AMAZING CANDLE LIGHT FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

NOVEMBER 08 – 19, 2026 & 2027

Main Exposure

The best time for photography in Bangladesh and the Candlelight Festival trip is an exclusive photography expedition. On this trip, you will explore the amazing ritual festival, the candlelight festival, where thousands of devotees pray in candlelight. The festival is a visually striking event, often captured by photographers for its “sea of lights” effect as thousands of devotees sit in prayer with their lamps. Candlelight festivals offer a mesmerizing blend of warm glows and deep shadows, making them a favorite for photographers capturing atmospheric, cinematic moments. The sea of flickering flames at the festivals is a masterclass in low-light photography. This is the best time for fishing in South Bengal, with the full betel nut harvest, daily life and culture, and amazing photography opportunities. On the trip, you will have a unique experience learning about the culture, religion, customs, and traditions of extraordinary people.

EXPLORE

  • Photograph the amazing Candlelight Pray Festival

  • Explore the best fishing & dry fish season

  • Be there for the best season of Betel Nut harvesting

  • Photograph Asia’s largest Shipyard, the biggest Stone Mine of Bangladesh

  • Photograph the traditional brick factories, daily life and daily labors in the Old Dhaka City Heritage

DISCOVER

  • Immerse in a tapestry of fishing activities and the innocent joy of children at play. The rhythmic dance of fishermen casting their nets against the backdrop of crashing waves becomes a visual symphony.

  • Witness the transformative power of photography as we venture into the enchanting realm of a morning dump yard. Amidst the mist and swirling smoke of garbage fires, a captivating scene unfolds before our lenses. With each click of the shutter, we capture the resolute figures collecting junk in the sprawling garbage field, their tireless efforts juxtaposed against the surreal ambiance.

LEARN

  • Learn about and photograph the Batik fabrics villages & Sun-dry process Rice Paddy

  • Through your lens, see the amazing Bangladeshi candle light festival, learning about the convergence of faith, culture, and human spirit.

  • Capture photographs that convey the essence of the people and their surroundings, and master the art of visual storytelling to convey the narratives and traditions of the Bangladeshi culture.

AMAZING CANDLE LIGHT FESTIVAL TOUR ITINERARY

  • Day 1: Arrive in Dhaka, street photography in the old quarter before a welcome dinner.
  • Day 2: After breakfast drive to the coal port and photography on hundreds of daily laborers carrying coal baskets on their heads to unload from lighter vessels. After lunch we shooting on the candle light festival.
  • Day 3: Drive to the Old Dhaka riverside for photographing people crossing the river and first photography session with the ship breakers.
  • Day 4: Drive to outside of Dhaka city to shooting on traditional Brick factories.
  • Day o5: After breakfast visit the fabric dying area and photography on village people coloring fabrics then dry them on the sun. after lunch shooting on people drying rices in. the courtyards by sun.
  • Day 6: Visit the riverside stone mines and around the river banks we will photograph workers collecting stones, and carrying sand and stones in baskets, Nearby we will also explore a large stone polishing mill with its many workers.
  • Day 7: After breakfast check out hotel and drive to the Chottogram city,  on the way photography at a large garbage field where we will explore men, women & children collecting junk to recycle.
  • Day 8: Explore the largest fish market in Chattogram before driving to the longest sea beach to photograph local fish drying factories and a trawler beach at Cox’s Bazaar.
  • Day 09: A full day exploring the stunning Moon Boats and their associated industries of fishing, fish drying and salt mining, until sunset.
  • Day 10: Early morning visit to the fish drying area where over 5000 families work every day to dry fish. After breakfast check out hotel then returning to Dhaka.
  • Day 11: After breakfast shooting on the old Dhaka city and old motor parts selling area. After lunch drive to the temple to shooing on the candle lights pray.
  • Day 12: : Early morning visit to Dhaka’s lively poultry chicken market before breakfast. Then check out the hotel and as per your flight, transfer to the international airport where our tour will end.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN DHAKA PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE OLD DHAKA CITY
Upon arrival, one of our representatives will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in. This afternoon, we will gather in the hotel lobby to introduce you to group members and meet with your photoguide, who will share information about your tour to help you. Then begin with the first day of shooting in the old city of Dhaka. Old Dhaka offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history, culture, and cuisine. Filled with chaotic streets, markets, old-world atmosphere, history, spirituality, and energy, you can’t get bored in Dhaka. Old Dhaka is the historic part of the city, where you can see the influence of the Mughal, British, and French colonial eras. We will explore the narrow alleys, rickshaws (three-wheeler bicycles), rickshaw traffic,  and bazaars of Old Dhaka, where you can find a variety of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and antiques.  We will also continue to learn how to interact with local communities, respect their cultures, tell their stories through their photographs, and express our creativity and emotions through our artistic work.  Overnight in the hotel in Dhaka.

