Munlai by BASECAMP — Attraction in Chattogram Division

The experience you will have in Munlai, you won't have it anywhere else. Talking to the people of Bawm community was definitely a highlight. But, so was exploring the surrounding area, knowing how the people are living there, and tasting their authentic food, the village's love for dogs and the over friendly fluffy dogs of Mizorami origin. Must highlight again - food is excellent. Make sure you are having Mundi, Laksung, BBQ chicken and Bamboo chicken. You cannot have a bad food day here. Another thing I loved was the zipline. It was really thrilling. We also did ruma Valley trekking and rijuk waterfall visit by boat with munlai/base camp and loved both experiences. I also want to mention one person, the coordinator- shahriar bhaia. He is a gem of a person and an absolutely amazing host. Our bawm family host, karbari uncle was super nice and friendly as well. And we miss the dogs Tommy and Rusty and Rusty's mom now that we are back in Dhaka.

Yes, things could go better, like our munlai experience in terms of justice to the amount paid. It's very expensive to be fair. But, the experience we had was something that made us fall in love with the hill tracts and it's definitely community tourism done right despite several improvement opportunities.

I think for the price they charge, they can definitely improve the lodging as the bawm people seem to live better than this. They should also serve food on time. But, the main concern would be to ensure more privacy in the shower. Also, they already charge for guide per day but still charges extra for hike and that too per person. It's not something that they do not mention beforehand. I took the experience knowing the price. But, I still think it's a bit unfair to charge per person for a hiking experience.

Disclaimer: This is not an experience for everyone. If staying at super basic accomodation with shared washroom and basic amenities is not your idea of an adventurous vacation, then you probably won't be comfortable. If you cannot withstand different kind of food due to health issues or any choice/habit of yours, then you will miss out half the fun. If you have health problems, then you may have tough time on the road as transport options are chader gari or cng. This holds true for most places in banderban. I think cars might be available although short in supply as I have seen few on the road. Cars would be very comfortable but munlai para has no parking for tourists. And if you don't know how to keep your surrounding environment clean, then definitely it's not a place for you.

I think I will...

Munlai Para is one of the cultural capitals of Bandarban hill district of CHT. Inhabited by the Bawm indigenous group, Munlai is endowed with rich natural and cultural attractions. It is also a gateway to Bandarban’s most iconic tourism destination – the Boga Lake that stretches till Keokaradong (the highest peak of Bangladesh). This tribal village is easily accessible both by land and river Sangu. Traditional house, nearby streams and orchards make the Para very pleasant and attractive destination. Of the 54 households in Munlai, majority of people engaged mostly in agriculture and hunting. Socially, the state of the community’s wellbeing is discouraging. In particular, the Bawm community of Munlai run behind several aspects such as livelihood opportunities, nutrition, education and healthcare. Climate change and globalization exerted additional pressures, affecting agriculture, lifestyles and their heritage. These compounding reasons are important contexts behind the development of minimum human and...

A mesmerizing two-hour ride from Bandarban town takes you to Munlai, a tranquil village of 54 Bawm Households. The spectacular setting amidst hills and the river Sangu, lets you experience the exquisite lifestyle of the Bawm community through home-stay and culinary expedition, thrilling treks, kayaking, the country’s longest zip-line, and many other adventures. You can choose to relax or have a rush of adrenaline in this fully managed facility. Come and visit us, we are waiting for you. Munlai is the first ever community tourism initiative in the country with the core philosophy to restore, develop and sustain, its culture and heritage by involving every household in...