Travel Mate Reviews

Cam M 2026.10.12

     

Verified

Hard Work The guide was late picking me up as he didn't realise that the area in which my hotel was - Baridhara- is a closed compound until 6am( I thought he would have known this) Although I gave plenty of notice he could only book a non aircon. seat on the train which was also facing backwards. Getting onto the train and to the seat was a nightmare as I had to push and shove free loaders out of the way. When we finally got moving after the train was an hour or so late I was constantly being reminded not to hold my phone camera near the window as it may be snatched. It was meant to be the best train trip in Bangladesh but it was pretty average. When we finally got to Sreemangal the guide hired an electric rickshaw and driver and we headed for the hotel. The side roads were so bumpy I had to stand up in the back of the Rickshaw to avoid a broken back! I reckon the guide and driver forgot I was in there. The entrance fee into the National Park was a bit steep given it was pretty average. The room was nice but only had a sheet? no blanket. The next dayI ate breakfast at the hotel - nice and then walked around the property with the guide. Nice place. After checking out we took another electric Rickshaw back to the same restaurant we'd had lunch and dinner the day before- really good place. After lunch we made our way - by electric rickshaw to the bus station office and caught the bus to Dhaka - 178km away - due to the bus being late for the three o'clock departure and roadworks - we didn't arrive in Dhaka until MIDNIGHT -OMG - I told the guide - never take Foreign tourists on this trip again as it will put them off Bangladesh for life. As soon as i booked the trip the guide should have booked me into first class aircon train both ways and use a jeep or car instead of Electric Rickshaw on the local roads - would have cost a bit more but would have made the experience better. It seems that travel guides only have the same access to train tickets as the general public - if this is the case - Foreign tourism will die a sudden death to Sreemangal as you can't fly there.

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Philipp 2026.10.05

     

Verified

Dhaka half-day tour I took a half-day tour through Dhaka. Alamin, my guide, is highly recommended.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.10.06

Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your half-day tour of Dhaka with Alamin. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’ll be sure to share your appreciation with him.We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Bangladesh!

龚子颜 2026.10.02

     

Verified

If you are in Dhaka for any reason, this is a good option for you. My tour guide Shahadat is great, he explained the history and some conditions about the country, also got me to experience some different transports that is very hard for foreigners to take, like bus, boat and tuktuk.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.10.03

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the historical and local insights interesting.It was a pleasure showing you different sides of Bangladesh and giving you the chance to experience local transportation such as buses, boats, and tuk-tuks—experiences that can sometimes be difficult for foreign visitors to arrange on their own.Thank you again for choosing Travel Mate. I truly enjoyed guiding you and hope to welcome you back to Bangladesh in the future!

Danai T 2026.09.27

     

Verified

A great tour of Dhaka I had a lovely time with Shahadat and his driver. I learned a lot, saw beautiful sites, and came away richer in knowledge and experience!

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irma M 2026.07.26

     

Verified

Chest's Guest House in the heart of Bangkok! Chest's Place a small Guest House, of great value for what it offers. I hesitated at first but the reviews were so positive I book a short stay before heading on to one of the Islands. It is very clean, with a charm of old, on a very quiet street, in the heart of Bangkok! You find so many jewels nearby like the Grand Palace, numerous temples, early morning street markets. A boat can take you to Chula University and you can explore the great shopping center in that part of town. You can take the immaculate subway to the Lumpini Park for a nice stroll with the famous lizards, don't get too close! Across, a shopping center offering open sky views into the city. I highly recommend Chests Place to anyone traveling solo or with a couple of friends. Thank you for the warm and kind hospitality, Thai style.

