"Still waters cradle the sky between fourteen green hills — Mohamaya Lake in Mirsharai, Chattogram holds its silence like a hidden wonder of Bangladesh."
Nestled among the rolling green hills of Mirsharai, Chattogram, Mohamaya Lake is one of the largest man made most beautiful breathtaking freshwater reservoirs in Bangladesh. Created as part of an irrigation project, the lake was quickly reclaimed by the landscape around it — its shores wrapped in dense forest, rubber plantations, and dramatic rock formations that plunge straight into the still water below.
What makes Mohamaya Lake truly extraordinary is its setting. The lake stretches across approximately 3,600 acres, surrounded by 14 hills that cast their green reflections across a mirror-like surface. On calm mornings the boundary between hill and water dissolves entirely — it becomes impossible to tell where the land ends and the sky begins.
Whether you arrive by boat at dawn, kayak through narrow hill corridors, discover hidden waterfalls tucked inside the project area, or camp under open skies at the water's edge — Mohamaya offers a completely different and equally unforgettable experience with every hour of the day.
"To sit at the edge of Mohamaya as the hills lean into the water is to understand what stillness truly means — not the silence of emptiness, but the silence of a landscape so full of beauty it asks no explanation."— HoverOver Bangladesh
Mohamaya Lake is not just a reservoir — it is a living landscape shaped by water, hills, and forest working in quiet harmony. Each corner holds something different, something new.
Narrow waterways cut between tall green hills, creating dramatic natural canyons. Kayaking through these channels feels like sailing inside a living landscape unlike anything else in Chittagong.
On calm mornings the lake becomes a perfect mirror — hills, clouds and sky reflected in complete stillness. The double-world photography that made Mohamaya famous.
Dense rubber groves grip the hillsides above the waterline — a dramatic border between water and forest that shifts with every season.
Away from city lights, Mohamaya's lakeside is one of the finest stargazing spots in Chittagong — fourteen hills frame an open sky rarely this clear.
Tucked inside the project area, small waterfalls cascade down hillsides into the lake — discoverable only by boat or light trekking.
First light transforms Mohamaya into something otherworldly. Mist floats between the hills, birds begin their calls, and the lake glows gold.
Straightforward from both Dhaka and Chittagong — the lake sits right off the main N1 highway.
Take a Dhaka–Chattogram bound bus from Sayedabad or Jatrabari Bus Stand via the N1 Highway. Get off at Mirsharai or Baratakia Bazar. Fares: 600–900 BDT (non-AC) or 1,000–1,500 BDT (AC). From the highway, hire a CNG for a 5–10 minute ride to the lake gate at Mithachara.
5–6 hours totalTake a local Dhaka-bound bus from Alongkar, AK Khan, or Kadamtali bus stand and get off at Mirsharai Bazar. Fares: 120–200 BDT. From Mirsharai, hire a CNG or auto-rickshaw for 5–10 minutes to the Mohamaya Lake gate at Mithachara Union. Comfortable and very straightforward.
1–1.5 hoursRent a rowboat or speedboat from the lake authority at the gate. Boats take you into the hill corridors, past rubber plantation shores, and toward hidden waterfalls deep inside the project area. Kayaks may also be available seasonally. Entry fees and boat charges apply separately.
2–4 hours on the waterMohamaya transforms dramatically across seasons — each has its own character and mood.
October · November · December · January · February
The finest time to experience Mohamaya. Cool, crisp air keeps the lake perfectly calm — ideal for mirror reflections and stunning photography. Boat rides are comfortable, the hill corridors glow in golden winter light, and stargazing from the lakeside campsite is extraordinary. This is also the safest and most enjoyable season for first-time visitors and families.
September · October
The hills are intensely green, the lake is brimming full, and the hidden waterfalls inside the project area flow at their strongest. A more dramatic, untamed version of Mohamaya — rewarding for nature lovers who embrace raw beauty.
June · July · August
Heavy rain makes boat rides unpredictable. The lake authority may restrict access on storm days. Beautiful but challenging — wait for the post-monsoon calm if possible.
Arrive at sunrise — the morning mist over Mohamaya is one of the most extraordinary sights in Chittagong, and the first light is perfect for photography.
