Nilgiri: A place to touch clouds

-:Prettiness:-

Nilgiri, situated beside the road to Thanchi from Bandarban Sadar, is a great place to visit & see cloud on and below eye level. The main spot is on the top of the hill, almost 1,800 feet over the sea level. You will see the cloud coming toward you, will lost it suddenly and feel cold after being surrounding dark. However, you might get yourself wet which will make you realized that the cloud touched and gave you few drops. That’s not the only amusement you’re getting there. Another great feeling you’ll enjoy when you’re looking at the horizon in front of you. You will find hundreds of hill with different size & shape. Some of these will be found darker caused by the shadow of the clouds. On the other side of the rock, you will find the long river with several turns starting from Thanchi running through Bandarban Sadar touching Ruma, another sub-district of Bandarban district. “Joom Ghar” on the top of few hills will make you think once more about the lifestyle of the tribal and attract you for one more day to stay.

Sky view @ Nilgiri

Above description explained the elements of nature that will make you happy. If you want to stay there over night, the only available option is Nilgiri Resort. The organizing of the resort, which is managed by Bangladesh Army, is really nice. The light combination, positioning of cottages, sitting arrangement under open sky are amazing. You will get uninterrupted supply of water (just imagine over 1,800 feet, which is not available in other hill spots), regular foods (but not extra items as there is not food corner). In the evening, artificial lights at different level of the pick will make you sitting under the open sky. These lights will be active since 19 O’clock till 23 O’clock. Please remember to re-charge your mobile, camera and other electronics for next 20 hours.

Evening @ Nilgiri

If you’re experienced in tourism specially focused on natural beauty, perhaps you know that the natural beauty differs over time, season etc. The different part of a day articulates the beauty with its own touch, specially the sun set, sun rise and the midnight. I am not confident enough to explain the beauty of these situations rather can give you few clues to imagine. The evening is very colorful with artificial lights. The silence will lead you to the imagination. During mid-night, there will no power supply. If it is moonlight night you may get a tremendous view. One thing needed to mention, cloud or fog can take over the moonlight. So it’s better to plan in just before winter or early rain.


Perhaps first one would be the best option as the trees will remain green around the views, Sangu will flow moderate amount of water, temperature will be comfortable etc. If you’re unable to match the schedule of full moon, you can also plan to enjoy thunder which will be available in the rainy season. You’ll be able to see the full view of thunder as you’re just in front of a horizon which might not be possible in the urban life.

View of  Sunrise @ Nilgiri

I will suggest all not to sleep at night as the whole night is enjoyable with moonlight, fogs, clouds (which comes down during nights) etc. You surely will enjoy the game between the moon and the cloud. But don’t miss the sunrise anyway. I was just amazed when the first light of the day come out and clouds were all around with extra-white beauty positioned on different height on and beside hills. The rising sun will change the environment. I found it with dark red color and several shades of clouds. We experienced some piece of clouds getting lost slowly by sunrise. I don’t know how to explain; just want to say amazing….

-:Arrangements:-

Transport: Start from Saidabad to get the direct journey to Bandarban. Remember, no a/c coach is available yet in this route. You may enjoy a/c route up to Chittagong. Though it will provide you partial comfortable journey, it will also cost you about 3 hours of time unnecessarily. When you reached Bandarban first think when you’re planning to come back and purchase ticket accordingly. If you want come back Dhaka first time of night, you must go Chittagong before 17 O’clock and for that you must start journey before 13 O’clock from Bandarban to Chittagong, also remember after 17 O’clock next bus for Dhaka after 22:15 O’clock. From Bandarban bus to Dhaka is available from 20 O’clock to 22:30 O’clock. On the way to Nilgiri, after reaching Bandarban, you have two options for the rest journey. One is reserve jeep and another is public transport which is regular trip from Bandarban Sadar to Thanchi. The jeep will cost +/- 3000 for pick and drop within one day. For one night stay, it will be +/- 4000 excluding food. When you’re 8 persons in total, it will cost almost equal on average. Please make sure that you’re renting open jeep. Otherwise you’ll be deprived from sight seeing during the journey. Jeep will also facilitate to spend few moments at “Shoilo Propat”, “Chimbuk” and “Peak 69 - one of the highest peaks of the country”. The local bus will also enable you the sight seeing during journey if you are on the roof of bus which will simultaneously reduce your cost by 60tk while the regular ticket is 150.

