This is a new cruising sector of Indo-Bangladesh. Enjoy the trans-boundary landscape of lower Assam—Bangladesh—and southern part of West Bengal an ‘off the beaten path’; a fresh experience on the deliciously lush landscape of multiple hues of greens where more than 700 rivers braid through the country.

Day 1: Sunday, 1st September 2019

Kolkata

Activity: Sail into Sundarbans Mangrove forest

Kolkata-Airport arrival.
Transfer Guests to MV Mahabaahu at Botanical Garden Jetty.
We sail with the tide towards Namkhana and beyond towards Sundarbans.

Day 2: Monday, 2nd September 2019

Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary

Activity: Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary

We use a local boat to cruise into the silent creeks and observe the mangrove fauna and flora.
We visit the Mangrove Interpretation Center for people and their lives entwined with the mangroves.
Evening local boat trip.
Enjoy an absorbing evening watching Bono Bibir Pala (A folklore of Sundarban) and Live Baul performance (Folk Music).

Day 3: Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

Sajnekhali / Sudhanyakhali Bird Sanctuary adjacent to Tiger Reserve

Activity: Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary and Sail to Hemnagar

Before breakfast walk through the villages to experience local rustic life.
After breakfast enjoy local boat trip inside the creeks.
Lunch on board and Sail towards Hemnagar for custom formalities and sail towards Aungtihara.

Day 4: Wednesday, 4th September 2019

Cruise Sundarbans

Activity: Angtihara for custom clearance, Jorshing, Chalna and Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary

Shahaber Agla (BGB) and Chilmari for Pilot.
Hemnagar to Aunstihara.
Half day sail through the Sundarbans.
India Bangladesh Border Waters with Mangrove fauna and flora on either side.

Day 5: Thursday, 5th September 2019

Sail towards Kotka and enjoy the Sundarbans all around

Activity: Boat Safari through mangroves for wildlife, Nature Walk, Jamtola Beach and Harvaria Forest Station

Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary.
06:00: Jorshing to Chalna (7 / 8hrs) & Chalna to Kotka wildlife sanctuary (7/8hrs).
A day of sailing through the Sunderbans.
20:00: Arrive at Kotka. Anchor the ship near the Forest office.

Day 6: Friday, 6th September 2019

Kotka wildlife sighting – Harvaria Forest Station

Activity: Silent Dawn Safari, Boat ride, Sundarbans and Bagerhat (60-Domed Mosque)

05:30 – 07:30: Cruising by Tender inside narrow creeks to see wildlife and to feel the mangrove eco-system.
09:00 – 11:00: Nature walk behind the Kotka forest office.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14:00 – 16:00: Climbing Watch Tower, exploring Jamtola beach and discover ‘Fresh Pugmark’ of Tiger.
16:00 – 20:00: Ship will cruise to-wards Harvaria Forest Station.
Enjoy the cruising through the rivers inside the Sundarbans.

Day 7: Saturday, 7th September 2019

Sundarbans – Mongla

Activity: Shrimp and Crab market visit and Pottery Village Visit

05:00: Ship will start its voyage to-wards Mongla
07:00 – 08:00: Breakfast.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch on board.
*The ship will sail through Shushuk ( Gangetic River Dolphin) sanctuary to witness this very rare dolphin in their natural habitat.
*Experience amazing Fishing technique by trained Otter, dating back to 6th century.
14:30 – 16:30: At Mongla, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sixty domes mosque’, a 15th century Mosque, Tomb of Khan Jahan-builder of the Mosque.
17:00: Back to the Ship
18:00: Enjoy cultural performance ‘POTER GAAN’ by local artist group.

Day 8: Sunday, 8th September 2019

Inside the Sudarbans

Activity: Boat Trip and Jungle Safari

05:00 – 06:00: Early morning Silent Country boat trip through the narrow creeks/Canals to experience the mangrove Eco-System from a close range and wildlife sighting.
06:30 – 07:30: Back to the Ship & breakfast.
08:00 – 10:00: Moderate Jungle Safari/Board walk behind the Kotka Forest office for around 2hrs to see wildlife upclose like; spotted deer, monkeys, wild boar, monitor lizard, etc.
10:30 – 12:30: Climbing watch tower, jungle safari through the Jamtola beach, for wildlife sighting and FRESH PUGMARK OF TIGER.
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch on board
14:30 – 17:00: Watching spotted deer, wild boat, monkeys movement behind the Kotka Forest office
17:30: hrs Back to the ship, afternoon Tea/Coffee, Snacks.
18:00 – 19:30: *Talk on Tiger / Sunderbans, Film clips, presentation followed by Q/A session.
*Presentation on human activity inside the Forest followed by Film show on Wild-honey collection.
*A silent Country-boat trip at night to experience SILENCE & SOUNDS of the night forest for curious participants.

