Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
Our Bangladesh and Bhutan tour is designed to take you across all the highlights of both countries in only 11 days.
We start in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, a wonderfully chaotic assault on the senses. Head south to the incredible Sundarbans and Barisal to explore floating markets and life on the delta. Sail back to Dhaka before flying onto Paro, Bhutan.
In Bhutan the opposite experience awaits. Swap chaotic street life for spiritual and meditative vibes. Visit the capital city of Thimpu, before exploring Punakha, Paro and all the temples, monasteries and mountain views in between.
Due to the wonderful contrasts between these countries, we believe they are both best experienced as one combo tour starting in Bangladesh first 😉
Check out the itinerary below and feel free to get in touch for more info!
Highlights
Where?
Dhaka – Sonargon – Sundarbans – Barisal – Dhaka – Paro – Thimpu – Punakha – Paro.
When?
October 11 – 21st, 2026
Visa?
We will supply you with an invitation letter to allow you to get the visa on arrival in Bangladesh.
For Bhutan, we take care of the visa application for you and then send you a copy of the visa before the tour.
The Itinerary
October 11 | Day 1 - Dhaka / Sonargaon
- Arrive in Dhaka, meet your guide, and transfer to the hotel for luggage drop. Begin the journey east to Sonargaon, once a historic capital of Bengal and now one of the country’s most atmospheric heritage areas.
- Visit Goaldi Mosque, a beautifully preserved Sultanate-era mosque known for its terracotta decoration and elegant proportions, before continuing to Panam Nagar, the hauntingly photogenic abandoned merchant town lined with old mansions.
- After lunch, enjoy a relaxed boat ride on the Meghna River, with time to visit a river island/char and experience the rhythms of rural river life. Return to Dhaka in the late afternoon or early evening.
- Overnight in Dhaka.
October 12 | Day 2 - Dhaka to Sundarbans Gateway
- Depart Dhaka at 7:00 am and drive south toward the coastal lowlands, passing through changing landscapes of farmland, waterways, and river settlement life. Stop en route for lunch before continuing to the Mongla area, the main gateway to the Sundarbans.
- You’ll also include a visit to the otter fishing village, where this rare traditional fishing method offers a fascinating look at a living riverine culture and an unusual local livelihood. After the village visit, continue overland to Mongla River Port.
- From Mongla, board the boat and sail to your Sundarbans-side resort, arriving before sunset for a peaceful overnight stay beside the forest. The evening can be kept free for a soft landing, sunset views, and an introductory briefing on the next day’s forest visit.
- Overnight next to the Sundarbans.
October 13 | Day 3 - Sundarbans to Barisal
- Start early with a village walk near Sundarbans National Park to see everyday life in the delta landscape, then return for breakfast and check out. Continue with a cruise through the Sundarbans canals, where the mangrove ecosystem and river channels create one of Bangladesh’s most distinctive travel experiences.
- Add a short forest walk or hike where permitted, keeping the experience light and nature-focused rather than rushed. After the cruise, sail back toward Mongla before heading to Bagerhat for lunch and a heritage visit.
- In Bagerhat, visit the UNESCO-listed mosque city, including the Sixty Dome Mosque and other nearby historic mosques linked to Khan Jahan Ali’s legacy. Then continue to Barisal, arriving in the late afternoon for overnight.
- Overnight in Barisal.
October 14 | Day 4 - Barisal
- Check out very early, around 5:00 am, to catch the morning activity at the floating market. Drive to Banaripara and transfer to a private engine boat for a full river-and-village experience in the Barisal backwaters.
- Today you’ll visit the bustling floating rice market and experience the sorting and processing of rice manually by the families at their homes.
- Visit a school (if open), experience the education system of Bangladesh, and interact with the school children and the teachers.
- Spend the day exploring the floating market, a brick factory, local school, village communities, and the timber market, with plenty of time for photography and observing daily life along the river. This is the kind of day that gives the tour its deeply local, authentic feel.
