Things to see and do Bangladesh

This vast tropical forest 12 km ² northeast of Srimongal has a large Population of monkeys, including western hoolock gibbon, which appears on the endangered species list. Among other primates, you may see the hair langur, the monkey rhesus, the monkeys in Assam or the Semnopithèqe de Phayre. Like all of Bangladesh, many species of birds find shelter in the park. They are here in the number of 246, the most sought-after colombar, the grise green parrot or the schistaceus schistaceus, whose photos are displayed at the entrance to the park. Finally, the place is also the playground of some mammals difficult to see like the black bear in Asia or the leopard. But the park is not just a reserve of fauna and flora, it also houses two kashia villages, whose inhabitants mainly live in the collection of betel leaves and bamboo strands. Curiously, the park access rates are in dollars for foreign tourists, but you pay by tk. Accompaniment by an accredited guide is mandatory for foreign tourists. They can walk through the park at their convenience. Unfortunately, most guides speak English barely and they consider their work to show you the way, little more… We recommend that you take at least one hour, otherwise you will have no time. To hope to see some animals, better come early in the morning. If you don't want to be disappointed, it's better to consider your visit to Lawachara park as a pleasant walk like an exciting walking safari. There are two snacks at the entrance to the park, one of which sells some of the artisan objects produced by the Kashia.

Only a few kilometres away from the Indian border, the Lake of Madhubpur spreads peacefully in the National Tea Estate plantations. The lovers come here to admire the purple lotus which overlook the green of bushes and the forest. The perfect setting for a picnic with a nice day! Shop in Srimongal, or with snack sellers waiting at the site entrance.

The waterfalls of Hum Hum were discovered only recently, in 2010, but they are now on the list of all operators in the region. 45 m high, gripped in a green setting, the water flows into a natural swimming pool to form a photo of exotic postcard. Natural sites in Bangladesh are rare enough to try shipping if you have time. As you will have understood, it will be achieved - otherwise they would probably have been discovered much earlier. So it is not a walk in the forest, but a real trek of 5 hours (return) through the rainforest. There is no need for machete to paint thick vegetation, because the path is clearly traced through the successive passage of visitors. However, appropriate equipment is required. You'll have to cross several torrents, so there's walking sandals, but not flip-flops, otherwise you'll lose them in the current. In wet times, anti-leeches socks, long trousers and a long-sleeve t-shirt may be indispensable, bugs abound. Also provide a short for bathing and enjoy a refreshing break after this long walk. Beware, women will take a long T-shirt and shorts in their bag or a Bermuda. The Bangladeshi people are very So. The best season to go to the Hum Hum falls is a little after the rainy season, starting in October. In the dry season, water flow is reduced considerably, which removes some of the fun.

Why not do like the locals and take a boat for a walk on the river? The best moments of the day are the morning at sunrise and in the evening, just before sunset, when the light is soft and the temperature lower. The hardest thing is to negotiate the rate and the duration, especially if you do not speak Bengali. You can borrow a boat at Kanchari Ghat east of Circuit House Park or Kalibari Ghat in the old town 200 m before the bridge.

A cruise in the Sundarbans is a prerequisite for a stay in Bangladesh. The premises will tell you that since Hurricane Sidr in 2007 it is no longer the same. Many of the fauna has been devastated and now it is much more difficult to observe wildlife. However, spending three days on a boat, in the only truly preserved area of the country, offers a pleasant moment of respite, which will delight the contemplative. We regret, however, that all mangrove exits are carried out on marked trails, sometimes in poor condition, which may be crowded on weekends. We made our cruise in the Sundarbans on the occasion of a long holiday, and ending up in the middle of a noisy Bangladeshi horde gâché our pleasure. If you have the opportunity, try doing this cruise in the week. It will be much calmer and pleasant.

Cruises start in Khulna, but it is also possible to reach the ship in Mongla. On the first day, the boat goes down the Rupsha River and stops in the afternoon at the Visitors'Centre of Karamjol, which hosts a mini zoo with monkeys in cages, axe deer and crocodiles. It is also an opportunity to contact the particular flora of the mangrove by taking a marked walk. Feel free to climb at the top of the observation tower with a beautiful canopy view. On the second day, the day starts with a tour at the aurores along a small canal, where, with a little luck, you can observe animals and birds. Another walk on a deck of planks leads you through the mangrove, from where you can see the famous sundari. The cruise goes further south, to the sea. There, the boat takes a long stopover to allow visitors to go to Kotka beach after crossing a dry grass plain and the forest. In the afternoon, a visit to the forest post is required. Impressive mangroves surround the coastline and are the occasion for beautiful photos at sunset. Return to the boat, which usually offers its residents a barbecue evening. During the night, the boat borrows the sea over a short distance and then wins Kochikhali, to the south-east of the sanctuary. The next day, a last visit through the mangrove allows to take advantage of the last moments of calm before a long day of navigation to rally Khulna after dark.

Some companies offer 4-day and 3-night cruises that allow for longer browsing on small canals and have a different route from others. So you avoid the crowd. Also mention a few seasonal cruises for fishing with otters or the harvesting of honey. You can find the addresses of the best tour operators in the Sundarbans in the Tourism sections of Khulna and Dhaka and in the Receptive part of the Invitation to Travel at the beginning of this guide. It is best to book your cruise as soon as possible, even before your departure, because the dates are imposed by the organizers.

Located on the edge of the Sundarbans, this island eaten by the mangrove can make the goal of a pleasant excursion in a quiet time. The government has installed a picnic area in a clearing on the island. You will have to negotiate the price firmly with a local fisherman to take you there. An interesting exit idea if you don't plan to cruise in the Sundarbans.

Created in 1961, the National Botanical Garden houses a large number of trees and plants in its 84 ha park. A true haven of peace, far from the tintamarre of the horns, the garden attracts lovers who wish to escape the public eye. The botanique of botany will not be disappointed by the herbarium that lists nearly 100 000 different species, including camphor, orchids or a beautiful rose garden. From November to February, the adjacent lake hosts a large number of migratory birds. Artificial ponds and waterfalls add to the charm of this very pleasant place. An ideal place to escape from the fury of the city.