Day 9: Monday, 9th September 2019

Mongla – Barisal – Floating Market

Activity: Dhamrai Village for metal craft, Nayarhat, Kakran Village and National Martyr’s Monument

07:30 – 08:30: Visit Shrimp & Crab market.
08:30 – 10:00: Breakfast
08:30 – 13:30: Mongla to Barisal.
Note: During the cruising we will pass through the rivers and mangrove forest will be on both sides + spotted deer, monkeys may be seen from the ship. If lucky you can come across Crocodile.
Anchor at Barisal Jetty.
14:00 – 17:00: Visit Pottery village

Day 10: Tuesday, 10th September 2019

Barisal – Chandpur – Dhaka

Activity: Sadarghat for Ahsan Manzil / Pink Palace Shakhari Bazaar, Lal Bagh Fort, Dhakeshwari Temple, Language Martyr’s Monument and Chawkbazaar

06:00 – 10:00: visit Floating market.
10:30 – 18:30: Sail to Chandpur and start following Buriganga

Day 11: Wednesday, 11th September 2019

Narayanganj / Old Dhaka – Sonargaon – Loknath Ashram – Jamdhani Weaving Village

Activity: Goaldi Mosque at Sonargaon, The Folklore Museum, Barodi Ashram of Loknath Brahmchari, Jamdhani Weaving Village

06:00 – 07:00: Breakfast.
08:00 – 11:00: Sonargaon sightseeing
11:30 – 12:30: Sri Loknath Brahmachari Ashram
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch at a local restaurant
14:45 – 17:00: Jamdhani weaving village
18:00–18:30: Back to the Cruise Ship Sonargaon belongs to Narayanganj, one of the first and oldest capitals of Bengal. Sonargaon was known as ‘The City of Panam’ and was a focal part of the renowned Deva Dynasty until the thirteenth century. After the thirteenth century Sonargaon was made Secondary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal. The Goaldi mosque in the Goaldi village is a wonderful example of a mix of Indian, European and Mughal architecture.
The Folklore museum houses a variety of artefacts from all over Bangladesh, representing the many cultural groups that exist in the country.
Next visit Barodi ashram to see and pay rituals to the great Sri Sri Loknath Brahmachari followed by lunch.
Then drive to Noapara – Jamdhani weaving village, where the whole village is engaged in the craft.

Day 12: Thursday, 12th September 2019

Dhaka – Dhamrai Metal Craft – Pottery Village – National Martyr’s Monument – National Assembly Aarongshop – Ship

Activity: Sailing

05:30–06:30: Breakfast
07:00: Drive 2hrs to Dhamrai
09:00 – 10:00: Dhamrai Metal Craft village to experience the Brass Artifices made following the Lost Wax method. Few families are keeping up the tradition
Also visit the Wooden Chariot used during the Rath-Jatra
10:00 – 11:30: Move back to Nayarhat, cross a small river by local boat to visit the Kakran pottery village, to experience the traditional Pot making technique. A handful of families are still continuing with the traditional profession.
11:30 – 12:00: Visit National Martyr’s monument-built in memory of millions who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War in 1971.
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch at a local restaurant.
14:00: Drive to -wards Dhaka city, visit National Assembly building from outside, which is a masterpiece of architecture designed by the celebrity Architect Louis I Kahn.
15:00: Visit Aarong Craft shop to buy some souvenir.
16:00: Move to Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel –Reception & Dinner.

