Discover an alternative Christmas in Bangladesh

Undiscovered Destinations still has places available on its unique 15-day tour of Bangladesh, departing Dhaka 20th December 2008. This small group tour is a wonderful opportunity to take in the highlights of an often overlooked South Asian country.

Travellers first experience Bangladesh from the water; aboard a 100-year-old ‘Rocket’ paddle steamer as it navigates overnight from Dhaka to the UNESCO-designated Sundarbans mangrove forests. The ‘Rocket’ offers a genteel way to observe rural life in comfort, sipping tea served by your cabin steward. On arrival in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest littoral mangrove belt at 140,000ha, further explorations are made by shallow wooden ‘village’ boat.

Wildlife in the area includes deer, otter, monkey, estuarine crocodile, 50 species of other reptile, numerous shushuk (river dolphin) and an elusive though healthy population of Royal Bengal Tiger. Tea estates and tribal villages are next, with a transfer through the country’s main tea growing areas to Srimangal. Nearby, the hilltop Khashia tribal villages are identifiable by betel-nut trees, their major cash crop. A couple of nights are spent at the delightful residence of the Tea Resort, a pleasant oasis amongst the hustle and bustle more usual in Bangladesh.

Travellers then depart southwards for Cox’s Bazaar, revealing an unforeseen aspect of the country – a premier beach resort! Bicycle rickshaw tours of car-free Maheskhali Island are on offer as is simply lazing on the sand.

The tour costs £1,300p/p (or £2,050p/p with scheduled flights ex-London 19th December), including transport, accommodation, at least two meals per day, and an experienced English speaking guide. Later departures for 2009; 23rd January, 15th March, 31st May.

For more information, log on to Undiscovered-destinations.com.