গাইড : 01837833707 (বেলাল)
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Place: Boga Lake to Keokradong
Duration: 5 nights, 4 days
Boga Lake to Keokradong is now a well-known destination, and during winter almost the entire route can be traveled by vehicle. Accommodation, food, and security facilities at the top are also quite good now, although this was not the case a few years ago. Back then, reaching Keokradong from Boga Lake required a difficult 4 to 5 hour trek. However, the winding trails were incredibly magical and breathtaking. Even now, if you can, try to walk the route.
From Dhaka, take any night bus heading to Bandarban. From Bandarban town, you can reach Ruma Bazaar in two ways. If you are traveling in a group of 10 to 12 people, you can rent a jeep for two days, and that same jeep will take you everywhere.
Let me share a different plan, the way we traveled.
In the morning, after arriving in Bandarban, head to the Ruma bus stand. From there, a bus to Ruma Bazaar departs every hour. The fare is around BDT 100 to 150. While chatting with local hill people and enjoying a thrilling roller coaster style ride, you will reach Ruma Bazaar within 2 to 3 hours. There are two army checkpoints on the way where you need to submit your NID and other information. After reaching Ruma Bazaar, take a hotel near the bank of the Sangu River. These hotels are quite basic, but you can find rooms for BDT 200 to 300 per person. After freshening up, go out to explore Ruma Bazaar and enjoy the stunning beauty of the Sangu River. There is no fixed destination. Walk freely, talk to the locals, and try different hill foods. During this time, arrange a guide for the next two days. You will find many guides in the market area. We found our guide there, Brother Belal. I will share his stories in another post.
Do not miss the sunset over the Sangu River in the evening, and the beautiful sunrise early the next morning.
The next day, with the help of your guide, complete the necessary formalities at the army camp. After that, you can go to Boga Lake either by local jeep with the hill people or by renting a jeep. You can also share a ride with other tourists. The best time to reach Boga Lake is on a moonlit night. The reflection of the moon in the round lake surrounded by hills is incredibly beautiful. The hotels at Boga Lake are fairly decent, with costs around BDT 200 to 300 per person.
After spending one night at Boga Lake, start walking early the next morning toward Keokradong. On the way, refresh yourself at Chingri Waterfall, cross several hills and Darjeeling Para, and reach one of the highest peaks of Bangladesh within 3 to 4 hours. The beauty of this route cannot be fully described in words. There is an English saying, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” However, neither the journey nor the summit of Keokradong will disappoint you.
The following morning, return to Boga Lake and then arrange a vehicle, either with a tourist group or on your own, to go back to Ruma Bazaar. Your guide will handle these arrangements. Keep in mind that no local buses leave Ruma Bazaar for Bandarban town after noon, so make sure to reach Ruma Bazaar before midday.
Tour Plan: 4 days, 5 nights
Budget: BDT 5,000 to 6,000
Guide: 01837833707 (Belal)