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saad ahmed 2026.07.14

     

Verified

Nice half-day tour in Old Dhaka I am visiting Bangladesh for the first time in nearly 40 years. I brought my 17 year old son with me on a father-son trip. We had a really nice tour with Shanhadat. He and his driver were very kind and courteous. My son and I felt safe the entire time and we even walked around with our Canon SLR during the tour and felt comfortable doing so. We visited eight sites that were nice to see. The tour was at a relaxed pace. I suggest spending the extra money to have all admission fees covered - although that is probably a premium, it was nice to just be totally hands-off and have everything attended to.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.07.15

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It was a pleasure welcoming you back to Bangladesh after nearly 40 years and being part of such a special father-son trip.I am delighted that you and your son felt safe, comfortable, and relaxed throughout the tour. It was wonderful showing you the eight sites and helping make everything as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Your kind words also mean a lot to our driver and me.Thank you again for choosing us. We hope you both take home many memorable moments from Bangladesh, and we would be honoured to welcome you again in the future.

Jonathon S 2026.06.20

     

Verified

Comfortable, informative & fun Best of Chattogram nature. Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Includes Bay of Bengal, lovely parks and trees, a boat trip on a lake plus more. Playing soccer on the beach was fun. Guide Razibul, and driver, were terrific.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.06.21

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Best of Chattogram nature experience, including the Bay of Bengal, parks, lake boat trip, and the fun soccer moment on the beach. We’re also happy that the vehicle was comfortable and that Razibul and the driver made your tour enjoyable. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again for more experiences in Bangladesh.

Elina S 2026.06.13

     

Verified

Best option for airport pickup It was very convenient. Shahadat wrote in advance, was already waiting at the airport and helped with the luggage. And the drive was comfortable.

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Ronnie J 2026.05.21

     

Verified

Exploring Old Dhaka The guide provided me with a great introduction to Dhaka and it's history and origins with his vast knowledge of the city. He took me to several important sites in Old Dhaka explaining the significance of each in some detail. He was happy to answer any questions I had about Dhaka. Also he was interested in where I came from and why I had chosen to visit Bangladesh. A worthwhile tour which I am happy to recommend.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.05.23

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind recommendation. We are very happy to know that you enjoyed your introduction to Dhaka, its history, origins, and the important heritage sites of Old Dhaka.It was a pleasure to share the stories and significance of each place with you, and we truly appreciate your curiosity and interest in Bangladesh. We always enjoy learning about our guests as well, and we are glad the tour felt worthwhile and meaningful.Thank you again for choosing us. We hope to welcome you back for more experiences in Bangladesh in the future.

River Villa Resort 2026.05.20

     

Verified

Best We had a wonderful experience exploring Old Dhaka with Travel Mate. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and explained the history and culture of the area in a very engaging way. The tour was well organized and covered many beautiful heritage locations. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the authentic beauty and history of Dhaka.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.05.23

Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation. We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful experience exploring Old Dhaka with Travel Mate.It was our pleasure to share the history, culture, and heritage of this beautiful part of the city with you. We are very happy that you enjoyed the organization of the tour and the heritage locations we covered.Thank you again for choosing Travel Mate. We hope to welcome you on another memorable experience in Bangladesh soon.

Hilary W 2026.05.18

     

Verified

VIBRANT BANGLADESH! Shahadat was a brilliant organiser and guide. Our overnight trip to Sreemangal was well worth the investment. We had a wide variety of experiences including tea plantations and wildlife and really enjoyed our beautifully peaceful eco accommodation. In addition to the above excursion, Shahadat arranged daily itineraries for me on additional days. Experiences which included sites in Dhaka City, Panam City, visits to home-based textile workers and a wonderful private boat trip on the amazing local rivers. Each experience was rich and Shahadat's organisation and knowledge was superb throughout. He really worked hard to ensure that I had the best possible experience of Bangladesh in just 5 days. Thank you Shahadat! And a special thank you to your drivers who so skillfully managed the craziness of Bangla traffic!

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.05.23

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was truly a pleasure to arrange your Bangladesh experiences and guide you through Sreemangal, Dhaka City, Panam City, the textile visits, and the river trip.I am very happy to know that you enjoyed the tea plantations, wildlife, peaceful eco accommodation, and the local cultural experiences. I always try my best to help guests make the most of their time in Bangladesh, and your kind words mean a lot.Thank you also for appreciating our drivers. They work very hard, especially in the Bangladeshi traffic! We are grateful for your visit and hope to welcome you again in the future.