Today’s Shooting Highlights:

  • Old Dhaka City: Narraw Road in Old Dhaka; some streets are crowded with rickshaws.
  • Bazaars of Old Dhaka, where you can find a variety of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and antiques.
  • Facinated faces:  Portraits of city people, rikshaw drivers.
  • Street Photography: Dhaka is the world’s most popular location for street photography.

DAY 02: COAL PORT AND CANDLE LIGHT FESTIVAL

Prepare to be amazed by the riverside unloading area of Dhaka, where you will see the hard work and the skill of the workers who unload tons of coal, cement, and sand every day for a handful of dollars. You will witness the incredible strength and endurance of the workers, who carry heavy loads of coal, cement, and sand on their shoulders, heads, or backs. You will also see how they use simple tools and techniques, such as ropes, pulleys, and buckets, to unload the materials. You will have the opportunity to capture stunning images of the unloading area. You will also capture the expressions and the emotions of the workers, who show their determination, pride, and camaraderie and interact with them to learn their stories and experiences with you. Today, after lunch, we will explore the most amazing candlelight festival,  where thousands of devotees pray in candlelight. The festival is a visually striking event, often captured by photographers for its “sea of lights” effect as thousands of devotees sit in prayer with their lamps. Candlelight festivals offer a mesmerizing blend of warm glows and deep shadows, making them a favorite for photographers capturing atmospheric, cinematic moments.

Overnight in the hotel in Dhaka.

Today’s Shooting Highlights:

  • Coal carried by head: Daily laborers carry heavy loads of coal, cement, and sand on their heads.
  • Expression: Capture the expressions and the emotions of the workers, who show their determination, pride, and camaraderie.
  • Portrait of workers: Capturing coal workers’ faces and expressions with their faces covered by coal dust or sand.
  • Amazing candlelight festival:  where thousands of devotees pray in candlelight.
  • Hundreds of devotees with thousands of candle lights: “sea of lights” effect as thousands of devotees sit in prayer with their lamps.
  • Capture the Smoke: The wisps of smoke rising from hundreds of candles can add a layer of mystery and depth to your composition.

DAY 03: DHAKA SHIPYARD

Start the day with a visit to the shipyard area of Dhaka, where you can see the bustling activity of one of the most extensive cargo ship maintenance facilities in the city. Take a short boat ride across the river to the area where the towering ships are propped up along the riverbank. Observe skilled workers performing tasks such as molding new propellers from recycled metal, grinding the ship’s carcass, and replacing damaged sections of the hull with large metal plates. You will also learn about the harsh working conditions and low wages these workers endure while capturing their faces and expressions.
We will return to the hotel for a relaxing dinner and a comfortable overnight stay in Dhaka.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Riverside life: Activities of people living beside the river.
  • Flower Boats: hundreds of local boats anchored in the river that look like a flower.
  • Ship breaking:  Shooting of old ships breaking, cutting the big ships into small pieces.
  • Boat Ride: Take a short boat ride across the river to the area where the towering ships are propped up along the riverbank
  • Molding new propellers: Skilled workers forge new propellers from recycled metal, grind the ship’s carcass, and replace damaged sections of the hull with large metal plates.
  • Portrait of workers: Capturing shipyard workers’ faces and expressions.

