Keokradong

Standing as one of the most prominent peaks in the Ruma Upazila of Bandarban, Keokradong offers an immersive experience into the rugged beauty of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The ascent takes travelers through winding mountain trails, dense tropical forests, and remote ethnic settlements. Reaching the summit, marked by a small concrete monument, rewards hikers with a panoramic vista of rolling green hills that stretch toward the horizon, often veiled in a soft layer of morning mist. The experience is defined by its raw, unpolished nature, where the silence of the high altitudes is broken only by the sound of distant waterfalls and local birds.

Beyond the physical challenge of the trek, a journey to Keokradong is a cultural encounter. Trekkers typically pass through Boga Lake, a high-altitude geological marvel, and stay in indigenous villages such as Darjeeling Para. The air at the peak is crisp and significantly cooler than the plains, providing a refreshing escape. The trek requires stamina, but the sight of the sun setting over the endless ridges of the CHT makes the arduous climb worthwhile for any nature enthusiast.

Keokradong was long considered the highest point in Bangladesh, though modern GPS surveys have identified other peaks in the region as taller. Regardless of its technical ranking, it remains a site of immense geographical and cultural importance. The region is predominantly inhabited by the Marma, Mro, and Bawm indigenous communities, who have lived in harmony with these steep terrains for generations. The name itself reflects the linguistic heritage of the local tribes. Historically, the area remained largely inaccessible to outsiders, preserving a unique ecosystem and a traditional way of life centered around jhum cultivation and communal forest management.