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CHITTAGONG
Beach, Islands, & Tribal
people
Chittagong, the commercial capital
of Bangladesh has been a port of supply for ships going
to Java, Sri Lanka, Madras since the 6th Century. Islam
spread from this port and Buddhism went to Burma. The
Shrine of Sultan Bayazid Bostami, where a Muslim saint
was enshrined, in the middle of 9th century, is famous
for a pond full of huge turtles covered with soft shell,
a unique species surviving in the world, which are believed
to be a reincarnation of humans. Sitakund about 37km.
west of the city is famous for the Chandranath Hindu
Temple and the Buddhist Temple having a footprint of
Lord Buddha. Besides, Enthnological Museum, War Cemetery,
Foy's Lake, etc., are also worth visiting.
Chittagong is the gateway to the longest beach city,
Cox's Bazar and the Hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban
and Khagra-chari. All the three Hill districts are 2
& 1/2 to 3 hrs driving distances from Chittagong
through metalled road. Rangamati is 77 km. while Bandarban
is 92 km and Khagrachari is 112 km from Chittagong.
With its perennial forest, a thrilling drive through
the hilly road is quite a contrast from the other regions
of Bangladesh. It will be interesting to take a boat
trip on the emerald blue water of Kaptai Lake, climbing
the Chimbuk hill or a hike through the deep green jugle-hill
in Khagra Chari. It will also be interesting to meet
the Tribal people consisting of 14 groups of indigenous
people who are Mongoloid in this region and each group
having its own culture and customs. Chakma, Tripura,
Mru and Taungchengya constitute the largest groups from
these aboriginal people. Foreign nationals interested
to visit the Hill districts, will need special permit
from the District authority.
Tour-A : Rangamati (2days
/ 1night)
( Ethnic culture, Lakes, & Port city)
Day 01: Take the morning
flight to Chittagong. Upon arrival, drive to Rangamati
(77km/2&1/2hrs). Check-in and lunch at Parjatan
motel/hotel. Afternoon lake cruise and visit to
Tribal village. Dinner and overnight at the motel/hotel.
Day 02: After breakfast, visit the Tribal
Market, Tribal Village, Handloom Factory, Buddhist
Temple, etc. After lunch drive to Chittagong airport,
en-route sightseeing in Chittagong, including
Ethnological Museum (If open), Shrine of Bayzid
Bostami, and War Cemetery. Take the evening flight
to Dhaka. Upon arrival , we shall transfer you
to your hotel/ house.
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Tour-B: Bandarban (
2days /1night)
(Ethnic culture, Hills,
& Port city)
Day 01: Take the morning
flight to Chittagong .Upon arrival, drive to Bandarban
(92km/3hrs).Check-in and lunch at Bandarban Hill
resorts/ local hotel. Afternoon you will visit
one of the highest peaks of Bangladesh at Chimbuk
(1000M). On way back, visit the Marma and Bhom
tribal villages. Dinner and overnight at the resort/local
hotel.
Day 02: After breakfast, hiking down the
Sangu river or walk around the Bhom tribal villages
near the Shaila propat. After lunch drive to Chittagong
airport, en-route sightseeing in Chittagong, including
Ethnological Museum (If open), Shrine of Bayzid
Bostami, and War Cemetery. Take the evening flight
to Dhaka. Upon arrival , we shall transfer you
to your hotel/ house.
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Tour-C: Rangamati and Bandarban
(3days/2nights),
( Ethnic culture, Hills, Lakes,
& Port city)
Day 01: Take the morning
flight to Chittagong. Upon arrival, drive to Rangamati
(77km/2&1/2hrs.). Check-in and lunch at Parjatan
motel. Afternoon lake cruise and visit Tribal
village. Dinner and overnight at the motel/hotel.
Day 02: After breakfast sightseeing in
Rangamati including the Buddhist temple, Chakma
King's Palace, Tribal Handloom Factory, etc. After
an early lunch, drive to Bandarban (3hrs)and check-in
to Bandarban Hill resorts / Local hotel. Guide
will lead you for hiking down the Sangu river
or walk around the Bhom tribal villages near the
Shaila Propat. Dinner and overnight at the resort
/hotel.
Day 03: After breakfast, you will visit
one of the highest peaks of Bangladesh at Chimbuk.
On way back, visit the Marma and Bhom tribal villages.
