery; also known as The Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
• Hike up the stunning trail to the viewpoint where we will stop for a rest and you can see the amazing views of the Tiger’s Nest. This monastery was built on a cliffside and is surrounded by Himalayan nature. There is no place like it. Continue the hike to the top and explore the monastery.
• After the hike head back to Paro where you will have some free time to relax.
• Overnight in Paro.
• Final day of this two-city tour.
• You can choose to book flights onwards with Druk Air to Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, or India.