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Far less popular on the tourist trail than its neighbor India, but much more intriguing, Bangladesh remains a very little known corner of the world. You'll find a truly fascinating combination here: cultural immersion to discover untouched, remote tribes, but also brutality of modern industry at the one of the world’s largest ship breaking yards.While 80% of the country is made up of fertile lowlands called the Bangladesh Plain, in the far southeastern corner of Bangladesh, bordering Myanmar, is the Chittagong Hill Tracts area, featuring green, undulating topography that is strikingly different, and incredibly scenic.
Here, in the Bandarban Hill District, it is not only the landscapes that are unique – many of the inhabitants are very different from the majority of Bengalis, making for a fascinating crossover between subcontinent and far east cultures. The first settlers of these hills were tribes from Myanmar, and today there are 11 distinct ethnic groups who are only found in the Bandarban area. Their lifestyle and culture differ greatly from those of the plains Bengalis, from their thatched bamboo huts to their distinctive languages, rituals, dress and handicrafts.
A visit to the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard is a unique opportunity to see up close as giant cargo ships, oil tankers and other vessels are broken down, bit by bit…there aren’t many places in the world where we can get access to a place like this! This cemetery of steel and iron, with monster ship carcasses in various stages of decay, is a sight to behold.
Let’s go!
Day 1: Bandarban – Golden Temple, Tribal Village, Nilachal
Arrival to Chittagong Airport; meet the team and drive to Bandarban. After some lunch, we’ll set out to discover the area. First stop is Golden Temple, an impressive, glittering gilt structure housing the massive Buddha Dhatu Jadi statue. The temple belongs to the Theravada Buddhism order, which is practiced by the Marma indigenous people, the dominant ethnic group in the Bandarban area. Next we visit the Tanchangya tribe, who earn their living cultivating the land. They are known for their traditional costumes and ornaments, and Tanchangya women can be easily spotted because of their unique dress and hairstyle.
Later we’ll head to Nilachal, high up in the hills about 1600 to 2000 feet above sea level. From here we’ll have stunning views of the surrounding area, the city of Bandarban, as well as Cox’s Bazar beach, and enjoy a magnificent sunset.
Day 2: Bandarban – Chimbuk & Nilgiri, Tribal Villages
After breakfast, we’ll set off to capture more amazing views. Chimbuk is the third largest mountain in Bangladesh, and its peak lies up a winding road overlooking the hills and towns below. Next we’ll head to Nilgiri, a popular resort area and a place of spectacular beauty.
In the afternoon, we’ll get to know the diverse local peoples a bit better. First stop is the village of the Tripura indigenous people, who subsist on slash-and-burn farming in the remote hills and valleys. This small Animistic and Hindu ethnic group only numbers around 60,000 people, but clings proudly to its traditional ways.
We’ll stop at the Shaila Prapat waterfall before heading to Bawm tribal village, home to a group hailing from Chin state in western Myanmar. The group’s first wave of migration to Bangladesh took place more than 500 years ago, and today 200 Bawm families live in the Bandabar area, facing much discrimination due to their Christian faith.
Last is the village of the Mru (or Murong) people, also originally from Myanmar, who left their homeland due to invasions by rival tribes and colonisation by the British. This peaceful Buddhist society relies on hunting and bamboo crafting, and values the preservation of its unique cultural traditions.
Day 3: Chittagong – Potenga Beach, Ship Breaking Yard
We’ll head to Chittagong, making a stop at the Bandarban hanging bridge on the way. After a couple hours’ drive we’ll get some sea views at popular Patenga Beach.
In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a truly unique experience, witnessing the dismantling of iron and steel giants at the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard. Once the world’s largest, the scale of industry at this ship breaking yard is truly astounding, the site teeming with over 200,000 workers taking apart and salvaging materials from vessels from around the world.
After dinner we’ll head to the airport, saying bye-bye to Bangladesh after a fascinating few days of discovery.
[https://vimeo.com/206645153](https://vimeo.com/206645153)
[https://vimeo.com/204837040](https://vimeo.com/204837040)
Level of difficulty: Easy available for everyone.
Activities: short trekking, sightseeing, boating, cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star hotel double sharing, meals included except breakfast D1 and dinner D3.
Cost: AED 2540 excl. flights until MAR 07th.
Requirements: mosquito repellent, trekking shoes, your best lenses. No check in luggage on this trip.
Excluded:
any costs related to visa,
meals as mentioned
Visa: Most of nationalities get visa on arrival at 50-55 USD.
Visa cost is not included in trip budget. Admission to country of destination is at strict responsibility of traveler.
See yah in Bangladesh x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 00971 50 4848238
Find all trekkups at [linktr.ee/trekkup](http://linktr.ee/trekkup)
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Sharjah International Airport, غرفة مراقبة حريق مطار الشارقة, المدينة الجامعية الشارقة, الإمارات العربية المتحدة,Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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