- Return to Banaripara in the late afternoon, drive back to Barisal, and board the overnight ferry to Dhaka. The ferry adds a classic Bangladesh travel element and gives the group a memorable river journey.
- Overnight on the Ferry.
October 15 | Day 5 - Old Dhaka
- Arrive in Dhaka around 6:00 am and begin a full day exploring the city’s historic core. Start at Sadarghat and the surrounding riverfront, where the city’s energy is best felt through ferries, boats, cargo activity, and daily river commerce.
- Visit the shipyards of Dhaka and capture the busy ship repairing activities.
- Continue through Shyambazar and Islampur Road, then move into the heritage heart of the old city with Ahsan Manzil, Chawk Bazar, Sakhari Bazar, Armenian Church, Dhakeshwari Temple, and Dhaka University. These stops give a strong mix of Mughal, colonial, religious, and living-market history.
- Drive to the hotel in the late evening battling the traffic as we go.
- Dinner and overnight in Dhaka.
October 16 | Day 6 - Flight to Bhutan
- Transfer early to the airport for the 09:10 direct Drukair flight to Paro, Bhutan.
- Enjoy the spectacular approach through the mountains into Paro International Airport. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom.
- Take a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.
- Visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a great view of Thimphu Valley. The impressive 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha.
- Take a mini hike to Changangkha through a beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest with a fantastic view of the valley.
- Visit Changangkha temple – perched on a hilltop overlooking the town. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold.
- Take an evening walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops, bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
- Overnight in Thimphu.
October 17 | Day 7 - Punakha
- Drive from Thimphu through the Dochu La pass at 3050 metres.
- From Dochu La we will take a day hike to the 18th century Lungchotse Lhakhang. On a clear sunny day, one can see the entire Bhutan Himalayas with its snow-covered peaks. Stop for a hot drink or lunch and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan ranges.
- Continue the drive for approximately 2 hours to the old capital, Punakha.
- Take a walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Visit one of the many phallic-themed souvenir shops.
- Dinner & overnight in Punakha.
October 18 | Day 8 - Punakha
- Take a morning hike to Jiligang hilltop temple. Inside the temple in the main stupa is a statue of the God of Compassion and the Lama Drukpa Kuenley himself. The temple is now privately owned by the descendants of the Lama.
- Below is the valley of Samdzingkha where local farmers tend their crops.
- Continue the descent down towards the impressive Punakha Dzong where your hike ends and your driver will be waiting for you. The hike is roughly 12 km and should take around 4-5 hours.
- Dinner & overnight in Punakha.
October 19 | Day 9 - Paro
- Take a short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten via the village of Yebisa over a suspension bridge.
- From the top, you will see a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. The temple is 30 metres tall and is dedicated to the fifth King.
- In the afternoon drive to Paro, a drive of 4-5 hours making some stops along the way.
- Visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
- Visit a local farmhouse for dinner and sample the restorative properties of a traditional hot stone bath! (extra charge)
- Dinner & overnight in Paro.
October 20 | Day 10 - Tiger's Nest
- Take a day walk to the legendary ‘Tigers Nest’ – the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor.
- Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. If you feel like it, you can climb higher above the monastery to some small more secluded temples before descending.
- Lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
- Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder or visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.
- Wander through the main street of Paro taking in some of the many souvenir & craft shops.
- Dinner & overnight in Paro.
October 21 | Day 11 - Departure
- Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- We’ll stop by a spectacular viewing point on the way which overlooks the airport.
- End of Bangladesh & Bhutan Tour.
What else?
Tour Notes
You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English-speaking local guides as well as your Rocky Road Travel tour leader. After conducting 2 research trips to Bangladesh & Bhutan, we have perfected the itinerary and length of this tour accordingly.
Before each tour, we will add you to a dedicated Whatsapp group so you can share photos easily and chat with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.
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Bangladesh & Bhutan tour
October 11 - 21st, 2026
Dhaka - Paro
Start in Dhaka and finish in Paro. Book your flight between the two cities and we'll take care of the rest.
Standard Hotels
10 Nights
The price
$2750 USD