Old Dhaka Tour: Shipyard, Fort & Local Life by Rickshaw

Old Dhaka the way locals move through it: rickshaws, river crossings, and streets built before cars.

This six- to eight-hour tour of Old Dhaka uses rickshaws and local transport to reach Karwan Bazar, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace), Star Mosque, the Armenian Church, and the Ship Breaking Yard across the Buriganga River. An English-speaking guide leads the route. You walk medium distances and ride in the vehicles locals use daily, not in a private car. Entrance fees, lunch, water and pickup by CNG auto-rickshaw are included. The tour skips Lalbagh Fort on Sundays and Ahsan Manzil on Thursdays when those sites are closed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lalbagh Fort1h · entry included
2. Ahsan Manzil1h · entry included
3. Armenian Church30m
4. Star Mosque15m
5. Sadarghat Port30m

Explore Old Dhaka's local life and landmarks

• Visit Karwan Bazar market
• See Curzon Hall at Dhaka University
• Visit Dhakeshwari Hindu temple
• Tour Lalbagh Fort (skip if Sunday)
• Visit Language Martyrs' Monument
• Cross Buriganga River by boat
• Explore Ship Breaking & Repairing Yard
• Visit Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace (skip if Thursday)
• See Armenian Church in Armanitola
• Visit Star Mosque
• Explore Sadarghat Launch Terminal

The experience

Karwan Bazar opens the day: one of Dhaka's busiest wholesale markets, where the city's commerce unfolds in full color. Fresh vegetables, fish, spices, street food and local trade fill the lanes, and the pace and noise are what make it real. From there, the route moves through Dhakeshwari, the national temple of Bangladesh, then to Curzon Hall at Dhaka University, and into the older quarters where the Star Mosque stands with its intricate mosaic and star-patterned porcelain work built in the 18th century.

The shipyard crossing is the pivot of the day. A small boat takes three to five minutes to carry you across the Buriganga River to the Ship Breaking and Repairing Yard. A place that has become one of the most photographed sites in Bangladesh. The scale and activity there are unlike anything in the city proper. On the return, you'll stop at Lalbagh Fort, a Mughal-era structure whose name comes from the reddish and pinkish architecture of its neighborhood, and at Ahsan Manzil, the Pink Palace, which served as the official residence of the Nawab of Dhaka and now functions as a national museum.

Transport is the defining feature here: you move by rickshaw and tuktuk the way Dhaka residents do, not by hired car. The guide arranges vehicles on the spot as locals would, and you'll walk medium distances between stops. This is not a tour for someone seeking air-conditioned comfort or a predictable route. It is built for travelers who want to see how the city actually works: the crowds, the energy, the rhythm of a place that does not slow down for visitors. Lunch and bottled water are provided. All entrance fees are covered.

What’s included

• Rickshaw and tuktuk rides through Old Dhaka.
• pickup and drop-off by CNG auto-rickshaw.
• entrance fees to Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Star Mosque, the Armenian Church, Dhakeshwari temple and all other sites.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cholo Bangladesh Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions as you move through the city. This tour suits travelers comfortable with crowds, noise, walking medium distances, and riding in local rickshaws and tuktuks. The vehicles and pace are part of the experience, not a compromise. If you prefer air-conditioned transport and a quieter route, a different Dhaka tour will serve you better.

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Top questions

What is the Ship Breaking Yard like, and why do photographers come there?

The Ship Breaking and Repairing Yard sits on the far side of the Buriganga River and has become one of the most photographed attractions in Bangladesh. The scale of the operation and the activity there are distinctive to Dhaka and unlike anything else in the city.

Will I visit Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil on any day I choose?

Lalbagh Fort closes on Sundays and will be skipped if your tour falls on that day. Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace) closes on Thursdays and will be skipped if you visit then. Plan your booking around those closures if either site is important to you.

What kind of transport will I use during the tour?

You'll travel by rickshaw and tuktuk, the same vehicles locals use daily, rather than a private car. Pickup and drop-off are by CNG auto-rickshaw, Uber, or rickshaw depending on your location. Vehicles are arranged on the spot as the guide and locals would do it, not pre-booked.

How much walking is involved?

You'll walk medium distances between stops throughout the day. The description notes that walking and rickshaw riding may be difficult for some travelers, so consider your comfort with both before booking.

What does the tour include?

Entrance fees to all sites, lunch, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and pickup and drop-off by local transport are all included in the price.

Can I add shopping time or other activities to the itinerary?

Personal shopping and activities not listed in the tour program can be arranged as add-ons at checkout. Ask about options when you book.