DAY 04: COLORFUL VILLAGE LIFE, BATIK VILLAGE AND RICE DRYING IN COURTYARD

You will have the opportunity to capture unforgettable images of village life, with its rich colors, textures, and emotions. You will see the contrast between the simplicity and vibrancy of the rural scenes and the harmony and resilience of the people. This is a unique, immersive experience that will give you deeper insight into Bangladesh’s culture and history, as well as the challenges and opportunities of rural development. We also have opportunities to photograph in the tie-dye (Batik) village of Bangladesh, people applying colors to fabrics by traditional methods, and fabrics drying in the sun. It’s another name, the town of colors. After lunch, a photoshoot in courtyards, people working in rice drying, the lines of rice paddy, while the sun-dry process takes place in the courtyard. This ancient tradition is being rapidly displaced by mechanized rice drying, which makes me wonder how long the beauty of these courtyards might endure, like so many industries in Bangladesh. We will return to the Dhaka hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Village life: its rich colors, textures, and emotions.
  • Colors of the Village: People applying colors to fabrics by traditional methods.
  • Tie-dyeing Vatik fabric: It is a rural area home to several fabric-dyeing plants and fields where freshly dyed cloth is dried in the sun.
  • Street photography: We also enjoyed some lovely street photography while wandering through the fabric-working villages.
  • Rice drying courtyards: These beautiful rice-drying courtyards are where rice is spread out over a large area to dry in the sun. At the end of each day, the rice is swept up and covered by conical shelters called “topas”.
  • Life in rice drying:  Children in the rice topas, women getting ready for dinner, washing, drying clothes and the tiny local homes where the rice workers lived

DAY 05: OLD DHAKA CITY AND CANDLE LIGHT FESTIVAL

In the morning session, Old Dhaka and the spice market are two of the most fascinating and colorful places in Bangladesh. It is the historic part of the city, where you can see the influence of the Mughal, British, and French colonial eras. We will explore the narrow alleys and bazaars of Old Dhaka, where you can find a variety of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and antiques. Also, explore the Sadarghat Launch Terminal, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic river ports, serving as the primary hub for river transport between Dhaka and southern Bangladesh. The “organized chaos” of porters, vendors, and hundreds of boats offers unique perspectives for street photography. After lunch, we will go to another of the biggest temples where thousands of devotees pray in candlelight. The festival is a visually striking event, often captured by photographers for its “sea of lights” effect as thousands of devotees sit in prayer with their lamps. Overnight in the hotel in Dhaka.

Today’s Shooting Highlights:

  • Street Photography: Old Dhaka City and the spice market.
  • Historic Dhaka: Capture the influence of the Mughal, British, and French colonial eras.
  • Sadarghat ferry port: Sadarghat Launch Terminal, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic river ports
  • Amazing candlelight festival:  where thousands of devotees pray in candlelight.
  • Hundreds of devotees with thousands of candle lights: “sea of lights” effect as thousands of devotees sit in prayer with their lamps.

DAY 06: BRICK MAKING

An unforgettable journey to one of Dhaka’s largest brick factories, where you will witness the incredible efforts and resilience of the brickmakers, unfortunately, many of whom are underage. You will be amazed by the sight of thousands of bricks stacked up in neat rows, waiting to be baked in the massive ovens. You will also see how the workers use traditional methods and tools to shape, cut, and carry the bricks, often on their heads or shoulders. You will have the opportunity to interact with workers and learn about the environmental and social challenges the brick industry faces, including air pollution, deforestation, child labor, and low wages. This is a unique opportunity to capture the beauty and hardship of the brick makers’ world, with striking contrasts in color, texture, and emotion. This will be an all-day activity. We will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Dhaka.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Raw brick making: workers use traditional methods and tools to shape raw bricks.
  • Brick carry on heads: hundreds of brick labourers carry bricks on their heads.
  • Environment:  Environmental and social challenges the brick industry faces, including air pollution,
  • Portrait: Amazing portraits of brick labourers, their faces makeup by red brick dust
  • Child labor: Many children work alongside their parents in brick yards.
  • Slum beside brick yards: Brick labourers’ living conditions, small houses, slum beside brick yards.

DAY 07: DHAKA TO CHATTOGRAM, ALUMINUM FACTORIES

After breakfast, prepare for check out, then start driving to the southern part of Bangladesh. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second-largest city. We will have lunch at the best local restaurant in this city.  After lunch, visit the aluminum factories, where aluminum products are manufactured, including kitchen utensils and other metal products. The processes are highly manual; you will witness workers in very hazardous, grungy environments, which creates powerful images.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Largest Aluminum Zone: The traditional manufacturing process of aluminum products.
  • Working environment: Very hazardous, grungy environments, which create powerful images.
  • Portrait of workers: Capturing brick yard workers’ faces and expressions, their faces and hands covered by aluminum dust.
  • Child workers: Many children are working in this aluminum factory zone.

