Keokradong (Bengali: কেওক্রাডং) is a mountain peak located in Ruma Upazila, Bandarban, Bangladesh. The peak rises about 3,172 feet, with white clouds often wrapping its rocky summit above sweeping valley views below. Known in the local Marma language as “the tallest rock mountain,” Keokradong is one of the most loved destinations for trekkers and cloud chasers.

How to Reach Keokradong Peak:

1. Travel from Dhaka to Bandarban by bus or train
2. Take a jeep from Bandarban to Boga lake (rest and collect army permits here)
3. Drive or trek from Boga lake up to Keokradong Peak (about 1 hour by jeep, 2–3 hours on foot)

A registered guide is mandatory for all visitors. The best time to visit Keokradong Peak is October through March.

About Keokradong Peak

Keokradong rises about 3,172 feet above sea level. People once called it the highest peak in Bangladesh, but modern surveys have moved it down to fifth place. Saka Haphong (also called Mowdok Tlang) now holds the top spot.

The name comes from the local Marma community. In Marma, Keokradong means “the tallest rock mountain.” From a distance, the Keokradong peak often looks blurred because white clouds drape across it. The wind up there can knock you sideways, and rain or mist takes over with no warning. That mix of cloud, wind, and peak is exactly why so many people keep coming back.

See more: Everest Base Camp Trekking in Nepal

Getting to Bandarban First (How Do You Get to Keokradong Peak)

Whatever district you start from, your first stop has to be Bandarban. From there, the road bends deeper into the hills toward Ruma and Boga lake.

From Dhaka to Bandarban

Several bus companies run nightly from Dhaka to Bandarban. S. Alam, Saudia, Saint Martin Paribahan, Unique, Hanif, Shyamoli, and Dolphin all operate this route. Non-AC fares sit between 800 and 900 BDT per person. AC coaches charge 1,200 to 1,800 BDT. The ride takes seven to nine hours, and most buses leave Kolabagan, Sayedabad, or Fakirapool around 10:00 to 11:30 PM.

If you prefer the train, you can ride Porjotok Express, Cox’s Bazar Express, Sonar Bangla, Subarna Express, Turna Nishita, or Mahanagar Godhuli from Dhaka to Chittagong. Train fares range from 405 to 1,398 BDT depending on class. Flights from Dhaka to Chittagong are also available. After reaching Chittagong, you switch to a bus or private car for Bandarban.

From Chittagong to Bandarban

Pubali and Purbani buses leave from Chittagong’s New Bridge bus station for Bandarban. Tickets cost 150 to 180 BDT per person, and the trip takes about two hours. Private cars work too if you want more flexibility.

From Other Districts

If your district has no direct route to Bandarban, head to Chittagong first. From there the connection is straightforward. At first, you need to go to Chittagong bus terminal, and there you should ask which vehicles are going to Bandarban. At Chittagong bus terminal, you will find many vehicles that go directly to Bandarban.

Bandarban to Keokradong Peak: Your Route Options

You have two main ways to reach the Keokradong peak from Bandarban. Both work, but they fit different budgets and group sizes.

Option 1: Direct Reserved Jeep from Bandarban

The full road from Bandarban through Ruma Bazar and Boga lake all the way to Keokradong is now drivable. A reserved Chander Gari or jeep from Bandarban straight to Keokradong costs 13,000 to 14,000 BDT. One vehicle fits 10 to 15 people, so groups can split the cost. The distance is about 70 kilometers.

Option 2: Break the Trip in Stages

Most travelers stop at Ruma Bazar first because it cuts the price. The distance from Bandarban to Ruma Bazar is 48 kilometers. Local buses leave the Ruma bus stand starting at 7:30 AM, then run hourly. The fare is 140 BDT per person, and the ride takes about three hours.

For groups, a reserved jeep from Bandarban to Ruma Bazar costs 4,000 to 4,500 BDT and takes two hours. The road is steep and twisting, so motion sickness can hit hard. Eat light before the ride.

At Ruma Bazar: Permits and Guide

Before you enter the Ruma bus stand area, you must stop at the Ruma Tourist Assistance Center. Every person in your group fills out a form with name, address, mobile number, and NID number.

After reaching Ruma Bazar, your first job is to hire a registered guide. A guide is mandatory. You’ll find the guide association office near the bazar, and any registered guide there can take you. You cover the guide’s food and lodging on top of the guide fee. If you have a contact already, you can call ahead.

Next, head to the Ruma army camp for trekking permission. Every group member submits an NID or birth certificate copy along with a written list of names. Your guide helps with all the paperwork. You only need to sign and provide your phone number.

