Booked the 2 Day Photography Tour (Old and New Dhaka, East and West). Made an initial enquiry, received a link to the payment gateway (Payoneer), paid with credit card and received confirmation of payment soon after. Easy and efficient process.

A few days before tour date, received an email from Nijhoom Tours reconfirming both our hotel address and start times for each day, plus the WhatsApp numbers for our guide Opu and Hasan, the owner of the company.

Opu met us in our hotel foyer on Day 1 (7.00am). First stop a bustling and crowded wholesale market - vendors selling fruit, vegetables, meats, fish plus more. Its fast photography, many moving subjects. Opu was close by, not interfering but assisting if vendors asked questions. He guided us making sure we had multiple opportunities to take photographs in different areas of the market, with different light and subject matter. We often just stood still, letting the market pass us! This was a highlight.

The tour follows the places listed on the itinerary however bare in mind the places visited may change - dependent on weather, traffic, time of the day, time of the year or the day (Friday is closed). Traffic in Dhaka is problematic, so be flexible, patient and open minded if you skip areas or the itinerary changes.

The tour visits Old and New Dhaka - including Shankhari Bazar, Islampur Road, Nawabpur Road, Chawk Bazar and many more places. We visited the Launch Terminal, Sadar Ghat and Ship repair yard (it’s not a ship breaking yard) taking a row boat across the River. This was another highlight of the tour.

You travel in an air conditioned van to most areas (and walk through the heart of Old Dhaka). You are dropped off at a certain point, then walk, with the van collecting you at the other end of a street or bazar. The van was clean, comfortable, the driver safe and skillful. Lunch is at a popular, clean and air conditioned restaurant in Old Dhaka.

Opu is a very professional guide, calm in nature. He did not rush us when photographing - at times he followed us as we chased the movement, subject, color and light. We enjoyed so many laughs over the 2 days with Opu.

We recommend the photography tour or even booking a city day tour with Nijhoom Tours. You do not need to be a photographer to book this tour - it would suit anyone. You just need to be able to walk the narrow streets and lane ways of Old Dhaka. Bangladesh is a difficult country to arrange and negotiate your own transport, and knowing what locations to visit in Dhaka - you do need local knowledge. Nijhoom Tours arranged it all, easily, professionally and hassle free.

We spent a remarkable day with Hassan touring Old Dhaka. What a great experience. Hassan was very well organized, punctual, extremely knowledgeable, friendly, unflappable and comfortable with our family group of five people. His advice was sound. The Pink Palace did not warrant a long visit. The ferries and boats were fascinating. The markets teemed with people and energy. Intense but comfortable crowds. Incredible sights, sounds and smells. You have not visited Bangladesh without going on this tour through Old Dhaka!