Boga Lake Bandarban Bangladesh Tourism

Boga Lake is called the highest natural lake of Bangladesh. It is about 2700 feet above the sea level. But few experts think that the Boga Lake is about 3000-3700 feet above the sea levels indeed. Boga Lake is about 2000 years old hill enclosed natural lake covering total 15 acres of land. The origin of the name Boga come from the local word “BAGA” means fire of Dragon. Boga Lake is familiar through different local names among the local habitats. Suppose Bagakain Lake, Bagakyne Lake or Baga Lake along with Boga Lake. Boga Lake is bounded by deep bamboo bushes from its three sides and high hill in rest side. There is a small village just beside the lake. The Boga Lake is either rectangular or funnel shape. The Boga Lake is average 38 meters deep. Bagachara is the deepest part of Boga and it is 153 meters deep. Boga Lake is a closed lake and there is no way to drain out water. Rain water is the source of the water of the Boga Lake. Some Geologist argue that the Boga Lake have origin from a devastated earthquake. Some geologists believe that the origin of Boga Lake from a dead volcano and the collection of rain water in the cave area resulting the creation of Boga Lake. The nature of the water and the soil of the Boga Lake also support their opinion. Due to high acidity in water, Boga Lake is not appropriate for living any kind of common flora and fauna. But it is interesting that no travelers miss the chance to take a hot bath in the beautiful lake to refresh their soul.

At present, Boga Lake has placed as a heavenly place of beauty and great pleasure for those travelers who love adventure and to face challenging travel. That is why a number of tourists from home and abroad makes their destination to the paradise of nature every year. Boga Lake is as a heaven where nature has opened up all its beauty and charms without any hesitation for the tourists. The bamboo and wild bushes around the lake, the grass and the known and unknown amazing wild flowers and other plants contribute as like verse of a great poem of beauty and charms. The travelers forget to take breathe when the soft clouds appears in front of them around the magical Boga lake. The beauty is not only describable in word but also to feel to soothe both the eyes and mind to quench the thirst of beauty.

The charm and amazing beauty of the Boga Lake changes with the color change of water, depending on various indicators such as sun light, clouds humidity seasons etc. But usually the water of Boga Lake is super fine crystal clear with blue shade surface which reflects like pearls. Visitors will definitely be amazed looking at the big rocks lying here and there in Boga Lake. A camp fire beside the lake will be great and mind blowing memory in your life. Boga Lake attracts the nature lovers in such magnetic way that very few tourist places can dare to be the alternative of Boga Lake. Boga Lake is such a magnetizing place which must astonish the tourists with amazing landscape, zigzagging thin path-way and all other wild elements around the Boga Lake.

How to go Boga Lake, Bandarban

Boga Lake is about 65 km away from the Bandarban city and 15 km away from Ruma Upazilla Sadar. There are two ways to go to Boga Lake. They are Ruma route and the way of Jhiripath. The formal route is Ruma. At first you have to make a trip from Bandarban to Ruma by “Chander Gari” (public jeep), public bus or a private vehicle. From Ruma, you can hire a public jeep up to Boga Lake. On the way, you have to register your name and particulars in the respective security camp. It is mentioned that you are not allowed to leave Ruma for Boga Lake after 4 pm. From Ruma, you have to go Koikhong Jhiri by public bus or Chander Gari. You can also hire a Chander Gari (public jeep) up to Koikhong Jhiri. It takes 1-1.50 hours to reach koikhong Jhiri. You may also hire a boat approx one hour journey to Koikhong Jhiri. Finally you have to walk through the zigzag hilly way to Boga Lake. It is quite difficult to visit Boga Lake in the rainy season but winter is better to travel the same. From My own experience, It is better to take a local guide to visit Boga Lake from Ruma or Khikhong Jhari.

Accommodation at Boga Lake

There is no residential hotel except the rest house of district council at Boga Lake area. So the tourists have to arrange accommodation in the local tribal communities. The tribal people have built some small but attractive cottages with sufficient facilities within their range for rent purpose to travelers in return of a comparatively cheap amount of money. But before reaching Boga Lake, the tourists have to stay at the Bandarban or Ruma Bazaar.