Buy any last supplies at Ruma Bazar. Some tribal shops along the way stock basics, but you can’t count on finding what you actually need. Pack saline, dry food, water, and a power bank here. Knowing how to pack a hiking backpack makes the next stretch much easier.

From Ruma Bazar to Keokradong Peak

After your permit clears, you rent a Land Cruiser jeep or Chander Gari from Ruma Bazar. One-way to Keokradong costs 5,000 BDT. Round trip is 7,000 BDT. Each extra night of waiting adds 1,000 BDT. Motorbikes also work for round trips at 2,000 BDT, with two riders per bike.

If your group is small, ask the guide to match you with another group sharing a vehicle. That cuts costs sharply.

Most trekkers stop overnight at Boga lake before pushing on to Keokradong the next morning. Some flip the order: Keokradong first, then Boga lake on the way back. Either way, Boga lake is worth a stop. The lake itself is famous, and the army camp there requires a check-in.

From Boga lake to Keokradong by vehicle takes about an hour when the road is clear. If you want the traditional experience, you can skip the jeep and trek the old route on foot. That takes three to four hours to reach the Keokradong peak and crosses several steep climbs. The trail passes Chingri Jhorna (a small waterfall) and a few jhiri (stream) paths. The elevation difference between Boga lake and Keokradong is roughly 2,000 feet over 8 to 9 kilometers. Good shoes matter here. If you haven’t broken yours in yet, my tips on breaking in new hiking boots will save you from raw heels by hour two.

Permit Checkpoints You’ll Cross

You collect permission from five checkpoints to reach the peak.

First, the Ruma Bazar army camp issues the initial trekking permit. Second, the Ruma Bazar police post adds its clearance. Third, the army camp before Boga lake checks your papers again. Fourth, the Boga lake camp clears you for the final stretch. Fifth, the Keokradong summit camp records your arrival. On the way back, you sign out at each post you passed through.

Your guide handles all of this. You just provide your name, signature, and phone number. Carry photocopies of your NID and a few extra ID photos in your pack for safety.

Where to Stay on the Keokradong Peak

Keokradong Keokradong Peak Tourist Motel

This cottage sits right at the Keokradong peak. The valley view from here is exceptional, and getting a room often takes some effort. Shared rooms run 150 to 300 BDT per person depending on crowds. Booking number: +8801880320931. Food is available at 130 to 150 BDT per meal, with rice, eggs, bhorta, and dal. Pahari chicken needs to be ordered ahead. Water is scarce up there. Hand and face washing is free, but bath water costs 50 BDT per bucket.

A separate hotel on the peak rents larger rooms for 1,500 to 2,500 BDT, sleeping four to eight people. A few tribal cottages also rent at 200 to 300 BDT per person.

Cloud Hill Agro Resort

This option sits in Darjeeling Para, about an hour below the summit. Rooms cost 130 to 150 BDT per night. Booking numbers: +8801863110623 and +8801531701655. Meals run 120 to 130 BDT.

Boga lake Cottages

The tribal cottages around Boga lake charge 200 to 300 BDT per person. Each one-room cottage sleeps four to ten people. Couples and women’s groups can book separate cottages on request. Tell your guide your preference and he arranges it. Siam Didi’s cottage has a strong local reputation.

Where to Eat

You can eat where you sleep. Most cottage owners cook simple meals: rice, eggs, dal, bhorta, and sometimes pahari chicken if you order in advance. The standard plate runs 100 to 130 BDT. Tell your guide what you want before you arrive so the cook has time to prep.

On the trail between Boga lake and Keokradong, a few small tribal shops sell tea, bananas, bread, papaya, and oranges. Don’t count on them for a full meal.

At Darjeeling Para, on the descent, Irene Didi’s hotel serves excellent local food and warm hospitality. Order ahead through your guide.

Full Cost Breakdown for a Three-Day Trip

Here’s roughly what one person spends from Dhaka and back.

Round trip Dhaka–Bandarban bus (non-AC): 1,240 BDT total (620 each way)

First Day (Bandarban → Ruma → Boga lake):

• Breakfast in Bandarban: 50 BDT (paratha with vegetables or dal)
• Bandarban to Ruma Bazar in shared Chander Gari: 500 BDT, or 120 BDT by bus (about three hours)
• Lunch at Ruma: 100 BDT (rice, fish or chicken, bhorta, dal)
• Ruma Bazar to Komolabazar in reserved Chander Gari: 312 BDT, or local 200 BDT (about 90 minutes)
• Dinner at Boga lake: 120 BDT
• Stay at Boga lake: 150 BDT

Day 2 (Boga lake → Keokradong):

