Adventure · Teesta Bazar
A rafting run on the Teesta
Ride Grade I–III water on the Teesta with a local crew, on runs of 3–12 km near Teesta Bazar. Seasonal, weather-dependent and, since the 2023 flood, worth confirming in person before you plan around it.
Rafting on the Teesta started near Teesta Bazar in 1991, when the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council began promoting it, and local operators have run the river since. The runs most visitors book are Grade I–III: lively rapids separated by long calm stretches where you can look up at the forested walls of the valley. Short runs take about an hour on the water; longer ones of 10–12 km take two to three hours with the drive back.
The season is roughly October to May, when the river is low and clear. From June to September the monsoon swells the Teesta and runs stop. The October 2023 flood changed the riverbed, piling sand and boulders where there were none, and operators had to relearn the river; some seasons were cut short. Prices are about ₹800–1,500 a person depending on length and group size, including a life jacket, helmet and guide.
Book in person at Teesta Bazar the day before, ask to see the safety gear, and ask how long the crew has run this stretch. Everyone wears a life jacket and helmet, and you should be able to follow simple paddle commands. Children are usually taken on the shorter runs only. Check current status before you travel, and do not raft if the water is high or brown.
Cost: ₹800–1,500 pp (indicative)
Questions people ask
Good to know
Is Teesta rafting open now?
Teesta rafting usually runs from about October to May and stops in the monsoon. Since the October 2023 flood, seasons have been interrupted and some operators paused. Ask at Teesta Bazar the day before, or ask your Kalimpong hotel to call, and check current status before you travel.
How much does Teesta rafting cost?
Indicatively ₹800–1,500 a person for a Grade I–III run of 3–12 km, including life jacket, helmet and guide. Longer runs and small groups cost more. Confirm what is included, especially the drive back to Teesta Bazar, before you pay.
Do I need to know how to swim to raft on the Teesta?
Operators generally do not insist on swimming, because everyone wears a life jacket and helmet and the runs are Grade I–III. You must listen to the guide's briefing and follow paddle commands. Non-swimmers and children should choose the shorter, calmer runs.
Also in Teesta Bazar
