Bandarban District is located in southeastern Bangladesh and is the southern part of the mountainous region of Chittagong Hill Tracts and borders Myanmar. The most important rivers of the district, which is two-thirds dominated by forests and mountains, are the Bakkhali, Matamuhuri and the Shankha.  The Bandarban district is home to the highest mountain in Bangladesh. However, it is still unclear whether this is the Keokradong in the southeast of the Upazila Ruma or the Mowdok Mual in the Upazila Thanchi.

The natural vegetation consists of rainforests, deciduous forests, bamboo forests, ferns and grasslands. Wildlife includes elephants, leopards, wild cats, wild dogs and more than 600 different bird species. The flora and fauna correspond to those of the neighboring country of Myanmar and not to the Indian flora and fauna.

Agricultural areas are often created by slash and burn. This and soil erosion in areas of deforestation are the main drivers of landscape change. Although there are more and more Bengali immigrants, the majority of the locals consider themselves among the tribals and are listed under the collective name Jumma: an extremely diverse number of peoples such as Marma, Murong, Tripuri, Bawm, Tanchangya, Chakma, Chak, Khyang, Khumi, Lushei, Pankho, Ruma and Thanchi.

Unlike the rest of the Muslim-dominated country, Bandarban has a significant number of Buddhists and Christians. Muslims are in the majority on the coast, while Buddhists, Christians and followers of traditional religions dominate in the eastern half. In the Upazila Rowangchhari almost 70% of the inhabitants are Buddhists, in the Upazilas Ruma and Thanchi more than 35% are Christians.

Keokradong Hiking Tour – Stay with tribal community

Bandarban Hill District is blessed with cultural diversity and natural beauty and you’ll find great mountains covered with virgin forest and home to more than fifteen tribes. Life here is centered along the rivers, where we can see bamboo rafts, steered by a solitary boatman. Our agency Bangladesh Travel and Tours offers a complete adventurous tour into the wild Bandarban, a district blessed with waterfalls, treks and the unique lifestyle of tribal people. During your tour you’ll certainly enjoy the magical views from the hills and the local culture.

The center of the Bandarban Hill District is the town of Bandarban where we’ll find a harmonious mixture of the Moghs, devout Buddhists, and the Murangs who lure visitors with their legendary dances and traditional music.

During our tour we’ll also visit Boga Lake. A local legend tells that Boga Lake was created after the inhabitants of a Khumi village killed and ate a deity who later reappeared to them in the form of a dragon. Instantly an earthquake occurred, the hillside caved in, and the village disappeared and formed a deep lake. The color  of the lake varies at different times at a day depending upon the sunlight, humidity, and clouds.

During your tour you’ll be visiting:

– Meghla Tourists Spot

– Nilgiris

– Nilachol

– Shoilo Propat Waterfall

– The Golden Temple

– Ruma Bazaar

– Explore the mysterious Boga Lake (Lake of Dragon)

– Chingri Waterfall

– Hiking to the peak of Keokradong (3rd highest peak)
– Delicious local food 

– Explore Mysterious Boga Lake

– Stay at tribal villages in a wooden house

Tour itinerary: 6 nights and 7 days

Visit Nilgiri, Chimbuk, Shoilopropat, Nilachol, Meghla & Sornomondir

Experience tribal lifestyle and food. 

Day one: Journey to Bandarban

The bus from Dhaka usually leaves at night near 9 pm and takes around 7 hours to arrive at Bandarban town.

Day two: Nilachol and Sornomondir

You’ll be awaited at the bus stop and brought to your hotel where you can have breakfast, followed by a visit to Meghla. At noon we’ll have a traditional lunch, followed by a visit to the Golden Temple. We’ll enjoy sunset at Nilachol and will then return to the hotel. 

Day three:  Nigiri, Shoil Propat and Chimbuk

In the early morning we’ll drive to Nigiri. We’ll have breakfast in this wonderful place. On the way we’ll visit Chimbuk Hill and one of the most famous natural falls in Bangladesh: Shoilo Propat Waterfall. Bengali lunch will be had at Ruma Bazar. We’ll then continue our journey to Bogar Lake. To reach Boga Lake, you will need to climb for half an hour.  The night will be spent by the side of the lake in a wooden tribal house.

Day Four: Chingri Waterfall And  Climbing Keokradong

Enjoy traditional breakfast with Khichuri, egg curry. After breakfast we’ll go on a 3 hour hike to the top of Keokradong, assisted by our local guide. You will have a few stops at the villages where you can buy water and fruits. You’ll reach the peak around noon and you will check in at the local guesthouse, right in time for lunch! In the afternoon you can explore the area on the the top

Overnight stay in Keokradong tribal house.

Day Five: Return To Boga Lake

After our traditional breakfast we’ll start trekking down to Boga lake and visit Chingri Waterfall and the mysterious caves around the Boga lake.  At noon we’ll have lunch near the lake and some time to relax. 

Day Six: Night Bus To Dahaka

After breakfast we’ll head back towards Ruma Bazar where we’ll have lunch and then all the way back to Bandarban town which can be explored in the evening followed by dinner at a local restaurant. You’ll then take the night bus to Dhaka

Day Seven: Arrival In Dhaka

You’ll arrive in Dhaka in the early morning, end of tour. 

Included: 

– Transportation

– Tour guide

– Entrance fees

– All meals