Where it is
Bholaganj, Companiganj Upazila, Sylhet District. The visitor area lies beside the Dhalai River, close to the international border.
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Explore Companiganj · Sylhet
River views, pale stones and the hills of Meghalaya.
Bholaganj Sada Pathor is a riverside day-trip destination in Companiganj, Sylhet, beside the Bangladesh–India border. Its name means “white stone”, after the pale riverbed stones associated with this stretch of the Dhalai River.
Come for the scenery and the boat journey. Plan around the day’s river conditions, permitted access and the time needed to return to Sylhet.
Bholaganj, Companiganj Upazila, Sylhet District. The visitor area lies beside the Dhalai River, close to the international border.
Allow a generous part of the day for the road journey, boat arrangements and time by the river. Keep the return journey flexible.
Riverside scenery, views towards Meghalaya and a landscape that changes with water levels. Do not expect every visit to look like an older photograph.
Confirm that tourist access and boats are operating. Heavy rain and upstream water flow have caused temporary closures in the past.
Getting there
Use the Sylhet–Companiganj–Bholaganj road. Bus and CNG services operate towards Companiganj; confirm the current departure point and whether your service continues to the tourist ghat. A reserved car or microbus gives more control over pickup and return times.
Tourist trips are commonly arranged from Bholaganj’s No. 10 ghat. Follow current local directions rather than assuming every riverside landing serves the visitor area. Before boarding, agree the return fare, waiting time and pickup point.
Keep the boat operator’s contact details and agree your return time. Do not plan the last boat or road connection too tightly, especially with children or a larger group.
Build your budget
We have removed fixed fares that we could not verify against a current official price list. Confirm charges locally before committing, and check whether a price is per person or for the whole vehicle or boat. A standard price varies between BDT 3500 to BDT 5000 depending on type of vehicle from Sylhet city and surrounding areas. This price is more like a full day hire as it almost takes better part of the day.
| Cost | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Bus or shared CNG | Fare each way, departure point and final stop |
| Reserved vehicle | Return journey, fuel, waiting time and parking |
| Tourist boat | Whole-boat or shared fare, permitted passenger limit, life jackets and waiting time |
| Food & small expenses | Meals, drinking water, toilets or changing facilities where available |
A low headline fare may exclude the return trip or waiting time. Confirm the full arrangement before paying.
Choose your day carefully
The landscape can be greener and the river fuller, but heavy rain upstream can rapidly change conditions. Strong currents are a reason to reconsider a river visit. Follow closure notices and local instructions.
Lower water levels can expose more of the riverbed and change the boat journey. Expect different scenery from monsoon photos, and still check access and conditions before travelling.
Rain in the hills can affect the Dhalai even when the weather looks reasonable in Sylhet. In June 2025, access resumed after a weather-related closure; that historical reopening is not confirmation that the site is open today. Check current information with local authorities and operators before setting off.
Have breakfast in Sylhet, check access and set off with water and essentials. At the ghat, settle the return arrangements before starting the boat trip.
Take photos from permitted areas, enjoy the hill views and allow time for a meal. Keep children close and choose secure footing around wet stones.
Afternoon: return at your agreed time and head back to Sylhet with a comfortable margin. For a first visit, keeping this as the main outing is easier than adding several distant attractions.
If you are choosing an overnight base, see our Sylhet city hotel guide. The Sylhet travel guide can help you plan the rest of your stay.
Check the food, toilet and changing options available on the day. Bring suitable snacks for children and anyone with dietary needs. Ask prices before ordering, and take rubbish away with you.
The site was affected by extensive stone removal. In August 2025, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported recovery and restoration work, while the district administration noted that replacing stones could not recreate their original natural arrangement.
Older photographs may therefore differ from the landscape you see. Leave stones where they are, avoid disturbing the riverbed and respect local conservation measures.
Background: BSS report on recovery and restoration, 26 August 2025 ↗.
Make it part of your Sylhet stay
Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. Use the travel planner to share your preferences, or enquire about a car and driver from Sylhet.
It is in Companiganj, Sylhet District, beside the Dhalai River near the Bangladesh–India border.
A tourist boat from the visitor ghat is the usual approach. Confirm the permitted route and arrangements locally, as water levels and access rules can change.
Check the current fare at the ghat. Ask whether it covers the whole boat or an individual seat, the return trip and the agreed waiting time.
Families can plan a visit when access is permitted and conditions are suitable. Arrange correctly sized life jackets, supervise children closely and avoid strong currents and slippery river edges.
Do not assume so. Weather, river conditions and local restrictions can affect tourist access. Confirm the latest position before leaving Sylhet.
You can discuss a wider itinerary, but travel times and boat arrangements need room in the schedule. Start with Sada Pathor as your main outing and add stops only if the day allows.
Guide reviewed: 16 October 2026. This page does not provide live opening, river-condition or fare information. Check current notices from the Companiganj administration and confirm with local operators. Historical closure context: The Business Standard, 5 June 2025.
