If you want to experience the horizon of green hills and a vast panorama, where clusters of clouds drift around the hills, you can visit Nilgiri Hill. For its picturesque landscape surrounded by hills and lush green environment, it is known among travel enthusiasts as the Darjeeling of Bangladesh. The green hills and the clouds playing hide-and-seek across the horizon will fascinate anyone with their beauty. If you have the desire to touch the clouds, Nilgiri will fulfill that wish. It is a 2,200-foot-high hill located approximately 50 kilometers from the Bandarban district headquarters. You can reach Nilgiri by taking the mountainous road from Alikadam in Bandarban, along the Thanchi-bound road.
Atop Nilgiri Hill is situated one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Bangladesh, Nilgiri Tourist Center, which was established and is managed by the Bangladesh Army. Due to its high altitude, this tourist center is almost always covered in clouds, which is a unique attraction. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, it has gradually become known as a tourist destination among people across the country.
If you look around from Nilgiri Hill, you will be fascinated by the sight of clouds drifting across the mountain ranges and the endless beauty of nature. From the top of Nilgiri Hill, along with rows of hills, you can see Boga Lake, Bangladesh’s fifth-highest mountain peak, Keokradong, the Cox’s Bazar Sea beach, Chittagong Port, and the Sangu River. Additionally, from the tribal village near the Nilgiri, you can become acquainted with their culture and traditions. Since there is an army camp on Nilgiri Hill, there is no reason to be concerned about security. Therefore, you can easily visit Nilgiri Hill with your family.
When will you go there?
The Nilgiri Hills display their beauty throughout the year. It takes on a different appearance at different times. The play of clouds in the morning, the light of sunrise, the sunset in the afternoon, and the enchanting surroundings of a starry night will undoubtedly leave you spellbound. Usually, during the monsoon, early autumn, and late autumn, you can beautifully witness the clouds playing hide-and-seek. To experience this, you will have to go to Nilgiri Hill very early in the morning. The clouds of early and late autumn blend with the blue sky, and the surroundings are shrouded in a blanket of fog—it is a scene worth seeing. After the rain, the Bay of Bengal also becomes visible from the peak. That is why you can visit Nilgiri Hill at any time. However, during the monsoon season, heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides, and at such times, the road to Nilgiri Hill often remains closed.
How to get to Nilgiri Hill?
No matter which part of the country you live in, you will first have to come to Bandarban to go to Nilgiri Hill. From various places in Dhaka, buses operated by S. Alam Paribahan, Saudia Coach Service, Saintmartin Paribahan, Unique Paribahan, Hanif Enterprise, Shyamoli Paribahan, and Dolphin Paribahan leave for Bandarban. The fare per person on these buses is approximately BDT 550 for non-AC and BDT 950–1500 for AC services.
If you want to travel by train, you will need to take a Chattogram-bound train, such as the Sonar Bangla Express, Subarna Express, Turna Nishitha, or Mahanagar Godhuli, from Dhaka to Chattogram. Depending on the class, the fare ranges from BDT 350 to 1,200. Additionally, you can travel directly from Dhaka to Chattogram by air.
From Bahaddarhat in Chattogram, two buses, Pubali Paribahan and Purbani Paribahan, depart for Bandarban. The fare for these buses is approximately BDT 220 per person. From Dampara Bus Stand in Chattogram, you can also travel to Bandarban by bus, with fares ranging from BDT 200 to 300 per person.
From Bandarban to Nilgiri Hill:
From Bandarban, you can go to Nilgiri Hill by taking a jeep (locally known as a Chander Gari), a CNG auto-rickshaw, or a local bus. It is best to go there with a reserved vehicle, as this will allow you to visit and explore a few nearby places as well. If you want to go and return before sunset, you will need to hire a vehicle from the jeep station in Bandarban, with round-trip fares ranging from BDT 3,000 to 5,000, depending on the type of vehicle. A Chander Gari can accommodate around 12–14 passengers, Land Cruiser-type jeeps can carry 7–8 passengers, smaller jeeps can take 4–5 people, and a CNG auto-rickshaw can carry 3–4 people. If there are no problems on the road, it will take about two to two and a half hours to reach Nilgiri Hill. To see the clouds at Nilgiri Hill, you will need to start very early so that you can arrive by 7–8 a.m.
If the number of members is small or if you want to travel at a lower cost, you can go by local bus; however, it will take more time. From Thanchi Bus Stand, buses depart for Thanchi every hour, and the fare is BDT 120. However, if you prefer, you can join another group going to Nilgiri Hill and share the fare.
On the way to Nilgiri Hill, tourists are required to record their names and addresses at the army checkpoint for security reasons. Usually, no vehicles are allowed to travel to Nilgiri Hill after 5 p.m., so keep an eye on the time before traveling. To visit the Nilgiri Tourist Center, visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of BDT 50 per person, in addition to a separate parking fee of BDT 300 per vehicle.
Where
will you stay?
The army manages several cottages at Nilgiri Hill Resort for visitors. These cottages are Akashlina, Marma Reesa, Nilangana, Tehkho Reesa, Meghdut, and Rongdhonu. The rent for each room ranges from BDT 4,000 to 10,000 per night. However, if you wish to stay at the Nilgiri Hill Resort, you will need to book in advance, and a reference from a known army officer at the officer level is required to confirm the booking. Since the resort is highly attractive to visitors, rooms are usually unavailable unless a reservation is made at least a month in advance, especially during holidays. To book a room, you can call this number: +8801769299999 or +8801769245500.
