Nafakhum Waterfall

Nafakhum Waterfall is situated in Remakri Union, Thanchi Upazila, Bandarban District. It is considered one of the largest waterfalls in Bangladesh by water flow. Others call it the Niagara of Bengal. To get to Nafakhum, take a boat from Thanchi Bazar and travel along the Sangu River until you reach Remakri. Remakri has a Marma settlement. In the Marma language, Khum means waterfall. This indelible mystery of nature can be seen only after walking for about three hours from Remakri. The water of Remakri canal came to Nafakhum and went down about 25-30 feet and nature gave birth to this waterfall. Rainbows constantly play here in the light of the sun on the water vapor of the rapidly descending water. If you are an adventure lover and want to trek in Bandarban, or want to see the lush greenery of Bandarban, the life scenes of the tribals, the terrifying form of the Sangu or the cold water sports in winter, then you should visit the invindable beautiful Jharna at least once in your life.

Adventure enthusiasts visit Nafakhum Falls all year round. However, in monsoons, if the water flow of the Sangu river is above the danger level, permission is not given by the administration to go to Nafakhum. In winter, the water level at Nafakhum drops significantly. So the most ideal time is after monsoon and before winter (September – November). But whatever time you go, you will love the nature here. Nafakhum trip will be memorable in your life forever.

To reach Nafakhum, first travel to Bandarban district headquarters. From there, go to Thanchi. Then, take a boat across the Sangu River to Remakri Bazar. Finally, walk to Nafakhum.

S. from different parts of Dhaka. Alam, Unique, St. Martin Hyundai Robi Express, Hanif, Shyamli, Saudia, St. Martin, Dolphin etc. buses leave for Bandarban. The fare for these buses ranges from Tk 800-900 for non-AC and Tk 1200-1800 for AC. From Dhaka you can go to Chittagong by train and from there you can go to Bandarban. Tourist Express , Cox's Bazar Express , Sonar Bangla, Subarna, Mahanagar etc. trains go to Chittagong from Dhaka . The fare ranges from Tk 405 to 1398 based on the category.

You can go to Bandarban from Bahaddarhat bus station in Chittagong. Two Badas named Pubali and Purbani set out for Bandarban. These two buses cost Tk 220 per person. Besides, you can go to Bandarban from Dhampara bus stop. If you want, you can go to Bandarban from Chittagong by rent a car, microbus fare is Tk 2,500-3,500.

Bandarban to Thanchi Bandarban to Thanchi upazila distance is about 79 km. You can travel from Bandarban to Thanchi either by bus or by hiring a jeep. A local bus departs for Thanchi one hour after arriving at the Thanchi bus stand in Bandarban. Bus fare is Tk 200 per person, time will take 4-5 hours. Reserve Jeep/Chander will cost Rs 5,500-6,000 and will take 3-3.5 hours. One car can carry 12-14 people easily. Milanchari, Chimbuk and Nilgiris will pass on the way while going to Thanchi . This long hilly trek will refresh your eyes and mind to see the pristine landscape around.

Thanchi to Remakri

On reaching Thanchi you must fix a guide. Can't go on Nafakhum tour without a guide. Anyone who has permission from the Upazila Prosecution can be taken as a guide. The guide fee is 1500 rupees for a round trip to Thanchi, returning the next day. You can also go to Thanchi to fix the guide or you can fix it by talking to a guide you already know. After fixing the guide you need to take permission from Thanchi BGB Camp/ Police Station. The name, address, phone number, where to go, how long will stay for all the traveling members should be written and submitted on paper. Your guide will assist with these tasks. And remember that it is not allowed to go from Thanchi to Remakri after 3 pm. So if you want to go to Remakri on the same day, you must be in Thanchi by 2 PM. Otherwise, you have to go to Remakri from Thanchi the next morning. This will take you a day longer.

Once you have permission, rent small engine boats from Thanchi Ghat. 4-5 people can go in one boat. The fare is Tk 4,000-5,000 including boat reservation till Remakri and next day return. It will take about two to two and a half hours to get there. If the water level in Sangu is low, it might take a bit longer as you may need to get off the boat and walk in some areas. As you travel, the Sangu River's beauty will captivate you. You'll also pass by Padmukh, Tindu, Rajapathar, Barapathar, and Remakri Falls. And you have to bear the travel, accommodation and other expenses of the guide.

