This is the area lying on the north eastern part of our country bordering Indian states of Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya. In the north it has got Khashia & Jayanta Hills and in the south east he Tora Hills. The whole of north east part of Bangladesh is covered with terraced tea estates, patches of tropical forest, lemon & pineapple cultivation and orange groves. Most of the tea produced in Bangladesh comes from this area. The climate of this area is one of the best in the country being temperate and cool with clean, crisp air in winter. It is moderately warm in summer, but has an annual rainfall of 5000mm, the highest in the country.
Besides the tea plantation there are many more to experience in this part. In Sylhet town, Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, the 14th century sufi saint is a very important pilgrimage site for the Muslims. In the north the foot of Khasi-Jaintia hills predominantly lives all the tribal people Khasi, Tripura, Pangou & Monipuri. Of them Khasi, Tripura & Pangou people tend to shun regular contact with the outside world, venturing only occasionally from their settlements. The Monipuri are the exception. They have become artisans, jewelers, businesspeople and have entered into the general Bangladeshi community.
This area is also very important because we get much of our natural gas from here. There are the `haors’ (depressed land) where plenty of bird life including, migratory birds are visible between December and March. Srimongal, about 150 km north east of Dhaka and 75 km south of Sylhet is the tea capital of Bangladesh. This slightly hilly vast area covered by green carpet of tea leaves are one of the most picturesque sight. Occasional presence of lemon orchards and pineapple plantation and the rubber plantation makes this a perfect place for a visit. Also the tropical forests, water fall, lake all these are the attractions of this area.
Land border check point Tamabil, (Dawki on Indian side) is only couple of hours drive from Sylhet.

TRAVEL INFORMATIONL

HOW TO GET THERE
Sylhet possesses the third international airport after Dhaka and Chittagong. Regular international flights arrive here from UK and middle-east. There are several domestic flights arriving from Dhaka. Intercity train runs regularly from Dhaka and Chittagong to Sylhet via Srimongal. Very good public a/c coach services are available from Dhaka.

PLACES OF INTEREST
We have made a short list of the places of interest in this region.
TEA PLANTATION
Tea is the heart of life in the Sylhet division. It produces over 55 million kg of tea annually from more than 150 tea estates spread over 40,000 hectares. You can stroll in the tea estate and wander a short way into the bushes and talk to the tea-pluckers and learn something about the processes that culminate into our morning tea.

MADHABKUNDA
Waterfall: The picturesque Madhab-Kunda waterfalls are the largest waterfall in the country. The surrounding hill forests, supporting some wildlife, are well worth the two hours northeast drive from Srimongal or 3 hours southeast drive from Sylhet. Here you may also see elephants being used to haul huge logs. There is a Parjatan Tourist spot nearby, with a restaurant, picnic area and toilet facilities.

HAORS – SUNAMGANJ
Situated below the foothills of the Himalayas, the vast wetlands, locally known as ‘haors’, attract huge flocks of migratory birds in the winter months (October- March). The Sunamganj wetland area is unspoiled and remains largely unexplored by tourists. Cruising through the shallow and clear waters is a special treat for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. Varieties of rails, raptors, ducks, sand-pipers and others congregate in these haors of Sunamganj.

TRIBAL VILLAGES
There are 11 Khasia villages called “Punji” and several Monipuri villages called “Para” scattered among the tea plantations spreading in Srimongal and Sylhet areas. Khasia villages are usually on hilltops surrounded by betel nut trees, which is their cash crop. In the Monipuri “Para” you can see the traditional weaving. You can also buy the traditional crafts as souvenirs.

HOLY SHRINE OF HAZRAT SHAH JALAL
It is situated in the North of Sylhet city, off the airport road. The tomb of Hazrat Shah Jalal, a Sufi saint during the 14th century, is located inside the shrine complex. It is one of the biggest pilgrimage sites in the country and a fascinating place to visit. Hazrat Shah Jalal’s sword and robes are preserved within the large new mosque, but are not on display. The tomb is covered with rich brocade, and at night the surrounding places are illuminated with candles.

HOLY SHRINE OF HAZRAT SHAH PARAN
About 8 km east of Sylhet, just off the highway to Jaintiapur, is the Shrine of Shah Paran in the tiny village of Shah Paran. It is a single- domed mosque that attracts about 2000 pilgrims a day.

TROPICAL FOREST
Lawachhera National Park:
Located about 8 km east of Srimongal, this 1250 hectare park is a beautiful, semi-evergreen tropical forest locally known as Shyamoli. It has the country’s largest population of critically endangered Hoolock gibbons – the subcontinents only ape species - as well as a large variety of mammals, birds and orchids. Lawachhera is home to 19 mammal species including the capped langur, the delightful slow loris, orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel and barking deer. Some 246 species of birds have been identified, which includes the blue-bearded bee-eater and the red-breasted trogon.
Satchhari National Park:
This 243-hectare park is situated in Hobiganj, 60 km southwest of Srimongol. Though less popular than Lawachhera, it has a higher diversity of plants and animals and far less human disturbance. It has seven streams – origin of the name “satchhari”, a population of hoolock gibbons, fishing cats, phayre’s langur, jungle fowl, pygmy woodpeckers and oriental pied hornbills.
Rema Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located near Satchhari National Park, it is the country’s largest natural hill forest with a variety of plants, animals and birds and four different ethnic forest communities.

To cover all these places it will take 4-5 days time. We have different set itineraries covering these areas. Please ask for them. In case none of those covers your subject or fulfill your interest, we shall be very happy to customize one especially for you upon request.

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