Day 13: Friday, 13th September 2019

Old Dhaka City

Activity: Sailing

07:00 – 08:30: Sadarghat river port, one of the largest river port in the world passing around 150,000 passengers every day.
08:30 – 09:00: Pink Palace/Ahsan Manzil ,Ahsan manzil also known as Pink Palace dating back to 1872, was built on the site of an old French Factory by Nawab Abdul Gani,. Some 16 years after it was damaged by a tornado and reconstructed again altering massively and became even grander than before.
09:30 – 10:30: Shakhari Bazar/Hindu Street Artisans here make bangles from Conch Shell , which are worn by Hindu ladies as a sign of being married women.
12:00 – 12:30: Lunch
13:30 – 14:30: Lalbagh Fort, 17 century Mughal Fort started by Prince Mohammad Azam and handed over to Shaista Khan, Governor of Dhaka, who didn’t finish it because of death of his daughter Pari Bibi whose tomb is inside the fort.
14:45 – 15:30: Dhakeswari temple, & Language martyr’s monument:
There after drive back to the Ship.
15:45 – 16:30: Chawkbazar, This area takes a festive look with different kinds of food items during Ramadan.
16.30: Drive back to port to board the ship.

Day 14: Saturday, 14th September 2019

Pagla Jetty – Chandpur – Mawa – Aricha / Daulatdia

Activity: Hati Kumrul Nabaratna Temple, Pachalia village for Gamchas, Lungis and Sarees, Bangabandhu rail and road bridge

06:00: Cruising will resume following the Padma river
07:00 – 08:00: Breakfast, Sailing continue.
10:00 – 10:30: Arrive Mawa & Pilot change & Cruising restarts to-wards Aricha / Daulatdia
11:00: Disembark & Riverside life style of country people.
18:00: Vessel will arrive at the destination to anchor for overnight at Aricha

Day 15: Sunday, 15th September 2019

Aricha / Daulatdia – Sirajganj Sightseeing

Activity: Sailing

05:00: Sail to Kaulia
08:00: Breakfast.
Lunch on board
15:00: Tour managers will lead the guests for sightseeing:
Hati Kumrul Nabaratna Temple
WEAVING VILLAGES for colorful Gamchas, Lungis and Sarees.
BANGABANDHU Multipurpose bridge, opened in June 1998 is the longest bridge in Bangladesh, the 5th longest bridge in South Asia and the 92nd longest bridge in the world
Dinner on the Ship
19:00: Folk Music Show

Day 16: Monday, 16th September 2019

Sirajganj – Bahadurabad

Activity: Chilmari for Custom Clearance and Shahaber Agla (BGB)

07:00 – 08:00: Breakfast.
10:00 – 12:00 Talks on Bangladesh & Tourism industry.
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch on board Sailing continues.
14:00 – 15:00 Tour Manager will brief about Bahadurabad & Sirajganj,
16:00 – 17:00: Afternoon Tea/Coffe, snacks.
18:00: Arrival at Sirajganj via Chandon Boissha completing Bunkering/Pilot change.
18:30: Offer visual Presentation on Bangladesh followed by dinner.

Day 17: Tuesday, 17th September 2019

Assam, Bangladesh No-Man’s Land & Water

Activity: Dhubri Gurudwara for Ardas and Langar Asharikandi for Clay and Terracota

Chilmari – (8 Hrs) Shahaber Agla (Bgb) – Shishumara – (5 Hrs) Dhubri
Early Morning cruising from Chilmari to Dhubri for custom clearance formalities at both ends.

Day 18: Wednesday, 18th September 2019

Dhubri

Activity: Goalpara for Jogighopa

06:30 – 07:30: Breakfast
Visit Shri Damdama Sahib Gurudwara for an early morning Ardas
Visit Asharikandi Village for Clay pottery and Terracotta Crafts. Walk through the village community of Kumhars and Hiras who use the Hiramati soil to shape the pots and idols.
Sail towards Goalpara

Day 19: Thursday, 19th September 2019

Towards Guwahati

Activity: Kukurmara /Hajo for Bell Metal and Sualkuchi for Silk

Sail towards Guwahati
We walk through a village in Hajo and interact with Bell Metal Workers
We enjoy local snacks at Sualkuchi , a silk weaving hub and enjoy the process of silk weaving

Day 20: Friday, 20th September 2019

Guwahati

Activity: De-boarding formalities, Kamakhya Temple & Airport transfer

End of Cruise – Guwahati

25% flat discount

Please read the travelogue of our 16 nights India Bangladesh Cruise from 29 April 2019 – 15 May 2019.