Melli is a small town on the Teesta at about 280 m, split between Kalimpong district of West Bengal and Namchi district of Sikkim and joined by a road bridge. It is the main entry from Siliguri and NJP into South and West Sikkim, a tea stop on NH10 and a dry-season rafting base.
Nepali nameMelliMeans: the place where the dead are crematedSource: Wikipedia: Melli
Best months
Oct–Mar
Nights we suggest
0
From Gangtok
≈ 60 km · 2–2.5 h
Altitude
≈ 280 m
Known for
Teesta bridge between two states, rafting, gateway to South Sikkim
Permit
Not needed for Indians; foreigners need the Sikkim RAP
About Melli
What to know before you go
Melli sits at one of the lowest points on the road into Sikkim, beside the Teesta where the river leaves the hills for the plains. The town has two markets: Melli Bazaar in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, on National Highway 10, and Melli on the Sikkim side, in Namchi district. A road bridge across the Teesta, named after Jawaharlal Nehru, joins them. Wikipedia notes that Melli is one of the few Indian towns that lies in two states.
For travellers, Melli is where South Sikkim begins. Coming up NH10 from Siliguri, vehicles bound for Namchi, Ravangla, Jorethang and Pelling turn off here, cross the river and climb into Sikkim, while traffic for Gangtok carries on towards Rangpo. It is also where the shared jeeps and private cars pause for tea, momos and a stretch. Kalimpong town is about 20 km away on the West Bengal side. Namchi is about an hour uphill from here, Gangtok about two hours on.
Melli's name, according to Wikipedia, means the place where the dead are cremated in Nepali. Today it is better known for the Yuksom Breweries plant on the Sikkim side and for white-water rafting on the Teesta in the dry months. Most travellers stop for an hour, not a night, and that is usually right. Use it as a break, cross the bridge on foot if you are curious, and save your nights for the hills above.
Highlights
What to see and do
The bridge between two states
Walk or drive across the Jawaharlal Nehru Bridge from Melli Bazaar in West Bengal to Melli in Sikkim, with the Teesta below. Wikipedia calls it the second-longest bridge in Sikkim. A Sikkim check post stands near the Sikkim end.
Teesta rafting
From about October to March, when the river is lower and clearer, rafting trips run on the Teesta around Melli and Teesta Bazaar. Rapids are moderate in the dry season. Choose an established operator with life jackets and helmets, and never raft in the monsoon.
Tea and momos on NH10
Melli's roadside eateries on both sides of the bridge serve momos, chowmein, thali and sweet milk tea to a steady flow of jeeps and cars. A natural break about 2–2.5 hours out of Siliguri on the way to Namchi or Gangtok.
Turn-off for South Sikkim
Melli is where the road to Namchi, Ravangla, Jorethang and Pelling leaves NH10 and climbs into Sikkim. Kitam Bird Sanctuary lies near this road, and Namchi is about an hour away.
Two rivers below town
Just downstream, the Rangeet joins the Teesta at Tribeni on the Darjeeling side, a popular picnic spot. From the road near Melli you can see the Teesta's wide green channel in winter.
The story of Melli
One town, two states, one bridge
The Teesta at Melli is a border as well as a river. On the east bank, Melli Bazaar belongs to Kalimpong district of West Bengal and lines National Highway 10, the main road from Siliguri to Gangtok. On the west bank, Melli belongs to Namchi district of Sikkim. Wikipedia's article on the town describes the Jawaharlal Nehru Bridge that connects the two halves, and notes that Melli Bazar on the Sikkim side is also the name of a constituency of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. Living in Melli has long meant crossing a state line for school, shopping or work. Goods, prices and even taxi permits differ on each side, and a Sikkim check post near the bridge is where many travellers first show ID. The future will add another layer. A Melli railway station is being built on the Kalimpong side as part of the Sevoke–Rangpo railway, the line meant to bring trains towards Sikkim, with completion targeted for December 2027. Until then, Melli remains what it has been for decades: a bridge town where two states meet over the Teesta.
Source: Wikipedia: Melli; Wikipedia: Sevoke–Rangpo line
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
Yuksom Breweries, which Wikipedia describes as managed by actor Danny Denzongpa and his family, has its plant on the Sikkim side of Melli and is one of the town's main employers.
Wikipedia describes the Jawaharlal Nehru Bridge at Melli as the second-longest bridge in Sikkim, after the bridge at Rangpo.
