With our tour partners in Bangladesh we offer you a departure from our high-octane mountain biking roots with a cycle tour offering a unique insight into Bangladeshi culture and history. Contact us now for latest on availability on our November tour.
Bangladesh offers a bountiful cultural awakening for the experienced and adventurous traveller seeking a breathtaking new destination. Largely undiscovered by main stream tourism, Bangladesh’s truly remarkable beauty will astound and delight. Savour the magnificence of this unique land, with its rich, colourful history, diverse culture, vibrant, lush green landscape and amazing wildlife. Welcome the warmth and hospitality of the wonderful Bangladeshi people, predominantly Muslim and intertwined with a mix of ethnic Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Animist minorities.
Day 1: Arrival Day. After the group meeting, we’ll head out on the town to tantalise the taste buds with some wonderfully fragrant and spicy Bangladeshi cuisine.
Day 2: This morning’s tour into Old Dhaka is a melting pot of noise, colour and joyful chaos. We traverse the labyrinth of alleyways, exploring famous sights and talking with lively, interested locals. The distinctive architecture, brightly coloured, individually hand painted Rickshaws, and delicious street snacks will excite, delight and amaze. See shell jewellery being made at Shankaria Bazar (Hindu Street) and experience the grandeur of Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace), Armenian Church, Star Mosque, Dhakeswari Temple and Lalbagh Fort (Red Fort).
In the afternoon we board a train for the 200km journey north east to the legendary Srimangal region, home to one of the world’s largest tea estates.
Day 3: This morning we embark on a half day bike ride out to Madhapur Lake. Rich and varied scenery features plentiful tropical rainforest, pineapple plantations, rice paddies and of course tea estates. There’s a chance we’ll see wild monkeys, too.
The afternoon is yours to explore as you like.
A visit to the beautiful tea plantation at Srimangal would not be complete without tasting their famous five layer tea. Made from a secret recipe invented by Mr Romash Ram Gour and his brother, it is served in a glass and combines 5 different flavours, carefully layered to create a brilliant taste sensation.
Day 4: The next 2 days we’ll cycle through Sylhet Division, one of the most picturesque regions of Bangladesh. It’s a magical journey through fragrant lemon and pineapple gardens, breathtaking tea plantations, exotic flora and fauna. Once ruled by local chieftains, Sylhet was overtaken by Muslims to become a district of ‘saints, shrines and daring but virile people’. Also known as ‘the tea granary of Bangladesh’, Sylhet has over 150 of the largest tea gardens in the world. And as we cycle through the many small rural villages, we’ll share a refreshing cup of Chai with friendly locals.
On Day 4 we will spend the night in the small town of Barlekha, a great opportunity to experience small town life in Bangladesh.
Day 5: We cycle amongst the gentle hills to arrive in the regional capital of Sylhet, one of the most cosmopolitan towns in Bangladesh. Sylhet is a city of contrasts; fascinating, exciting, surreal and spiritual. There are many historical and cultural sights to explore and delight. Feed the legendary ‘black magicians’ with fish food at the 14th century Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, one of the biggest pilgrimage sites in the country. Sample delicious ethnic fare and explore the myriad of bazaars displaying Sylhet’s famously exquisite handicrafts.
Day 6: We travel by vehicle to the bustling Port City of Chittagong via Comilla, a thriving and fascinating market town. Here we visit the Mainamati Museum and Salban Vihara (Monastery). The glory and magnitude of Mainamati, once the cultural and political centre of ancient southeast Bengal, became evident during the Second World War, when its ruins were rediscovered by the military. Archaeological excavations started in January 1955, with the most important being Shalvan Vihara at Kotbari. The grand monastery, together with its central shrine was built by Shri Bhavadeva, the fourth ruler of the early Deva Dynasty of Devaparvata, around the end of the 7th or early 8th century AD.
Day 7: Ride through lush green fields into the Hill Tracts. By mid morning the coast is far behind; the view spectacular. A mass of hills, ravines and cliffs are covered with dense jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs.
Famous for its diverse ethnic minorities, this area abounds with fascinating tribal people, whose religious beliefs are predominantly Buddhism and Christianity. You’ll notice quite a change in the architecture. With many houses constructed of woven Bamboo, with thatched roofs.
Day 8: Free Day – here are just a few options:
- Take a scenic Jeep ride out to the colourful port town of Ruma Bazaar, explore the markets and return by boat along the beautiful Sangu River.
- Take a short hike beside a lovely stream to the beautiful Tripura village of Hatibandha. The village can only be reached on foot.
- Relax and enjoy the scenery from our hilltop resort.
Day 9: Heading coastward again, we commence our days ride with an awesome 4 km descent. After cycling up hill for another couple of kilometres, we cross some undulating countryside and take a leisurely ride across flat land to the green hills of Chunati. Well worth a visit is the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, with some easy to follow short walking trails, where you may even sight a wild Asian elephant.
Day 10: Back on the flat, we head for the famous Cox’s Bazaar. A morning cycle ride takes us over small rural roads bounded by prolific rice paddies. We then cross to the northern end of Maheshkhali Island. Here, boatbuilding, betel nut growing and the drying and selling of fish are the main activities. We cycle along the east coast enjoying panoramic views amidst the rubber plantations, and stop off to visit Adinath Mandir, the 700-year old Temple and Ashram in honour of the Hindu god Lord Shiva. From there it’s just a short trip back to the pier where we’ll take a ferry the remaining 6 km to Cox’s Bazaar.
Day 11: This is the last time we’ll be on the bikes. We head along the coast to the bustling smugglers’ town of Teknaf, at the southern most tip of Bangladesh. Varied and verdant scenery is dotted with many small villages, rice paddies, betel nut palm plantations, hill and ocean views and majestic Garjan Forest.
Day 12: Goodbye bikes. We take a ferry to idyllic St Martins Island, Bangladesh’s only coral Island. Experience sun soaked, white sandy beaches, palm trees and an abundance of local fishing activity. Slow down, unwind, take it easy.
Day 13: You’re free to explore the Island this morning. After lunch we take the ferry back to Teknaf and transfer to Inani beach (18km from Cox’s Bazaar) were we’ll spend the night in a gorgeous resort.
Day 14: Free Morning. Fly back to Dhaka.
Day 15: Departure Day
Accommodation
3 star established hotels in Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar and Teknaf.
2 nights basic accommodation in Barlekha and at Chunati Wildlife Reserve,
2 nights in traditional style cottages in Bandarban, at a hilltop resort with stunning views down to the valley.
2 nights in Bamboo huts in Srimangal, basic but very charming in a gorgeous garden setting.
1 night in a gorgeous resort near Inani Beach, individual huts made from recycled timber. Set amongst gardens with water views.
1 night in cabins or 3 star hotel on St Martins Island
Bangladeshi Cuisine
Breakfast usually consists of Sweet Milky Tea, Paratha (flaky flat bread) or Roti (Chappati) with thick dahl, lightly curried vegetables, fried egg.
Lunch, is usually rice or roti with veg curry, fish curry or grilled, chicken or beef curry.
Similar to lunch with different types of curry available. Food is simple but delicious.
One of the great features of Bangladeshi cuisine is street food try Pani Puri, samosas, sweet shops with delicious deserts.
Fitness Level required – Terrain
Days in the saddle are a cycle tourers paradise with a flat but incredibly featured terrain. There are some longer days in the saddle, averaging 70km. So need to be able to ride those distances back to back. There is a bit of hill climbing around Bandarban where the hills undulating rather than continuous climbs. A good all round cycle touring fitness level would let you really enjoy the untouched delights of Bangladesh.
