Debotakhum Bandarban

Debotakhum is located in Rowangchari Upazila of Bandarban District. Khum means reservoir. Devtakhum is basically a part of Taracha Canal. Surrounded by mountains on both sides and rocky areas of deep water.

There are many small and big khums in Bandarban. Like Thanchir Amiyakhum, Velakhum etc. But among all the khums to visit in Bandarban, Devtakhum is the most popular. The reason for this is that it is very easy to get around from this place. According to locals, some parts of this khum are about 50 feet deep.

There are huge forests on both sides of this khum. Because of the high mountains, direct sunlight does not reach inside Khum, so it feels cooler the further you go into Khum. The place is very quiet and noise free. It gives the tourists a thrilling feeling while going inside this khum on a bamboo raft. Its water is also very clear.

Devtakhum can always be visited. Each time has a different form. Water flow is high during monsoon and decreases during winter. It is difficult to go because the water is high in monsoon and the color of the water is not clear. Besides, there is a fear of flash flood in monsoon. For that, it is best to go during the post-monsoon season. November to April is the ideal time to visit any khum in Bandarban including Devtakhum.

If you want to go to Devtakhum, you have to come to Bandarban first. All AC/Non AC buses from Dhaka go to Bandarban. Hanif, St. Martin Hyundai and Saudia will cost 1200-1800 taka in AC buses. In non AC buses Hanif, S Alam, Unique will cost 800-900 taka.

If you want to go by train, you have to come to Chittagong and take a bus from there. Many trains depart from Dhaka to Chittagong including Tourist Express, Cox's Bazar Express, Sonar Bangla Express, Suvarna Express, Turna Express, Chattla, Mahanagar Godhuli. The fare is between Tk 405 to Tk 1398 depending on the train and seat.

To go to Bandarban from Chittagong, you have to take a bus to Bandarban from Chittagong New Bridge, Dampara and Bahaddarhat bus terminal. Bus fare from Chittagong to Bandarban will be Tk 200-300.

From Bandarban you can take a bus to Rowangchari, then take CNG to Kachchapatli. The distance from Bandarban city to Rowangchari is 18 km and the distance from Rowangchari to Kachchapatli is 7 km. Bandarban Rowangchari bus leaves every hour from Rowangchari bus stand, the fare will be Tk 60. And CNG fare from Rowangchari to Kachchapatli is like 150-200 taka.

But if you want, you can directly go to Kachchapatali by reserving jeep or CNG from Bandarban city. Jeep rental 2000-2500 Tk. 12/13 people can sit in one jeep.

Permission to go to Devtakhum has to be obtained from Rowangchari Police Station and Kachchapatli Army Camp. Photocopy of national identity card must be submitted for permission. And permission form will cost 50 rupees.

You need to take a guide to go to Devtakhum. You can take a guide from Kachhapati or Rowangchari. The cost of the guide for the whole day is 1000 rupees. A guide guides a team of 10 people at a time, the cost per guide is the same even if it is less. Discuss who will bear the other costs of the guide while fixing the guide. Besides, entry to Devtakhum, life jacket and use of raft there will cost 150 rupees per person.

Rowanchari, Devtakhum Guide Number :

There are no food facilities around Devtakhum. For lunch you have to order in advance at Kachchapatali Bazar. In this case, you can eat on the way back if you tell how many people will eat and what to eat with. Your guide will assist with this. You can take some dry food with you while trekking.

If you leave for Devtakhum from Bandarban in the morning, you can reach Bandarban again in the evening. There are various quality hotels in Bandarban city. Hotel Hill View, Hotel Plaza Bandarban, Hotel Hilton, Hotel Night Heaven. Depending on the quality of the hotel and the room, it will cost between 1000-5500 taka per night. If you go on holiday during the peak season, it is better to book your preferred hotel resort in advance.

Feature Image: Mahmudul H. Shorol