Sajek Valley

Sajek Valley (Sajek Valley) , Sajek is currently the most popular destination for travelers. Located in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati District, Sajek is known as the largest union in Bangladesh. Its height is 1800 feet from the sea level. Although Sajek is located in Rangamati district, traveling to Sajek from Dighinala in Khagrachari is very easy due to geographical reasons. Sajek is 70 km from Khagrachari district and 40 km from Dighinala.

Beautiful mountain ranges around, valley of white cotton clouds will fascinate you. Sajek is such an amazing place where you can marvel at three forms of nature in the same day. Sometimes it will feel very hot and then maybe you will get wet in heavy rain or in the blink of an eye you will be covered with a thick sheet of fog around you. Sajek is an ideal place to watch the game of flying from mountain to mountain with natural scenery and cotton-like clouds.

Kanglak Hill is the main attraction for tourists visiting Sajek. And the last village of Sajek Valley is Kanglak Para Lusai inhabited area. The source of the Karnaphuli River, the Lusai Hills of India, can be seen from Kanglak Para. If you want, you can visit Kamalak Jharna by trekking for two hours from Ruilui Para. This beautiful fountain is also known as Pidam Taisa Jharna or Sikkam Taisa Jharna to many people.

Day or night, like a picture painted by an artist, time passes, but it never gets old. If you go to Sajeke, don't miss the dawn time in the morning. The play of clouds and the fair of sunrise light takes place at this time. For this you have to get up early in the morning and go to the helipad, from where the most beautiful sunrise can be seen. You will be mesmerized by the colorful sunset from a high point in the afternoon. And in the evening, the fair of billions of stars in the sky, will add to your life instantly. If the sky is clear, you can see the Milky Way.

You can visit the surroundings and see the life of the natives. You will like the proximity of all these people. And if you have time, on your way back from Sajek Valley, you can drop by Hajachara Jharna, Dighinala Hanging Bridge and Dighinala Banvihar.

Sajek's form doesn't really compare. Sajek is dressed in colorful clothes throughout the year. You can visit Sajek at any time of the year. However, there is more cloud play around Sajek from July to November. So this is the best time to travel to Sajek.

Although Sajek is located in Rangamati district, it is very easy to travel to Sajek via Dighinala in Khagrachari district. So first you have to come to Khagrachari. If you want to go to Khagrachari from Dhaka, you can take Hanif Enterprise, Saudia, St Martin Hyundai, Imperial Express, Desh Travels, Shyamoli, Shanti Paribahan, S Alam, Eagle etc. buses. Non AC bus fare is Tk 750-850. If you want to go by AC bus, you can go to Saint Martin Hyundai Robi Express, Hanif Enterprise, Relax Transport, Shyamoli, Desh Travels, Econo Service for 1000 to 1600 Tk. And the buses usually leave for Khagrachari by 10 pm. Besides, Shanti Paribahan bus goes directly to Dighinala, the fare is Tk 700. In Dhaka, there are counters of these transports in different parts of the city including Gabtali, Kala Bagan. If you want to go on holidays, it is better to buy tickets in advance, otherwise you may have trouble getting tickets.

The distance of Sajek from Khagrachari is about 70 km. Sajek Valley can be visited by jeep/moon car reserve from Shapla Chatwar in Khagrachari town. 9,000-10,500 taka will be charged for two days including travel. 12-15 people can go in one car. However, if there are less people, the cost will be lower if you talk to another small group and share the car. If that is not possible then you can go to Sajek with CNG. Reserve rent will be Rs 4000-5000. But it is better not to travel with CNG because of hilly high and low roads.

Fare list from Khagrachari to Sajek by Jeep Association and Mountain Vehicle Owners Welfare Association

Besides, if you are alone or 2-3 people, there are many groups available from Khagrachari Shapla area, you can talk to other groups there and share with them or if you go to the office of the Jeep Association, they will manage with another group.

Besides, you can go to Dighinala from Khagrachari and from there you can go to Sajek. Distance from Khagrachari to Dighinala is 20 km. Bus fare from Khagrachari to Dighinala is Tk 45, motorcycle fare is Tk 100 per person. If you want, you can reserve a motorcycle and visit Sajek. Before fixing any car, take a good look at what to do.

But you must keep in mind that whichever way you go you have to reach Dighinala between 9 am to 9 30 am. For the rest of the road from Dighinala, you have to go in a military escort for security. Army escorts are available twice a day. Once at 9:30 am, and again at 2:30 am. If you miss the morning escort, you will have to wait until the afternoon, and if you miss the afternoon, you will have to wait until the next day. You will not be allowed to leave without an escort. If you have time to reach Dighinala, you can visit Hajachara Jharna.

On the way from Dighinala you will pass Bagaihat, Machalong Bazar, then Ruilui Para to reach Sajeke. It will take two to three hours to travel from Khagrachari town to Sajek. During this time, the time of walking along the winding high and low mountain roads will be memorable for you. Rows of mountains and greenery all around will make you forget all the fatigue of the road.