Book your boat in advance on weekends and public holidays — Mohamaya is popular with Chittagong locals and boats fill up quickly at the gate.
Ask your boatman to navigate through the hill corridors — these narrow waterways between the hills are the most dramatic and photogenic part of the entire experience.
Carry enough cash — no ATMs exist near the lake. Entry fees, boat charges, and food stalls are all cash only. Small notes preferred.
If camping overnight, inform the local authority first. Open fires are not permitted near the rubber plantation zones.
Respect the stillness — Mohamaya is a quiet place. Avoid loud music on the water. The silence is exactly what makes it so special.
From silent dawn boat rides to overnight stargazing — tap any activity to explore what Mohamaya has in store.
The signature Mohamaya experience. Rent a rowboat or speedboat and navigate through narrow waterways flanked by towering green hills — every turn reveals a new composition of water, light, and forest.
Move at your own pace. Kayaking lets you reach the quieter edges — shallow rubber plantation shores, narrow inlets between hills, calm coves the speedboats can't touch. Pure freedom on still water.
Spend the night at Mohamaya's edge — one of the best stargazing spots in Chittagong. Fourteen hills block city light entirely, leaving a sky so clear you won't believe you're still in Bangladesh.
Every hour is a different image. At dawn the lake becomes a mirror. At golden hour it turns to fire. In the hill corridors, light fractures between leaves and water in ways you can't predict or plan.
Inside the Mohamaya project area, hidden waterfalls cascade down hillsides into the lake. Accessible only by light trekking from shore or a short boat ride. Among the least visited and most beautiful corners of the lake.
The forested hills surrounding Mohamaya host kingfishers, herons, and migratory forest birds. Early morning on the water — before other visitors arrive — is when the lake is entirely theirs, and yours.
Set your alarm for 5am. The boat ride out as Mohamaya wakes up — mist lifting off the water, the sky shifting from grey to gold to blue, fourteen hills emerging one by one from the haze — stays with you forever.
The grassy shoreline near the entrance is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Chittagong. Pack a proper meal, find a shaded spot, and spend the afternoon simply being with the hills. No agenda required.
Navigate dramatic waterways flanked by towering green hills. Rent a rowboat or speedboat at the gate — the signature Mohamaya experience.
Reach the quieter edges and narrow inlets no speedboat can touch. Solo and tandem kayaks available seasonally — pure freedom on still water.
Spend the night under a sky so clear you won't believe you're still in Bangladesh. One of the finest stargazing spots in Chittagong.
At dawn the lake mirrors the sky. At golden hour it turns to fire. Every hour is a completely different image — arrive before sunrise.
Hidden waterfalls cascade into the lake inside the project area. Ask your boatman to guide you — among the least visited spots at Mohamaya.
Kingfishers, herons, and migratory birds fill the hillside canopy. Early morning on the water is when the lake belongs entirely to them — and you.
Be on the lake by 5:30am. Mist rises off the water, the sky shifts gold to blue, and fourteen hills emerge from the haze one by one. Unforgettable.
The grassy shoreline near the entrance is one of Chittagong's most beautiful picnic spots. Pack a meal, find shade, and let the hills do the rest.
[ Replace placeholders below with your real Mohamaya photos ]
Photo 1 — Panoramic view of lake & hills
Wide angle recommended
Photo 2 — Boat in hill corridor
Photo 3 — Rubber plantation shore
Photo 4 — Hidden waterfall inside
Photo 5 — Lakeside camping at night
15 km awayNine cascading tiers through dense forest — the "Queen of Waterfalls." A full-day trekking adventure that pairs perfectly with a Mohamaya visit.
10 km awayA series of cascading waterfalls and cool pools connected by a scenic jungle hiking trail — one of the most varied waterfall experiences near Mohamaya.
45 km awayUnlike any other beach in Bangladesh — grassy plains, tidal channels, and Keora trees meet the Bay of Bengal in a surreal, photographer-friendly landscape.
30 km awayAt 1,020 feet, panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal and rolling green hills. One of Chittagong's most iconic trekking and pilgrimage destinations.
Everything you need to know before you go.
Pack your bag, rent a boat, and let fourteen hills and still water show you a Bangladesh most travellers never see.