Nilgiri

Nilgiri is a hilltop at around two thousand feet on the road from Bandarban toward Thanchi, developed and run by the army as a resort with cottages, a restaurant and viewpoints, and it is popular for the same reason as Sajek: on many mornings in the cooler months cloud fills the valleys below and the hilltop stands clear above it. The drive up from Bandarban is a substantial part of it, climbing through the hills with viewpoints along the way, and Mru villages are visible on the surrounding ridges. Accommodation is limited to the army cottages and must be booked well in advance, which is the main constraint; day visitors can use the viewpoints and the restaurant.

What you actually see

• Cloud below the hilltop - the valleys filled on cool mornings.
• The drive up from Bandarban - the climb through the hills with viewpoints.
• Mru villages on the ridges - the communities visible from the road.
• Sunrise from the top - the hour the overnight guests come for.

When to go

November to March for the cloud and the cool. A day trip works but overnight gets sunrise, which is the point. Cottages book out weeks ahead. The road is rough in places.

Honest expectations

It is an army-run facility and access rules can change without notice; foreigners face additional checks. Cottages are few and book far ahead. Day visitors get the viewpoints only. The drive is long and rough.

Nearby

Bandarban is south; the Thanchi road continues north-east.