Travel from Chittagong to Sajek: You can go to Sajek from Chittagong via Khagrachari or Dighinala. BRTC AC bus from Kadmatoli of Chittagong operates 4 buses daily, fare is 2000 taka. Besides, Shanti Paribahan bus (fare 190 taka) runs every 1 hour from Oxygen Junction. It will take 4-5 hours to go to Khagrachari by bus from Chittagong.

Rangamati to Sajek Travel : Baghaichari can be reached from Rangamati by both sea and road. It takes 5-6 hours to depart from Reserve Bazar Launch Ghat every morning between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Fare per person 150-250 taka. The bus departs from Rangamati Bus Terminal between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, the fare is Tk 200 per person. It takes 6-7 hours. It is also possible to go directly to Baghaichhari from Dhaka and Chittagong. Sajek Valley can be reached from Baghaichari by jeep (carriage) or motorbike at a fare of Rs.300/- per person.

Travel from Cox's Bazar to Sajek: Sajek can be reached from Cox's Bazar via Khagrachari. Shanti Paribahan buses ply on Cox's Bazar – Khagrachari route. The bus leaves from Cox's Bazar at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM for Khagrachari, the non-AC bus fare is Tk 550.

There are more than a hundred resorts and cottages to stay in Sajeke. Depending on the resort, it will take 1500 to 15,000 taka to rent a room for one night. If you want to go on holidays, it is better to book a month in advance, otherwise there is less certainty of getting a good room. And if you want to stay at a lower price, you can stay in tribal cottages. Besides, many new cottages have been made to adapt to the environment. All of Sajek's cottages have fairly nice views.

Sajek Resort (Sajek Resort): Sajek Resort is a resort managed by the Bangladesh Army. The rent of non AC rooms is Tk 10,000 – 15,000. Food is available. There is a discount for serving in the army or first class government officials. You can contact this number: 01859-025694 / 01847-070395 / 01769-302370

Runmoy Resort: There are 5 rooms in total. Each room can accommodate 2 persons. Ground floor room rent 4450 Tk. Each room can accommodate 2 persons. You can get extra bed for 600 rupees. There are two rooms on the upper floor, the rent is Tk. 4950. Each room can accommodate two persons. You can also buy an extra bed for 600 rupees. Contact: 0186547688

Meghpunji Resort: There are 4 cottages in Meghpunji with beautiful eco decoration and attractive landscape view, each cottage can accommodate maximum 4 people. Rent 4000-4500 Tk. Contact: 01815-761065, Facebook page .

Resort RungRang (Resort RungRang): Resort RungRang is one of the best resorts in Sajek. The resort is ideal for watching the horizon line up with mountains and clouds flying by. Decorated in aesthetic interior design, this resort has 4 double and 4 couple rooms. On holidays double bed room rent 3500 taka and couple 2800 taka. All other days double bed room rent 2800 and couple 2000 taka. Contact Number for Booking: 01884-710 723 , 01869-649 817

Madventure Resort (Madventure Resort): There are spacious balconies on every floor of the resort. 24 hours electricity and water supply. Madventure Resort premium couple room rent 4000 taka, couple classic room rent 3500 taka and double classic room rent 3500 taka. Contact: 01885-424242,  Facebook page .

Megh Machang: Megh Machang Resort is preferred by many for its beautiful view and relatively low cost. There are catering facilities. There are five cottages in Megh Machang. Rent 3500-4500 Tk. Contact: 01822-168877, Facebook page .

Jumghor Eco Resort (Jumghor Eco Resort): There are a total of 6 couple rooms in separate cottages for accommodation in this resort. Each room accommodates a maximum of 4 people. 4000 rupees per cottage. Contact: 01884-208060, Facebook page .

Lushai Cottage (TGB Lushai Cottage): With beautiful decoration and good landscape view, TGB Lushai Cottage has different categories of rooms for couples, families or groups. The rent of these rooms is from Tk 2500 to Tk 4500. Contact: 01634-198005, Facebook page .

Alo Resort: A little before Sajek in Ruilui neighborhood. Out of 6 rooms, 4 are double rooms (2 beds). Rent 1000-1500 Tk. Contact: 01841-000645, Facebook page.

Tribal houses: Apart from this, if you want to stay at a lower cost, you can also stay in tribal houses. You can stay for 150-300 rupees per person. Although not ideal for families or couples, friends can stay together.

Also Read: Information Guide to All Resorts in Sajek

All resorts have catering facilities, so if you tell the resorts in advance, they will cook according to your choice, in which case the cost may be up to 100-250 taka per person and you will get rice and potatoes, chicken meat etc. as a menu. If you want, you can also do Bar B Q at night. In addition, you can eat in tribal houses, you have to tell in advance what to eat, then they will cook it. Don't miss to try papaya, pineapple, banana etc fruits at very cheap prices in Saje.

Feature Image: Abdul Momin/Wikimedia