DAY 08: FISH LANDING PORT AND THE WORLD’S LONGEST SEA BEACH

It’s early morning, and we’re going to capture the fish landing – a daily spectacle with a hive of activity where everyone has their role to play, from kids to elders, women and men. As the sun’s rays pierce the horizon, you see the fishing boats returning after days at sea. The boats, each with its unique design, are a testament to the area’s rich maritime heritage. We will make a conscious effort to isolate stories and frames from the buzzing activity: each frame telling a story of the fishermen’s struggle, their camaraderie, the vendors’ anticipation, the locals’ excitement, the ecosystem, and the rivalries. After arrival in Cox’s Bazar, we will have lunch at the best local restaurant. You will enjoy a delicious lunch (fresh and safe) in this restaurant. Check into the hotel and have a short rest, then visit the fishermen’s activities in the world’s longest seaside beach. Cox’s Bazar is a tourist destination in southeastern Bangladesh, famous for the world’s longest uninterrupted natural beach, which stretches for approximately 120 km along the Bay of Bengal. Enjoy sea fish BBQ. Overnight in the hotel in Cox’s Bazaar.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Unloading fish: Fishermen unloading fish from fishing boats.
  • Fish market: Country’s largest sea fish market.
  • Repairing nets and boats:  Fishermen repairing fishing nets and fishing boats.
  • Fishing activities:  fishermen’s activities on the world’s longest seaside beach.
  • Sunset: Enjoy the sunset with capturing amazing images.

DAY 09: MOON BOATS AND FISHING ACTIVITIES IN THE WORLD’S LONGEST SEA BEACH

In the morning, we will drive south to observe how boats loaded with motivated fishermen depart for overnight fishing trips or return with a boatload of fish, including exotic species such as sharks. Continue exploring the world’s longest sea beach, you will see hundreds of colorful moon boats lined up on the beach and Fishermen are pulling their nets from the sea to the shore. The crescent moon shape of the fishing boats in Cox’s Bazar, also known as “Moon Boats,” is a result of practical design and traditional craftsmanship. This unique design not only serves a functional purpose but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of these boats, making them a symbol of the region’s rich naval heritage.  We will meet boat builders, bakers, fishermen, salt farmers, blacksmiths, and much more. These craftsmen have been shaping vessels for generations, and we’ll get a chance to see them at work, their hands expertly handling the tools as they breathe life into the wood. In the vast, flat expanses of the salt farms, we’ll see how the farmers harness the power of the sun and sea to produce salt. Salt farming is a significant industry in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, particularly in the south. The salt fields, also known as salt flats, account for 25% of the country’s total cultivated area.  After sunset, a short drive back and overnight in the hotel in Cox’s Bazaar.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Moon boats: The crescent moon shape of the fishing boats, also known as “Moon Boats,” is a result of practical design and traditional craftsmanship.
  • Fishing activities: Fishing activities in the world’s longest sea beach.
  • Mirror Beach: Excellent reflection of fishing activities on the beach.
  • Pulling fishing nets: Fishermen are pulling their nets from the sea to the shore.
  • Sunset & moonboats: Hundreds of moonboats are standing at the seaside beach while the sunset in the sea.
  • Salt farming: how the farmers harness the power of the sun and sea to produce salt.

DAY 10: BETEL NUT MARKET AND DRY FISH VILLAGE

In addition to enjoying the world’s longest beach, we will also visit the betel nut market. This is an exciting market in the district, where village farmers bring vans full of betel nuts to sell to wholesalers. Apart from the bustling market, the wholesalers’ huge piles of betel nuts will look like thousands of oranges, creating a really charming atmosphere. We will return for lunch and some rest, then explore the fish-drying fields under the open sky. This traditional method of preservation involves drying the fish in the sun and air to remove the water content, allowing for long-term preservation that can make the fish last for months or even years.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Betel nut market: Spectacular wholesale betelnut market.
  • Village market: Explore the local village market.
  • Dry fish village:  Traditional fish-drying fields under the open sky.
  • Dry fish storage: After drying, store dry fish for a long time.
  • Sunset: Fishing activities until sunset on the sea beach.

