Debotakhum

Debotakhum is a khum, the local word for a deep pool in a rock-walled section of stream, in the hills near Roangchhari in Bandarban district: the water fills a narrow gorge between vertical rock walls and is deep and still, so the way through is on a bamboo raft poled along or by swimming with a float, with the walls closing overhead and almost no light reaching the surface in places. Getting there is a jeep ride, a walk of an hour or two through hills and villages, and then the raft. It has become widely known through Bangladeshi social media and now sees a steady flow of visitors, with rafts and guides organised at the trailhead village. Water is high after the monsoon and the gorge is at its best then.

What you actually see

• A rock-walled water gorge - vertical walls with deep still water between.
• Bamboo raft passage - poled or swum through the narrows.
• Little light reaching the water - the walls closing overhead.
• The walk in through villages - an hour or two from the road head.

When to go

October to March; water is high after the monsoon and the gorge works best then, with the dry season reducing it. A day or overnight. Guides and rafts are arranged at the village; permits apply.

Honest expectations

You will be in the water and everything gets wet. Swimming ability matters even with a float. The walk in is hot and steep. Permits for foreigners in the hill tracts are restrictive. It has become crowded at weekends.

Nearby

Roangchhari is the trailhead; Bandarban lies west.