KAPTAI LAKE

Kaptai Lake stretches over 220 km ² and is the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh. In 1956, the Pakistani government began construction of an immense hydro-electric dam on the Karnaphuli River, which resulted in the displacement of 100 000 people. In 1962, at the end of the work, thousands of hectares of forests and arable land were swallowed up under water forever. Now the lake is dotted with islands of islands and islets, ancient mountain peaks on the surface, and the notched shoreline follows improbable contours. Some parts of the lake are reminiscent of the coves of Cassis or Marseille, but covered with thick vegetation. The show gains in intensity from sunrise or sunset, when blue silver from the water surface turns into flamboyant red. But this only happens if the sky is clear. By the time of the white sky, the water reflects only a thin pink halo, the time that the sun bending is killed by the mist. A boat outing on the lake is an essential part of your visit to Rangamati. The Hotel Parjatan can organise it for you or if you don't, you can easily find local sailors to take you through the Côté De and Tobolchuri Ghats. You will then have to undertake a firm negotiation.

Chutes Falls: a popular tourist destination, a cruise to the Chutes falls is an excellent excuse for crossing the lake. It takes 1 hour of boat to reach the other shore, first through the huge platitude of the lake where you will cross fishermen or large wooden boats carrying passengers and food. On the opposite shore, you enter a narrow gorge that houses the falls of Shuvalong. The falls, not very impressive, are dry much of the year. To hope to see a mighty torrent falling down, you have to go there during or just after the rainy season. Negotiate with your boatman to stop on track at the Eri Ting Ting restaurant.