Expedition Overview
The Chittagong Hill Tracts of south-eastern Bangladesh are among the most visually rich and least-photographed regions in South Asia. Bandarban is home to eleven indigenous communities — the Marma, Tripura, Bawm, Khumi, Mro, and others — each with distinct clothing, jewellery, spiritual practices, and agricultural traditions. The landscape shifts from lowland paddy through bamboo forest into dramatic mountain ridges with fast, clear rivers between sandstone gorges.
This three-day expedition is structured around respectful, relationship-based portrait photography. Professor Nasrul Eam has established long-term connections with several communities here; participants photograph with the warmth of genuine welcome, not as passing tourists. We also work the landscape — the morning fog in the valleys, the blue ridgelines receding into haze, the rivers in late afternoon light.
Expedition Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Bawm Village
Arrive Bandarban by road. Afternoon walk to a Bawm community. The Bawm are primarily Christian with neat timber houses, vegetable gardens, women in hand-woven striped cloth. Evening portrait session by window light.
The Goal of the Day: Environmental portraiture: making connection and working with available interior light.
Day 2: Chimbuk Hills & Marma Community
Pre-dawn departure for Chimbuk, at 915m the highest accessible point in the district. Sunrise over layer upon layer of blue ridgelines. Descent to a Marma farming settlement for photography of paddy threshing, water collection, and children at a bamboo school.
The Goal of the Day: Landscape photography at altitude; documentary community life photography.
Day 3: Nafakhum Waterfall & River Valley
Half-day hike to Nafakhum — Bangladesh's widest waterfall — through dense bamboo forest. The river above is a series of clear pools and rapids ideal for long-exposure work. Return via the river valley in afternoon light.
The Goal of the Day: Long-exposure waterfall; forest and atmospheric light photography.
Book Your Expedition
Note: Final price may vary based on specific expedition details and customizations.
Expedition Leaders
Professor Nasrul Eam is a seasoned explorer and visual storyteller who has spent over two decades traversing Asia’s diverse landscapes and cultures. As Dean of the Department of Art and Photography at Light & Composition University, he leads immersive photography expeditions to regions like the Himalayas, Sundarbans, and Bali. These journeys blend cultural exploration with hands-on learning, culminating in a complete photography diploma. With a portfolio of over 50 publications—including The Quintessence of Photography and Illuminating Nature—his work captures the profound beauty of everyday life. His background in advertising, linguistics, and visual arts enriches his mentorship, guiding participants to uncover compelling narratives through their lenses. Professor Eam’s expeditions are transformative experiences, inspiring photographers to engage deeply with the world around them.
Travel Information
Bandarban is 70km from Chittagong (2.5 hours by road). Chittagong is connected to Dhaka by air (45 min) and train. Foreign nationals require a special area permit for the Hill Tracts — the expedition team arranges all permits. Best season October–March.
What to Bring
• Sturdy hiking footwear (slippery paths after rain)
• Lightweight tripod for waterfall work
• 35–85mm range for village portraiture
• Wide-angle for valley landscapes
• Modest clothing respectful to local customs
• Head torch for pre-dawn departures