DAY 11: COX BAZAR TO DHAKA

Today, we’re embarking on an adventure that’s as much about the people we’ll meet as it is about the places we’ll see. We’ll start our day hopping onto speedboats for a 20-minute zip toward a nearby island (life jackets provided). The island is like a small country; ecosystems have emerged over the centuries, and we will meet boat builders, bakers, fishermen, salt farmers, blacksmiths, and much more. These craftsmen have been shaping vessels for generations, and we’ll get a chance to see them at work, their hands expertly handling the tools as they breathe life into the wood. In the vast, flat expanses of the salt farms, we’ll see how the farmers harness the power of the sun and sea to produce salt. Salt farming is a significant industry in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, particularly here in the south. The salt fields, also known as salt flats, account for 25% of the country’s total cultivated. After lunch take the local flight for return in the Dhaka City.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Salt Pans: Farmers create a grid of shallow pans near the seashore.
  • Traditional process: The traditional drying process for salt making.
  • Traditional fishing boat building in Cox’s Bazar is primarily a craft of hereditary wooden boat builders specializing in iconic “Moon Boats”

DAY 12: VEGETABLE MARKET AND DEPARTURE 

In the morning, we will explore the largest vegetable market in Dhaka, where you can find a wide variety of fresh and colorful produce. You will be amazed by the sheer volume of vegetables sold here every day, estimated at around 700,000 kg. You will also witness lively interactions between vendors and customers, as well as the challenges of transporting and storing vegetables in this crowded, chaotic environment. This is a great place to immerse yourself in Bangladesh’s vibrant culture. After breakfast, preparing for check out of the hotel. The last check-out time is 12:00 PM, and based on your departure flight, we will drop you off at the airport.

Today’s Shooting Highlights :

  • Environment: transporting and storing vegetables in this crowded, chaotic environment.
  • Daily labor: Workers primarily load and unload goods.
  • Different Sections: dedicated sections for various fresh produce, seafood, and poultry
  • Chicken Market: Known as the city’s largest chicken market, offering live and processed birds.

TOUR DATE AND DURATION:

08-19 November 2025 | 12 Days & 11 Nights

089-19 November 2026 | 12 Days & 11 Nights

PRICE INFORMATION

COST PER PERSON:

$3250 Based on Double Occupancy.

For Single Occupancy, add $500.

If you are traveling alone, the single supplement will not apply if you are willing to share a room and there is a room-mate of the same sex available.

Limited to 8 participants in the group.

Explorebd Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations (4-star and 3-star hotels), and meals B.L.D. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner), all village donations and photography fees, model fees and entrance fees.

Our tour prices also include all tips for our accommodation/restaurant staff.

Not including Gratuities for Photo Guides and tips for drivers.

Deposit: 35% of the total tour price to confirm your booking by Bank transfer, and the rest of the amount is to be paid in cash on arrival.

To confirm your booking, please fill out our online booking form.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here 

Skill Level: Suitable for ALL Skill Levels, Novice to Advanced or Beginner to Professional Photographer.

Physical Fitness: Easy to Moderate, Suitable For Any Mature Age Level. The walking effort during our Bangladesh photography tour is mostly easy.

RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR THE TOUR

Camera Gear

  • Camera and extra body
  • Drones are welcome on this tour.
  • Battery charger & extra batteries
  • Memory cards (bring plenty!!!)
  • Sensor cleaning supplies
  • Flash with plenty of batteries

Lenses

  • 24-70mm for portraits or similar
  • 70-200mm lens or similar
  • Lens hoods for all lenses
  • Lint-free cloth to clean lenses and blower ball for dust
  • If you have other questions about what equipment you ought to bring, please contact us.

Computer / Digital Accessories

  • Laptop with charger and Photoshop and Lightroom (not mandatory)
  • Portable hard drives
  • Card reader
  • All cables for drives, computer, card readers, storage devices, etc.
  • Power converters/adapters for all international quests

Other

  • Cover or large zip-lock bag for camera
  • Sturdy tripod (carbon fiber)
  • Cable release (for night shots)
  • Small headlamp and flashlight
  • Your camera’s manual