After lunch check-out and drive to Chittagong
airport. En route sightseeing of Ethnological
Museum (If open), Shrine of Bayzid Bostami, and
War Cemetery. Take the evening flight to Dhaka.
Upon arrival, we shall transfer you to your hotel/
house.
Beach and Island
150 km south to Chittagong is the town of
Cox's Bazar, popularly known as the town with
world's longest unbroken (120km) beach. It is
a natural sandy beach sloping gently down to the
blue water of the Bay of Bengal. The background
is covered with green forest with the chain of
Arakan Hills. Miles of golden sands, surfing waves,
Conch shell markets, sea fish markets, colorful
Pagodas, Buddhist Temples, and colorful tribes
all these make Cox's Bazar an unique spot for
retreat. Jeep drive on the beach in the afternoon
and watching a gorgeous sunset from the beach
will be an enjoyable highlight. A daylong excursion
either to Maheskhali or Sonadia island , a drive
to Teknaf, and a visit to the Lamarpara Buddhist
Temple at Ramu will also be interesting.
From Cox's Bazar, Teknaf is at 2-hrs driving distance.
Then by Sea Truck or Engine boat it will be around
another 2&1/2 hrs journey through the Naf
river and the Bay of Bengal to reach the St. Martin's
Island. It is a small Island with a population
of about 7/8 thousand people and they are dependent
on fishing directly or indirectly. There are beautiful
corals on the south-eastern corner of this island.
The water around this Island is emerald green
and always invites one to take a relaxing bathe.
It will be possible to snorkel here, if you carry
your own snorkeling gear. This trip will be fairly
demanding and participants should note this before
joining the trip.
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Tour-D: Cox's Bazar (
3days&2nights)
Beach, Island , Temple
& Port city
Day01: Take the morning flight
to Chittagong. Upon arrival, drive ( 150km/ 3
& 1/2hrs) to Cox's Bazar. Check-in to motel
/hotel. After lunch, the Guide will lead you to
the beach to relax and enjoy the surrounding.
In the afternoon, enjoy a beach drive to Himchari.
Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at
Cox's Bazar.
Day02: After breakfast, visit the Fish
market followed by an excursion either to Maheskhali
or Sonadia islands by local Engine boat or Speedboat.
Back to Cox's Bazar and after lunch visit the
Buddhist Temple, the Burmese Market, Conch shell
market, etc. Dinner in a local restaurant, and
overnight at the motel /hotel at Cox's Bazar.
Day03: After breakfast drive to Chittagong.
En-route, visit the Lamarpara Buddhist Temple
at Ramu (10km), said to be the biggest among the
popularly visited temples in Bangladesh. Lunch
in a local restaurant followed by brief sightseeing
in Chittagong including Ethnological Museum (If
open), Shrine of Bayzid Bostami, and War Cemetery
before driving to the
Chittagong airport to fly to Dhaka by an evening
flight. Upon arrival, we shall transfer you to
your hotel/ house.
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Tour-E: St. Martin's Island (4days/3nights)
Sea cruise, Fishermen,
Coral island & Port city
Day01:Take the morning flight
to Chittagong. Upon arrival, drive around 3-hrs
to Teknaf. Check- in to Parjatan motel. After
lunch explore the Teknaf beach and visit the market.
Dinner and overnight at the motel.
Day02: After breakfast join for a trip
around 2 & ½ hrs by Sea Truck/ Engine
Boat to the Saint Martin's Island
(48km). Upon arrival check- in to the hotel/motel
and you will be briefed about the Island, to explore
it by yourself. The rest of the day will be free
to spend as you like. Overnight at the hotel/motel.
Day03: Explore the island till lunch. After
lunch leave the Island by Sea Truck/ Engine Boat
for Teknaf. Upon arrival, drive around 3-hrs to
Cox's Bazar. Check-in to motel/hotel for dinner
and overnight..
Day04: After breakfast drive to Chittagong.
En-route, visit the Lamarpara Buddhist Temple
at Ramu (10km), said to be the biggest among the
popularly visited temples in Bangladesh.Lunch
in a local restaurant followed by brief sightseeing
in Chittagong including Ethnological Museum (If
open), Shrine of Bayzid Bostami, and War Cemetery
before driving to the Chittagong airport to fly
to Dhaka by an evening flight. Upon arrival ,
e shall transfer
you to your hotel/ house.
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