Bandarban 3-Day Tour Plan and Cost 2026: Nilachal, Nilgiri and Debotakhum
How to fit Bandarban's best into three days: the Golden Temple and sunset at Nilachal, the hill road past Shoilo Propat and Chimbuk to Nilgiri, and a bamboo raft through Debotakhum's clear winter water. With full costs for a group of 6–8.
- From Dhaka
- About 330 km, 7–8 hours by bus
- From Chattogram
- About 2.5 hours by bus from Bahaddarhat
- How long
- 3 days, 2 nights
- Cost
- ৳6,000–8,000 per person in a group of 6–8
- In winter
- Clear skies, Debotakhum's water at its clearest
Trip ticket
Bandarban has plenty to see, but not all in one direction. Put the sights near town on one day, the hilltops along the Thanchi road on another and Debotakhum in Rowangchhari on the third, and you see the best of Bandarban in three unhurried days. Winter has fewer monsoon clouds, but the sky is clear, the ridges stretch far into the distance and the water in the khum is a clear green.
For every place in Bandarban and the longer trekking routes, see our Bandarban travel guide.
Getting there
| Mode | Approximate one-way fare | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Non-AC bus from Dhaka | ৳850–1,000 | 7–8 hours |
| AC bus from Dhaka | ৳1,500–2,000 | 7–8 hours |
| Train from Dhaka to Chattogram | Shovon chair ৳450–495 | 5–7 hours |
| Bus from Bahaddarhat, Chattogram | ৳200–300 | About 2.5 hours |
On a night bus you reach Bandarban at dawn and have the whole first day. By train, take the overnight Turna to Chattogram and a morning bus on to Bandarban. See train times on our train schedule.
Day 1: Near town: Meghla, the Golden Temple and Nilachal
Morning: Check in and Meghla
Leave your bags at a hotel in town and have breakfast. Then take a CNG or jeep to Meghla Parjatan Complex, 4 km from town: a lake, two hanging bridges and hill paths.
Midday: The Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi)
At Balaghata, about 4 km from town, a golden Theravada Buddhist temple on a hilltop, one of the largest in the country. It opens to visitors at set hours; take off your shoes and dress modestly.
Afternoon: Sunset at Nilachal
A hilltop viewpoint about 6 km from town. On winter afternoons the hills around you stand out in layers and the lights of town come on in the distance.
A whole jeep for the three places on day one costs ৳1,500–2,500.
New · Unseen ShopBangladesh in 31 data mapsRivers, rain, heat, cyclones, rice, sweets and more, drawn from real data. Bangla and English, JPG and PDF.৳120See the maps →
Day 2: Shoilo Propat, Chimbuk and Nilgiri
8 am: Out along the Thanchi road
Hire a jeep in town in the morning and head out on the Thanchi road. Shoilo Propat, Chimbuk and Nilgiri and back costs ৳3,500–5,500.
8:30 am: Shoilo Propat
A small waterfall right beside the road, about 8 km from town. There's little water in winter, but Bawm women sell hand-woven cloth and crafts alongside.
10 am: Chimbuk Hill
About 26 km from town. From the top, rolling hills all around and the bends of the Sangu River below. The road passes Mro villages.
Noon–3 pm: Nilgiri
About 45 km from town and some 2,200 ft high, with an army-run tourist centre, a restaurant and viewpoints. Have lunch here. To see the clouds at dawn you can stay a night at Nilgiri Resort, but you must book far ahead.
Afternoon: Back to town
Get back to town before dark; avoid hill roads at night. For dinner in town, try bamboo shoots, bamboo chicken and hill vegetables.
Day 3: Debotakhum, then home
7 am: Via Rowangchhari to Kachchhopotoli
Take a CNG or jeep from town via Rowangchhari to Kachchhopotoli, about 20 km. There you register your names at the army or police camp and hire the compulsory local guide. Carry a copy of your national ID.
9 am–1 pm: Debotakhum
From Kachchhopotoli it's a 1–1.5 hour walk to Shilbandha Para, then the khum: deep, cold water between sheer rock walls, which you enter on a bamboo raft. In winter the water is calm and clear, so this is the best season for Debotakhum. Wear a life jacket, and if you can't swim, don't get off the raft into the water.
Afternoon: Back to town and the night bus
Return to town after midday, wash and eat, then take the night bus to Dhaka or Chattogram.
If Debotakhum is closed
If the Rowangchhari road is closed, spend day three at Prantik Lake (14 km from town), the Ramjadi Buddhist temple, a boat trip on the Sangu and shopping for hill products in the town bazaar.
Costs (per person, group of 6–8)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dhaka–Bandarban bus, return (non-AC) | ৳1,700–2,000 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (shared) | ৳1,000–1,800 |
| Jeeps for days 1 and 2 (shared) | ৳800–1,000 |
| Debotakhum: transport, guide and raft | ৳600–800 |
| Food (3 days) | ৳1,500–2,000 |
| Entry fees and extras | ৳300–400 |
| Total | ৳5,900–8,000 |
With an AC bus and a good resort it can reach ৳10,000–14,000 per person. The bigger the group, the cheaper the jeep.
Popular · Unseen ShopMaps of all 64 districtsA 3D relief map of every district: rivers, sights, neighbours and famous food. 128 maps in Bangla and English.৳80See the maps →
Where to stay
For day one a hotel in town is most convenient, close to everything. Mid-range hotels in town cost ৳1,500–3,500. There are a few resorts near Meghla and, on the Nilgiri road, the luxury Sairu Hill Resort. Book ahead for the winter holidays.
Bandarban in winter: what to bring
- A light warm jacket; the hills are cold at night and at dawn
- Shoes or sandals with grip, as the path to Debotakhum is slippery
- Several copies of your national ID
- Travel-sickness tablets for the winding hill roads
- Enough cash; there are no ATMs in remote areas
Questions and answers
How much does 3 days in Bandarban cost?
From Dhaka by non-AC bus in a group of 6–8, ৳6,000–8,000 per person. With an AC bus and a resort, over ৳10,000.
Can I see Bandarban in two days?
Yes, with the sights near town on day one and Nilgiri on day two, but you'll have to drop Debotakhum.
Can I add Nafakhum or Boga Lake to this plan?
No. Both need at least two or three extra days, and there are Ruma and Thanchi permits to consider. See the Bandarban travel guide for details.
Where can I combine with Bandarban?
Rangamati or Cox's Bazar. See our Kaptai Lake guide and the 2-day Cox's Bazar plan.
See it on the map, plan your trip
Look up the places, routes and costs, then put your own trip together.
