Solo Traveler’s Diary: Conquering Tajingdong, Highest Peak of Bangladesh
Our adventurous journey led us deep into the heart of Bandarban, where we set our sights on the summit of Tajingdong, the officially highest peak in Bangladesh. It’s essential to note, though, that unofficially, Tajingdong doesn’t even rank among the top 20 peaks in the country. Alongside our Tajingdong expedition, we embarked on an exploration of the famous and hidden khums, wild narrow lakes unique to Bangladesh. This includes Saatvai Khum, Vela Khum, Amia Khum, and Nafa Khum. In this blog, I’ll share our journey towards Tajingdong, reserving the rest of our adventures for another narrative.
With a combination of government holidays and a few paid leaves, I managed to secure almost a week off from my bustling schedule. Our journey began with a bus ride to reach Bandarban, followed by an exciting adventure in a Chander Gari, a specialized Zeep, to reach Thanchi Bazar.
Thanchi To Sherkor Para: Overcoming Challenges
Typically, due to tribal occurrences, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Army do not permit tourists to explore the depths of Bandarban. Our initial contact with the BGB yielded a negative response. However, our unwavering determination fueled our journey. We patiently waited until evening when the BGB returned to their camp, and it was after sunset that we set off on our adventure.
Our first stop was Boarding Para, a village where we planned to spend the night. The following day, our intention was to reach Sherkor Para, the base camp for Tajingdong. However, upon our arrival in Boarding Para, we quickly discovered that we were not welcomed there. A conflict had soured their perception of Bengali people (Bangladeshi nationals), and without any respite or even a drink of water, we were urged to leave the village.
Faced with this setback, we made the bold decision to press on to our base camp, Sherkor Para, on the same night. Given our exhaustion, we had one of our guides go ahead to prepare food. When we reached Sherkor Para at midnight, we had expended every ounce of our energy. Despite the frigid winter night, we braved a cold bath before settling down for dinner.
Tajingdong
We spent the night in Sherkor Para.
On our second day, we awoke early and embarked on our journey to Tajingdong. The highest peak was not far from Sherkor Para, making the ascent relatively straightforward.
The following morning, we opted not to rush towards the summit. We took our time, engaged in an easy hike, and, in less than two hours, proudly reached the highest peak in Bangladesh, Tajingdong.
Stay tuned for the next part of our Bandarban adventure, where we delve into the exploration of enchanting khums and share more of our unforgettable experiences.
