Second Sijuk Waterfall from Khagrachari

Sijuk is the name of a couple of waterfalls which are near the Sijuk khal (a canal). This is the second of the two Sijuk waterfalls (here is the other one). These two waterfalls join together and form the canal Sijuk. Locally the canal is also known as Shishuk. The shape of the waterfall is like resting hair on a woman’s back. The height is about 50-60 feet tall. Though this is easy to access from Khagrachari district, it is actually located in Rangamati district. The waterfall of the Sijuk canal falls into the River Kasalong, which later falls into the Kaptai lake.

After reaching the Sijuk Khal, we decided to visit the furthest waterfall first, which is the Second Sijuk Waterfall. From that point the whole trek was through the water of the Jhiri (a stream). We were tired as the sun was hitting directly. Initially we were feeling tired to move further. But later our energy was slowly replenishing as the whole path was covered with dense trees and also we were cooled by the water from the stream.

Most of the parts of the stream had very low depth of water. Only a few places were having moderate depth. The bushes around the stream were covered with trees and millions of bamboos. Local tribes chop those bamboos and sell them at paper mills nearby. They bind all those bamboo in such a way that it floats on the water. Later they pull those floating things over the water of the stream. This way they will carry those bamboo to the Kasalong river.

The whole path had entertaining stuff throughout the way. Lots of melodious birds, the murmuring sound of the water from the stream and plenty more things. Sometimes it was the hide and seek of the sun ray on the water through the thick leafy shade from the tree. Sometimes we have jumped back on the water for sudden depth increases.

Our guides were busy with collecting snails and shrimps from the water while we were busy with walking. The stream was profound with the different shapes of snails and shrimps. As I already mentioned about the bamboo chopping around the bushes, a lot of chopped crumbs of bamboo were lying on the water. Those fishes and snails were hiding  in the hollow of those bamboo.

Everything was going perfectly, but suddenly one of our mates got a cramp initially on left leg and later on both. He has not done such walking for a long time. So I was slightly afraid about his condition. By any cost I didn’t want any of my team members to be left behind. I gave him my anklets (which I carry during my trekking) and that helped him to walk slowly (later he got used to it).

The water from the stream was cleaner most of the time. We could easily see the 2/3 feet through the water. But at some places the water was having bad smells because of the rotten leaves and murky stuff at the surface below. Few places were terribly stinky and produced bubbles underneath the water while stepping over.

Final portion of the stream had a lot of depth. From that place we could see the waterfall, but to reach it we had to pass through the muddy path instead of water. The path was covered with bushes, broken stems, rotten leaves, etc. Sometimes our feet got pushed more than a foot into the mud. My sandals got lost in that mud on several occasions and were rescued back by hand. 

After reaching the beautiful Second Sijuk Waterfall and capturing a lot of photos, we had a shower under the waterfall. Beneath the waterfall the depth of the water was around 7/8 ft. So if you do not know swimming, better not try. We spent more than an hour doing that water sport. We swam in the water, then sat under the waterfall, and many more things. The shape of the waterfall is really unique. It is like a woman putting her hair on her back to dry after a shower.

We returned from the Second Sijuk Waterfall through the same stream. We took a break near the Sijuk khal where the two waterfall’s streams joined together. There were other local people sitting beside the canal. They were also taking a break from the chopping bamboos. We shared our snacks with them. After the break we visited the First Sijuk Waterfall. You can read more about it from that waterfall from my other article. After visiting the waterfall, it was around 5:00pm in the afternoon. So without wasting any more time we started to return back so that we could leave the hills before the daylight was over.

As we have climbed down from the hill at the last stage, so while returning it was a tough task. But somehow we passed that without any problem. In fact we were trekking continuously and with rapid pace as the sky was threatening for a shower. But slowly we discovered that the clouds were gone. But alas! The paths were muddy and slightly slippy. It had rained in those places already. Somehow we didn’t get under the rain, but the path ahead of us washed recently.

There were several pools made from logs over small canals which need care if you are not a regular trekker. But if you are regular, it’s a piece of cake. Exactly one hour later we reached the Nondoram village where we had left our bikes. Without wasting any time we started for Dighinala by riding on those bikes.

Amid the road we were thwarted at the Army check post. It was 6:30 in the evening. If you are not a local tribal then you are not allowed to pass that check post after 6:00. We saw two/three bikes waiting on that post. As they were all tribal, they got the permission. But they were reluctant to let us go for security. After asking a lot of questions and queries they finally allowed us to pass.

The last half an hour of the bike ride was through the floating clouds around. It was chilling when the clouds were touching us. That cold touch is such an ineffable thing that is really hard to explain in writing.

Things were going pretty well, but again alas! the headlight of the bike just went down. I should say it went on with no control. It was switching off and on by itself on its own wish. By that time our other bike had gone far away. I have a torch light in my bag, so I used that one for the rest of the ride and it was just after 7:00 in the evening when we finished riding. Another bike was waiting anxiously at Dighinala town for us.

While returning from the Dighinala we didn’t find any CNG driven vehicle. One guy was asking for 1000 Taka and it was too much for us. Bike would cost 300 Taka for each. But I wasn’t interested in another bike ride. Luckily we found a P shaped cab vehicle for only 600 Taka! Around 40 people can easily sit in that vehicle. So we were feeling like kings on such a large vehicle while returning. The returning ride was through the dark. We couldn’t see a damn thing around, but we enjoyed the ride. It was a memorable ride.

How to go

In short, first go to Dighinala of Khagrachari. From there hire bikes to reach Nondoram village. Each bike would cost 700-800 taka for the whole day. From Nondoram village, hire any local people to show you the path. They may cost you around 200 taka. If they do not know about the Sijuk waterfall, just tell them about the Sijuk Khal and the waterfall on that khal. Also, if you can find the Moni Chakma from the Dighinala, in that case you’d not require any guides. He knows about both the Sijuk waterfalls pretty well. You can use his bike to ride, and use him as a guide as a compliment. 

Sijuk waterfall 2 (or Second Sijuk waterfall),
Rangamati,
Country: Bangladesh.

Written by Lonely Traveler,
For the blog alonelytraveler.com

Friday, 07 September 2012