Bangladesh rewards the curious. In bustling Dhaka, Mughal-era forts meet lively bazaars and rickshaw art, while nearby Sonargaon whispers of a once-thriving merchant capital. Push west to Khulna and the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest—to drift among salt-twisted trees, spot deer in clearings, and listen for the cough of a distant fishing cat.

Historically, Bengal’s rivers carried silk, muslin, and stories. The Mughals shaped Old Dhaka’s skyline, the British refashioned trade, and today’s Dhaka hums with tech parks, designers, and new-wave coffee roasters. Sonargaon’s Panam City preserves a rare streetscape of merchant mansions, and the Sundarbans protect a fragile web of creeks, mudflats, and wildlife.

Practical notes: The best time for this itinerary is November–March (drier, cooler). Dress modestly, carry small bills, and check your country’s travel advisories before you go. Food is a highlight—kacchi biryani, hilsa fish, fuchka, and sweets—so come hungry, and bring an appetite for discovery.

Dhaka

Dhaka is Bangladesh’s kinetic heart—horns, spice, and color. Old Dhaka’s lanes hide Mughal mosques, pink palaces, and steamy tea stalls, while Gulshan and Banani deliver cafés, boutiques, and polished dining. Don’t miss a sunset on the Buriganga River: ferries, cargo boats, and rowboats weave together like a floating city.

• Top sights: Lalbagh Fort (Mughal stronghold), Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace), Armenian Church, Sadarghat River Port, Dhakeshwari Temple, Liberation War Museum.
• Why it’s special: Rickshaw art, street photography, masterful kacchi biryani, and a river culture as old as the city itself.

Stay: Search stays near Gulshan/Banani (dining, cafés) or Ramna/Dhanmondi (parks, culture) via VRBO Dhaka and Hotels.com Dhaka. Good picks include InterContinental Dhaka (park-side classic), Pan Pacific Sonargaon (central), Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan (business-friendly).

Get in / around: Compare flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. For regional and intercity trains in Bangladesh, see Trip.com (trains).

Day 1: Arrive in Dhaka

Afternoon: Land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and settle into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a latte at North End Coffee Roasters (Banani)—Dhaka’s pioneer specialty roaster with excellent Bangladeshi single-origin when available. If time allows, stroll Hatirjheel Lake for city views and a breeze.

Evening: Dinner in Old Dhaka: try Haji (Hajji) Biriyani for its centuries-honed rice-and-mutton alchemy, or Al-Razzaque for naan, kebabs, and bhuna. End with mishti (sweets) from a neighborhood sweet shop or a nightcap chai in the alleys of Chawk Bazar.

Night: Early to bed or a calm walk around Dhanmondi Lake. If you prefer something upscale, grab dessert at Holey Artisan Bakery (Banani) for patisserie-standard tarts.

Day 2: Old Dhaka—Palaces, River Life, and Rickshaws (Full-day tour)

Spend the day immersed in history and everyday theater. This guided experience handles logistics in the famously busy old city and gets you into photogenic corners—shipyards, bazaars, and historic sites.

Recommended activity: Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit

Expect a rickshaw ride through tangle-laned quarters, Ahsan Manzil’s riverfront grandeur, and a rowboat to see the ship-repair yards—riveting for photographers. Lunch at a beloved biryani or kebab house is typically included or recommended by the guide.

Day 3: Sonargaon & Panam City—The Old Capital (Full-day tour)

Sonargaon predates modern Dhaka—an inland port turned capital. Panam City’s abandoned 19th–20th century merchant mansions form one of Bengal’s most atmospheric streetscapes. Many tours add riverside villages and folk craft museums.

Recommended activity: Sonargaon Day Tour from Dhaka—Away from Dhaka’s Urban Chaos

Panam’s façades blend Indo-European motifs with local brickwork; the Folk Art & Craft Museum adds context on jamdani weaving and rural artistry. Expect a scenic boat ride and a village walk for everyday life snapshots.

Day 4: Modern Dhaka, Museums, and Markets

Morning: Go early for golden light and market action.

Optional pro pick: Dhaka Photography Tour: Private Street Photography

This focuses on Kawran Bazar (Dhaka’s largest wholesale market), the Buriganga shipyards, and candid street portraits—ideal for enthusiastic shooters.

Afternoon: Visit the Liberation War Museum (sobering, beautifully curated). Lunch ideas: Kacchi Bhai (aromatic kacchi biryani) or Fakruddin (a Dhaka biryani institution). Coffee break at Crimson Cup (Banani) or North End. Swing by Aarong (crafts) for tasteful souvenirs.

Evening: Time your visit to Lalbagh Fort for sunset amid terracotta and gardens. Dinner in Gulshan: Izumi (refined Japanese, reservations recommended) or Soi 71 (Thai standards, great curries). If you prefer local grills, Star Kabab serves classic kebabs and paratha late.

