Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit and Rickshaw Rides

Move through Old Dhaka the way locals do: by rickshaw, on foot, and by boat

A full-day guided tour of Dhaka's historic core, traveling by rickshaw through Old Dhaka's markets and landmarks, with stops at Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil palace, the Star Mosque, and a boat ride on the Buriganga River at Sadarghat. Hotel pickup is included. A local guide leads in English, Spanish, French or Bengali. Lunch is your choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and bottled water comes with you all day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dhakeshwari Temple30m
2. Lalbagh Fort1h 30m
3. Armenian Church30m · entry included
4. Star Mosque30m
5. Sadarghat Port1h · entry included
6. Ahsan Manzil2h

Explore Dhaka's historic and cultural sites

• Visit Curzon Hall at Dhaka University
• See the Shaheed Minar monument
• Tour Dhakeshwari Temple
• Explore Lalbagh Fort complex
• Visit Armenian Church
• Walk through Shakhari Bazar silk market
• Admire Star Mosque architecture
• Experience Sadarghat river port and boat ride
• Tour Ahsan Manzil palace and museum
• Visit Dhaka Shipyard and observe shipbuilding
• Enjoy local food at Nazira Bazaar
• Stroll Shahbag Flower Market

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and moves straight into the rhythm of Old Dhaka. You'll travel by rickshaw, the city's signature transport, through narrow lanes lined with silk shops at Shakhari Bazar, where artisans still hand-weave fabrics the way they have for generations. The guide walks you through the market, stops you at stalls to taste street snacks, and introduces you to vendors and shopkeepers. This is not a drive-by. You're on foot in the crowd, moving at the pace of the neighborhood itself.

The landmarks come next: Lalbagh Fort, the 17th-century Mughal complex with its gateways and gardens; Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace that was the Nawab's residence, now a museum overlooking the river; the Star Mosque with its intricate star motifs and ornate chandeliers; and the Armenian Church, built in 1781 and tucked into Old Dhaka's quieter corners. You'll also visit Dhakeshwari Temple, over 800 years old and the oldest Hindu temple in the city. The guide explains the history and significance of each site as you move through them, and there's time to photograph and absorb the architecture.

At Sadarghat, the river port, you board a boat for a scenic ride on the Buriganga River. From the water, you see the daily life of the city (fishermen, traders, the historic buildings along the banks) from a vantage point most visitors miss. The boat ride is included in the tour price. Lunch happens mid-day at a local spot. You choose vegetarian or non-vegetarian when you book. The shipyard visit shows you the working side of Dhaka's maritime heritage, with skilled workers building and repairing boats. If time allows, the guide may also take you to Nazira Bazaar or Shahbag Flower Market, depending on your interests and the day's pace.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local guide for the full day.
• rickshaw and local transport through Old Dhaka.
• boat ride on the Buriganga River at Sadarghat.
• lunch with your choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Bangla

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Insignia Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?The tour runs 7 to 10 hours, so it fills most of a day but leaves your morning or evening free depending on pickup time. If you've just arrived in Dhaka or have one afternoon to spend, this itinerary packs the major historic sites and the river into a single outing. If you prefer a slower pace or want to linger at one site, a shorter walking tour or a focused visit to one landmark might suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Bangla.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6).

What is Lalbagh Fort and why is it worth visiting on this tour?

Lalbagh Fort is a 17th-century Mughal fort complex built by Prince Muhammad Azam, featuring massive gateways, gardens, and the tomb of Pari Bibi, a Mughal princess. The tour includes entry so you can explore the main structures (the audience hall and mosque), and learn the fort's history of power and unfinished dreams after construction halted following Pari Bibi's death.

How much time do we spend traveling by rickshaw versus walking?

Most of the morning and early afternoon moves by rickshaw through Old Dhaka's markets and between landmarks, with walking breaks at each site. The exact balance depends on traffic and how long you spend at each stop, but the guide keeps the pace steady so you see multiple neighborhoods and attractions in a single day.

Is the boat ride on the Buriganga River included in the tour price?

Yes, the boat ride fee is included. You board at Sadarghat, the river port, for a scenic ride that shows you fishermen, traders, and historic buildings along the banks from the water.

What happens if I'm vegetarian or have dietary preferences?

You choose vegetarian or non-vegetarian lunch when you book the tour. The guide will take you to a local restaurant where your meal preference is prepared.

Do I need to pay extra to enter Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil?

Entry fees for Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil are not included in the tour price. Fort entry costs 1–2.50 USD and Ahsan Manzil costs 2–4 USD. You pay these at the gate when you arrive.