John Green 2026.05.11

     

Quick look at Bangladesh To supplement our Srimangal overnight train tour, booked through Trip Advisor, we asked Shahadat if he could meet us at the airport, take us on a city tour and arrange a hotel for an overnight tour before we caught the train. This he did at an excellent price. Even though we arrived on a Sunday, so the fort was closed, he created a varied very enjoyable, and insightful tour for us. The only real hiccup was that the early train to Srimangal does not operate on a Monday morning, and maybe we could have been warned in advance. So as not to let us down, Shahadat offered to run the tour by private car, even though this would cost him more money (especially with the fuel crisis). He did not ask for any surcharge, though we did make a voluntary contribution to ensure he was not out of pocket. The road journey (~6-7 hours for the 200km) was more arduous than we anticipated and we feel the train might have been a better alternative. When in Srimangal we toured lots of interesting sites and he managed to get us back to Dhaka airport in plenty of time for our flight. Overall Shahadat took excellent care of us in a country where touring and travelling is far from easy.
Date of experience: 03 May, 2026

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Ann_and_John_Green 2026.05.05

     

Verified

Getting out of Dhaka! We wanted to see more than just Dhaka on our brief visit to Bangladesh and this fitted the bill. Sahadat took us to lots of fascinating places and we had an amazing time. Be prepared for the journey however! By car it is long (6-7 hours each way) bumpy and through pretty confrontational traffic - fortunately we had a great driver. Train, our initial first choice but not available on the date required, might have been a smoother alternative.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.05.06

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that the tour helped you explore beyond Dhaka and that you had an amazing time discovering fascinating places with me.We also truly appreciate your honest note about the journey. Travel distances and road conditions in Bangladesh can indeed be challenging, and we’re glad our driver helped make the trip as smooth and safe as possible. Your suggestion about the train is very helpful and will certainly guide future travelers when planning their trip.Thank you again for your kind words and valuable insights—we hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in Bangladesh!

Pablogc2000 2026.04.10

     

Verified

Amazing way to discover the country We had a great experience traveling around Bangladesh with Shahadat. From the beginning, everything was organized exactly as we had discussed beforehand. The itinerary covered a wide range of places: North Bengal, Sreemangal and the tea gardens, the Sundarbans, and Dhaka. It was a very complete journey and a great way to discover the country. Throughout the trip, Shahadat was always attentive and made sure we were having a good time. He didn’t just take us from place to place — he explained the history and context of each site, which made a big difference in understanding what we were seeing. Bangladesh can be quite different from what we’re used to, and his help was invaluable in navigating the country. He also took us to very good local restaurants and was always positive and helpful, even during heavy traffic and some unexpected situations like fuel shortages. Overall, everything went smoothly and as planned. We’re very happy we chose this tour and would definitely recommend Travel mate to anyone looking to explore Bangladesh in a structured but authentic way. Thanks again for a great experience! — Pablo

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.04.11

Thank you so much, Pablo, for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had such a great experience exploring Bangladesh with us.It’s fantastic to know that the itinerary across North Bengal, Sreemangal, Barishal, South Bengal, the Sundarbans, and Dhaka gave you a well-rounded and memorable journey. I'm especially pleased that my guidance, insights, and attentiveness helped you better understand the country and made your trip more meaningful.Bangladesh can indeed be quite unique, and I'm glad that I was able to support you throughout the journey—whether navigating busy roads, handling unexpected situations, or introducing you to great local food experiences.Your kind words and recommendation mean a lot to us. It was truly our pleasure to host you, and we hope to welcome you again for another adventure in the future!