Food and drinks arrangements in Boga Lake

Since there is no hotel, motel or restaurant in Boga Lake, the tourists or travelers should have to manage their foods, drinks and other stuffs from local tribal communities. Of course the travelers have to pay them for this services which is not much expensive at all. But travelers should be aware about dog or pig meat, dried snakes and other uncommon dishes if they want to avoid the same. Most of the foods cooked by the tribal peoples feel too much hot and spicy but extra ordinary delicious to the tourists. Dry fishes are most common food item here. From my own experience, it is better to manage some dry food stuffs from Ruma Bazar when there is no shop at all after Ruma Bazar.

 Locally produced rice wine popularly known as “Arriaa” is a popular drink among the community. It may be flavored with pineapples, stone-apples, elachi etc. Tea is a popular drink here but server with salt rather than sugar.

Consciousness and Precautions before trekking to Boga Lake

You have to mentally and physically prepare for a tough and rough journey in such long way. 

Be careful about using local water.

Bandarban is a malaria affected zone. So you should carry mosquito resistant kits.

You should carry some dry foods, water purifying kits and first aid box with particular medicine.

You should carry water resistant bag and should avoid heavy loads of baggage.

Be friendly with the local inhabitants.

Be careful and seek permission from the ethnic people before taking photographs.

There is no mobile network, no good road communication.

Price may vary with different indicators. So, be careful before fixing price.

Try to avoid unknown persons and strangers on the way.

It is better to start the journey in a group.

All non-Bangladeshis are required to contact and register his particulars in the local police station .

Padma Resort Louhajong Munshiganj

Padma Resort is one of the most lucrative resorts located at a large island of mighty Padma River at Lohajong, Munshiganj. There are 16 wooden duplex cottages with straw made roof to make natural flavor. Each cottage contains two single beds in bed room at upper floor, one drawing room, sofa set and balcony at ground.

There are huge acres of clay land around the resort to bathe! You may run on the clay or arrange an exciting outdoor game. The absolute green around the island must soothe your eyes. Padma resort is an ideal place to visit an absolutely natural environment especially for the urban guys who are used to maintain a robotic routine bound life. It is one of the best place for passing leisure, family vacation and picnic party. Boat journey in Padma River is also facilitated here.

How to go Padma Resort

Padma Resort is just 7 Km left of Mawa transit point just the opposite bank of Lohajong police station. It may take about 100 minutes from Dhaka to reach Ghordaur Bazaar adjacent to Padma resort if you use private vehicle. If you wish to use public vehicle like Bus to reach Padma Resort, It is better to use Gangchil Paribahan start from Gulistan, Dhaka to reach Ghordaur Bazar. It takes Tk 65/person as hire. From Ghordaur Bazar, Thana-ghat, own boats of the resort are ready to ferry you.

Foods and Drinks

There is a well furnished restaurant maintained by resort authority facilitates foods and drinks for the guests in a panoramic environment. But it’s a little bit costly. As alternative you may take meal in Takdir Hotel or Padma View Food Court in Ghordaur Bazaar. Fresh Hilsha fish from Padma River is available here.

Cottage Rent at Padma Resort

1.       Cottage rent for day long (10am to 6pm) Tk.2, 000* for maximum 10 persons.

2.       Cottage rent for 24 hours (10am to 10am) Tk 3,000* for maximum 4 persons.

 *15% VAT applicable on all charges.

Contact info of Padma Resort

S.M. Nazrul Islam

General Manager

Telephone: +880-28752617

Dhaka Office:

Road# 28, House# 380 (GF), New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1206.

