Exploring Chittagong Tour

Leave Dhaka by private vehicle and travel east towards Cumilla. The first historical stop is the Mainamati archaeological zone, an area closely linked with the Buddhist past of this part of Bengal.

At Shalban Vihara, walk around the excavated remains and see how the surviving brick layout reveals the scale and organisation of the former religious complex. Continue to Kutila Mura and other scheduled archaeological sites before transferring to your hotel.

Beginning the tour in Cumilla places the later journey through the port, hills and coast within a much longer history of settlement in southeast Bangladesh.

After breakfast, travel south towards Chittagong. On arrival, continue towards the coastline associated with Bangladesh’s ship-recycling industry. From a designated viewing point outside the active work areas, you can see the enormous scale of vessels brought to this stretch of coast for dismantling.

The stop offers a look at a side of Chittagong shaped by heavy industry and international shipping. The program does not include unauthorized entry into operational ship-breaking yards. Later, return to the city and spend the evening in Chittagong.

Today focuses on Chittagong’s long relationship with the sea and river.

After visiting selected parts of the city, continue to an area where wooden fishing trawlers are constructed and maintained using skills passed through local boat-building communities.

Later, take to the Karnaphuli River by local boat. Seen from the water, Chittagong becomes a working transport landscape: small fishing craft move alongside larger commercial vessels, while terminals, river crossings and settlements occupy both sides of the channel.

Return to your hotel after the river experience.

Leave Chittagong for Rangamati, entering the Chittagong Hill Tracts as the terrain gradually becomes more mountainous. Visit Rajban Vihara and the other scheduled sites before continuing to Kaptai Lake.

Board a local boat and travel across the broad reservoir. The journey reveals a landscape where roads do not provide every connection—boats remain an important way of reaching settlements scattered between the hills. Spend time on the lake before returning to Rangamati.

Depart Rangamati and continue towards Bandarban. Much of the day is spent travelling through the Hill Tracts, where the road repeatedly climbs and descends through sparsely built mountain country. Short stops along the way provide time to take in the changing terrain and settlements before reaching Bandarban.

After check-in, visit the local market area and, if conditions are suitable, head to a nearby viewpoint later in the afternoon.

This is the most active day of the programme. Travel by local mountain vehicle towards the start of the trekking route, then continue on foot through the Bandarban hills. The main objective is Boga Lake. Reaching it involves a combination of climbs, descents and village paths rather than a simple roadside visit. After arrival, take a proper break and spend time around the lake and surrounding settlement.

Travellers who have the fitness and want additional trekking can continue towards Keokradong. The extension is optional; completing the Boga Lake section is enough to follow the core itinerary. Return after the trekking programme.

Spend the day looking more closely at life in the Hill Tracts. Depending on access and the confirmed programme, visit settlements associated with communities such as the Marma, Mro and Tripura. Your guide provides context around local housing, clothing, crafts and everyday routines while helping ensure that the visit respects community privacy. A traditional cultural performance may also be included when arranged.

Later, travel on the Sangu River by local boat. The river offers a slower view of the region, with cultivated land, small landing points and hill settlements appearing along the route. Return to Bandarban for the night.

Enjoy breakfast in Bandarban before setting off towards the coast. As you leave the Chittagong Hill Tracts behind, the winding mountain roads gradually transform into smooth, flat coastal plains. Arriving at Cox’s Bazar, check into your accommodation and take the remainder of the day to unwind. Use this free time to relax, take a peaceful stroll along the world's longest natural beach, or simply enjoy the cooling ocean air.

In the evening, treat yourself to a local seafood tasting experience, featuring freshly caught fish and traditional coastal flavors. It’s a delightful way to transition from the serene hill life to the vibrant marine atmosphere ahead of tomorrow’s sea excursion.

Leave early for the journey to Saint Martin’s Island. After crossing by scheduled vessel, spend the day moving around the island at an unhurried pace.

Explore stretches of shoreline, walk through inhabited parts of the island and observe the boats and fishing activity that remain part of local life. There is also time to enjoy the coast and have fresh seafood before returning to the mainland later in the day.

The trip depends on seasonal vessel operation, sea conditions and government regulations.

Before leaving Cox’s Bazar, spend the morning seeing part of the local fishing economy. At the fish landing area, watch the movement that follows a boat’s return to shore as catches are unloaded, sorted and prepared for onward sale. Continue to a dry-fish production area, where coastal preservation methods support another important local trade.

After the visits, transfer to Cox’s Bazar Airport for the scheduled flight to Dhaka. The tour finishes after arrival and the arranged drop-off.