Arrival in Dhaka – Welcome to Bangladesh!

After arriving at Shahjalal International Airport, transfer to your hotel and get introduced to the local host team. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing on Bangladesh’s culture and history. You’ll get an overview of the week ahead and meet fellow participants. If time permits, take a short orientation walk around the neighborhood to absorb the sights and sounds of Dhaka’s bustling streets. Overnight in Dhaka.

Overnight in Dhaka

Meal(s): – Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a full day of touring Dhaka by private vehicle together with your English-speaking guide.

Day start with old Dhaka Heritage: Dive into Old Dhaka’s lively streets. Visit Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace) on the banks of the Buriganga River, a restored residence of Dhaka’s former nobles Stroll through the narrow lanes of Shakharibazar, famous for bangles and crafts, and take a short boat ride at Sadarghat river port to witness the frenetic activity on the water. You’ll see why every corner presents a new adventure in this city

Afternoon – Educational Encounters: Tour the University of Dhaka campus, the intellectual heart of Bangladesh. If scheduling allows, visit a local school or university department to meet students and educators, fostering mutual learning and cultural exchange.

Cultural Welcome: Enjoy a networking dinner with local educators and NGO representatives. Dine on traditional Bengali cuisine and enjoy a live folk music or dance performance, offering a warm introduction to Bangladesh’s artistic heritage. Overnight in Dhaka.

Overnight in Dhaka

Meal(s): Breakfast + Packet lunch + Dinner

Pick-up time: 08:am

Today highlights Bangladesh’s legacy of social entrepreneurship and community development:

Morning – Microcredit in Action: Drive out of the city to a nearby village partnered with Grameen Bank, the pioneer of microcredit finance. At a local Grameen branch, meet the manager and learn how tiny loans are empowering rural women Observe a village “center meeting” where women borrowers gather to repay installments and share their successes.You’ll visit a few borrowers’ homes, seeing firsthand how micro-loans have improved living standards – a powerful example of rural innovation pioneered by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus After a local lunch, return to Dhaka to visit a major development organization’s headquarters. Possible stops include the BRAC Centre (headquarters of the world’s largest NGO) or the Yunus Centre

Back to the hotel & time at leisure in the evening.

Overnight in Dhaka

Meal(s): Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Panam Nagar in Sonargaon – once a wealthy trading hub, now a tranquil heritage site.

Travel just outside Dhaka to Sonargaon, the medieval old capital of Bengal for a deep dive into history and crafts:

Morning – Folk Arts & History: Arrive in Sonargaon (about 1–1.5 hours’ drive from Dhaka.Start at the Folk Art and Crafts Museum, housed in a restored colonial-era mansion. Admire exhibits of traditional pottery, weaving, woodwork, and folk paintings that celebrate Bangladesh’s rural artistry Notably, see demonstrations of Jamdani weaving, the exquisite handloom textile tradition inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. This offers a fascinating introduction to Bengali craftsmanship, from vibrant muslin textiles to intricate Nakshi Kantha embroidery.

Afternoon – Panam City & Craft Villages: Explore Panam City, a street of abandoned 19th-century mansions that tell the tale of Bengal’s colonial-era traders. Walking amidst these weathered but beautiful buildings feels like stepping back in time. Next, visit a Jamdani weavers’ village on the outskirts of Sonargaon. Here you can meet artisans at work on their traditional handlooms, weaving sarees with delicate floral motifs thread by thread. Before heading back, you may browse a small crafts fair or cooperative shop for hand-made souvenirs, directly supporting local artisans. Later return back to Dhaka.

Overnight in Dhaka

Meal(s): Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Pick up from hotel at 08:30am and drive to Visit a major development organization’s headquarters. Possible stops include the BRAC Centre (headquarters of the world’s largest NGO) or the Yunus Centre for social business. Engage in a discussion with NGO officials about initiatives in education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. For instance, learn how enterprises like Aarong (a BRAC social business) support rural artisans and how mobile banking is transforming village economies. This is a chance to ask questions and understand Bangladesh’s approach to sustainable development.

We will also visit a craft factory, a garments industry, a modern university, or enjoy a local food tour or river cruise—any of these options can be included to make the final day in Bangladesh truly memorable.

Evening – Wrap-up Dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at a special venue in Dhaka..

Overnight in Dhaka

Meal(s): Breakfast –  Lunch – Dinner

Time at leisure until check-out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

End of Service

Meal(s): Breakfast