A travelogue of Keokradong Peak, Darjeeling Para, Bagalek

"The story of conquering the peak of Kreokradong"

Ever since Amiyakhum Nafakhum arrived in March 2018, I wanted to go to Bandarban again to cover Bagalek Kewkradong if time permits. Holidays and weather combined, there's no better time for Keukradong Bagalek. So 2 days before leaving, I made a quick plan and visited Bandarban for the second time. One by one, a total of 20 tourmates!

On Tuesday 26th November at 11 pm we leave Fakirapool by Shyamli (NR) bus for Bandarban. We reached Bandarban around 6 am as there was not much traffic on the road. We all got fresh and had breakfast at the Hill View Restaurant near the bus stand. Then we 20 people left for Bagalek by 7:30 in two pre-arranged Chandragaris. I reached Ruma after about 2 hours of Chandergari along the hilly road. There our guides Ranjan'da and Siam Thang'da received us. Filled up the required form and bought some dry food. We had a plan to have a barbecue at Bagale at night. So I bought the necessary chicken and spices from Ruma market. Then we all got into the Chandergari again. After about two hours I reached Bagalek.

At Bagalek Army Camp we all entered the name and went to the cottage. 20 of us took Siam's 3 cottages for one night stay.Go to the cottage, change and bathe in the lake water. It was already said that for lunch at Siam Dir restaurant. After having lunch, everyone went to the lakeside to have tea at the nearby tea shop. Sitting there we all enjoy the beauty of Bagalek. We watch the sunset sitting on the bank of Bagalek. From there we went to Bagalek army camp camp and spent some time. Ranjan'da and Siam Thang'da were preparing for our bar bq by the lake. At some point Siam'da called us all and said that all the arrangements for Bar BQ had been completed. After a while he will start doing Bar B Q. We all came to the bar bq place by the lake. After dinner we all came to the cottage. I played cards at the cottage for a while and fell asleep early. Because the next morning at 5 a.m. you have to watch the sunrise on the shore of the lake. The next day (November 28) early in the morning, a few of us woke up everyone by shouting...

We all sat on the bank of the lake and watched the sunrise. Had breakfast at Siam Dir restaurant. At Bagalek Army Camp everyone signed in and at 8:30 we started the trek to Keukradong. After about 1 hour we reach shrimp spring. Our plan was that we would not spend much time in the shrimp fountain on the way back and visit the shrimp fountain on the way back. Why I didn't spend more time at the shrimp fountain while I was going, I'll tell you a little later. After about 2 hours trek from there we reach Darjeeling Para. On the way, we rested for a while at the camp and Rumthong Para. In Rumthong neighborhood, Paharis sit with fruits and lemon juice.There are many beautiful views of Kaewkradong Hills from Rumthong Para..

Darjeeling Para is the cleanest village in Bangladesh. We spend some time in Darjeeling Para and start the trek again. After about 40 minutes of trek we reached the peak of Keukradong. At Keukradong Army Camp, we all went to the cottage without entry. Our cottage was at the top of Keukradong. Everyone went to their cottages, changed and freshened up and went to have lunch at Lala Dar restaurant below the camp. It was 3 o'clock to have lunch. By then instructions came from the army camp that no stay at the helipad after 5 pm. And since we already knew this, we didn't spend much time at Shrimp Spring on the way from Bagalek to Keukradong.

After leaving the restaurant we all went to the helipad. The beauty of the sunset from the helipad at Keukradong is indescribable. At that time 2 other people including the camp commander came to the helipad from the camp and gave us some instructions. At 5 o'clock we all left the helipad and went to the summit. At the top, we spend time watching the night stars together. At 9 pm we went to Lala Dar restaurant for dinner. Have dinner, tea and coffee and gossip and go to the peak again. After staying there for a while we came to the cottage. Come and meet us at the army cottage in the camp around 11 pm. Tell me if there is any problem. Everyone played cards together and went to sleep early because the next day (Friday, November 29) we had to watch the sunrise from the summit.On Friday 29th, at 5 o'clock in the morning, a few people called everyone together. Everyone sat on the top and enjoyed the moment of sunrise on the mountain. Then we started the trek towards Bagalek at 7:30 AM after signing at Keukradong Army Camp.

