Lama Upazila in Bandarban District remains one of the least-visited yet most rewarding areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts for independent hikers and nature lovers. Deep inside Lama, far beyond the usual tourist trails of Nilgiri, Keokradong or Alikadam, lie unnamed hills, abandoned jhum houses, and crystal-clear mountain streams that see almost no visitors. This guide is based on real routes explored in late 2025 and provides objective, up-to-date information for anyone wishing to experience these untouched places safely.

Why visit the remote parts of Lama?

The interior of Lama offers complete silence, 360-degree views of layered green hills, and the rare chance to walk for hours without meeting another tourist. In the dry season (November–March) the trails are manageable, skies are clear, and the hills turn emerald after the first winter showers. During and just after the monsoon (June–October), waterfalls and streams are at their most dramatic, though paths become slippery and leeches appear.

How to reach Lama from Dhaka?

Direct non-AC buses to Lama Bazaar depart nightly from Sayedabad, Fakirapool, and Arambagh. Popular services in 2025:

- Shyamoli Paribahan (non-AC) – TK 900–950 

- Hanif Enterprise / Unique – TK 900–1,000 

- Direct buses to Alikadam also stop at Lama Bazaar (fare around TK 1,100)

Most buses leave Dhaka between 9 PM and 11 PM and reach Lama Bazaar by 6–7 AM (8–9 hours).

Alternative and cheaper route (recommended for daylight views): 

Take any Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar bound bus (TK 550–650) to Chakaria Bus Terminal. From Chakaria, frequent local buses, jeeps (‘Chander Gari’) or CNG run to Lama Bazaar (27 km, 45–60 minutes, TK 80–150 per seat).

Starting Point: Mirinja Bazaar and Mirinja Valley

All deep trails into Lama’s interior begin from Mirinja Bazaar, 4–5 km before Lama town when coming from Chakaria. Tell the jeep driver ‘Mirinja Bazaar’ or ‘Mirinja Para’ – everyone knows it.

From Mirinja Bazaar a narrow laterite road leads west into Mirinja Valley. After 10–15 minutes walking, the valley opens up with small tribal settlements, betel-nut gardens, and views of distant unnamed ridges. This is where the real off-trail hiking starts.

Suggested full-Day hiking route (6–9 hours, moderate to strenuous)

The route described here was walked in November 2025 with a local Tripura guide. It is unmarked and sees fewer than 20 visitors per year.

1. Mirinja Bazaar → Mirinja Valley floor (30–40 min easy walk) 

2. Cross the valley and ascend the first steep ridge (45–60 min) – panoramic views of the entire valley and abandoned jhum houses on nearby hills. 

3. Continue along the ridge to the highest unnamed peak in this range (another 60–90 min) – 360° views, complete silence, abandoned half-built jhum house at the summit. 

4. Descend the opposite side toward a hidden stream (45–60 min) – seasonal waterfall (full flow only July–October). 

5. Follow small trails through secondary forest and jhum fields to another isolated Tripura house where fresh mangoes, jackfruit, or bananas are often shared. 

6. Loop back via a different ridge or valley path to Mirinja Bazaar (2–3 hours).

Total distance: 14–18 km 

Elevation gain: approximately 700–900 metres 

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous – steep loose sections, no shade on ridges.

Essential preparations

- Guide: Highly recommended for first-time visitors. Local Tripura women and men from Mirinja Para work as guides (TK 800–1,500 per day depending on duration and group size). They know every unnamed trail and stream. 

- Water: Carry at least 2–3 litres per person. Streams are safe to refill after basic filtering or tablets in the dry season. 

- Food: Packed lunch, snacks, biscuits. Some tribal homes offer fresh fruit or tea, but never assume. 

- Clothing: Long lightweight pants and sleeves (leeches in wet season), good-grip shoes or sandals with straps, hat, rain jacket. 

- Timing: Start by 7:30–8:00 AM to avoid the hottest hours and return before dark (sunset ~5:30 PM in winter). 

- Network: Grameenphone and Robi have weak 3G/4G on some ridges; no signal in valleys. 

- Permission: No formal permit is required for day hikes in this area as of 2025, but always inform your guide and a local contact where you are going.

Safety and responsible travel notes

Trails are unspoiled because very few people visit. Please keep them that way:

- Do not play music or shout on the ridges – the silence is the main attraction. 

- Carry all waste back to Lama town. 

- Ask permission before photographing people or entering private jhum fields. 

- Avoid hiking alone; paths are unmarked and mobile coverage is patchy. 

- Wild elephants are rare but present deeper inside – stick with a local guide.

Accommodation if staying overnight

Budget cottages and small resorts exist in Lama Bazaar (TK 800–2,000 per room). For a more authentic experience, several Tripura families in Mirinja Para offer simple homestays (TK 500–800 per person including dinner and breakfast). Advance contact through local guides is necessary.

Remote hills and streams of Lama deliver the purest form of Bandarban’s beauty , untouched, unnamed, and almost forgotten. With proper preparation and respect for the land and its people, a day spent here remains one of the most rewarding off-the-beaten-path experiences in Bangladesh in 2025.