Boga Lake

Boga Lake, naturally created from the sea surface, is about 2700 feet high. Its location is about 70 kilometers away from Bandarban town beside Keokradong and about 15 kilometers from Ruma Upazila headquarters. The lake is around 15 acres of land on the hill. The water of the lake is almost blue. Bom and Khumi community of the small tribal people of Chittagong Hill Tracts living beside the lake.

So far the exact depth of this blue-colored lake is not measured. Even though it was called two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet locally. The lake is completely closed. There is no source of water around it. But there is a small fountain source, which is known as Bagachara (burning face), below 153 meters from the altitude at Boga Lake. The most exciting thing is that lake water becomes muddy from April to May every year.

A rest house has been constructed near the Lake for the tourists. Besides, local Bam tribal community rents some of the rooms. Bom community living on the banks of the Lake provides food for tourists. It is better to buy dry foods from Ruma Bazar. It is to be noted that for security reason you need to inform about your visit to Ruma and Boga Lake army camps. Walking on foot without local guides you should not go from Ruma to any other tourist spot.

There are two ways to go there from Ruma.  You can walk or can go by Chader gari (car). As the road condition is not good, it will take at least one hour by car. In the rainy season, the Jhiripoth (road) is beautiful.

In the dry season, from Ruma jeep station of Bandarban district headquarters, you can go to Ruma Army Garrison (Ruma Bridge) by road. It takes about two hours to go about 45 km. Change the car from Ruma Bazar to go to Boga Lake para, and it takes about two hours to go. The road to Raghu Bazar to the lake is not good. You should keep a large napkin and a sunglass to be safe from dust. From Ruma bazar to Boga Lake para via Jhiripoth is about 14 km.

Best time to visit:  It is challenging to go to the Lake in the rainy season, so it is better to choose winter.

In the rainy season, Ruma route jeep goes to Kaikkhangachari. After that by engine boat, it takes more than one hour to go to Ruma Sadar.

From Bandarban to Ruma Upazila Sadar, the cost will be 80/100 Taka per person; you can rent a full jeep; rent is 2200-2500 Taka. From Ruma to Bagalek, rent is 80-100 Take per person and cost of the entire vehicle is 2200-2500 Taka.

You can see a beautiful spring (shrimp waterfalls) through a 40-minute walk from the lake. If you want to reach the top of the Keokradong, you need to walk 4-5 hours more. If the body permits and if you have a mood, you can also see the Kaikkhang fountain and Raikkhang pukur (pond) para (village).

Do's and Don'ts:

1) As you walk down the hill, the handbag or baggage cannot be taken. Take strong, sturdy bag pack.

2) Take bags as low as possible; reduce clothes as low as possible.

3) Take good, sturdy sandals.

4) Always keep half / one liter of water, keep some light foods a little.

5) Potassium of banana is beneficial for muscle. After climbing the hill, a lot of pressure will be on the muscles. Therefore, if you go to Bandarban, eat bananas like monkeys. 

6) Drinking more saline leads to increased blood pressure. Therefore, do not drink more saline on the way throughout the day. Drink water. If you get a lot of thirsts, do not take irritable water. When suddenly the stomach becomes heavy, it will be difficult to walk.  

7) Take Odomos lotion to get rid of the mosquito bite. 

8) Take some medicines that are necessary for fever, cold and pain.

9) Sign the army camp yourself, if you are missing they will find you. 

10) Don't drop the packets of Biscuits, Chanachur, chips everywhere.

How to go from Dhaka? You can choose Saudia, BRTC, Dolphin, Unique, Shyamoli Paribahan to go directly from Dhaka to Bandarban. These buses are rented, 850-900 Taka AC, 600-650 non-AC per person.   Go to Ruma from Bandarban by bus. Rent 30/40 Taka per person. You can go there by big boats/trawlers. Booking the whole boat will take 4000 Taka.   Then the Chader gari (car) will take you from Ruma. Car rent is 3500/4000 taka.

Where to stay? There are small cottages in the lake. Rent is only 100Taka per night

Those who want to stay at Bandarban - Hotel Sangu: 01556529587 (500 to 1000 Taka per night.

Hotel Nilgiri: 01558421319 (300 to 500 Taka per night).

Where to eat? There are many restaurants near the cottage. You will not find much variety, but foods are delicious.

Other costs: The cost of the guide is Tk 1000/1500 to Boga Lake. If you hire a boat to see the Lake, then it will cost 500 Taka.

The height of the Lake: Boga Lake is 2700 feet above the surface. Surprisingly, this Lake has made itself look like a triumph. Come on a holiday and return with some memories after visiting Boga Lake that can never be forgotten.