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The journey
This is the most complete Buddhist Circuit Tour in Bangladesh, covering major and off-the-beaten-path Buddhist heritage sites from North Bengal to Southeast Bengal over 16 days. Bangladesh was a major center of Buddhism from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD under the Mauryan, Gupta, and Pala dynasties, and this journey includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient universities, more than 30 Buddhist monasteries, temples, stupas, and living Buddhist communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar. From the 8th-century Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur and the 1,500-year-old Mainamati ruins in Comilla to Mahasthangarh, Wari-Bateshwar, and the Theravada Buddhist villages of Chittagong, Ramu, Cox's Bazar, and Bandarban, you will experience the full Buddhist history of Bengal.
At a glance
Day by day
Pickup: Pickup from the airport or hotel.
Visit: Afternoon visit to Dhakeshwari National Temple.
Visit: Visit Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery, the main Buddhist monastery in Dhaka.
Visit: Visit the National Museum.
Overnight: Dhaka.
Day trip: Take a day trip to the Wari-Bateshwar archaeological site, the earliest urban settlement dating to 450 BC with Buddhist connections.
Visit: Then visit Sonargaon, the ancient capital.
Overnight: Dhaka.
Drive: Drive to Comilla (3 hours).
Tour: Full-day Mainamati tour, including Shalban Vihara, Ananda Vihara, Itakhola Mura, Rupban Mura, Charpatra Mura, Kotila Mura, and Mainamati Museum.
Overnight: Comilla.
Drive: Drive to Chittagong (4 hours).
Visit: Visit the World War II Cemetery.
Visit: Visit Chittagong University Museum.
Visit: Visit Mohamuni Pagoda, a 200-year-old Buddhist temple in Rauzan.
Overnight: Chittagong.
Drive: Drive to Cox's Bazar via Moheshkhali Island.
Visit: Visit Adinath Temple.
Visit: Visit the Buddhist temples in Moheshkhali.
Visit: Visit Ramu to see the 100 ft Reclining Buddha.
Visit: Visit Rangkut and Ramkot Buddhist Monasteries, a 2,500-year-old Buddhist center.
Overnight: Cox's Bazar.
Drive: Drive to Bandarban (4 hours).
Visit: Visit Buddha Dhatu Jadi, the Golden Temple, the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Bangladesh.
Visit: Visit Raj Vihara.
Visit: Visit local Marma tribal villages.
Overnight: Bandarban.
Visit: Morning visit to Ram Zadi Temple, home to the second-largest Buddha statue in Bangladesh.
Visit: Visit the tribal market.
Drive: Afternoon drive back to Chittagong.
Overnight: Chittagong.
Transport: Morning flight or night AC train to Bogura.
Transport: Alternatively, drive (10 hours with a break).
Visit: Afternoon visit to Mahasthangarh, a 3rd-century BC fort city.
Visit: Visit Govinda Bhita, the ruins of a Buddhist temple.
Visit: Visit Gokul Medh, a Buddhist stupa.
Overnight: Bogura.
Visit: Morning visit to Vasu Vihara, an ancient Buddhist monastery.
Visit: Visit Mahasthan Museum.
Drive: Drive to Paharpur (2.5 hours).
Visit: Spend the evening in Paharpur village.
Overnight: Paharpur/Naogaon.
Activity: Full-day exploration of the UNESCO-listed Somapura Mahavihara site, including the central cruciform temple, 177 monks' cells, terracotta plaques, and Paharpur Museum.
Visit: Also visit the nearby Jagaddala Vihara site, one of the five great ancient universities.
Overnight: Paharpur.
Drive: Drive to Rajshahi via Kushumba Mosque, a black stone mosque.
Visit: Visit Puthia Temple Complex, the largest Hindu temple complex.
Visit: Visit Bagha Mosque.
Overnight: Rajshahi.
Visit: Morning visit to Varendra Research Museum, the first museum of Bangladesh with a huge Buddhist collection.
Drive: Drive to Dinajpur.
Visit: Visit Kantaji Temple, the finest terracotta temple.
Overnight: Dinajpur.
Visit: Morning visit to Nayabad Mosque.
Visit: Visit Dinajpur Rajbari.
Drive: Drive to Rangpur and visit Tajhat Palace and Buddhist Academy.
Drive: Continue driving to Bogura.
Overnight: Bogura.
Drive: Long drive to Bagerhat (7 hours).
Visit: Visit the UNESCO-listed Sixty Dome Mosque.
Visit: Visit Singair Mosque.
Visit: Visit Bagerhat Museum.
Overnight: Khulna/Bagerhat.
Transport: Drive or fly back to Dhaka.
Free time: Afternoon free for shopping.
Walk: Old Dhaka walk, including Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Shakhari Bazar, and a boat ride at Sadarghat river port.
Overnight: Dhaka.
Tour: Final Dhaka city tour.
Transfer: Transfer to the airport.
End: End of tour.
The tour can be customized with an extension to Rangamati, Srimangal, or the Sundarbans.
The route
The fine print
All private AC transport for 16 days (Sedan for 1-3 pax, HiAce for 4-7 pax, Coaster for 8-12 pax)
15 nights in 3-star twin-share hotels with breakfast
Experienced English-speaking guide
All entrance fees and archaeological tickets
Lunch and dinner outside Dhaka (Day 3 to Day 14)
Bottled water
Domestic flight on the Chittagong to Bogura/Rajshahi route or AC train ticket
Boat in Moheshkhali
All driver costs
International flights
Bangladesh visa
Tips for the guide and driver
Personal expenses
Any domestic flight if you want the Cox's Bazar to Dhaka flight instead of driving (approximately USD 95 extra)
Logistics
Your 16 days finish where they began, in Airport/ Hotel lobby.
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