• Breakfast at Bogal ake: 120 BDT (khichuri, egg, mashed potato, dal, onion bhorta)
• Lunch at Keokradong: 130 BDT
• Dinner at Keokradong: 130 BDT
• Stay at Keokradong: 200 BDT

Day 3 (Return):

• Light breakfast at Darjeeling Para: 40 BDT
• Komolabazar to Ruma Bazar in reserved Chander Gari: 312 BDT, or local 200 BDT
• Lunch at Ruma: 100 BDT
• Ruma Bazar to Bandarban: 500 BDT (jeep) or 120 BDT (bus)
• Dinner at Bandarban: 200 BDT (we usually splurge here at Tazingdong Hotel)

Other costs:

• Guide fee: 600 BDT per group for day trips, scales up for overnight (see table below)
• Photocopies for paperwork: small expense

Tour Guide Fees

The guide fee structure is fairly standard across the registered guides at Ruma.

For just Boga lake, the fee is 1,500 BDT. For Keokradong including an overnight stay, expect to pay around 2,600 BDT plus the guide’s food and lodging.

Here are some registered guide contacts: Babul (01552432937), Prokash (01887659360), Ronjon (01827713975), Tapash Barua (01884756482), Ujjwal (01887669841), Mithun (01872383168), Pabon Das (01855533844), Panowam Bom (01638833158), Sapul (01843229547), Asish Barua (01858358704), and driver Palash for Chander Gari (01820400446).

Suggested Keokradong Peak Tour Plan

The route from Bandarban passes through Ruma Bazar, Munlai Para, Boga lake, and Darjeeling Para before reaching the Keokradong peak. If you only have time for one overnight, sleep at Keokradong. The mountain shows its best self in late afternoon and at sunrise, and you can only catch both by staying overnight.

If you have two nights, sleep at Boga lake on night one and Keokradong on night two. Munlai Para and Darjeeling Para are both known as exceptionally clean tribal villages. Stop and walk through them on the way.

Practical Tips Before You Go

I learned most of these the hard way on early trips.

Wear shoes with strong grip. The trail mixes loose rock, packed dirt, and slippery sections. If you’re prone to foot pain, my guide on preventing blisters on your feet while hiking is worth a read.

Keep your backpack as light as possible. Trekking gets harder with every extra kilo. Pack only what you actually need.

There’s no electricity at Boga lake or Keokradong. Solar power runs lightly, but charging is unreliable. Bring a power bank.

Carry a few sachets of saline or glucose. The climb takes more out of you than you expect, especially in the warmer months. If you’re planning a longer trip elsewhere, training for high-altitude hiking gives you a stronger base for trips like this one.

Not all mobile networks reach the area. Teletalk and Robi work best.

Be careful while bathing in Boga lake. The water is deep, and people have drowned there before.

Respect the local tribal communities. Their way of life differs from city life, and being polite goes a long way.

The road from Bandarban to Keokradong winds through steep mountain terrain. Motion sickness hits many travelers, so eat light before each leg.

In winter, jeeps can drive almost the full way to the peak. During monsoon, you’ll likely walk the last stretch because parts of the road wash out.

If you plan to drink stream water during the trek, learn how to purify water in the forest before you go. Tribal streams look clean but can carry parasites.

In winter, nighttime temperatures drop sharply. Bring warm layers, gloves, and a hat. The wind at the summit cuts straight through thin fabric.

Reach Ruma Bazar Before 4 PM

This rule trips up many first-time visitors. The army doesn’t allow any new Chander Gari to start the Boga lake leg after 4 PM. If you arrive late, you sleep at a Ruma Bazar hotel and lose half a day. Plan your bus so you reach Bandarban by sunrise, eat fast, and start for Ruma right away.

Why Keokradong Stays a Top Destination

Among Bangladesh’s high peaks, Keokradong stays one of the most visited for clear reasons. The climb is approachable. From Boga lake, a fit walker reaches the summit in three to four hours. The summit area is wide, with cottages, food, and proper facilities. The administration allows visitors with a permit, which removes most of the legal worry. And on a clear morning, you can see most of the country’s other thousand-meter peaks from the top. The sea of clouds at sunrise is the kind of view that pulls people back year after year. If this is your first multi-day trek, my notes on planning your first overnight trip from start to finish will help you prep the rest.

Final Thoughts

Keokradong Peak rewards careful planning. Book your bus early, hire a registered guide, carry your NID, and respect the army checkpoints. During monsoon, the trail turns dangerous. Skip the trip in heavy rain. Save it for October through March when the weather cooperates and the cloud views peak. Life is one. A single accident lasts forever. Travel safe, travel slow, and let the mountain show itself on its own time.