In 30 minutes we reached Darjeeling Para. Breakfast was already ordered there. Everyone got fresh and had breakfast with bamboo chicken. The taste of Bamboo Chicken in Darjeeling neighborhood is amazing! After ordering bamboo chicken at Ranjan Dar's recommendation, I felt that if he had not recommended it, he would have missed out on one of the best things in Darjeeling neighborhood. After eating and drinking, Ranjan Da listened to our music for a while. After some rest we started the trek again.

After trekking for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, I reached the shrimp fountain. As the reason for naming the Shrimp Spring, Ranjan Da then showed some shrimps in the water of the spring and said that there are shrimp in this spring, so it is called Shrimp Spring. Another spring called Kakra Jharna is available on this trek. But now the crab spring has dried up. I climbed the rocks and went to the shrimp fountain very close. After spending some time soaking our hands and face with water from the spring, we started the trek again.After about 50 minutes trek we reach Baga Lake. After leaving the bag at Siam Dir Cottage, we changed and took a bath in the lake water. After signing at Bagalek Army Camp, we left for Rizhuk Jharna in Chander's car. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Munlaipara Ghat near Ruma. There are 2 boats waiting for us. (Ranjan Da fixed the two boats in advance) After a 20-minute boat ride from Munlai Para Ghat, we reached Rizhuk Jharna. Spend some time in the shower and get back on the boat. Purpose Ruma Bazar Ghat. After a 45 minute boat ride, we reached Ruma to enjoy the beauty of Sangu river. After giving the necessary sign at Ruma, I said goodbye to Ranjan Da and Siam Thang Da and left for Bandarban. Reached Bandarban city shortly before 6 pm and went directly to the hotel's Hill View restaurant. Have dinner there. We didn't have time to have lunch that day. In case I don't have time to see Rizhuk Jharna. After the meal, we all went out to explore the city of Bandarban. I walked towards the Burmese market. I did some shopping there and returned to the bus stand around 8:45. We leave for Dhaka by bus at 9 pm. Reached Dhaka around 3:15 pm.

Some important tips:

1. You can take the guide from Ruma Bazaar and if you want to go with a known guide, you have to call him beforehand and confirm. Some of my friends went to Keukradong last year. Ranjandar was found from them. I told him on the phone 2 days before leaving. As there were 20 of us, we had to take 2 guides. Allow 1 guide up to 15/16 people. But if it is more than 2 guides should be taken. 2600 rupees per guide and 5200 rupees for 2 guides. Also we have to bear the food cost of 2 guides.
2. Stayed and ate at Bagaleke and Keukradong through guides. We took Simaydi's cottage right next to the lake in Bagale. And our cottage at Keukradong was at the very top. 150 taka per person to stay at the cottage in Bagale and 300 taka per person per night to stay at Keukradong. The cost of food was 120/130 - 200/220 per meal depending on the menu.
3. We had fixed the boat to go to Rizhuk Jharna through the guide. 1500 taka per up down boat and 3 thousand taka for 2 boats.
4. We traveled from Bandarban to Bagalek via Ruma in Chander's car. Again, while returning from Bagalek, I back in the same Chandergari. I booked 2 Chander cars in advance for this. The total cost for 2 Chandergaris up and down was Tk 20,500.
5. If I wanted to do BQ again and again, I told the guide. For this we buy chicken and BQ spices from Ruma market. I heard Ranjan Da doing BQ many times. I got his proof. So let's give grandfather some different bakshish. He was very happy.
6. It gets very cold in Bagalek and Keukradong. Keep necessary winter clothes with you. Try to carry as light a backpack as possible while trekking. While starting the trek from Bagalek, some things can be reduced from the bag in a separate bag and left at Siamdi. It will also make the bag a little lighter.
7. All of us had to sign at several check posts and army camps throughout the journey. Please don't feel offended to do this. Because these arrangements are made for the sake of our security. Seeks frequent travelers from army camps in Bagalek and Keukradong. The army is always seen to be vigilant in ensuring the safety of the travelers. For the sake of safety, try to follow all the instructions given by the camp. It is forbidden to swim in the water of Bagalek. It is forbidden to be outside the cottage after 9:30 pm in Bagalek and after 10 pm in Keukradong.
8. Keep necessary medicine, cotton, antiseptic, one time bandage with you. Bagalek and Keukradong get very cold in the morning and at night, so take necessary winter clothes with you.

After all, travel places can't be cleaned, athletes themselves don't get dirty. Don't eat chips biscuits and throw empty packets away. Keep it in your pocket and throw it away later. Don't treat the natives in such a way as to hurt anyone's feelings.
#HappyTravelling!