Food and Accommodations: You’ll not find any extra food at Nilgiri. They will provide your three times food and tea at evening. Their food arrangement is quiet good. You can also collect fresh fruits during the journey over the hills from tribal’s who have collected from hills. Especially guava and banana is really different from that of Dhaka. Hills are also the source of pineapples. For accommodation, there are different cottage available on the peak of the hill cost ranging from 4000 to 8000. We booked the cottage of 4000 which contained two double beds with an attached standard bathroom and a television. We’re 6 in number and two used to sleep on the floor with provided materials i.e. pillow, bed sheet and other required materials. Cottage will be booked at least one month earlier using a reference of defense personnel. I wish I could spend a night in the Joom Ghar built with bamboo on the top of different hills.

Cautions: Though I never heard anyone got Malaria from Nilgiri tour, you should cautious about mosquito bites. A good solution is to use Odomos which is available in Bandarban also. Keep first aid box including preventive medicines for vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever with you for emergency situation. Perhaps all these will remain untouched but who can guarantee. Don’t forget to take proper cloths depending on the season you’re travelling considering the humidity and cold is much more than Dhaka there. I’ll request you to test malaria if you got fever during/after returning to your home.

NAFAKHUM

One of the most beautiful place I know in Bangladesh. It's located in the hilly area of Thanchi, Bandarban. Knowing & seeing photos from my Friend, Sk. Jayed Bin Rashid, I wished I could be there.

Few days later a great opportunity came to me when my University friends Sharif, Swad, Aminur, Naeem, Sumon planned a tour to Bandarban, I proposed the location and all agreed. Shamim joined when he came to know that we're running for Nafakhum. The journey to Thanchi is long one, while it needs to travel 3 hours over the river from the deep hill followed by 3 hours walking besides the water flow of that waterfall, Nafakhum.

It's really risky journey while you're through the waterway for Rimakri, specially in the rainy season as increased water flow may cause accident. But the most amazing is you'll get the greatest view of the waterfall during this time. Sky high hill are waiting with there greatest view. If you're lucky enough you'll find clouds dashing with the rocks. And when you will look upon the blue sky over these hills, it'll make think once more about the beauty of nature.

From Rimakri, the only way to reach Nafakhum is walking beside the water flow which includes hiking, crossing rivers and so on. The time you need is  about 2 hours, may differ on your fitness. The way through provides charm with it's natural view which includes mini waterfalls, water flow, green hills, great sky view etc. You may not see any one other than tourist for the same location.

If you've enough time, you may explore these mini water flows which are also charming. The water is clean and cold. You can drink if you want. But you shouldn't miss the chance to take a cool bath in any of them. The most suitable place, I could explore, is the nearest one to Nafakhum. It refreshed us physically, mentally as well with a great deal.

I'm not brave enough to explain the beauty of Nafakhum, rather will invite you to visit  at least once. What I can share is we all ware scared with the rough journey. But all of us were full with joy while saw Nafakhum first forgetting the recent hassle, we have just passed and will have to face again.

Few things you may keep in mind while visiting Nafakhum. Most important one is "Don't waste any charge of your electronics specially Camera as you'll not get any electricity there. Mobile network can hardly be reached after Thanchi. Try to keep your baggage smallest you can. And remember you'll need to get down on the water, so be careful about your dress so that it don't become a burden that time. First aid should be with the travelers for emergency use including "Odomos" to get rid of Mosquito. All these I was suggested by Jayed Bin Rashid. Thanks Jayed...