Q: We are two friends who would like to visit Bangladesh this month. We would like to spend two days in Khulna (the Sundarbans), one day in Dhaka and two days in Cox’s Bazar. Kindly suggests hotels in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar. Also suggest the ticket booking procedure for Bandhan Express and must see places in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.

Marco Says: Since you haven’t specified a budget, I will give you options. In Dhaka, Golpata Bed & Breakfast (from approx. ₹1,700 per night; bangladeshecotourism.com) is a reasonable BnB close to the airport. Rigs Inn is a decent four-star option (from approx. ₹5,000 per night; rigsinn.com), while Lakeshore Banani is a luxurious boutique hotel (from approx. ₹8,000 per night; lakeshorebanani.com.bd). Opt for the following at Cox’s Bazar: White Orchid (from approx. ₹2,500 per night; whiteorchidhotelbd. com), Exotica Sampan (from approx. ₹4,200 per night; +880-34163998) and Hotel The Cox Today (from ₹7,500 per night; hotelthecoxtoday.com).

As for the Bandhan Express, which connects Kolkata and Khulna, you cannot book international trains via irctc.com. Instead, you must procure a visa and specify rail as your port of entry. The ticket can only be booked at the international ticket booking counters at Fairlie Place, Dalhousie Square or Kolkata station. Once you’re in Dhaka, do visit the popular attractions including the National Museum, the Lalbagh Fort and the Liberation War Museum, but if you’re looking for something different, visit the Dhaka Shipyard. At Cox’s Bazar, visit beaches such as Cox’s Bazar Beach and Inani Beach, the Himchari waterfall, and do check out the Aggmeda Khyang Buddhist Monastery.