🏔️ Bandarban Wild Trek: The Adventure Begins! [Day - 1] 🚂🚌
Hello, fellow travelers and adventure seekers!
The bags are packed, the excitement is through the roof, and a group of 12 friends is about to embark on an unforgettable journey into the wild heart of Bandarban. Our destination? The legendary trails of Alikadam, featuring Kemchong Para, Kristong, Rungrang Summit, Miniang Para, and the mind-blowing Jhinuk Jhorna (Chingri Jhorna).
But every great story has a beginning, and this is ours – Day 1: The City Slickers Head for the Hills!
👥 The Crazy Crew
First, let me introduce the squad. It's always the people that make the trip, right?
Imran Hossen (Me): Your storyteller and trip organizer.
Mahbub: One of my best friends, always ready with a joke.
Rimon: A junior, but as close as a brother.
Liton: Another junior brother, full of energy.
Alamgir: My business partner, the calm one.
Shawon: Another business partner, the strategist.
Other amazing friends, including Adiv (120 kg), Johny (112 kg), Imam (101 kg), and Foysal (98 kg) – a.k.a. our “hefty heroes” of the trek.
🎒 Pre-Departure Chaos: The Gear Check!
Our adventure didn't start in the hills; it started at our internet office, our official meet-up point. The air was buzzing with chatter and laughter as we conducted the most critical mission: The Gear Check.
We laid everything out like a military operation. Plates, cooking pots, dry food, knives, glasses, and ropes – check! Then came the first-aid kit: Napa, Flazil, Filmet, saline – we were prepared for headaches, motion sickness, stomach bugs, and dehydration. You can never be too careful in the wild!
🚂 All Aboard! Dhaka to the Bus Stand
With our gear secured, we spilled out onto the streets, hailing rickshaws towards Dhaka Airport Railway Station. Our first real leg was a short train ride to Kamalpur Railway Station. The 30-35 minute journey was a warm-up, filled with laughter and the classic Bangladeshi train experience.
From Kamalpur, a quick walk brought us to the Arambagh Bus Counter. Tickets from Shyamoli Paribahan in hand, we waited impatiently. Right on schedule, at 10:20 PM sharp, our steel chariot arrived. We piled in, claiming our seats, the excitement now mixed with the reality of the long journey ahead.
🌙 The Night Journey: Fun, Food, and Fajr
As the city lights of Dhaka faded away, we settled in for the night ride. This wasn't just a journey; it was the first chapter of our group bonding. We made our own fun – sharing stories, playing games on our phones, and laughing at things only we found funny.
After about three hours, the bus pulled into the famous Camillah Nurjahan Hotel for a break. 20 minutes to freshen up and grab a quick bite – a essential ritual for any long-distance bus trip in Bangladesh.
Back on the road, the night deepened. A few hours later, the driver stopped again, this time for the Fajr prayer. There's a unique peace in praying with your friends on the side of a highway, under the slowly brightening sky, knowing your adventure is just around the corner.
🏞️ Welcome to Bandarban! The Guide, The Breakfast, The Vibes!
At 7 AM, as the morning sun bathed the landscape in a golden glow, we reached the Alikadam Bus Counter. And there he was, our guardian angel for the trek, our guide Shawpon Dada, waiting with a welcoming smile.
We took some time to freshen up properly and devoured a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant. But we weren't done with supplies! We hit the local market to stock up on fresh essentials for our camping meals: rice, potatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, green chilies, onions, and garlic.
Then came the moment that truly signaled the start of the wild adventure: meeting our "Chader Gari" (local jeep). But before we set off for 21 Kilo (the name of our starting point), it was time for the first official photo and video session! We broke out our gear – the GoPro, Poco X3, and iPhone 14 Pro Max – to capture the pure, unadulterated excitement on our faces.
🎢 The Epic Chader Gari Ride!
This ride deserves its own section. The Chader Gari journey was an adventure in itself! The winding, jick-jack roads, the steep inclines, and the breathtaking views of endless hills instantly injected us with the ultimate travel vibe. This is what we came for – the raw, untamed beauty of Bandarban, and we were drinking it all in from the back of a jeep, the wind in our hair.
💪 A Special Note: The Underdogs of the Trek!
Now, for the real spice of our story. Out of our 12 teammates, 9 had never been on a wild trek or seriously climbed a hill before. The suspense and a little bit of healthy fear were visible in their eyes.
But the biggest challenge, and perhaps the most inspiring story, lies with four of our friends:
Adiv: The gentle giant, weighing in at 120 kg.
Johny: Full of spirit, at 112 kg.
Imam: Determined but heavy, at 101 kg.
Foysal: Rounding out the heavyweight crew at 98 kg.
What will happen when these four city boys, more accustomed to comfortable chairs than steep mountain trails, face the relentless hills of Alikadam? The journey ahead is a true test of their physical strength and mental fortitude.
The trek is about to begin. Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll share our first steps into the wilderness, the struggle, the stunning views, and the incredible moments that tested and bonded our team like never before!
Travel Resources Used:
Transport: Train, Shyamoli Paribahan Bus, Chader Gari (Jeep)
Guide: The legendary Shawpon Dada
Tech: GoPro, Poco X3, iPhone 14 Pro Max for content creation.