Tanguar Haor Tour Guide

Where is Tanguar Haor located?

Tanguar Haor is located in Sunamganj district in the northeastern part of Bangladesh. It is the second largest freshwater wetland in the country, with an area of ​​about 100 square kilometers. Tanguar Haor has an area of ​​6912 acres, but during the rainy season it increases to about 20,000 acres. This haor is surrounded by still water, mountains, swamp forests, blue sky, and lush greenery. Tanguar Haor has a biodiversity of about 140 species of fish, 12 species of frogs, and more than 150 species of reptiles. About 250 species of guest birds roam in this haor during winter.

In addition, the hills of Meghalaya in India can be seen from Tanguar Haor. About 30 large and small waterfalls or streams flowing down the slopes of these mountains merge into Tanguar Haor. There are about 46 small and large floating villages like islands in this haor area. The Bangladesh government declared Tanguar Haor as an Ecological Criteria Area (ECA) in 1999. And in 2000, Tanguar Haor was included in the Ramsar site.

When is the best time to visit Tanguar Haor?

In Bangladesh, the monsoon season is especially from June to October. And the best time to visit Tanguar Haor is during the monsoon season. In addition, many people choose autumn to see the blue sky, clear water, and distant mountains. Again, for those who want to avoid the water problems of the rainy season, it is better to choose the winter season. Because during this time, there is very little water in Tanguar Haor. However, the environment of the haor is different, and a large number of guest birds are seen. So you can choose the time according to your preference and visit Tanguar Haor.

Places to visit in Tanguar Haor

In addition to visiting the haor, there are some other spots near Tanguar Haor, which you can visit with family and friends. The places of interest that you will see in the Tanguar Haor tour package are-

• Small Swamp Forest
• Watch Tower
• Shaheed Siraj Lake (Niladri Lake)
• Shimul Bagan
• Barik Tila
• Jadukata River
• Laure Garh

Apart from these places of interest, you can visit other places in Tanguar Haor.

Ways to go to Tanguar Haor

Tanguar Haor can be reached from almost all districts of Bangladesh. However, no matter where you go from, to go to Tanguar Haor, you first have to go to Sunamganj.

• From Dhaka to Sunamganj: Mamun and Shyamoli Paribahan buses travel directly to Sunamganj from Sayedabad bus stand in Dhaka every day. In addition, Ena Paribahan buses travel from Mohakhali Terminal. These buses charge around 730 taka to 1,050 taka per person, depending on AC/non-AC. It will take you about 6 hours to go from Dhaka to Sunamganj.
• From Mymensingh to Sunamganj: To go from Mymensingh to Sunamganj, you have to take a bus to Sylhet. Buses like Sagarika and Ena Paribahan travel from Mymensingh. These buses will cost you 500-600 taka to go to Sylhet, and the journey takes about 4-5 hours. Apart from this, you can travel with your friends or family members in a private car or, microbus. However, there are limited bus services from Mymensingh to Sunamganj directly. However, you can go from Mymensingh to Sylhet or any city near Sunamganj and take a bus to Sunamganj from there. It may cost around 140 taka to go from Sylhet to Sunamganj. Before going from Mymensingh to Sunamganj, you must check the bus schedule and fare carefully.
• Sylhet to Sunamganj: There are both local and sitting service buses from Kumargaon bus stand in Sylhet to Sunamganj. If you go to Sunamganj by sitting service bus, then the fare will be 100 taka and it will take about 2 hours to reach. Again, if you want, you can go to Sunamganj by light vehicle from in front of Shahjalal Mazar for 200 taka.
• Sunamganj to Tanguar Haor: Later, you will have to go to Tahirpur by Laguna/CNG/bike from Sunamganj. After reaching Tahirpur, you will have to rent a boat from the pier. When renting a boat, consider the number of people and your budget. Then you can go to Tanguar Haor at an affordable cost.

How to rent a houseboat and boat?

