Tour of Keokradong, the second highest mountain in Bangladesh

Keokradong is the second highest mountain of Bandarban in Bangladesh. It is located on the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is the place of surprising beauty. This natural beauty surely attracts the mind of the adventurous people. It is situated in 30km away from the Ruma Sadar Upazila. This remote area is full of natural beauty. Here you can see many small and big mountains and hills. This area is covered with dense forests, birds, and animals. This will be a most beautiful tour in your life.

You have to reach Bandarban first and then go to Ruma Upazilla for visiting the Keokradong. You should remember that after 4 pm you are not allowed to leave Ruma for visiting Keokradong. As it is a remote area of Bangladesh, the road is not so plain. The communication systems of Keokradong become very difficult in the Rainy season. The road is still under construction. From Ruma, you can hire a pickup or jeep (locally known as “Chander Gari”) up to Koikhong Jiri. You can also go there by buying tickets for Chander Gari or Bus. The first trip is at 9am. It will take 1-1.30 hrs. Koikhong Jiri to Ruma you have to go by one-hour boat journey. Again Ruma to Boga Lake you should hire a jeep at the fare of Tk. 1800. Two tribal communities named Saikotpara and Darjilingpara are 4 km away from Bogalake. There are some tribal groups live in this area. Darjilingpara is about 1 km away from Keokradong. It will take another 45 minute to reach the highest point of Keokradong and you have to walk through the hills from Boga Lake to Keokradong to go there.

This journey is very much laborious. So keep the confidence. Always carry drinking water and first aid box with you. Show a positive attitude with local people and should respect the tribal culture.
There are some residential hotels in Ruma Bazar, so you have to confirm at first the hotel reservation before going to Ruma, otherwise, you will have no alternative passing the night. If you are fortunate you can get the tribal house to pass the night. There is no mobile network, no restaurant and also no good road communication. You should start your journey early in the morning from Bogalake to reach Keokradong and it may take 5 to 6 hours to reach Keokradong. However, the sceneries of cool air, white clouds, hills, river, and lake are really unique and incomparable. If you go there obviously you can get an enjoyable, delightful and thrilling experience.

 You can enjoy the real scenery of Keokradong then you have to visit in rainy season if you like adventure, winter is the easiest season for the trek. You may take medicine for malaria as this rezone is treated as malaria affected zone. You should wear comfortable footwear, it is a very important issue for trekking.  Make sure it can give you a better grip. You can wear a local plastic sandal if you don’t have anything. But must wear it with socks, better with a couple of socks.  You can get this stores at Kachukhet bazaar or Palwel supermarket. Take a tribal guide rather than a Bengali guide. They are more efficient. Pack all of your goods in an extra waterproof bag or bags.  Fix how much the guide will cost you. The standard rate is 300 taka per day. Don’t take too much load when you climbing up on Keokradong mountain, use a backpack instead of other sorts of a bag. A couple of pairs of dress will be enough. You don’t need any tent because you will get accommodation easily. It is a really easy trek so do not be afraid. Don’t rush, that may occur any accident or trouble. Keep head cool in danger. That is the best act. Try to enjoy even in a tough situation.

Take rope if you are there in rainy season. Trekking with friends is better than trekking with the unknown person.  Trekking is more fun, and the view from the Keokradong hill is a heart taking the experience as the view is so stunning and spectacular. Tourists cannot help but get wonderstruck after reaching the top of Keokradong. Also for safety, it is very much advisable to trek down from Keokradong by sunset.

However, you will start to leave Ruma for Keokradong it is wise to carry personal food, and for dinner, it is best to eat with the local people of the tribal communities for a different culinary experience which is much more simple, healthy, refreshing and close to nature. Whenever, in the resorts near around the Boga Lake area, there will be food available. It is wise for tourists to camp and spend the night with the stars and enjoy the natural night beauty of the place. Travelers can also ask for living accommodations for the night from the people of the tribal communities who are very friendly and helpful. Spending a night with them in the midst of the natural beauties of Keokradong is a beautiful experience.
Trekking is immensely fun, and the view from the Keokradong hill is a heart taking the experience as the view is so stunning and spectacular. Tourists cannot help but get wonderstruck after reaching the top of Keokradong. Also for safety, it is very much advisable to trek down from Keokradong by sunset.