Apart from these cottages, there are also three tents available, each equipped with four beds. Tourists who wish to stay here will have to pay BDT 2,500 per night. For accommodating an additional person in a cottage, tourists will have to pay an extra charge of BDT 500 per person. However, members of the Bangladesh defense force, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will receive a discount on the cottage rental.
Since the Nilgiri Hill Resort is managed by the Bandarban Officers’ Club, which is affiliated with the Bangladesh Army, it is mandatory for visitors to reserve a cottage at the resort through a serving first-class military officer from Bangladesh. To make a reservation, you will need to contact the 69th Infantry Brigade, whose headquarters are in Bandarban Cantonment. Visitors must follow certain procedures to successfully reserve a cottage. For further details regarding the reservation process, contact information, and online reservations, please visit the official website: https://nilgiriresortbd.com.
Besides, most tourists visit Nilgiri Hill from Bandarban during the day and return before sunset. There are several hotels, resorts, and cottages available for staying in Bandarban. These hotels and resorts are located in Bandarban and its surrounding areas. Among the hotels and resorts available for accommodation in Bandarban are:
- Hotel Hill View: It is located beside the bus stand
in Bandarban city. The rent for each room ranges from BDT 800 to BDT
2,500.
- Hotel Hilton: It is located close to
the bus stand in Bandarban city. The rent per room ranges from BDT 800 to
BDT 3,000.
- Hotel
Plaza: It takes five minutes to reach the hotel on foot from the bus
stand. The rent for each room ranges from BDT 600 to 3,000.
- River View: This hotel is located along
the bank of the Sangu River in the town. The rent ranges from BDT 600 to
2,000.
- Parjatan Motel: It is located beside the mountains and a lake. It is situated in Meghalay, about four kilometers from the town.
The rent for hotels, resorts, vehicles, and other expenses changes over time. Therefore, the information published in this travel guide may not match the current situation. Kindly check the latest information and plan accordingly before traveling. For your convenience, mobile numbers for hotels, resorts, vehicles, and other contacts are provided here from various sources. It is recommended to verify these numbers before making any financial transactions. This travel guide will not be responsible for any financial loss or other problems.
Travel
planning:
On the way to Nilgiri Hill, you will pass by Milanchari Viewpoint, Shoilo Propat Waterfall, Sairu Hill Resort, and Chimbuk Hill Tourist Center. If you take a reserved vehicle, you can stop at these spots and spend some time there. When hiring the vehicle, inform the driver in advance. However, it is best to go directly to Nilgiri Hill in the morning to see the clouds. On your way back, you can spend some time at Chimbuk Hill and then at Shoilo Propat Waterfall. On the way, you will have to stop at the checkpoint at Milanchari Viewpoint, where from you can see the beautiful surroundings. You can also do it the other way around. If you plan to spend the afternoon at Nilgiri, you can stop at the Shoilo Propat Waterfall and the Chimbuk Hill Tourist Center on the way, spend some time there, and then proceed to Nilgiri.
Where
will you eat?
There is a restaurant in Nilgiri Hill where you can eat if you feel hungry. However, if you want to dine there, you will have to order in advance. You can eat there for BDT 150–500 per person. Besides, there are some small restaurants in front of Chimbuk Mountain where you can eat. If there are many people, you will have to order in advance.
Or, you can return and have a meal in Bandarban town. Since there are only a few places to eat there, you can carry some dry food with you. In Bandarban town, there are many restaurants where you can eat, including Tazing Dong Café, Meghdut Café, Food Place Restaurant, Rupshi Bangla Restaurant, Ree Song Song, Kalapathar Restaurant, and others.
Places to visit around Nilgiris:
In addition to visiting Nilgiri Hill, there are several other
tourist spots nearby. If you plan well in advance, you can visit these places
along with Nilgiri Hill. These include:
·
Chimbuk
Hill
·
Shoilo
Propat Waterfall
·
Meghla
Tourist Center
·
Nilachal
·
Double
Hand View Point
·
Titanic
View Point
·
Neel
Digante View Point
·
Golden
Temple
·
Boga
Lake
·
Thanchi
·
Toma
Tungi
·
Tindu
· Remakri
Nilgiri
Hill travel tips:
Ø
To arrange a vehicle, you should talk
directly to the jeep stand. If required, you can negotiate the price.
Ø
You
can buy items made by indigenous people at lower prices in Shoilo Propat or Chimbuk.
Ø
The entire route from Bandarban to Nilgiri is a hilly and winding road.
So, be careful while traveling.
Ø
Do not ride on the roof of a Chander Gari.
Ø
Be careful when descending to the Shoilo Propat
waterfall, as the rocky path is very slippery.
Ø
Please do not do anything that may
disrespect the indigenous people.
Ø
If possible, stay one night in Nilgiri. It will be a memory to
cherish for a lifetime.
Ø
Do not take any unnecessary risk.
Ø
Always keep a copy of your national identity
card with you.
Ø
If you want to travel to Nilgiri at a lower
cost, you can go in a group.