Remakri to Nafakhum

Usually, if you leave Bandarban early in the morning, it will be late afternoon to reach Remakri. It was not possible to go to Nafakhum that day. That night from Remakri Bazar to leave for Nafakhum the next morning. From Remakri you need to hire another local guide for 500 taka. The guide from Thanchi will decide. The journey from Remakri to Nafakhum via the Remakri Canal takes about 2 to 3 hours. However, the time taken will depend on the walking speed of the traveling companions and the time of departure. Remakri Canal has a lot of water during monsoon. Somewhere waist water or somewhere more. At some places the Remakri canal has to be crossed. If the water is high, this crossing will take more time. Don't worry, your guide will help you in these places. Once you see the beauty of the Remakri Canal and its surroundings, you will hear the roar of the Nafakhum Falls.

If you want to stay somewhere better than Thanchi, you can stay at BGB controlled border vacation center. Room rent is between Tk 1500-3000. Apart from this, there are some cottage and rest house type hotels in and around Thanchi Bazaar. According to the standards, the rent per day is between Tk 200-1000. Adivasis have homestays in Remakri Bazar. If a few people stay together in the tribal rest house next to the Sangu river, the rent will be Tk 150 per person.

Thanchi Bazar has some decent quality food hotels. You can eat in any one. At Remakri, there is food service in tribal houses. It should be said in advance. Most of the catering is in a package system. Generally, eating rice, bharta, fries and eggs will cost 80 taka, if you want to eat chicken instead of eggs, it will cost 120 taka. Inform the guide in advance what to eat and how many people will eat.

Wherever you are, aim to reach Bandarban by morning. Departure from Dhaka by 9-10 night bus to Bandarban in the morning. From Bandarban, quickly take a local bus or jeep to Thanchi. Go to Remakri Bazar by boat after getting permission and other work done. From Remakri market at night, visit Nafakum next morning and return to Remakri in the afternoon. Take a boat from Remakri to Thanchi Bazar without wasting time. From Thanchi by bus/jeep reach Bandarban in the evening have some food and leave for Dhaka or your destination by night bus.

Traveling to Nafakhum is mainly the cost of transportation. For a budget-friendly trip to Nafakhum, it's ideal to travel in groups of 3, 4, 9, or 14 people. It has many advantages. Traveling from Dhaka to Bandarban by non-AC bus, then from Bandarban to Thanchi by bus, and returning the same way will be much cheaper. Below is a list of expenses for one night two days for a group of 4 members to give you an idea of ​​the expenses. Besides, the rest of the expenses will depend on you.

Travel cost to Nafakhum Dhaka – Bandarban: Non AC bus to and fro Tk 800+800 per person. Bandarban – Thanchi: Local bus to and fro Tk 250+250 per person. Thanchi – Remakri: 4,500-5,000 Tk.

Eating expenses at Nafakhum

Breakfast: Breakfast for two days is Tk 200 per person. Lunch : Lunch for two days (Thanchi + Remakri) Rs.300 per person. Dinner: Two days (Remakri + Bandarban) Dinner Rs.300 per person. Dry food: Tk 100 per person for trekking and other times.

Accommodation cost in Nafakhum : Tk 150 per person for accommodation in Remakri Bazar. Guide Fee : Total Rs 2,000 (Thanchi + Remakri Guide).

And if traveling by bus, definitely keep this in mind on the last bus from Bandarban or Thanchi. The last bus from Thanchi to Bandarban is at 3 PM. So if you want to come back to Bandarban by bus you have to be at Thanchi bus stand before 3 pm.

On this Nafakhum tour, you will see Chimbuk, Nilgiri, Thanchi, Sangu River, Padmukh, Tindu, Rajapathar, Remakri Falls, and Remakri Para. Besides, nearby attractions include Amiyakhum, Dim Pahar, Alikadam, Bagalek , Keokradong , Neelachal and Golden Temple among many others.