Bangladesh trip itinerary - comments appreciated

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eagersnap
eagersnap

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Bangladesh via the land borders with India. The start date in Agartala and the end date in Calcutta are fixed, but other than that everything is still open, although I have very much planned the trip around the Sundarban’s tour, which is my highest priority. The only workable dates I have been confirmed so far is 1-3 March, so I am trying to build around that.

I have a basic itinerary below and further down also a potential alternative program, which spends less time in Dhaka and more in more laid-back territory (Kuataka), although it also means more time in transit and a more rushed plan.

I have lived many years in India, so I am very comfortable travelling in South Asia, and I’m generally more short on time than money, so I am okay rushing it a bit and compensating by buying small luxuries here and there.

So my questions:

  1. Which itinerary looks best to you? Is the alternative one too rushed and sacrificing too much time in Dhaka?
  2. Anything that could be done smarter or better? Am I missing something really good?
  3. Would I be likely to find agents in Agartala to exchange Rupees to Taka and possibly help with train bookings from Akhaura to Dhaka?
  4. Any other good advice?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Default itinerary
24 Feb, Sunday......... Land in Agartala, India
25 Feb, Monday........ Agartala
26 Feb, Tuesday....... Cross Akhaura border. Continue straight to Dhaka by bus or train
27 Feb, Wednesday.. Dhaka
28 Feb, Thursday...... Dhaka To Khulna (by early morning train)
1 Mar, Friday............ Begin Sundarbans tour with Guide Tours in Khula
2 Mar, Saturday........ Sundarbans
3 Mar, Sunday.......... Tour ends in Khulna at evening
4 Mar, Monday.......... Day trip to Bagerhat from Khulna
5 Mar, Tuesday......... Khulna – Hularhat, board the Rocket
6 Mar, Wednesday.... Arrive Dhaka
7 Mar, Thursday........ Dhaka, possibly day trip to Sonargaon
8 Mar, Friday............ Maitree Express from Dhaka to Kolkata
9 Mar, Saturday........ Kolkata
10 Mar, Sunday........ Flight to Copenhagen

Alternative itinerary
24-26 Feb................. Same as in the default itinerary
27 Feb, Wednesday.. Dhaka To Khulna (by early morning training), rest of day in Khulna
28 Feb, Thursday...... Day trip to Bagarhat
1 Mar, Friday............ Begin Sundarbans tour with Guide Tours in Khula
2 Mar, Saturday........ Sundarbans
3 Mar, Sunday.......... Tour ends in Khulna at evening
4 Mar, Monday.......... Bus to Barisal, then onwards to Kuataka
5 Mar, Tuesday......... Kuataka
6 Mar, Wednesday.... Kuataka, bus to Barisal, board the Rocket
7 Mar, Thursday........ Arrive Dhaka
8-10 Mar................... Same as in the default itinerary

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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8
anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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anonymous
anonymous

I think ur alternative itinerary is perfect. But you can make a bit change to enjoy the journey :

Mar 4 : Go to Hularhat by bus and take the Rocket to go Barisal. The rocket starts at 12.30 p.m and reaches Barisal at 6 p.,. So, you will get the chance to take Rocket trip some hours in daytime. In worse case, if you dont get the Rocket, take small launch to Barisal.

Mar 5/6 : In fact Kuakata is not worthy for only 1 day. Because it takes more than 5 hours to reach Kuakata. If you start 8 am from Barisal, you will reach around 2 p.m and only few hours to see Kuakata. Because next morning you have to take morning bus to reach Barisal before evening.

Better : You pass 2 days in Barisal, through visit a village, taking Barisal/Bhola/Barisal boat trip.

If you need any explanation, please feel free to ask here.

mahmud

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