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Hiuen Tsang’s Path: Buddhist Heritage of Bangladesh

8 Days
From $650 USD/ person
(4.9)
📅
8
Days
👥
01-14
Group Size
🌍
Year Round
Best Season
🚐
Private
Transport
⛰
Easy
Difficulty
👤
Any
Age Range
🍴
Included
Meals
🏨
3 Star Standard
Accommodation
🇧🇺
English
Language
💪
Basic Fitness
Fitness
📍
Dhaka Airport
Start Point
📍
Dhaka Airport
End Point

About This Tour

Follow the footsteps of the 7th-century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hiuen Tsang through some of Bangladesh’s most significant archaeological and Buddhist heritage sites. Explore ancient cities, monastic ruins and historic religious centres while discovering the country’s rich cultural past and contemporary rural life.

Hiuen Tsang’s travel records describe the ancient regions of Pundravardhana and Samatata, associated respectively with the Mahasthangarh and Mainamati areas. This journey explores their archaeological heritage and other important Buddhist sites across Bangladesh.

Highlights

✦ Explore Somapura Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
✦ Discover Mahasthangarh, one of Bangladesh’s earliest urban archaeological sites.
✦ Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and archaeological ruins.
✦ Learn about Hiuen Tsang’s accounts of ancient Bengal and its Buddhist centres.
✦ Admire ancient terracotta art, sculptures, and architectural remains.
✦ Experience traditional village life and rural culture in Bangladesh.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Dhaka

Arrive in Dhaka, meet your representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Dhaka.

Meals: D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Dhaka.

Day 2

Dhaka – Bogura

Drive to Bogura and explore Mahasthangarh, one of the oldest urban archaeological sites in Bangladesh, associated with ancient Pundravardhana, a region described in Hiuen Tsang’s travel records. Visit Govinda Bhita and the local museum, subject to opening hours. Overnight in Bogura.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Bogura.

Day 3

Buddhist Heritage

Visit Grameen Bank to learn about its microfinance initiatives and women’s empowerment work. Continue to Vasu Vihara, Vihar Dhap and Gokul Medh to explore the region’s archaeological heritage. Overnight in Bogura.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Bogura.

Day 4

Bogura – Naogaon

Explore Shitakot Vihara and Jagaddala Vihara before visiting Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable Buddhist monastic complexes in South Asia. Overnight in Naogaon.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Naogaon.

Day 5

Naogaon – Rajshahi – Dhaka – Cumilla

Transfer to Rajshahi Airport for the scheduled morning flight to Dhaka, planned for around 9:00 am. On arrival, continue by road to Cumilla. Overnight in Cumilla. Road transfer: As specified in the original itinerary, approximately 120 km / 3 hours for the listed road segment. Flight and transfer arrangements should be reconfirmed.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Cumilla.

Day 6

Cumilla – Chattogram

Explore the archaeological sites of the Mainamati region, including Shalban Vihara, Rupban Mura and Itakhola Mura. Ancient Samatata, associated with this wider region, was described by Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century. Continue to Chattogram and check in at the hotel. Overnight in Chattogram.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Chattogram.

Day 7

Chattogram – Ramu – Cox’s Bazar

Drive to Ramu to visit Rangkut Vihara, an important Buddhist religious site. Continue to Cox’s Bazar and visit Aggmeda Khyang, a notable Buddhist monastery. Enjoy free time at the beach. Overnight in Cox’s Bazar.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: 03 Star Category Hotel in Cox’s Bazar.

Day 8

Cox’s Bazar – Dhaka and Departure

Take a morning domestic flight to Dhaka. Enjoy city sightseeing and shopping at a local market. After dinner, transfer to Dhaka International Airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

Meals: B, L, D; Stay: XXX

Included Included

  • Seven nights’ accommodation on a twin-sharing basis.
  • Air-conditioned private transport, depending on group size.
  • Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees and necessary permits for scheduled sightseeing.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary: hotel breakfast, lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
  • Grameen Bank microfinance project visit, subject to confirmation.
  • Mineral water throughout the tour.
  • English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Excluded Excluded

  • Specialist Buddhist scholar or lecturer.
  • Beverages and drinks.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips and porterage.
  • Any service not specifically mentioned under Tour Inclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

$650 / person

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