8 Nov .- In flights. Arrive Dhaka
Arrive in Dhaka. After clearing immigration and custom, our representative will receive you at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Dhaka. Then transfer to hotel for check-in and freshen up.
9 & 10 Nov .- Dhaka
We will stay two days in Dhaka , one of the most densely populated cities in the world, but also the fastest growing. It definitely feels that way too. People are everywhere.
In Dhaka If the final group is bigger than 6 people we will split into two groups that will alternate the daily programs. Each group has its own car, guide, and tour leader.
Early morning visit Kawran Bazaar for shooting of wholesale vegetables and fish markets. Then return hotel for breakfast.
Take a small wooden boat and cross the River Buriganga to visit the Ship Repairing Yard. The Keraniganj Shipyard. Around 15,000 workers are employed here, either busy breaking down gigantic shipping vessels or building them.
After breakfast, drive to Old Dhaka. Street photography through the Shankhari Bazaar Street. This is one of the oldest areas of Dhaka. It stretches along a narrow lane, lined with richly decorated brick buildings, and built during the late Mughal or Colonial period.
Then visit exotic Sadarghat river port crowded with different type of boats and crafts. Every day hundreds & thousands of passengers are transported by motor launches to & from far off places through this river port.
Later Islampur –the largest cloth market, spice market and Chawk Bazaar –the largest wholesale market in the city. The area is crowded with many vendors and rickshaws.
Kamalapur Railway Station is the central railway station in Dhaka and largest in Bangladesh. Photography at it’s best in the city's busiest railway station, wandering the platforms, taking portraits in train windows and photographing commuters.
11 Nov .- Dhaka- Panam Bagar- Rakher Upobash Festival
After breakfast, visit Panam Nagar, one of the most endangered historic sites in the world and is a subject of significant archaeological and artistic interest, which is also known as a Dead City. Most of buildings suffer from rising damp while biological and insect damage has affected the architectural woodwork. At present there are more than 50 buildings in both sides of a road established in the late of the 19th century. Today this area is protected under the department of archaeology of Bangladesh. The New York-based World Monument Fund included Panam Nagar in its World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2006.
Then drive to Barodi (approx 40 km from Dhaka) to witness the Rakher Upobash Festival, one of the great highlight of this Photo Tour to Bangladesh. On every Saturday and Tuesday during the last 15 days of Kartik (a month of Bengali calendar year), the followers of Sri Loknath Brahmachari light small lamps and special incense asking for the betterment of their loved ones’ health. They also fast in the name of “Rakh” hence the name “Rakher Upobash” and it is known as “Kartik bhroto” too.
Every year thousands of Hindu devotees gather at Shri Lakenath Brahmachari temple located at Barodi in Narayanganj. Faithful sit in front of candles light and absorb in prayer for good health and blessings of Lokeneath who was an 18th century Hindu saint and philosopher in Bengal.
12 Nov.- Sonargaon Haldia. Water gypsies - Barisal
We will reach Haldia and meet the water gypsies interacting with them. We have eventual stops at different rural areas taking photos of village markets, people busy with their livelihood, crops fields, natural views, etc.
The Haldia water gypsies, also known as the Bedey community, are a nomadic tribe that traditionally lived on boats along the Haldi River in the Indian state of West Bengal. They are believed to have migrated from Rajasthan several centuries ago and have since adapted to their unique way of life on the water.
The Haldia water gypsies are known for their expertise in fishing, boat-making, and other maritime skills. They live on boats that serve as their homes, and their livelihoods depend on the river and its resources. They have their own dialect and customs, and have a distinct culture that sets them apart from the surrounding communities.
However, the traditional way of life of the Haldia water gypsies is under threat due to various factors such as environmental degradation, government policies, and social discrimination. Many members of the community have been forced to leave their boats and settle on land, losing their cultural identity and traditional livelihoods in the process. Efforts are being made to preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Haldia water gypsies and protect their rights as a distinct community.
We will sleep in Barisal
13 Nov’.- Barisal- Banaripara- Dhaka
Very early morning around 0500 hrs, have pack breakfast from the hotel and drive to Banaripara (35 km/ approx 1.5 hrs). Take a motor boat and start the famous Back Water Trip. Enjoy the country’s largest floating markets by local mechanized boat. You will find hundreds wooden canoes floating with full of fruits & vegetables involve in trading activities and floating gardens of sugarcane, guava and hog palm beside the canals. Miles after miles the natural beauty may amaze you and enjoy this cruise.
