Khagrachari is a district located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This district is located approximately 270 kilometers from Dhaka. Amongst all the districts from the hilly area, Khagrachari is less popular among all. But this district has plenty more things to offer to the tourists. Even if anyone wants to visit all the attractions from there, it would take more than a couple of weeks. This district is home to the local Chakma and Tripura people. Apart from visiting the district for tourist attractions, you could also be able to learn about them. Based on my visit to the district, below is the list of activities you can do in Khagrachari district.

#1 Living with the clouds in Sajek valley

Sajek valley is a remote hilly area that is located in Rangamati district, but you have to go there through the Khagrachari district. Once upon a time this place was a risky place for security reasons and only few adventurous people could dare to travel to this region. But nowadays the situation has changed. A lot of tourists visit this Sajek every year. Most rush is usually during the Eid festival, and any other long weekends.

#2 Upper Risang waterfall

Upper Risang is the most popular waterfall from Khagrachari district. This is located very near from the main town. This waterfall is also known as Resung or Rechong. This waterfall has a unique shape which makes it different from the others. Best time to visit the waterfall is during the rainy season as it will have plenty of water.

#3 Lower Risang waterfall

There are two waterfalls located in the Risang Jhiri. Most of the tourists visit the upper one (which is popular). The other one is just a few hundred meters downstream from the main waterfall. There is no way to go there through the stream. Rather it has a nice little trail which takes you to the waterfall. This is also a small waterfall but pouring gallons of water during the rainy season. So if you visit the upper one, make sure you are not returning without visiting this one.

#4 Alutila park and the cave

Aultila hill is located a few kilometers apart from the Khagrachari town. This hill has a cave which was created naturally. People call this hill Alutila as the shape of the hill is like a big potato. Nowadays this hill itself inside a national park named as Alutila park. This is a must visit place if you are adventurous and want to visit a cave. As a bonus you’d be able to see the Khagrachari town from the hill.

#5 Mahalchhari lake

Mahalchhari lake is situated near the Mahalchhari dak Bunglow. Within one hour we reached Mahalchhari lake. If you wish, you could stay in that Bunglow at night (I think it might need some permission to stay there). The river Chengi falls into the Mahalchhari lake. This lake is actually connected to Kaptai lake through the river Chengi.

#6 Lower Toiduchhori waterfall

Toiduchhori waterfall (also known as Toiduchhora waterfall or simply Toidu) is situated near at Dhighinala of Khagrachhori district. The stream has two waterfalls. This one is located lower side of the stream. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls from Bangladesh because of its shape. To reach the waterfall you have to do a fair amount of trekking, but an easy one. Go there during the rainy season if you like adventure. But if you want a peaceful walk then the winter is the time for you. Being located slightly far from the main town, a less number of tourists actually visit this waterfall.

#7 Upper Toiduchhori waterfall

If you plan to visit the Lower Toiduchhori waterfall, then you might also consider visiting the upper one. This waterfall is locally known as Kasing waterfall (in Tripura language). This one is slightly taller than the lower waterfall. This waterfall is another less visited attraction from the Khagrachari district. So make sure you are visiting this one and return back with tons of good memories.

#8 A trek between the two Toiduchhori waterfalls

There are two waterfalls located in Toiduchhori from the same water stream.The trail between the two waterfalls is through the water stream of the waterfall itself. During a dry season it would take approximately 30 minutes. But during a heavy rainy day it is a trail between 90-120 minutes. Also it is extremely  risky to do compared to the dry season. My suggestion is to go there during the winter or dry season to enjoy the most of it. You don’t need to go there during the rainy season.

#9 Debotar pukur

Debotar pukur is a lake (or pond) that is located amid hills in Khagrachhari district. Debotar pukur means the lake of god, and it is a sacred lake to the local people. In the local language this is known as Matai pukhiri. There is a river created from the outflow of the river, named as Nunchhori river. This lake is located approximately 7-8 kilometers from the nearby bus stoppage named Maischhori. It is a nice experience to visit a lake that is located on top of a hill (similar to Boga lake).

#10 First Sijuk Waterfall

This is a beautiful waterfall which is actually located inside the Rangamati district, but easy to access it from the Khgagrachari district. Sijuk is the name of a couple of waterfalls which are near the Sijuk khal (a canal). This is the first of the two Sijuk waterfalls. This is an arm shaped waterfall with a height of 40-50 feet. The waterfall of the Sijuk canal falls into the River Kasalong, which later falls into the Kaptai lake. If you are visiting Khagrachari and looking for a day long trekking and hiking, then this waterfall could be in your list.

