Dhaka to Rangamati Tour

Rangamati is located 77 km east of Chittagong town and is beautifully situated on a series of islands in Kaptai Lake. The town was established as an administrative center and modern hill station in the 1960s, following the damming of the Karnofuli River.

The majority of the local tribal population is Chakma, although much of their ancestral land is now submerged by the lake. However, the town predominantly attracts Bangladeshi tourists from the cities, who flock there for weekend getaways.

**Sights and Activities in Rangamati**

The small Tribal Cultural Institute showcases the various tribes of the hill tracts, including their customs, bamboo flutes, coins, and silver and ivory necklaces. There is also a map that indicates the regions where different tribes reside.

Several modern Buddhist Viharas (monasteries) are situated in and around the town, with the largest being the Bana Vihara, located at the northern headland of the town. In one open-walled hall, there are celebrated thrones for the head abbot, depicted in the form of a Naga serpent.

The Chakma King’s Rajbari is located on a neighboring island. Although the Rajbari is not open to visitors, the Raja Vihara on the same island features a large bronze statue of Shakya Muni (the traditional Buddha) and is maintained by a small, friendly monastic community. This island can be accessed by small launches that depart from the lane between the Cultural Institute and the Saberang restaurant. These boats also travel to Bana Vihara.

**A Boat Trip**

A highlight of visiting Rangamati is a boat trip on Kaptai Lake, the country's largest artificial lake, which includes stops at tribal villages along the way. The lake is surrounded by banana plantations and thriving areas of tropical and semi-evergreen forests. The lake’s water level fluctuates significantly throughout the year. When it begins to recede in March, the emerging land is cultivated before the lake rises again during the monsoon season.

While the lake itself is stunning, the villages visible along its shores make the trip even more special. It’s advisable to bring binoculars for bird-watching and to get a better view of the thatched-roof villages and fishing boats. Tourist boats typically pass by Chakma villages, allowing visitors to see traditional bamboo houses and small Buddhist shrines constructed from bamboo.