It was my second day during my Sylhet trip. I was doing dilly-dally about whether to visit the Jaflong or the Lalakhal. Or, return back to Dhaka. But finally I decided to visit the Lalakhal (which is also called as Lala Khal). This place is most beautiful during winter. But the rainy season would give you a different beauty. Specially the lush greens from the bank of the river.
I got a bus from the Upashahar Bus Terminal. This bus would take you to Jointa and Jaflong. But you don’t need to go that far. Before Jainta there is a stoppage named Shari ghat. Just leave your bus at that stoppage. It would cost you around 35 Taka and around more than an hour to reach. (as of year 2010).
From Shari ghat you have to hire a boat. You could hire the entire boat or share the boat with people. Choice is yours. I talked to the boatman and he was asking 600 Taka for the round trip. But I didn’t hire the boat. I got in the board with the local people. There were around 12 people in the boat.
The river name is Shari. This is originated from the mountains of Assam, India (like many other rivers of Bangladesh). At the very beginning of the journey the water color was lovely green. I was wondering about the beauty that was waiting ahead.
The boat was running very slowly, and I came to know it would take around 45 minutes to reach the Lalakhal (name of a place). There were a lot of water vehicles running over the river Shari. Most of them were caring the sands, small stones, which were quarried from the border part of the Bangladesh/India.
During the boat journey I observed the mountains which are in Meghalaya. Those were lovely to see from the middle of the river. Sometimes the clouds were flying over the mountains. From the far sight those mountains were looking blackish or bluish green.
There were some places where the water from the Haor of our country joined with the river water. The water of the Haor is really muddy and you could easily distinguished the difference between the two water colors. I wonder what made the water of the river so green (and blue during winter). Probably the reason the water is coming from the hills of the Indian mountains. Usually the water in hilly stream use to be teal or blue in color.
After around 45 minutes of journey I have finally reached the Lalakhal ghat. It took only 20 Taka for the boat ride (as I was sharing it with other locals). The main enjoyment started for me from there. When everyone has left the boat and I hired the boat for 150 Taka per hour. I have asked the boatman to drive the boat to the place where Bangladesh is one side, and the India is at other side. It was a lovely experience cause you are now through a transboundary river. Half of the river belongs to Bangladesh and second half belongs to India.
There is a place called Bagh Chhori, it was the last border of Bangladesh. After that point the whole river is under India. So it was not possible to cross the river with the boat. But after a while from that point again the river started to share both countries. But I didn’t dare to go after that point using a boat.
During my returning from Lalakhal the rain just started mildly. It was awesome, you know the rain, and you are doing a river cruise, with a small boat, and you are alone like a King in that boat. The rain sustained for about 10 minutes, and after that once again the sunny sky.
Best time to visit:
The river is full due to the heavy rain during rainy season. But with that it loses all of its bluish color. So you would not find too much color in water during rainy season. But plenty of greens from the surrounding. In winter the river would be a shallow one but plenty of blue in water. Although the surroundings would not be that much green. I’d recommend to visit Lalakhal during winter (December – February).
Where to stay:
The Nazimgarh Garden Resort is the most closest and one of the best accommodations near Lalakhal. They also have their own river cruising option and other activities. If you are planning to visit Lalakhal then I’d recommend you to stay there. If you want somewhere cheaper hotels then you could stay in Sylhet town. Sylhet has plenty of different quality of hotels for the local and foreign travelers. Check here for the list of hotels from Sylhet.
Lalakhal (or Lala Khal),
Upazila: Jaintiapur,
District: Sylhet,
Country: Bangladesh,
GPS Coordinate (25°06’22.8″N, 92°10’39.9″E).
Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog alonelytraveler.com
Sunday, 25th July 2010
Oh wao, I was there a few months back with to of my best pal. That tour was awesome. We've visited Lalakhal, Ratargul swamp forest, HamHam waterfall. Shylhet is a charming place to visit in Bangladesh.
I went there last weekend alone.the view of the river,the nazimgarh resort was so enchanting,i still see it in my mind…it is undoubtedly one of the most marvellous tourist spots in bangladesh….