Camping at Aliguha, Marayang Tong and Damtua Jharna
• First Night (Dhaka-Alikdam):
As per plan, we four friends started journey from Fakirapool Shyamoli bus counter to Alikadam by 10:30 pm bus. Shyamli and Hanif - both operators provide service till Alikadam. Reached Alikadam bus stand by 6:30 am.
• Day 1 (Alikadam Bus Stand-Aliguha-Marayang Tung):
After having breakfast at the Lohagara restaurant located at the bus stand, we started the journey to Aliguha by Tomtom. It is good to say, it is better not to expect too much from the hotels or restaurants in Alikadam. We left the bag in exchange for 10 rupees in the shop and went to cross the river by boat. Half of the boat got stuck due to knee-deep water. The remaining half had to be crossed on foot. We didn't take any guide to go to the cave, we didn't need to.
There is a stream running between two mountains and sometimes two. We reached the edge of the stairs of the first cave. If we go up the stairs, we will see the first cave of the mysterious Ali! It was a completely dark state, but I could not define it in any way. As soon as I entered the cave, I saw the sight of flying bats. We tried to take as few pictures as possible to be one with nature during the trip, so I did not take any pictures inside the cave except for the group picture. The first step out of the cave. A little further down, the second cave falls on the right hand side.
After an hour we came back to the river bank, we crossed half the river by walking and the other half by boat. It costs 10 taka/person to cross the river. If you haggle here, you will only waste time, but the shopkeeper played the role of the boatman, but the people were not very helpful.
Finally, we reached Abasi through Alikadam bus stand by tomtom, originally the journey to Marayang Tong started from here. We first thought about cooking for the night at the peak, but then we gave up. The kid was given to us as a guide and it was discussed that the kid would stay with us for the night. Basically we agreed to take the guide considering the current conditions of the hilly area. Yasin bhai was referred by Bablu bhai, our next day biker and guide to Damtua Jharna. Bablu bhai we are from Dhaka. Keep in touch.
Then with dry food and sufficient water we started the journey towards the desired Marayang Tung.
It started raining heavily after crossing the Metho road and climbing the hilly road. I stopped for a while and started climbing again. At one point, I felt tired. I felt that I needed to come! The difficulty was a little more due to having a bag on my back...
Finally, I was so tired. Root Bridge and Rainbow Falls trekking time. But I was strong thinking that this is nothing before Amiyakhum-Nafakhum trekking! Midway we met the mountaineer. He kept saying that now it is forbidden to spend the night on the peak without permission, even though we told the army camp. Let's stay at the peak for the night. Then I understood - basically, the businessman wants to be happy, and the price of that happiness is set at five hundred taka! People are so good. After about two and a half hours, I reached the peak. I wanted to suffer so much for such magical scenes!
• Second Night (Marayang Tung):
Five people, moonlight, strong wind, countless stars and a tent - this was what Maraung Tung had that night! Curiously, we three friends decided to stay in the incomplete Zoom room outside the tent, there was no tin/fence around the room. Upstairs was Half tinted. You don't want to close your eyes when you go to sleep. Anyone who sees the open sky above is bound to think of the sky. After twisting the blanket and matching the many equations of life, I once fell asleep.
• Second Day (Marayang Tung-Damtua):
At 6:45 in the morning, I started to descend from the peak. After an hour, I came down to the plain. After breakfast, I went to the Alikadam bus stand, then started the journey on Bablu Bhai's bike and another bike to Damtua Jharna. The ride on Thanchi Road, the highest road in Bangladesh. The best bike ride of my life so far! Reached Adupara and started trekking towards Damtua. After two hours I reached the foothills of the beautiful Damtua! All the trouble I had done for the last two days was washed away in an instant at Damtua!
Let's say, this two-hour trekking of Damtua will require a combination of physical and mental strength.
Again with a thrilling ride on the same bike to reach Panbazar at 4:30 PM, having lunch at Panbazar at 7:00 PM, the journey started for Dhaka by bus.
• Third night (Alikadam-Dhaka):
Our last night was spent in the bus. At 5:30 AM, another memorable tour ended by getting off at Fakirapool!
৳ Cost ৳ (Personal):
•Dhaka-Alikadam: 850tk
• Local travel (TomTom cost): 100 tk
• Boat-bag deposit (Aliguha): 20 tk
• To please Marayang Tung's business: 125 ৳ (the man brought us a grapefruit at night, also talked for an hour)
•Bike and guide: 625 ৳ (per bike 800 ৳, two people per bike, guide 1000 ৳, we paid 2500 ৳ in total)
Meals (5 meals): 300 tk(on self)
•Alikadam-Dhaka: 850 ৳
• Incidental cost: 200 tk
Biker: 01839475482 (Bablu Bhai)
[Required:
*The lighter the bag on tour, the better
- No extra cost will be charged if written permission is obtained from the Army Camp to visit Marayang Tong
*Must and must take thin blanket/kantha - Everyone should try to stay in the tent, there is a strong wind at the top
- Good behavior with hill people is always desirable
*If you want to go to Damtuya, you have to report to the army camp by 10 am - Carry photocopy of National Identity Card/Student ID
Finally, carry the garbage in a bag from the top of the mountain and always be careful not to leave any garbage in the fountain.
Thank you!
