Overview

Of the six divisions, the Sylhet Division is actually one of the six that is better to visit during the rainy season than it is during the dry (although the dry offers plenty for visitors to enjoy as well). The main reason for this is that a crystal clear blue water flows from the hills of nearby Meghalaya into the Sylhet basin, which in turn becomes more like a gigantic ocean landscape. During the dry season these become giant wetlands, an absolute heaven for visiting migratory bird species from the north.

There is also tea plantations littered throughout the hills of the area, making two-wheeled explorations a real pleasure. These plantations are concentrated mostly around Srimongol, which could be called Bangladesh’s ‘Little Darjeeling’ (although not nearly as high up of course). Finally, the region also possesses ethnic diversity not seen elsewhere in Bangladesh. Groups of Khasi, Manipuri and Tripura live in villages scattered throughout the division.

All in all, Sylhet holds many of Bangladesh’s highlights and is an extremely picturesque place to visit at almost any time of year. For those living in Bangladesh it is also highly accessible by road or by rail, and visiting here actually feels like a bit of a vacation inside Bangladesh.

Highlights

• Slowly exploring the tea plantations of Srimongol by two-wheeled transport: bicycle or motorcycle is best.
• Drinking tea before, during and after the two-wheeled explorations.
• Checking out the pristine rivers flowing from the hills of Meghalaya, and for those who are equipped with an India visa, hopping over the border to Cherrapunjee, the self-proclaimed ‘wettest place on Earth.’
• Meeting some of Bangladesh’s indigenous cultures in beautiful but remote villages of the region.
• Exploring some of Bangladesh’s best preserved national parks:The Lawacharra National Park and the extremely hard to reach Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sylhet
Bustling and overgrown Bangladeshi city with not much reason to stay here because of all the beauty outside. The airport has regular flights from Dhaka all day long and so it’s easy to reach. Also has Bangladesh’s first upscale resort, the Nazimgarh Resort, which offers a spa, pool and luxury rooms.

Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India
Border village with splendid views into Bangladesh from the hills above. Also known as the ‘wettest place on Earth’ for the torrential monsoon rains that descends here during the months of July, August and September. Also some fantastic trekking opportunities to see the region’s ‘living root bridges.’

Srimongol
Tea town that should be known as Bangladesh’s ‘Little Darjeeling’, there are plenty of hills, tea plantations and back country roads to explore by bicycle, four-wheel drive or motorcycle. Transport to/from this town is also enjoyable and scenic when done by train, affording views of the verdant Bangladeshi countryside.