Why Bangladesh ?

mahmud

As I mentioned earlier, no need to book tours earlier. Things are very easy here. This country is cheap also. So, you can come first, go to some tour operators & decide. I think this is the best way to save some money.

robh

Thanks for replying mahmud.
I'm sure I'll change my mind many times before committing to anything, I dither at the best of times I was amazed at myself booking my plane tickets so quickly!

LeoSilva

Mahmud, thanks for the info.
I'm arriving in Kolkata this Sunday 29th April and was planning to go to Darjeeling afterwards. I have a friend who lived in Dhaka for quite a few years and she always told me to go to Bangladesh, but I was trully convinced to go just after reading this thread! So, I guess I'll have to opt for an extra stop then...
Well, as I'll be in Kolkata and want to pop over do Bangladesh before heading to Darjeeling, wud you help me with these few points?
1. What is the best way to travel from Kolkata to Bangladesh and what is the best place to start from there - if there is an oprtion apart from arriving from Dhaka(I heard buses are a popular option...)?
2. If I dedicated 4-5 days to see some bits of the country, what wud you suggest me to see? (I'm happy to mix up with the locals, not to keen on museums & buildings, like nature and quite into religious stuff... if it helps!)
3. As I'm travelling on my own, wud it possible for us to meet up in Dhaka so you can give me some tips???

Thanks for that!

SteamBuff

You can fly from Kolkata to/from Dhaka. (Air India fly that route, no doubt amoungst others)

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LeoSilva

Thanks, SteamBuff, my budget is very low though... the main rule for this trip will be "the cheaper, the better"!

TulsaisntFar

take the bus from kolkata, if you dont like the long journey stop halfway for a day or two.

mahmud

If you journey partly, you can also save some money. From Kolkata, you can come Horidaspur by Train (may be it will take Rs. 15-20), After crossing the border, take non air con bus to Dhaka. The fare is Taka. 280 (1 RS=1.3 Taka).

If you need any more info, please ask me.

TulsaisntFar

ok ill be over in bangladesh in about a month now but i have a problem. I talk to all these punjabi indians here where i live and they said not to go to bangladesh right now because i could get shot and its very dangerous. i think i need some convincing right now because they kind of scared me a bit...

capt_mahajan

tulsa, there is some political upheaval in Bangladesh right now; can be accompanied by trouble on the streets, but I dont know. It may be a question of selecting the places you are going to.. the whole country is hardly in turmoil.

Maybe Mahmud can enlighten us here.

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Outside the machine

Shiver me Timbers

Never been to Bangladesh, but I know that kind of talk is fairly typical to hear from Indians about their neighbours to the west and east. And they're not alone......in the Balkans, everyone tells you you're mad to go to Turkey, in Istanbul, they say you have a death wish to go to eastern, Kurdish Turkey, once you get there, they tell you to avoid Iran at all costs. Once you're in Iran, people constntly warn you of the dangers of Pakistan, and of course, once you get there, India is the most dangerous of destinations.......

I really wouldn't worry about what they say, chances are, they've never been to Bangladesh.

Zurich

Beginner's question:
- What is the earliest time you would advise a Western European to travel to Dhaka. Beginning of october? Later? Or already mid September?

mahmud

Yes, October is the best time to travel Bangladesh. In that period no rain, the temp would be mild (15-17 C Max). For smooth visit you can come betweeen Oct-March.

SeahawkSteve

Hello -

I'm planning to visit Bangladesh in January. Is it difficult for an American to obtain a visa? I see you have to provide an itinerary for your trip, does that mean you have to be part of a group. Does anyone have any info on the River Rocket cruises in Bangladesh? THanks : ) !

mahmud

january is the perfect time to visit Bangladesh. Reg Visa, it is easy to get Bangladesh visa. Go to the Bd embassy in Washngton with 2 copies of photoes, you will gate visa within 2 days. In any case, if they ask for any hotel reservation letter, please PM/Email me, I will provide that.

Reg Rocket Steamer , this 24 hours Rocket steamer trip may be the best trip in your life. The 100 years old paddle steamer goes through the rivers Buriganga, Dhaleshari, Padma, Meghna, Kirtonkhola & many more small & big rivers. You can see the riverine beauty of Bangladesh if you take the trip.

If you need any kind of specific info, please feel free to ask me.

SeahawkSteve

Hey Mahmud -

Thank you so much for the info! I might just need your help if I send away for my visa and they reject it. I really am fascinated by Bangladesh. How should I arrange for tickets on the Rocket Steamer? Is it best to wait around till I get to Dhaka? I was thinking of taking the steamer to Khulna and then visiting the Sundarbarns. Are there tours of this area? I was thinking two or three days in the area. Thank you for your help! I look forward to visiting Bangladesh!!!!