Dhaka River Cruise: Buriganga Sunset Boat Tour
A private river cruise on the Buriganga, the river that made Dhaka. Start with the Pink Palace and the lanes of Old Dhaka, then board your own wooden boat at Sadarghat, glide past the launches, ferries and boatyards of the busiest river port in Bangladesh, and watch the sun set from the water. Your guide, a private car, life jackets and tea are all included, and the whole trip takes about four hours.
- LengthHalf Day
- GroupPrivate, no minimum
- StartsHotel pickup in Dhaka, 14:42
- Best timeYear-round, best Oct – Mar
Highlights
- Your own boat: a private wooden country boat with a canopy and a small engine, an experienced boatman and life jackets for everyone. No sharing, no overloading.
- Sadarghat from the water: the river port that handles tens of thousands of passengers a day, seen up close among the double-decker launches, ferries and rowing boats.
- Sunset on the Buriganga: we time the cruise so you are on the water for golden hour, upstream past Babubazar Bridge where the river is calmer and the water cleaner.
- Ahsan Manzil, the Pink Palace: the riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, with its period rooms and grand staircase.
- Shakhari Bazar: a short walk through the conch-shell lane of Old Dhaka, with a cup of milk tea at a local stall.
- Easy and short: about four hours with hotel pickup, so it fits an afternoon, a first evening in Dhaka or a long layover.
Day by day
Your Dhaka river cruise, step by step
The tour starts about two and a half hours before sunset, so the time changes with the season: around 14:30 from November to February and around 16:00 from May to August. We confirm the exact time when you book.
Hotel pickup
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel or residence in Dhaka. The drive to Old Dhaka takes 45 minutes to an hour from Gulshan or Banani, and your guide uses the time to tell you what the river means to the city.
Ahsan Manzil, the Pink Palace (about 45 minutes)
Begin at the riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Walk up the grand staircase, see the period rooms and look out over the Buriganga you are about to cruise. This is also the last proper toilet stop before the boat. On Thursdays, when the palace is closed, we visit the Armenian Church instead.
Shakhari Bazar and tea (about 30 minutes)
A short walk through Shakhari Bazar, where Hindu families have carved conch-shell bangles for generations, and a cup of sweet milk tea at a local stall.
Board your boat at Sadarghat
Your guide leads you through the port to your private boat. Everyone puts on a life jacket before we cast off.
On the river (about 1 hour 15 minutes)
First the busy stretch: double-decker launches leaving for the south, ferries, cargo boats and hundreds of small rowing boats carrying people across the river. Then we head upstream past Babubazar Bridge, where the river widens and quietens, the water is cleaner and the light turns golden. We stop at a riverside ghat on the far bank to watch the sunset, then cruise back as the lights of Old Dhaka come on.
Return to your hotel
Your driver meets you near the port and takes you back to your hotel, usually about an hour after sunset depending on traffic.
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Also on the way: Sadar Ghat & Buriganga River
Price per person
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $95 |
| 2 Persons | $55 |
| 4 Persons | $45 |
| 6+ Persons | $40 |
Private tour prices in US dollars. Children under 12 and larger groups: ask us.
- Deposit
- 15% to confirm your booking
- Balance
- On arrival in Bangladesh
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation for 7 days notice
- Payment methods
- Bank Transfer, Cards & Cash
Included
- Private car with driver, hotel pickup and drop-off in Dhaka
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private wooden boat with canopy, engine and experienced boatman
- Life jackets for every guest, including children
- Rain ponchos
- Entry ticket to Ahsan Manzil
- Milk tea, snacks and bottled water
- Free rescheduling if weather makes the river unsafe
Not included
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Tips for the guide, driver and boatman
Your guide
Dhaka River Cruise: questions and answers
Which places does the Dhaka River Cruise visit?
Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil aka The Pink Palace and Shakhari Bazar.
How much does the Dhaka River Cruise cost?
From US$40 per person. The price per person drops as your group grows (1 Person: US$95; 2 Persons: US$55; 4 Persons: US$45; 6+ Persons: US$40). It is a private tour, so the price is for your group only.
What is included in the price?
Private car with driver, hotel pickup and drop-off in Dhaka, Professional English-speaking guide, Private wooden boat with canopy, engine and experienced boatman, Life jackets for every guest, including children, Rain ponchos, Entry ticket to Ahsan Manzil, Milk tea, snacks and bottled water and Free rescheduling if weather makes the river unsafe. Not included: Lunch and dinner, Personal expenses and shopping and Tips for the guide, driver and boatman.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group travels, with your own local guide, driver and vehicle. Group size: Private, no minimum. Your guide is usually Abu Raihan Morshed.
How long is the Dhaka river cruise?
About four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including about 1 hour 15 minutes on the water. The time on the boat can be extended on request.
What is the best time of year for a river cruise in Dhaka?
October to March is the most comfortable, with clear skies, soft light and pleasant evenings. The monsoon months, June to September, bring dramatic skies and a fuller river but also heat and rain.
Can I take photos at Sadarghat?
Yes, it is one of the best places for photography in Dhaka. Do not block the porters and dock workers, and ask before taking close portraits. Your guide helps with both.
Can I combine the cruise with other places?
Yes. Many guests add it to our Dhaka city day tour, or ask for a longer cruise on the Meghna or Shitalakshya rivers. Tell us what you would like and we will plan it.
Check dates and price
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