Email: info@padmaresort.net, marketing@padmaresort.net

In case of emergency: +8801712170330, +8801752987688

Kuakata Sea Beach, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Kuakata Sea Beach, Patuakhali

Kuakata is popularly known as Sagor Konnya (Daughter of Sea) is a rare picturesque tourist place located at the southern tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata Sea Beach is about 320 km away from Dhaka and 70 km away from Patuakhali district sadar. Kuakata is one of the rarest unique beaches in the world, which offers the full view of the rising and setting of the crimson sun in the blue water of the Bay of Bengal. The beach is about 18 Km in length and 2 km in wide. The Gangamati reserve forest lies to the eastern point of the beach and the border of the Sundarban is to the western point. You may visit Kuakata to discover the amazing grace of nature.

Kuakata is an excellent combination of the illusive natural beauty, white sandy beach, series of coconut tries, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay of Bengal and evergreen forest in surrounding areas really mind blowing. It will be a great pleasure bathing or diving or simply lazing here. This virgin beach, lined by coconut trees, is a sanctuary for migratory winter birds. The Bay is always alive with colorful sail boats, surfing waves, towering cliffs, fishing or just walking on the beach. The illusive beauty of Kuakata is enjoyable only and not describable in words.

The unique customs of the Rakhyne tribal families and the statue of Goutom Buddha about hundred years old located at Misripara, Keranipara and nearby places indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage. A number of devotees arrive here to join the festival of Rash Purnima and Maghi Purnima. On these both occasions, traditional fairs held and the devotees take holy bath in the beach. Fisherman village is another suitable place to visit. In the fishermen village you will be amazed with the raw expression and lifestyle of fishermen. If you are adventurous enough, you may also go for fishing on the fishing boat if you can manage the local fishermen. You may purchase some fresh Hilsha fish from them. You may also taste the cooked spicy Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) fish from the local restaurants. You must remember the wonderful taste of such fresh Hilsha for a long time. From Kuakata you can visit the Gongamati Reserve Forest, a part of the great Sundarban. Don't forget to visit Fatrar - Chor (Island), another wonderful tourist destination nearby Kuakata. The best time of the year to visit the beach is winter.

How to go Kuakata Sea Beach

To visit Kuakata, you have to travel to Barisal first by road, water, or air, and then you start to by bus or launch. Recently Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has introduced a direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via Barisal.

Foods and Accommodation in Kuakata Sea Beach

A number of Hotels/Motels are built nearby Kuakata beach to facilitate tourists. Various kinds of foods and drinks are available there in moderate cost.

Top Tourist Destinations in Bandarban, Bangladesh

At present, Bandarban is one of the top tourist destinations in Bangladesh, located is Chittagong Hill Tract, south-east part of Bangladesh mostly covered with extensive forest and amazing wild hilly geography.

Bandarban is an ideal place for tracking, hiking, and jungle walk for adventure loving traveler. The highest peak of Bangladesh, Bijoy of Tajingdong (4500 feet) located in Bandarban an exciting tracking route. Beside Tajingdong, Keokradong (4000 feet) is also located in Bandarban which is also a popular mountain for tracking. Boga Lake which is claimed as the highest Lake in Bangladesh lies directly on the track. You may visit Faipi, Rijuk and Patang Jhiri waterfall just the way to Bandarban - Ruma- Koikhong Jhiri - Boga Lake – Tajingdong route. You must be amazed observing the illusive landscape and crystal clear water of Boga Lake. You have to stay nearby Boga Lake at tribal village at night to track to the above mountains. It will be a great chance for you to know the indigenous hill tribe, their raw expression, culture and heritage living at the tribal villages. But traveling in the above route is really a rough and tough Journey. You should start your journey in group and avoid family tour in the route. You may visit Baklai Waterfall of Baklai para, Thanchi which is claimed the top highest waterfall (380 feet height) in Bangladesh.

