Things you have to check before travelling to Tanguar Haor in Monsoon

Imagine waking up one beautiful morning to the sound of rain and opening the wooden window next to your bed, only to find yourself surrounded by water. The raindrops create a serene melody as they hit the water's surface, and when you take in the view, you see lush green mountains reaching up to touch the sky, with fluffy white clouds hovering above them. It's a scene straight out of a dream. If you want such a lovely experience, you must go to the north-eastern tip of Bengal, Tangua Haor. 

Monsoon is one of the seasons to visit the Tanguar Haor, provided the rain is not too heavy. Being careful is a must. Considering the weather, we packed our bags and left on June 29 for Tanguar Haor. Although we had planned to stay for two nights, we stayed for only one night. Why? Coming to that story later. First, let's know what things we should consider while travelling to Tanguar Haor. 

Plan before travelling 

Planning is a must not just for Tanguar Haor but for any trip. Where to go, the means of travel, how long you will stay, where you will stay, how much money you have in your budget, what kind of clothes to wear, what you want to eat - take note of these in advance.

We checked the weather forecast beforehand that rain is possible from June 30 to July 3. We fixed the date of our journey accordingly.

There are two ways to travel to Tanguar Haor from Dhaka: by bus or train. Which way you choose will depend mainly on where your boat departs from and your comfort and time.

Boats usually depart from Sunamganj's Sampan Ghat, Taherpur, Madhyanagar. Our first boat left from Sunamganj, so we went by bus from Dhaka. It took 800 taka per person as non-AC bus fare.

We boarded the second boat by CNG auto and took an engine boat to Taherpur.

If your ship departs from Madhyanagar, you can reach Mohanganj by bus or train and then reach Ghat by CNG. We took short pants, t-shirts, and clothes that could dry quickly if wet.

Booking is important

In Tanguar Haor, you will not stay in a hotel but remain on a ship. You will eat, sleep, and travel on the boat. So you have to book which boat you will be on before going. We booked the boat with a small amount about a week before departure.

We planned to stay two nights on two boats. However, shortly after boarding the first boat, the engine broke down in the middle of the river. As a result, we were forced to move to the second boat. So try to rent a boat from someone you know. It reduces the chance of such unwanted hassle.

The more people, the less the cost

There were 5 of us on this trip. It took 5 thousand taka per person for one night on the boat. This package includes three meals, snacks, a night stay, and sightseeing.

This cost can be reduced to two to three thousand taka if you are more in number. Our boat could easily accommodate 13-14 people. But because there are fewer people, our cost has increased.

Raincoats and umbrellas are essential

Whether you like the rain or not, having a raincoat or umbrella can save you from a lot of trouble. There were five pluviophile people. We were drenched in rain the whole time. But the rain on our way back was a thorn in our side.

We had to get on the bus in wet clothes without getting a change. Raincoats can be the best option to avoid such a fuss. Also, a separate bag should be taken for carrying wet clothes. A waterproof pouch can be used to protect your mobile phones.

Places to explore

The whole of Tanguar Haor is a sight to behold. You will enjoy the beauty of the entire Haor by boat. You'll encounter the Surma River, Matian Haor, Shanir Haor, Rakti River, and other lesser-known swamps along the way.

The beauty of Haor during rainfall is indescribable. The sound of every drop of rain in the Haor water is melodious.

Eyesight has no border. So you can enjoy the clouds in the mountains of Meghalaya.

However, many people need help identifying the main Tanguar Haor. After staying in Tekerghat, Faisal, a local from Sunamganj and a friend who accompanied us on the boat, told us he would take us to Tanguar Haor the following day.

Initially surprised, he clarified that most people mistake Tekerghat for Tanguar Haor. But Tanguar Haor is different; it's where the watchtower is. Tourists enjoy Haor's natural beauty by entering the water in front of the watchtower. You can also enjoy tea and snacks while floating on the water there.

You can also visit Lakmachra, Niladri Lake, Barikka Tila and Zainul Abedin Shimul Bagan.

Life jacket to save life

Need to learn how to swim? No problem! With a life jacket, you can effortlessly float in the water for hours. Some boats have their life jackets; some rent them from others. We rented life jackets from another boat and got into the water. One thing is always to choose life jackets that have proper zippers and belts. 

Eat fish!

The taste of Haor's fish is different. And the cooking of the sailors is fantastic. The meal package on the boat includes one meal of fish. If you want, you can go to the local market, purchase your preferred fish, and have it cooked by the sailors.

Rain is good, but heavy rain is not good

The natural beauty of Haor emerges in the rain. However, heavy rains can be life-threatening. So check the weather forecast. If there is a chance of continuous rain, there is also a chance of flooding. We received a flood warning after we reached it, so we had to leave early. When we headed to the second boat in Taherpur, we had to take a boat for half the journey because heavy rainfall submerged the road. We had to take the same route back.

Travel, but save the nature

Nature provides us with all its beauty, and our responsibility is to protect it. Many tourists play loud music on the sound box while travelling by boat, causing problems for the locals and threatening aquatic life.

Irin Akhtar, medical officer of Tekerghat, said, "Those who stay on boats at Tekerghat at night play deafening music, causing difficulties for the community." Many people litter by leaving food packets like chips, biscuits, and plastic bottles in the water during their journey. These practices need to be stopped.

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