Since Tanguar Haor is an attractive tourist destination, many people gather here every year. Therefore, houseboats, semi-houseboats, and boats are always available to explore. Moreover, the houseboat and boat fares here vary according to the package. The price of the Tanguar Haor Boat Premium Package, which includes visiting the Tanguar Haor and surrounding spots, all-day meals, and one-night stay, ranges from 6,000 to 10,000 taka per person. The packages of semi-houseboats range from 4,500 to 6,000 taka. Moreover, if you book the entire houseboat, the fare will range from 40,000 to 100,000 taka depending on the capacity and quality. The general houseboat package includes everything. Even then, before booking or renting a houseboat, check the package and the price. If you go for a day trip, the cost will be slightly lower.

Moreover, if you want to rent a boat, you will determine the price depending on three factors. Especially the capacity of the boat, the facilities of the boat, what to see, whether you will stay overnight or a day trip, and the season. You can rent a small boat for 2,500 to 3,000 taka, a medium boat for 3,500 to 4,500 taka, and a large boat for 5,000 to 10,000 taka for the whole day. If you want to stay on the boat for one night, the cost will increase a bit. In addition, if you pay the boatman to cook the food, he will arrange for the cooking himself with the cook. So, discuss what to do with the boatman in advance.

If you want to reduce the cost further, you can rent a local body boat. However, check carefully whether the boat has a bathroom, electricity, lights, and fans. And if you want to go with your family during the peak season, then book a good houseboat in advance. When renting a boat, you must bargain.

Tanguar Haor Boat Tour Packages

Sunamganj Tanguar Haor Boat Tour Package 2 Days 1 Night

• Rent per person 8000 Taka
• This package can accommodate 6-24 people in a group.
• In addition, you can also enjoy food, accommodation, and explore the surrounding area.

Premium Houseboat Tour Package 2 Days 1 Night

• More than 10,000-13,000 Taka per person
• This package can accommodate 6-40 people in a group.
• In addition, this package includes lockable cabins, attached washrooms, and generators.

In addition, if you and your tour members want to stay in Tanguar Haor for a long time, then you must bargain well with the person in charge of the houseboat or boat.

Where to stay?

Tourists usually have arrangements to stay overnight on boats or houseboats. If you do not want to stay on a boat, you can stay overnight at Tekerhat Bazar. Apart from that, you can stay at a hotel when you come to Sunamganj. However, you should definitely stay overnight on a boat or houseboat when you go on a trip to Tanguar Haor. Then, you will definitely get a good experience from the haor.

Food Arrangements

Haor houseboats or boat packages provide food; otherwise, you will have to make your own food arrangements. If you come during the day, then you will have breakfast at the hotel in Tahirpur and will be able to have lunch on the way back. About 20-25 species of fish from the haor are available in the hotels here, which you can eat according to your choice. Apart from that, there is a hotel in Tekerghat where you can also eat and drink.

And if you want to stay on the boat at night with your family or friends, then before boarding the boat from Tahirpur, you will have to buy the market for the number of days you will stay in Tanguar Haor. There are some small markets in the middle of the haor where you can buy fresh food. In addition, you can buy local ducks, chickens, or dried fish.

Some precautions for traveling to Tanguar Haor

• When traveling by boat or houseboat in Tanguar Haor, you must take a life jacket with you. Or check if there is a life jacket when boarding the boat or houseboat.
• There is a lot of rainfall and lightning in the haor during the rainy season. Therefore, especially during lightning, stay on the boat or houseboat.
• Do not use devices like sound boxes and microphones that create loud noise.
• Do not use lights that emit a lot of light at night in Tanguar Haor.
• Do not catch fish, other aquatic animals, birds, etc., or refrain from doing anything that endangers their lives.
  Be careful not to damage the water forest area in the haor.

Some suggestions for going to Tanguar Haor

• It is cheaper to go to Tanguar Haor in a group with family and friends. And, it is better if there are 4-5 people or 8-10 people in a group.
• Keep a power bank with you to charge your mobile.
• If you have cold-related problems, be sure to keep a raincoat or umbrella with you, which will keep you safe from sudden rain.
• If you have regular medicine as per the doctor's prescription, then be sure to take your daily essentials with you.
• In addition, take toilet paper, tissues, polythene to cover your waist, and sandals with you.
• To protect your eyes and face from excessive sunlight, take sunglasses, a cap or hat, and a towel in your bag.
• Bring drinking water, a torch with backup batteries, and clothes that dry quickly.