Decidedly untypical of Bangladesh in topography and culture, the Chittagong Hill Tracts have steep jungle hills, Buddhist tribal peoples and is the one place that must be visited. The tracts are about 60km east of Chittagong, that have recently been opened to the public are an idyllic place to visit. The region comprises a mass of hills, ravines and cliffs covered with jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs, and has four main valleys formed by the Karnaphuli, Feni, Shangu and Matamuhuri rivers.

In the far southeastern corner of Bangladesh, bordering Myanmar (Burma) the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) cover three distinct districts of Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. These are home to about a half a million indigenous peoples of 14 unique tribes. It's quite a relief from the flat lowlands of Bengal, to relax and get away from the crowds. Much of the traditional lifestyle is still preserved - Tribal kings, village headmen and self-sustaining crafts, a natural lifestyle, all in a rich, still pristine foothill ecological environment. This region has only recently become accessible - with the signing of an internationally acclaimed accord between the indigenous people and the government. As the few local hotel registers will confirm, only a handful of foreign tourists have yet had the fortune to visit to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, truly an experience to
treasure.