16 Days Bengal and Beyond

About the destination: Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh. It is the principal city of Dhaka District and Dhaka Division. The historic quarter of Dhaka stands on the east bank of the Buriganga River. Modern Dhaka is the center of political, economic and cultural life in Bangladesh. It is a major financial center in South Asia. Dhaka was the 2012 ISESCO Asian Capital of Culture. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • 857 Memorial. • Aparajeya Bangla. A statue dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1971 Liberation War. • Central Shaheed Minar. A symbol of Bengali nationalism. • Mausoleum of National Leaders. • National Poet's Graveyard. • Baldha Garden. • National Botanical Gardens. • Ramna Green. • Suhrawardi Uddyan.

About the destination: Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. The Shwedagon Pagoda or Paya is the single most important religious site in all of Myanmar and is an interesting place for tourists. The Shwedagon captures the essence of both the informal nature as well as the strong ties that signify the relationship that the Burmese have with their Buddhism. There is no other pagoda like it in Burma and there is no other place like the Shwedagon Pagoda in the world. Yangon has been a cosmopolitan city with a polyglot mixture of peoples from its early days and has a friendly and welcoming attitude towards strangers.

About the destination: Paro is a town and seat of Paro District, in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. It is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered throughout the area. It is also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan's sole international airport.

About the destination: Kathmandu is the history-rich capital and largest town of Nepal. Located in one of the most dramatic natural environments possible, the Himalayan Mountains, Kathmandu has a large concentration of culture, art and tradition. Most of the cultural centers in Nepal are concentrated around the Kathmandu valley, a Valley with thousands of years of history. Walking around Katmandu is like strolling through an open air museum, the temples are majestic and the unique Nepali architecture is fascinating. Durbar Square is an excellent depiction of architecture and culture of Nepal. Located heart of Kathmandu, Durbar Square is filled with palaces and temples, including amazing ancient temples like Taleju Temple, a royal palace and the interesting Kumari Palace. Visit Swayambhunath where the Monkey Temple sits high overlooking Kathmandu. Even more impressive is the huge Boudha Stupa in Boudha, one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhism. The Hindu Temple at Pashupatnath gives a good idea of the Hinduism in Kathmandu. It is here where you will see the huge fires for the cremations on the banks of the Baghmati River. Go to Thamel for restaurants, bars and shops. Nepal’s most cosmopolitan city has lots to offer, and it is also a perfect base to explore the rest of this magical and fascinating country.

About the destination: Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is the capital of West Bengal and the second largest city in India after Mumbai. Abject poverty mix inexplicably with crumbling British Raj-era gems, sprawling gardens and historical colleges. Long known as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata continues to spawn generations of poets, writers, film producers and Nobel Prize winners. The city sprawls along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges, which divides it from Howrah on the western bank. For travelers, the most relevant parts of Kolkata are south of the Howrah Bridge in the areas around BBD Bagh and Chowringhee. Kolkata is a huge city with a lot to see but some of the main attractions are the Eden Gardens, Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Nakhoda Mosque, the largest mosque in Kolkata, Shobhabajar Rajbari, Parashnath Jain Temple and the Birla Temple, the largest in Kolkata and worth a visit. If Bangalore is the Seattle of India, than Kolkata is the sub-continent’s London. It is an 'in your face' city that shocks and charms the unsuspecting visitor. If your trip only allows for a visit of one or two of India's metropolitan cities, than definitely consider placing Kolkata on your itinerary. Love it or hate it, you definitely won't forget the city on the Hooghly.