How to go to Sajek Valley

Publish | 16 Jul 2019, 17:42

Online Desk

 

Amazing Sajek Valley is one of the top tourist destinations of Bangladesh. No other place in Bangladesh is available like Sajek.

ABOUT SAJEK VALLEY

Sajek valley is known as the Queen of Hills & Roof of Rangamati. The valley is 2000 feet above sea level. The name of Sajek Valley came from Sajek River that originates from Karnafuli river. Sajek river is working as a border between Bangladesh and India. Sajek valley resorts are made on the side of the hill to provide the unique experience of tribal lifestyle.

AMAZING SAJEK

Sajek valley is famous for its natural beauty. The valley is surrounded by mountains, dense forest, grasslands hilly tracks. Many small rivers flow through the mountains among which Kachalong and Machalong are notable. 

On the way to Sajek valley, one has to cross the Mayni range and Mayni river. The road to Sajek has high picks and falls. The native people of Sajek valley are ethnic minorities. Among them Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Pankua, Lushai and Sagma are mentionable. Women seem to be more involved in economic activities here. Tea stalls, food joints and roadside marketplaces are dominated by women. 

People in general are gentle, welcoming and friendly. Picking fruits and vegetables early in the morning is a major trade here. They are not fluent in Bengali but the young population speak English confidently.

How to go Sajek Valley

Though Sajek Situate in Rangamati, people love to travel via Khagrachari. Traveling via Khagrachari is the easiest way to visit Sajek. If one wants to go to Sajek, s/he has to come to Khagrachari District first. Several Bus Service available from Dhaka to Khagrachori. Bus rent starts from 500 BDT 1200 BDT depending on the service. 

If you want to visit directly through Dighinala then you have to choose Shanti Paribahan. There are many other buses like BRTC bus services, Shanti Paribahan etc which drops you in Dighinala. After reaching the Khagrachari, You have to visit Dighinala through CNG driven Vehicle or Four wheeler. It is wise to reserve the Vehicle because there is a scarcity of Vehicle.

Sajek Valley Tour Cost

To Reach from Dhaka Bus station to Sajek Valley it will cost around 1000-1200 BDT which is minimal. If you travel in a group it will save the cost. The food and accommodation are very cheap there. So, if you want travel Sajek in Relax mood, you should take 3000-4000 BDT for one-day tour plan . Food Cost and accommodation cost will be added if you stay more than one day.

Sajek Valley Resort Cost

There are several resorts available in Sajek Valley. These resorts are governed by Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Border Guard. The minimal cost of Sajek Valley is about 700-1300 BDT per night. if you want luxurious facilities it will cost 10000 BDT to 15000 BDT double with all modern amenities. You can convince the villagers they will arrange you the accommodation with a small amount of money.

What to Do in Sajek:

Sajek Tourist Spot is on the peak of the mountain ranges and one easily reaches there by cars. So it’s not a trekking trail for mountain adventure seekers. But there is a short trail from Ruilui Village to Konglak Village trail that an adventure seeker can walk. Konglak Village is on the top of the Mount Sippu (Highest peak in Sajek Mountain Range). 

The peak of Sippu offers a 360 degree clear view of the surrounding areas as there no other ranges near from there. You explore the lifestyle of indigenous tribes of Bangladesh as Konglak is a tribal village. The residents of Konglak village cultivate coffee beans here, so you can get the taste of fresh and home roasted coffee here.

There are two army helipads in Sajek valley on top of two mountain peaks. One offers the view of the valley in Indian Side and also offers the view of Sunrise. Another helipad offers the view of another valley which is on the Bangladesh side and offers the view of Sunset.

There is a water falls on the way to Sajek from Khagrachari, if you are in a reserved a jeep, if you ask your jeep jockey he will take you to that falls which is named “Hajachora Falls” It would take 10 minutes to reach there from the road.

Food of Sajek

Sajek has only one luxury restaurants operated by Bangladesh Army named as Rock Rajek. There are some decent restaurants that sell Bangladeshi Cuisine at very cheap price. There are also some tea stalls which also sale some snacks, bananas etc. But remember one thing, no food shops keeps prepared foods, rather they take order and cook food based on ordered quantity. So please order for food 2 hours before the meal time.

Cost: Sajek is ideal place to visit both for tourists and bag packers as well. One can avail luxuries for higher price and also avail basics at a cheaper price for bag packers. I am a bag packer, I am sharing my experience here. I took Non A/C bus to reach to Khagrachari, it did cost BDT 520 and BDT 1040 for round ticket, I was attached to a group of 11 people, so we hired a jeep for BDT 7000 taka for 2 days and each had to pay around  650 taka. We stayed in a boarding house which costed BDT 150 per night on a shared room basis. Per meal traditional Bangladeshi meal costs around BDT 120-150 (3 meals a day, break fast with Paratha with Curry and Egg would cost BDT 50) so for 2 days and night, it cost me BDT 400 a day with snacks and cups of tea(BDT 6 a Cup).

Tips: Sajek is not connected with the national electricity grid line. Only generators and solar electricity system provides electricity in Sajek. No matter what season it is, as Sajek is 1800 feet up from the sea level, at night the temparature might drope down to 2o-22 degree celcius in summer. So keep a windbreaker with you while travelling to Sajek. Only two cell phone operators has network coverage in Sajek, Robi and Teletalk, so carry either one of the operators SIM card. 

If you want to see the beauty of nature, heavenly beauty on earth you have to visit Sajek Valley.