Source: Wikipedia: Melli
Melli lies about 7 km upstream of Teesta Bazaar, close to where the Rangeet joins the Teesta at the Tribeni confluence, so two of the region's great rivers meet just below the town.
Source: Wikipedia: Melli; Wikipedia: Rangeet River
Shared jeeps from Siliguri to Namchi, Jorethang, Ravangla and Gangtok pass through Melli, about 2–2.5 hours from Siliguri, for roughly ₹200–300 a seat to Melli. Ask the driver to drop you. Onward jeeps to Namchi cost about ₹80–150. Fares are indicative; check current status before you travel.
Private car
A reserved small car from Gangtok to Melli costs about ₹3,000–4,000 for roughly 60 km via Singtam and Rangpo. From Melli to Namchi is about 27 km and an hour. Most travellers simply pass through Melli in their own car on the way to or from South Sikkim.
From Bagdogra / NJP
About 75 km and 2.5–3 hours on NH10 via Sevoke and Teesta Bazaar, about ₹3,500–4,500 by reserved car. NH10 between Sevoke and Melli closes after monsoon slides; the alternative is via Kalimpong or Lava, or via Darjeeling to Jorethang for South Sikkim. Check current status before you travel.
Indian nationals need no permit anywhere in Namchi district. Foreign nationals need the standard Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied online through the e-FRRO portal after arriving in India since 12 January 2026, with approval usually in 24–48 hours; no extra protected-area permit is needed for South Sikkim as we understand it. Sikkim collects a ₹50 per tourist entry fee at hotels, valid 30 days, with under-fives exempt. Forest department rules and fees may apply in Maenam and Kitam sanctuaries. Check current status before you travel.
We do not suggest a night in Melli: the town is a busy road junction with only a few basic lodges, and better options lie an hour away in either direction. For South Sikkim, push on to Namchi, about 27 km uphill, where Seven Hill Resort and Sobralia Hotels Casino Resort & Spa suit comfortable trips and the market area has clean budget rooms from about ₹1,500–2,500. For Gangtok, continue up NH10 via Rangpo.
Melli is on the Teesta at about 280 m, on the border between Kalimpong district of West Bengal and Namchi district (South Sikkim). It is about 75 km and 2.5–3 hours from NJP on NH10, roughly 60 km from Gangtok, and about 27 km below Namchi.
Is Melli worth a stop?
As a break, yes: tea and momos, a walk on the bridge between two states and, in the dry season, Teesta rafting. It is not a place to stay overnight. Most travellers spend 30 minutes to an hour here before climbing to Namchi or continuing to Gangtok.
How do I get from NJP to Melli?
By reserved car, about 75 km and 2.5–3 hours on NH10 via Sevoke and Teesta Bazaar, for roughly ₹3,500–4,500. Shared jeeps from Siliguri towards Namchi, Jorethang and Gangtok pass through for about ₹200–300 a seat. Check current status of NH10 before you travel.
What happens when NH10 is closed?
NH10 between Sevoke and Melli closes after monsoon slides. For Gangtok, traffic diverts via Kalimpong or Lava. For South Sikkim, the usual alternative is via Darjeeling district down to Jorethang. Both add time. Our drivers check road news each morning. Check current status before you travel.
Can we do river rafting at Melli?
Yes, from about October to March, with operators around Melli and Teesta Bazaar. Short trips cost indicatively ₹800–2,000 per person. Rafting stops in the monsoon. Choose an established operator with proper safety gear, and check minimum ages if travelling with children.
How far is Namchi from Melli?
About 27 km and an hour by car, climbing from about 280 m on the Teesta to about 1,500 m at Namchi. Shared jeeps cost roughly ₹80–150 a seat. Kitam Bird Sanctuary lies near this road, about 40–50 minutes below Namchi.
Is there a railway station at Melli?
Not yet. A Melli station is being built on the Kalimpong side as part of the Sevoke–Rangpo railway, which is not open; completion is targeted for December 2027. For now, take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and drive. Check current status before you travel.
Do we need a permit to enter Sikkim at Melli?
Indians need no permit, though carry ID. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied for online through the e-FRRO portal after arriving in India since January 2026, and may be checked at the Melli bridge. Sikkim's ₹50 entry fee is collected by hotels. Check current status before you travel.
What does the name Melli mean?
According to Wikipedia's article on the town, Melli in Nepali means the place where the dead are cremated, a reference to riverside cremation by the Teesta. The town is also spelled Malli. Today it is known mainly as a bridge town and gateway to South Sikkim.
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