#11 Second Sijuk Waterfall

This is the second of the two Sijuk waterfalls. These two waterfalls join together and form the canal Sijuk. Locally the canal is also known as Shishuk. The shape of the waterfall is like resting hair on a woman’s back. The height is about 50-60 feet tall. Though this is easy to access from Khagrachari district, it is actually located in Rangamati district. You can visit both the Sijuk waterfalls within the same day. These two waterfalls are less known amongst the tourists.

#12 Hill Agricultural Research Station

Hill Agricultural Research Station is located beside the Khagrachari-Dighinala highway. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach there from the main town using a three wheeler. Inside the institute you’d find plenty of materials related to agriculture. If you are a plant and nature lover then this is a must go place for you. This place will help you to get familiar with a lot of unknown plants.

#13 Hajachhora waterfall

The name of the waterfall is Haja chhora (also Haja chhora). This is located on the slightly eastern side from the Dighinala town of Khagrachari district (although it is actually located in the Rangamati district). Local people are familiar with this waterfall by the name “10 number waterfall”. This is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit. Though this is very close to Dighinala, it actually falls inside the Rangamati district. Tourists who visit Sajek, they usually do not miss it as it is on their way to Sajek valley.

#14 An old Banyan tree in Matiranga

There is a nice old Banyan tree located in Matiranga of Khagrachari district. It is not a hugely popular tourist attraction, but several local visitors come here. This Banyan tree had spread around from the main plant by creating trunks. Those all trunked plants are connected to the main one. Actually those are created from the main one, a branch. If you are looking for something different then this old Banyan tree should be in your list.

#15 Dighinala Bon Bihar

Dighinala Bon Bihar is a place for the Buddhist people. In my personal opinion, the Buddhist religion is the world’s most peaceful religion. These people are always calm and quiet, and so are their religious temples. This place was free from any crowds. Most of the people inside there were talking in a low voice (or I should say modest).

#16 Explore Risang Jhiri

This is totally an offroad tourists activity from the Khagrachari district. The Risang waterfall is the most visited tourist spot from the district. But no one visit the Jhiri beyond the waterfall. This is a nice water stream and easy to walk around. This is wide but shallow in depth. If you want to walk around the nature then spending couple of hours in a tranquil place then Exploring the Jhiri should suit you easily.

#17 River Chengi

Chengi is a very shallow and small river that flows beside the Khagrachhari town. Although unsure, the river originated from the hills of Khagrachhari. But it is certain that the river falls into the Mahalchhari lake, which then falls into the Kaptai lake. Approximate length of this river is 100 kilometer. This is basically the river of Khagrachari and you should not miss this during your visit.

#18 River Myinee

Myinee (also Maini) is one of the prominent rivers from Khagrachari district. This shallow river is originated inside Bangladesh. Most of the places on this river don’t have much depth. Though the river has a moderate current, it is not as strong as the River Sangu. Source of this river is located at the top portion of Khagrachari district. The town Dighinala is situated beside this river.

#19 Nunchori river

Nunchhori river is probably the smallest river from Bangladesh. Initially anyone would find it hard to call this as a river compared to the giantess we see for the rivers in Bangladesh. This tiny river originates from the stream of Debotar pukur near Maischhori of Khagrachhari district. After flowing a small distance (probably a ten kilometer) this river Nunchhori falls into the river Chengi.

#20 Khagrachari stadium

This Khagrachari stadium has a historical aspect. During the peace contract with the tribal, they surrendered their weapons at this stadium. That’s why I have actually visited this historical place. You’d find 4/5 policies were there to guard the stadium. But they would not forbid you to enter inside the stadium. Inside the stadium the grasses on the ground were too tall, and it was hard to walk in fact.

How to go

The distance between Dhaka and Khagrachari is approximately 270 kilometer. If there were no traffic on the road then it would take approximately 7 hours to reach Khagrachari from Dhaka. But given the current traffic situation, especially during the Friday night, it sometimes takes approximately 11 hours to reach there. Popular bus services run between Dhaka and Khagrachari are Hanif, Greenline, Shamoly are the best available bus services. You can book tickets from Shohoj.com.

Where to stay

There are several medium quality hotels available in the main town. I stayed in a budget hotel named Shaila Shuborna which had limited facilities. The town has a hotel operated by the Parjatan corporation, but this is not easy to book (probably needs to book in advance).

Where to eat

There is a different restaurant in the Khagrachari town named “System Restaurant”. A lot of tourists visit this restaurant for different tastes like Bamboo shoot, snail, mussel, and plenty more. But there is another different restaurant located slightly away from the town, near the village. The name of the restaurant is Newzealand Cafe, which is located in the village Newzealand para.

Written by Lonely Traveler,
for the blog alonelytraveler.com