Adventure · Melli
White-water rafting on the Teesta near Melli
A guided raft trip on the Teesta around Melli and Teesta Bazaar in the dry season, when the river is clearer and rapids are moderate. A fun, short add-on for families with older children and groups of friends on the drive between NJP and South Sikkim.
Photo: Pinakpani · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Teesta, Sikkim's main river, leaves the hills near Melli on its way to the plains. In the dry months, from about October to March, it runs lower and clearer, and operators around Melli and Teesta Bazaar run short raft trips through moderate rapids. It is the most accessible white-water in the region.
Trips usually start with a safety briefing and fitting of helmets and life jackets, then a stretch of a few kilometres with a trained guide steering from the back. Expect to get wet, to paddle on instruction and to float through calm reaches between rapids. Longer stretches cost more.
Choose an established operator, ask about the guide's training and check the equipment. Minimum ages vary, often around 12–14. Leave valuables in the car and bring a change of clothes. Rafting stops in the monsoon, when the river is far too high. Prices and rules change; check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Is Teesta rafting safe?
With a trained guide, proper helmets and life jackets, and in the dry season, short Teesta trips are generally considered suitable for beginners. Risk is never zero. Choose an established operator, follow every instruction, and do not raft from June to September, when the river is high and dangerous.
When is the rafting season on the Teesta?
Roughly October to March, when the river is lower and clearer after the monsoon. Some operators run into April and May depending on water levels. Rafting stops during the monsoon, from June to September. Check current status before you travel, as river conditions vary each year.
How much does Teesta rafting cost?
Indicatively about ₹800–2,000 per person, depending on the length of the stretch, the operator and group size. Short trips of a few kilometres sit at the lower end. Prices change by season, so ask for a clear quote that includes equipment and transport back to the start.
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