Khulna & The Sundarbans

Khulna is the launchpad to the Sundarbans, a UNESCO-listed mangrove labyrinth straddling Bangladesh and India. Out here, days move with the tide: kingfishers flash, spotted deer ghost across clearings, and macaques eye passing boats with mischief.

• Top experiences: Multi-day river cruise, small-boat creek safaris, forest station walks (Harbaria), Kotka/Kochikhali wildlife sanctuaries.
• Wildlife you may see: Deer, crocodiles, mudskippers, otters, myriad birds; tigers are present but rarely seen.

Stay: Most visitors sleep onboard well-equipped riverboats. For a pre/post night on land, search VRBO Khulna or Hotels.com Khulna (look for City Inn, Tiger Garden International, or Hotel Royal International).

Getting there from Dhaka (assume morning departure): Fly Dhaka to Jashore (approx. 45–50 minutes; one-way usually US$40–80), then drive 1.5 hours to Khulna/Mongla. Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Trains (Sundarban Express/Chitra Express) take ~6–8 hours; see Trip.com (trains). If your chosen cruise insists on a 7:00 a.m. embarkation, consider traveling the evening before to overnight in Khulna.

Day 5: Dhaka to Khulna, Embark the Sundarbans (Cruise Day 1)

Fly early to Jashore and drive to Khulna/Mongla to board your vessel by late morning. Boats typically offer cabins with fans/AC, a dining saloon, and a roof deck for wildlife spotting. Lunch is usually a home-style spread—rice, lentils, vegetables, and fresh river fish.

Recommended activity: Dive deep into the wild wonders of Sundarban.

Typical route: Harbaria Eco-Tourism Center walk, then slow steaming toward Kochikhali/Kotka. Sunset is for deck time—kingfishers and brahminy kites often accompany the boat. Dinner onboard; overnight in a quiet creek.

Day 6: Sundarbans Creeks and Sanctuaries (Cruise Day 2)

Up at dawn for a silent-country boat ride into narrow canals—listen for birdcalls and watch the breathing roots of mangroves arch like cathedrals. Later, a ranger-led forest walk near Kotka and a beachside stretch on the Bay-side edge (weather/tide permitting).

Meals onboard highlight local flavors: prawn malai curry, bhuna khichuri, mixed bhortas, and seasonal vegetables. Evenings are stars-and-fireflies country—bring a light sweater and your binoculars.

Day 7: Disembark, Fly to Dhaka, Depart

Morning: Early creek spin or a last birding walk, then steam back to Mongla/Khulna. Drive to Jashore and fly to Dhaka late morning or midday.

Afternoon: If you have a few hours before your international flight, grab a final coffee and pack snacks. Pick up last-minute crafts (jamdani, nakshi kantha) before heading to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Dining short list (Dhaka)

• Haji (Hajji) Biriyani (Old Dhaka): legendary kacchi; go early to avoid sell-outs.
• Al-Razzaque (Old Dhaka): naan, kebabs, rezala, and homestyle curries.
• Kacchi Bhai (multiple branches): aromatic kacchi with prunes and potatoes.
• Fakruddin: one of the city’s most famous biryani houses.
• Star Kabab & Restaurant: no-frills, late-opening grills and parathas.
• North End Coffee Roasters / Crimson Cup (Banani/Gulshan): specialty coffee, pastries, Wi‑Fi.
• Izumi (Gulshan 2): refined Japanese—book ahead.
• Holey Artisan Bakery (Banani): European-style breads, tarts, and excellent espresso.

Extra Viator picks if you want to swap a day

If you’d rather add more Old Dhaka time or prefer a shorter city sampler, consider:

Full-Day Dhaka City Guided Tour

Or a concise half-day Old Dhaka deep dive:

Half-day Old Dhaka History & Heritage Private Tour

Getting around and booking notes

• Flights: Compare regional fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Comfortable and scenic for Dhaka–Khulna; check timetables and seats on Trip.com (trains).
• Budgeting: Domestic flights US$40–80 one-way; private car Dhaka–Khulna ~US$120–160; Sundarbans 2–3 day cruises vary by boat class and group size.
• Seasonality: Peak cruising runs roughly September–March; monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings lush greens but frequent showers and rougher seas.

Viator activities featured in this plan (with images above):

• Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit
• Sonargaon Day Tour from Dhaka—Away from Dhaka’s Urban Chaos
• Dhaka Photography Tour: Private Street Photography
• Dive deep into the wild wonders of Sundarban.

In one week, you’ll taste Dhaka’s energy, trace Bengal’s merchant past in Sonargaon, and exhale amid the quiet waterways of the Sundarbans. It’s a balanced itinerary—culture, cuisine, and wild nature—designed to fit real-world flight schedules and the best seasons to visit.

Bangladesh lingers: the spice of biryani, the clatter of a bazaar, and the hush of mangroves at dawn. Bring curiosity—and a spare memory card.