Hello
Everyone hope you all are doing fine. My days are going pretty well. Today I will share with you about a tour that I had enjoyed last year.
So lets roll into it.
From Dhaka you can go directly to Bandarban or from Chittagong to Bandarban to Boga Lake.
From Bandarban, you can go directly to Boga Lake by reserving a Chander Gari ( a kind of vehicle) or land cruiser.
Or you can travel 48 km by bus from Bandarban to Ruma Bazar and from there you can go to Boga Lake by reserving a Chander Gari .
Boga Lake
We took the bus to Ruma Bazaar. From Ruma Bazaar, we entered in a army camp with our guide whom we hired earlier and from there we reserved a Chander Gari and started our journey to Boga Lake.
On the middle of the way you had to show ours identity at Ruma Police Station again. After arriving to Boga Lake, we entered another army camp and checked in again and got up at the lake cottage which we had booked before. Leaving the bags in the cottage we took a bath in the icy cold water of Boga Lake which freshened us. Then we had lunch and take a little rest and go out to enjoy the beauty of Boga Lake.
The lake was formed approximately 2000 years ago at an altitude of 1200 feet above sea level. According to geologists, the lake was formed by the collapse of a dead volcano or meteorite.
Boga Lake is 115 feet deep and the water is very cool. Boga Lake is allowed to take a bath but not to swim. If you take a bath in the cool water of Boga Lake , the tiredness of the whole day's travel will go away in an instant.
In the evening there was a barbecue. Someone is barbecuing, someone is singing on the guitar. And we are in tune. At the foot of the mountain, in the moonlight by the lake, the barbecue smoke and the music played on the guitar seemed to create an unearthly atmosphere
Keokradong
We got up in the morning from Boga Lake, enjoyed the beauty of the lake in the morning, had breakfast and started our journey to Keokradong. The 14-kilometer route to Keokradong is entirely tracking (on foot). This road is very inaccessible and difficult as it is a hilly road. It is better not to go this way for younger children or older people.
After reaching Keokradong, you have to sign the entry to the army camp again. The day we went, there were a good amount of people in Keokradong, including guides and tourists. Reaching the peak and seeing the view of the surroundings, I hope your travel fatigue will go away! Although you may need to take painkillers before going to bed at night.
While going to Keokradong, you will meet "Chingri Waterfall" you can take a bath for freshen up and start walking again. We start walking on the way to our destination Keokradong with a bottle of clear water from the waterfall. The way to the waterfall is very slippery and risky so you must be extra careful on the way to the waterfall or you may need to use the first aid kit items.
On the way you will see "Tameng View Point". There were Shifting cultivators and farmlands with varieties types of crops. There were few farmers working in the fields. Paddy, turmeric, chilli and ginger cultivation on the slopes of the hill will catch your eye.
The Darjeeling neighborhood is close to Keokradong. From there you can see the peak of Keokradong and get a aesthetic view. After the last tea break we started walking again and were able to reach the peak at one point.
Like Boga Lake, you have to rely on indigenous cottages for accommodation and food. If you tell in advance, the guide will make all the arrangements. We had lunch with mashed potatoes and mutton. There is a lot of water crisis in Keokradong. Even if you get water for washing your hands and face for free, you have to buy and use it for Tk. 50 per bucket of water for bathing. After buying a bucket of water for 50 taka I took a bath, the water really worths the value. I felt very fresh, and I was thinking in my mind how much water we are wasting back in our homes.
Sitting on the top of Keokradong, watching the clouds come and go, watching the sunset, seeing the mountains in the moonlight at night and watching the sun rise on the tops of the mountains in the morning were some of the best moments of our lives. After having breakfast with egg mugdal and parata in the morning, we started our returned journey to Boga Lake.
After coming to Boga Lake we took a bath in the lake water, having lunch, we started my journey to Bandarban in a Chander Gari. Wherever we signed the entry in the army camp, we signed the exit again and came back to Bandarban in the evening. At night we took a bus to Chittagong and from there I returned home safely by train.
Preparation
Due to the rugged mountain environment, you will not get what you want at any time. So useful things should be kept at hand in advance. Staying, eating, coming and going, taking a guide should be arranged in advance.
Take a power bank, useful medicine, saline, dry food (if you want to eat on the way). There are many more army camps along the way. You have to sign by entering the name and address in each camp. Take things in stride and try not focus too much on the problem. There are lots of leeches on the helipad of Keokradong. Try not to walk on the grass but on the ground.
Travel Cost
Bandarban's AC non-AC buses ply from Dhaka. The rent is 800 to 1000 tak per person. Local bus fare from Bandarban to Ruma is 120/150 taka per head. Boga Lake Chander Gari from Ruma 2200+ Taka, capacity 14 people. Moreover, going from Bandarban to Boga Lake in a Chander Gari (one day mid-break) costs 12,000 to 14,000 taka.
Accommodation and Food
Indigenous cottages rent 150/200 taka per head. One room can accommodate 10 people. Food is available for 100 to 200 taka per day. However, you have to say in advance for food. If you want as a hill item, you can taste bamboo chicken and bamboo skewers.
Guide
It is mandatory to take a guide from Ruma Bazaar. Guide costs 1500 taka to boga Lake, 2700+ to Keokradong.
Note
The cost of each rental, accommodation, meal can be more or less based on time and demand. Talk to a few guides before you go and check to get an idea of the updated price.
Must be observed
It is our responsibility and duty to keep the natural environment clean. Remove dirt to specific areas without leaving dirt there. If you can't find a place to dump your garbage, save it for yourself. Next remove the dirt in the dustbin.
Words about me
I am Sakeeb Ul Islam Sony, from Bangladesh. I am doing graduation in Disaster Management and Vulnerable Studies from Dhaka University . I love to travel and watch movies. Most of time of holidays I try to enjoy playing games and sports and watching movies.
