Alutila Cave (আলুটিলা গুহা)

Alutila Cave lies inside Alutila hill in Matiranga upazila, about 7 kilometres from Khagrachhari town on the road toward Chattogram. Locally it is known as Matai Hakor, the name used by the Tripura people of the area. Alutila means potato hill, a name said to come from wild potatoes once gathered on the hill in times of food shortage.

The hilltop is one of the higher points around Khagrachhari, and the district council has developed it as a tourism centre with viewpoints, a park and shelters. From the top there are wide views over Khagrachhari town and the green hill ranges of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The cave itself is a natural tunnel about 100 metres long, formed in the rock by water. Visitors reach the entrance down a long flight of concrete steps through the forest. Inside, it is completely dark, the roof is low in places and cold water flows along the floor over loose stones. Most people carry torches or the burning mashal torches sold at the gate, and they wade through the shallow stream to come out at the other end. The walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Close by are other Khagrachhari sights such as Richhang waterfall and the Hanging Bridge.

A small entry ticket is sold at the gate of the tourism centre, with recent visitor reports putting it at Tk 40 to 50 per person; check the current price at the gate. Wear sandals or shoes that can get wet, and avoid the cave after heavy rain when water levels rise.

A 100-metre dark tunnel with a cold stream underfoot

The passage is 100 metres from end to end and sits about 3 to 8 metres below the surface of the hill. It has a smooth, rounded shape, more like a natural subway than a jagged cave, and a cold stream runs along its floor all year. There are no lights, handrails or paving inside, so the walk is a small adventure even though it is short.

A phone torch works, but a proper head torch keeps both hands free for the wet rock walls. The stones underfoot are slippery, and the roof drops low enough near the middle that taller visitors have to stoop.

Stay for sunset, then Risang waterfall nearby

Stay at the Alutila tourist centre for sunset, when the lights of Khagrachhari town come on below the viewpoint. The town is about 7 km away, so allow time for the drive back before full dark. Risang waterfall is a short distance from Alutila along hill paths and makes a good second stop on the same morning.

In town, the District Council's horticulture park near Zero Mile has the hanging bridge, a lake, a watchtower and a play area for children. New Zealand Para is another local sunset spot, and boats can be hired on Mayabini Lake. Direct buses run from Dhaka to Khagrachhari, a long day's journey, so most visitors stay at least two nights.