Lunch and then drive back to Dhaka
14 Nov .- Dhaka -Cox’s Bazar Flight
Morning Flight to Cox’s Bazar. First exploration of Cox’s Bazar
15 Nov .-Cox’s Bazar- Maheshkhali island
Early morning, we will take you to the wholesale fish market, and also visit the dry fish filed.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the bay jetty and taken reserved speed boats for Maheshkhali Island. Maheshkhali is a small island with an area of 362.18 sq meters, surrounded by forested hills and mangrove trees alongside the coastal beach. There are some attractive places such as several Buddhist temples, ancient Hindu temple called Adinath on the top of a hill, Rakhain tribal village, dry fish field, betel leaf field and salt field, etc.
We will enjoy the simplicity of the island and the lifestyle of the people riding a local 3-wheeler.
16 Nov .- Cox’s Bazar- Rangamati
We will spend part of the morning in Cox’s bazar and head towards Rangamati our next destination
17 Nov.- Rangamati Tribes Suvolong Tribal Bazar
Rangamati is a district in southeastern Bangladesh, located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. It is home to a number of indigenous tribes who have lived in the area for centuries. The tribal villages in Rangamati are known for their unique cultures, traditions, and way of life.
The Suvolong tribe is one of the ethnic minority groups in Bangladesh, primarily living in the hilly region of Rangamati district. They are also known as Tripura or Tipra people, although they are not related to the indigenous Tripura people of India.
The Suvolong people have their own distinct culture, language, and traditions. They have traditionally been involved in shifting cultivation, fishing, and hunting, although more recently many have also started practicing settled agriculture.
The Suvolong people are known for their colorful and intricate traditional attire, which includes long skirts and blouses for women, and lungis (a type of sarong) and jackets for men. They also have their own traditional musical instruments, such as the bamboo flute and the dhol (a type of drum), and their own dances, such as the Bizu dance, which is performed during the Bizu festival in April.
However, like many other indigenous communities in Bangladesh, the Suvolong people have faced numerous challenges, including displacement from their ancestral lands, loss of cultural heritage, and discrimination. Despite these challenges, many Suvolong people continue to strive to preserve their culture and way of life.
18 Nov .- Banarupa Tribes Bazar – Chattogram (Known as Chittagong before)
The Banarupa Bazar takes place at Anshkhali Upazila in Bangladesh and is home to several indigenous communities. The main ethnic groups residing in this area are the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and Tanchangya.
The Chakma are the largest indigenous community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including Banshkhali Upazila. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, traditional attire, and intricate handicrafts. The Marma people, another significant community in the region, are recognized for their unique dance forms, music, and festivals. The Tripura people are skilled weavers and are known for producing colorful handwoven textiles. The Tanchangya, meanwhile, are known for their agricultural practices, including cultivating rice and other crops.
After lunch departure for Chattogram . If time permits we will visit different areas of the city.
19 Nov.- Chattogram (Known as Chittagong before)- Marma Tribes – Dhaka Flight
We will dedicate this day to Chattogram and the Marmas.
The port of Chattogram is one of the busiest in the world and offers plenty of opportunities to capture the hustle and bustle of the workers, ships, and cargo. Together with the Karnaphuli River and the Fish Market we will capture, once again, great images of the daily life of the locals.
The Marmas, a Bangladeshi ethnic group, reside in the hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari. Nonetheless, some Marmas inhabit the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali. They refer to themselves as Rakhain. Many regard them to be a distinct ethnic group. Currently, there are roughly 350,000 Marmas in Bangladesh.
Marmas are classified as Mongoloid. They are short and possess prominent cheekbones. Their skin is yellow, their hair is black, their eyes are small, and their noses are flat.
They use the Arakanese dialect and Burmese characters to write their language.
Marmas believe that their birth, death, and all life activities occur under the sway of a supernatural force, which they attempt to appease through their rituals. They adhere to the Buddhist faith. Moreover, they practice animism. They observe all the major Buddhist religious holidays as well as many rites and worships to appease various deities. Dreams have a significant impact on their everyday decision-making.
Finally we will leave for Dhaka on our afternoon flight ( 1 hour)
2o Nov.- Dhaka – International Departures