For family tour, you prospect a smooth and hazard free journey. In this sense, you may prefer Nilgiri Resort which is situated at Thanci Upazilla, just 47 kilometer south-east from Bandarban town, about 2200 feet above the sea level and.  I think it will be one of your great memories in your life if you have a chance to stay a moon light night in Nilgiri. You may also visit Nilachal tourist spot which is just 5 km away from Bandarban town. Nilachal is one of the nearest and most beautiful tourist place in Bandarban located at Tigerpara. Locally it is known as Tiger Hill. Someone call it Swarga Puri (place of haven) due to its illusive and wild unexpressed landscape. Golden Temple (Buddhist Dhatu Jadi) is one of the most visited tourist destination in Bandarban for a day journey. It is called as the largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Purpara on the top of a high hill (about 200 feet high), just 4 km away from Bandarban city aside the Bandarban-Rangamati roadway. The Shoilo Propat waterfall located at Milanchori, 4 km from the Bandarban town, is also an excellent refreshing site maintained by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. Chimbuk hill is one of the top tourist destinations in Bandarban, just 26 kilometer away from Bandarban town under Thanci upazilla. It is called the Darjeeling of Bangal. Someone think, it is more than Darjeeling! Meghla tourism complex and Hanging Bridge is located just opposite the district council, 4 km away from the Bandarban city aside the road to Keranirhat maintained by district administration. Meghla Parjatan Complex is one of the most amazing and highly visited tourist destinations in Bandarban. Cruise on Sangu River may be the complete summary of the natural beauty of Bandarban. Upabon Parjatan is another beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban at Naikhong Chari. It is a wonderful gift of nature with an amazing lake surrounded by forest. A lot of birds are chirping here and you will surely be amazed looking at the big rocks and surrounding natural scene of the lake. Upabon Parjatan complex is just 2 Kilometer away from Nikhongchori Upazilla sadar. Prantik Lake is another beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban. This amazing place will certainly soothe both eyes and mind. Prantik Lake is an ideal place for travel. Nafakhum is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bangladesh and an excellent place to travel. Zingsiam Saitar is one of the wonderful waterfalls at Ruma Para at Ruma upazilla in Bandarban. The unique feature of Zingsiam Saitar is when the water of Zingsiam Saitar fall down, it divides in three different paths and then the view of this waterfall looking excellent.

It is not the end. The indigenous hill tribes lives scattered over the hills in Bandarban are one of the attractions to all visitors and also a good place for study tour and thesis. There are about 14 different tribes live in Bandarban. Among them Mogh, Murong Chakma, Khumi, Tipra, Bawm, Tanchongya, Khyang are remarkable. The rich flora and fauna, picturesque bamboo cottages of tribal families and their life style have made the entire area an attractive tourist destination in Bandarban, Bangladesh.

Golden Temple (Buddhist Dhatu Jadi) Bandarban

Buddhist dhatu jadi is called as the largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Purpara on the top of a high hill (about 200 feet high), just 4 km away from Bandarban city aside the Bandarban-Rangamati roadway. Buddhist Dhatu Jadi is popularly known as Golden Temple of Bandarban among the tourists. It is one excellent place for a family tour and has great tourism value.  The golden temple is built at the top of 60 meter hill, completely followed the architect of South-East Asian region and It is the second largest  Buddhist temple in Bangladesh. The constriction of the golden temple was started in 1995 and completed in 2000. 

The attractive design of Buddhist heritage and tradition with the modern archeological technique and golden touch of the site make very amazing to the visitors. There is a museum aside the golden temple. The tourists may learn about the historical background of Buddhist religion from here. There is a pond on the top of the high hill and it is called the pond of God.

You can observe a complete glance of Bandarban town standing in the golden temple. You may also see Sangu River, Bandarban Radio Station and the surrounding wild landscape standing at the Golden Temple. A number of festivals are arranged here in every year.

How to Go Golden Temple

When Golden temple is very near of Bandarban town, you may go there by Auto rickshaw, Chander Gari (Public Jeep), car etc. It may take about 30 minutes to go. 

Foods and accommodation in Golden Temple

There is neither good hotel to stay nor good foods facility to take. From my own experience, it is better to stay in Bandarban Town and take dry foods to start journey to Golden temple in the morning.