Boga Lake
Boga lake is the name of mountainous beauty of Bandarban. It is located estimate 1200+ feet above sea level where you find the deep bond of mountains and clouds. It is said that this deep blue body of water was created by a landslide due to a natural disaster many years ago. In the local myth, it was created by the curse of Dragon who lived here. Years ago local people caught the dragon and kill it. The very next day the whole place turn into a lake. Whatever the cause, it turn out as a blessing for travel enthusiasts. The beauty it holds fully soul pleasing like the nature has painted a perfect picture with its own hands. I wish everyone in Bangladesh could see this mountainous beauty at least once in their life. To assist you my friends, here I provide almost every information about the Boga Lake.
How it Looks
Boga lake is well known as one of the finest examples of mountainous true beauty in Bandarban. Boga lake is the place where natural scenery speak louder than anything. The combination of clear blue waters, green mountains and clouds around offers nothing but peace in the bosom of nature. The lake is occupy over 15 acres of lands on 1200+ feet above mountains and its deepest part is 38 meter long. Looking at the lake, it seems like a piece of blue sky is reflecting itself on the calm water, and the green mountains are acting as an adjective there. And when the clouds gather over the lake, nothing seems more heavenly than this, the mind will want to capture all its beauty with just two eyes. An interesting fact about the lake is that it changes its appearance gradually, so whenever tourists look at the lake they will surely find whole different Boga lake.
Location of Boga lake
This majestic lake is located 60+ kilometers away from Bandarban city, which has to be reached via Ruma. Another major reason for travel enthusiasts to visit Boga Lake is the road from Ruma to Boga Lake, which is incredibly beautiful. The road is only 15-16 kilometers long, but the impression of its beauty will not fade away even in 15-16 years.
How to go
You guys already know that the Boga lake is located in Bandarban, so guys you need to go first Bandarban. As the Bandarban is well linked from other parts of my country by roads, so reaching will be no problem. From Dhaka, tourists should choose bus ( Non-AC bus ticket 800-1000 BDT & AC bus ticket 1600-1800 BDT) to reach Bandarban city.
One thing that tourists should keep in mind when exploring Bandarban is that they have to pass through many Army camps and almost every Army camp requires tourists to submit a photocopy of their NID card or birth certificate to verify their authenticity. If tourists fail to submit the copy, they will not be allowed to continue their journey. So, always make sure that you bring your NID card photocopies.
After reaching Bandarban city, you will come to a place called Donnesh chattar in Bandarban, from there you will have to rent a vehicle to go to Boga lake. It is worth mentioning that vehicle rentals are available for all tourist spots in Bandarban from donnesh chattar, and the fare for each spot is fixed.
Apart from this, if tourists want to go to Boga Lake like the locals, they will have to come to Ruma Bus Station instead of Donnesh Chattar. From here, tourists have to take a local bus to go to Ruma, the bus fare from Bandarban to Ruma costs 140 BDT per person..
Now whichever way you decide to go to Boga Lake, you will have to get off at a place called Y Junction, 50-55 minutes from Bandarban, submit a photocopy of your NID card at the Army camp, and take permission to continue the tour. After another 1 hour journey from this Y Junction, you will reach the Tourist Assistance Center, Ruma. From here, tourists have to buy a form for 50 BDT, fill it up, submit a copy of it here and travel forward.
It will take another hour to reach Ruma from the Tourist Assistance Center, that is, it will take you at least 4 hours to reach Ruma from Bandarban. For the next journey from Ruma, tourists have to take a guide with them. Tourists have to take a guide from the Tourist Registration Office of Ruma Bazar in Ruma. To take a guide, you have to give the form obtained from the Tourist Assistance Center.
The daily rent of a guide is 800 BDT and the tourists have to bear all the expenses for the guide’s food & stay. A guide can lead a group of maximum 14 people. Once the guide is hired, the tourists can leave for Boga Lake.
Those who will come to Ruma by local bus will have to take a shared auto from the bus stand for 30 BDT per person and come to Ruma Bazar and hire a guide from the Tourist Registration Office. For the next journey, tourists will get vehicles from Ruma Bazar, if you are 1-2 people, then rent a bike.
Another thing if you own a bike and good at riding, then Boga lake will be one of the best places in whole Bangladesh for bike trip. Every year around July to December, numerous biker groups went to this trip.
Food & stay
If tourist want they can stay over night by the side of the Boga Lake. There are so many cottage right after the lake and these cottage owns by locals. 10-12 people can stay together in a cottage, each person has to pay 300 BDT separately.
There should be no problem with food, as there are good restaurants in Bandarban city, Ruma, and Boga lake.
Things to notice
After the Ruma there is a tribal para called Munlai Para which is known all over the Bangladesh as the most cleanest village in the entire country. So, don’t forget to explore the Munlai para in the Boga Lake trip.
Budget
Usually tourists do not travel so far just to explore Boga Lake, 9-10 kilometers away from Boga Lake is the 5th highest mountain of Bangladesh, Keokradong. Basically, Boga Lake and Keokradong are visited in one trip, in that case, if you calculate everything, solo travelers will spend 7000-8000 BDT, if you go with a group, it will take at least 6000-6500 BDT. I am giving the cost of my solo trip here:
Dhaka to Bandarban round trip: 1800 BDT (non AC bus)
Breakfast: 70 BDT
Bandarban city to Ruma bus terminal: 20 BDT
Bandarban to Ruma round trip: Round trip 280 BDT
Tourist information form: 50 BDT
Ruma bus terminal to Ruma market: 30 BDT
Guide fee: 1600+600 BDT
Bike rental round trip: 2000 BDT (Boga lake, Keokradong & one night stay)
Lunch: 180 BDT
Keokradong Cottage: 300 BDT per person
Dinner: 350 BDT
Breakfast: 200 BDT
Caution
At least 25 tribal family live by the side of Boga Lake. So, my friends, remember that whatever you do while traveling, don’t let it bother them.
Frequently asked questions
1. Best time to visit?
October – March
2. Is Boga Lake safe?
Absolutely safe, it alway monitor by the Bangladesh Army. Even there is an Army camp just by the lake.
3. Bus schedule from Bandarban to Ruma?
The first bus leaves from Bandarban to Ruma every day at 7 am. Then the buses leave every 1 hour.
4. Is it possible to explore Boga Lake and Keokradong in a day?
No, at least two days require to explore these two places.
5.How much is the fare from Bandarban to Boga Lake directly?
8500-12000 BDT [Chander Gari, Jeep, and Pickup car]
6. How much is the fare from Bandarban to Keokradong?
13000-14500 BDT [Chander Gari, Jeep, and Pickup car]
7. Can tourists swim in the Lake?
Yes, but make sure that don’t go far or middle. Don’t go down in the lake alone.
In your life, you will lose so many precious things, friends, and even your loved ones but eventually you will found yourself.