Expedition Overview
Srimangal, in north-eastern Bangladesh, is the heartland of the country's tea industry — rolling emerald hills of immaculately terraced plantations, lowland forest rich with birdlife, and the homes and temples of the indigenous Manipuri and Khasi communities. The morning light in the tea gardens is exceptional: a soft, diffused luminosity that lingers for hours, turning every wet leaf into a mirror and every tea-picker's saree into a brushstroke of colour against the green.
This two-day expedition combines landscape photography in the tea gardens with cultural documentation of the communities that work within them. We visit at first light when the gardens are at their most atmospheric, work with the tea-pickers on portraiture that respects their dignity and context, and explore Lawachara National Park — home to hoolock gibbons, slow lorises, and dozens of rare bird species — as the day progresses.
Expedition Itinerary
Day 1: Tea Gardens at Dawn & Manipuri Village
We arrive before sunrise to be in position as the first pickers enter the gardens. Mist clings to the valley floors. We photograph the extraordinary early light on the tea terraces, then move to the Manipuri community for traditional weaving and portrait work.
The Goal of the Day: Landscape light and respectful cultural portraiture in a working community.
Day 2: Lawachara Forest & Madhabpur Lake
Morning in Lawachara — Bangladesh's last remaining tropical rainforest patch. With a naturalist guide, we seek hoolock gibbons at dawn before working the forest interior for atmospheric light. Afternoon at Madhabpur Lake where a carpet of water hyacinth creates an extraordinary colour-field photography opportunity.
The Goal of the Day: Wildlife and nature photography in forest and wetland environments.
Book Your Expedition
Note: Final price may vary based on specific expedition details and customizations.
Expedition Leaders
Professor Nasrul Eam is a seasoned explorer and visual storyteller who has spent over two decades traversing Asia’s diverse landscapes and cultures. As Dean of the Department of Art and Photography at Light & Composition University, he leads immersive photography expeditions to regions like the Himalayas, Sundarbans, and Bali. These journeys blend cultural exploration with hands-on learning, culminating in a complete photography diploma. With a portfolio of over 50 publications—including The Quintessence of Photography and Illuminating Nature—his work captures the profound beauty of everyday life. His background in advertising, linguistics, and visual arts enriches his mentorship, guiding participants to uncover compelling narratives through their lenses. Professor Eam’s expeditions are transformative experiences, inspiring photographers to engage deeply with the world around them.
Travel Information
Srimangal is 4 hours from Dhaka by train (the Parabat Express — a scenic journey in itself) or 45 minutes by flight to Sylhet then 1 hour by road. Best season October–April.
What to Bring
• 70–200mm zoom for portraiture
• Wide-angle for landscape
• ND filter for long exposures on the lake
• Comfortable walking shoes for muddy paths
• Insect repellent