Curious40824744502 2026.03.11

     

Verified

good day a Dhaka My wife and I took advantage of a long layover in Dhaka, and Shahadat Hossain drove us around the city. He was exceptional, professionally handling traffic issues and providing us with a truly enjoyable experience. He's professional, very knowledgeable, and knows his job well. Highly recommended.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.03.13

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your wife were able to make the most of your layover in Dhaka and enjoyed the city tour. Shahadat Hossain will be very happy to know that his professionalism, knowledge, and ability to navigate Dhaka’s heavy traffic helped make your experience enjoyable.We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again whenever you visit Bangladesh! 😊

Manuel D. 2026.01.14

     

I did the overnight tour to Sreemangal and it was fantastic! Even the train ride there was a great experience. Seeing local life, the tea gardens, and the national park was fascinating and perfect for anyone who wants to explore more of Bangladesh beyond Dhaka. Shahadat, my guide, shared many insights about the country and its people and patiently answered all my questions. As a foreign visitor, I felt very comfortable and well taken care of throughout the tour. What really made the experience special were the local people — everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I can highly recommend this tour to anyone who has a bit more time and wants a deeper impression of Bangladesh.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.01.15

Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience on the overnight Sreemangal tour and enjoyed the train journey, tea gardens, national park, and local life. It’s great to know the tour gave you a deeper impression of Bangladesh beyond Dhaka.

I'm very happy to hear your kind words about my guidance, insights, and care. We’re especially pleased that you felt comfortable and well looked after throughout your journey. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again for more unforgettable experiences in Bangladesh!

Manuel Dürer 2026.01.14

     

Verified

An authentic and welcoming experience in Bangaldesh beyond Dhaka The tour to Sreemangal was fantastic! Even the train ride there was a great experience. Seeing local life, the tea gardens, and the national park was fascinating and perfect for anyone who wants to explore more of Bangladesh beyond Dhaka.Shahadat, my guide, shared many insights about the country and its people and patiently answered all my questions. As a foreign visitor, I felt very comfortable and well taken care of throughout the tour. What really made the experience special were the local people — everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming.I can highly recommend this tour to anyone who has a bit more time and wants a deeper impression of Bangladesh.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.01.14

Thank you so much for your detailed and heartfelt review! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience in Sreemangal and enjoyed not only the destination but also the memorable train journey. It’s wonderful to know that exploring local life, tea gardens, and the national park gave you a deeper and more authentic impression of Bangladesh beyond Dhaka.I'm especially happy to hear your kind words about my guidance and care. We’re also glad you felt comfortable and well looked after as a foreign visitor — your safety and satisfaction are very important to us.Thank you for highly recommending the tour. We hope to welcome you again for more meaningful journeys across Bangladesh!

Andres Jaramillo 2026.01.02

     

Verified

Lovely day out from Dhaka A great day-out from Dhaka, Shahadat, from TravelMate was a lovely guide, knowledgeable and very good english; took me to all the places described in the plan. Good vehicle driven by a nice bloke. Highly recommended.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2026.01.02

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great day out from Dhaka and that Shahadat from Travel Mate made the experience enjoyable with his knowledge and clear English. It’s also great to know you were comfortable with the vehicle and appreciated the driver’s professionalism. We truly value your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in Bangladesh!

Patryk P 2025.11.21

     

Verified

Great Great trip and very knowledgeable guide :) I was very happy to take part in the tour. Transport was also ok, and place to have a meal recommended by the guide was good

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Reply from Travel Mate 2025.11.23

Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and found the guide knowledgeable. It’s great to know that the transportation and meal recommendation also met your expectations. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future! 😊

Lars S 2025.11.07

     

Verified

Historical place Fantastic day at this historical place. Everything worked out fine. Communation was easy, pick up was punctual and the guide and driver were very professional in every way. Recommend this tour to everyone visiting Dhaka.

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Reply from Travel Mate 2025.11.09

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic day exploring this historical place. It’s great to know everything went smoothly — from easy communication and punctual pickup to the professionalism of our guide and driver. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Dhaka!