Who we are

Bangladesh Ecotours is made up from an experienced group of tribal leaders, ecotour operators, local guides, ecologists, social activists and other personalities dedicated to real and authentic ecotourism in every sense. We are the very first and the pioneer ecotour adventure tour & trek organization in Bangladesh.

Why we are here

We are established on the principle that sensitive tourism under the guidance of enlightened indigenous people may prove a viable, sustainable alternative resource to local people to help protect the environment and their traditional and diverse cultures.

Our focus

You’ll appreciate our focus on people, their culture and the environment. Our tours are not simply sight-seeing excursions, but real-time learning experiences. You can enjoy an ideal blend of adventure and exploration with comfort and relaxation. Good, clean accommodation in the towns and hill tribe eco-cottages or homestays in the interior allow a close interaction with your host families. In addition, local guides and experts are used for treks and special interest tours. Our rates are as pocketbook-friendly as you’ll find anywhere in South Asia, and help to preserve the environment and the indigenous cultures at the same time. Most of our profits stay in the villages and areas visited, with the local communities directly supporting local initiatives.

Our tours

We offer both standard and customized tours for you to choose from, the latter being our specialty and passion. If you’re into nature, culture and unique experiences; traveling alone or with a very small group of like-minded people, are an ‘off-the-beaten-path’ type, and can manage a laugh (or at least a smile) when things get rather too ‘interesting’, you’re definitely on the right track.

Join any of our exciting tours and help develop ecotourism in a planned, intelligent and interactive manner. We know the region and the people well as we live here and work with them. You can help by visiting with an open mind and heart. Our idea of an ideal group is from four to six people – just right for fun, flexibility and a low-impact. Still we’re more than happy to host any individual, couple or groups of up to a dozen. Note that we’re only able to accommodate smaller groups overnight in the interior villages. Larger groups can spend their nights comfortably in nearby small towns.

The Local Ecology

In recent years accelerated logging practices have threatened ecosystems all over the country, specifically the hill tracts and the Sundarbans. International tobacco companies are fiercely promoting tobacco cultivation, leading to land erosion, pollution and socioeconomic problems. Unrestricted hunting, particularly of rare monkey and bird species which are crucial for the regeneration process of the forest, has contributed to the demise of the ecosystem. The government of Bangladesh recently created a Heritage Area in the Sundarbans and signed and agreement with the hill tract indigenous people. Ecotourism may well prove to be the only way to preserve the region and it’s unique cultural and vital biological diversity.

Bangladesh Ecotours is registered as a business and is run like one, but in reality we are an association of dedicated and experienced tribal & village leaders, ecotourism professionals, indigenous activists, conservationists and other such personalities, cooperating to allow you to experience and enjoy the pristine wonders of Bangladesh – it’s natural beauty and good-natured people. Sort of a ‘Social Enterprise’, if that is the word for a caring, ethical business with a social consciousness. We think like a business, but act like a nonprofit – or is it the other way around.

We support many selected projects formed to enable the local peoples to directly plan, control and profit from ecotourism in a sustainable manner. About 10% of all our profits stay in the villages and communities visited and go toward village health & education, cultural development and conservation projects – from tortoise hatcheries, reforestation and single teacher village schools to traditional health-care research and handicrafts development. However, this does not rule out the possibility that you may feel inspired to contribute either personally or collectively to any special project separately. Alongside providing a rewarding and unique experience for you, a few of the things we seek to do are:

• Study alternatives to, and the sustainable merits of traditional agriculture
• Balance new and traditional healthcare, education & economics
• Respect the quality of village life through controlled tourism
• Provide a positive sustainable supplementary income sources
• Value and promote indigenous skills and knowledge
• Work for the protection and recognition of indigenous land rights
• Provide tourism benefits directly to local communities on a fair basis
• Provide intimate visits for guests without burdening village resources
• Encourage the recognition of indigenous land & human rights
• Encourage an interactive forum of all stakeholders

Meet the crew

Didar and Mostafa are serious about developing sustainable, interactive community-based ecotourism in Bangladesh. Our company’s primary aim is to provide sustained financial support to the local folk and to preserve and protect both the indigenous cultures and the ecosystems of the hill tracts and coastal regions. It’s an uphill struggle no doubt, with plenty of ebbs and swells in unknown waters, but we intend to have a rewarding and interesting time trying, and would like to share and explore this attempt with all our friends, guests and visitors.

DIDAR is ‘Khokan’ to his family and a post graduate of the National University. He calls the beautiful offshore island of Maheskhali ‘home’, though he seldom gets to visit it these days. Didar worked for many years as a travel and tour operator and later founded his own company. Being deeply concerned about the long-term negative impacts of tourism, he then began this, the very first and still the only ecotour organization in the country. He loves to travel all over the world and being one of the founders of the Bangladesh Numismatic Society, has one of the finest collections of ancient coins in the country.

MOSTAFA was born in the coastal area of south-eastern Bangladesh and brought up in Chittagong city which was the home to the largest population of British in Bengal next to Kolkata (Calcutta) during the colonial times. After graduating in bachelor of commerce, he worked as a tour guide in travel and tourism industry and joined Bangladesh Ecotours in 2001. Mostafa has travelled widely throughout Bangladesh, especially trekking in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, but has also travelled in Germany, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Walking has always been his passion and he loves discovering new areas and routes. He also enjoys cooking, singing, photography and meeting new people.

Besides the above, we have a large network of experienced Bengali and Indigenous women and men who act as part or full-time tour managers, local guides, caretakers, teachers and office staff, far too numerous to mention, but who are all great people, good friends and caring teachers.

Last but, certainly the most important are the many wonderful host families and communities in the hill tracts and around the country who care for our guests while on tours and treks and teach us how to do things the right way.

Join us to learn about and experience unique lifestyles and explore nature in and around secluded hilltop tribal villages.