What to do with a few extra days in Bangladesh?

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jenraeb
jenraeb

Hi all-
I'm currently in Dhaka for work. I was able to add a few extra days to the end of my trip and I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on what I should do.

I'm done with work the afternoon of Feb 3 (Wednesday) and I fly out of Dhaka in the afternoon/early evening on Feb 7 (Sunday). This gives me roughly 4 full days to relax and enjoy myself. People I've met through work say that it's not enough time to go someplace like the Sunderbans - they have recommended going up to Sylhet division. Thoughts?

Specific questions I have:
1. I like the sound of Sreemangal and Lowacherra, but is it worth it to go all the way to Sylhet? Colleagues recommended Jaintiapur...
2. It looks like I'd have to take a bus if I want to leave Wednesday evening, as the night train to Sylhet doesn't run on Wednesdays. Is that alright, or would it be worth it to wait to take the train Thursday morning?
3. And finally, I'm assuming that if I want to be sure to catch my flight on Sunday, I should probably come back to Dhaka on Saturday rather than risk a delay on the road. Is this the safest bet?

I look forward to general responses or answers to these questions!

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saiful
saiful

If you have at least one more day; then you can go to Sundarbans. Usally trip start from Dhaka on Thursday and back to Dhaka on Monday early morning.

So, during this time you can do that; first go to sylhet on wednesday on night coach. Stay there thursday and friday. On the way to back on saturday morning take a stopover for Srimangol-Lawacara & stay at Saturday night.

When you will back on sunday it's depends on your flight time.

Don't worried about the delay of road transportation. There are lots of alternatives.

Saiful
Dhaka

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gecktrek
gecktrek

Hiya, the luxury buses take 5 hrs to Sylhet from Dhaka. To get to Srimangal from there its another 2-3 hrs on a local bus... then you would need to do the same in reverse, alternatively the local bus from Srimangal to Dhaka takes approx. 5 hrs (depending on the number of stops) & I would definitely factor in delays into your schedule, just to be sure...

itinerant traveller
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mahmud
mahmud

As your time is limited, I will recommnd you to take the night bus (Shohag/Silkline. You will find their bus counter in Arambag area/Opposite to Notordame college).

I also highly recommend you to go Srimongol.

Reg your flight, if the flight is on Sunday, you must start journey from Sylhet/Srimongol by early morning of Saturday so that you can reach Dhaka by Saturday afternoon.

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jenraeb
jenraeb

Thanks, all for the good replies.

Follow up question-
Does the bus go through Srimangal on the way to Sylhet? Or is that only the train?

Mahmud-
What time does the night bus leave Dhaka and arrive in Srimangal / Sylhet? Is it safe? (Just saw in the paper about a bus-truck collision on the road to Comilla...)

Cheers-
Jen

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gecktrek
gecktrek

Hiya, luxury buses from Dhaka may stop in Srimangal on their way to Sylhet, but I found that the reverse wasn't the case for some reason. You have more transport options between Dhaka & Sylhet. In terms of safely, after seeing how the luxury bus driver's drove, I never took any night buses... it's your call, particularly if your pressed for time, but more accidents do happen at night & that's understandable considering the road conditions & the speeds the big buses drive at...

itinerant traveller
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