White Water Rafting
A tiny float called a "raft", a helmet, a life jacket and a pair of oars - and you are ready to hit the challenging waters of the turbulent Teesta and Rangeet. Did we forget to add your skill or experience? That's the point - you may be a novice at rafting, but our experienced and well-trained river guides take on themselves to execute and ensure a safe trip along the river. Rafting is not just smiting the furrows with an oar. It includes exhilaration, the promise of a total union with Nature, where you can kiss the pellucid water with its virginal hue. You can rendezvous into forest pockets for the love of Nature or enter a quiet, scenic village sagely. Retreat into yourself to meditate on the pristine surroundings as the raft gently floats down the river. Girdling the mountains in a passionate hug flows the beautiful Teesta to meet at the confluence with her beloved, Rangeet. Here starts their romance which captivates even the hearts of flint. You can see the different shades of the two rivers merging into one another. This enchantment carries on to the ringing plains through tiny picturesque villages set amid alpine and tropical vegetation. For the sportive and brave, rafting is a "must" to reveal to you the secrets of mysterious Nature. Come, encompass the geography, the flora - fauna, the bio-diversity and the music of Nature in your heart and let them leave engravings in your mind for the ages to come.
You could always take time off from your trek to dip in the furious rapids of the Teesta. Rafting here is safe yet sizzling. Nine to twelve rafters can sit in a raft which is a long inflatable rubber dinghy. The accessories include, life saving equipment, oars and sometimes a safety kayaker who follows the raft.
Most rafting tours are soft adventures where leisure tourists participate in half an hour to one hour rafting program. Teesta is the preferred site for rafting programs. The Hindustan Travel has skilled in organizing special rafting programs in Teesta as well as other rivers.
White water Rafting is a relatively new adventure sport in the region. The sport was introduced in Darjeeling hills in the year 1991. Since then the sport has come a long way and has gained tremendous popularity.
As a result, several private organizations along with DGHC tourism have set up rafting facilities. On an international scale the icy cold waters of the rocky Teesta is graded at IV.
With a series of rapids with varying intensity and character, Teesta extends a challenging invitation to the enthusiasts.
The unstable waters of the Teesta with its multidimensional rapids provide rafters with a variation meant for professionals. But there are several straights which can be enjoyed by the greenhorn. The spectacular scenery confronting a rafter while one snakes down the Mountain Rivers make this experience a must for all lovers of adventure.
Safety is the key to the success of an adventure endeavor and the services extended by our well trained staff assures you this. Moreover, the rafting equipment used by is of the highest quality available in the world. The extremely high standard infrastructure is supplemented by mouthwatering cuisine of the hills served with a smile.
GRADES OF RAPIDS:
I Easy Small Waves
II Moderate difficulty to clear passage
III Difficult high irregular waves, requires precise maneuvering
IV Very difficult with powerful waves
V Extremely difficult, experts only
VI Unburnable
The Popular Rafting Courses in Teesta
Most popular place in Darjeeling where most tourists go for white water rafting is Teesta Bazaar. Rafting starts at Tarkhola and the popular rafting course goes up to Kalijhora.
It takes about 1.5 hours by taxi or shared jeep to reach Teesta Bazaar from Darjeeling town. Here are the most popular courses for rafting:
For non-swimmers:
1) Melli to 29th Mile (1.5 hours)
2) Melli to Kalijhora (3 hours)
For swimmers only:
1) Tarkhola to Melli (2 hours)
2) Tarkhola to 29 Mile (3 hours)
There are longer sections also. For example Bordang to 29th Mile takes about 4.5 hours and involves grade 2-4 rapids.
Formalities:
All foreign clients are to carry their passport which will be required at the 'Teesta Bridge' while crossing and also enter details of the same on Bond Form.
Important:
Persons suffering from weak heart conditions, epilepsy, expecting mothers and those with serious ailments are not permitted to go rafting.
Consumption of any intoxicant is not permitted. Age limit 14 years on all sections except the float trips, where it is relaxed to 10 years. Non-swimmers are welcome but may be restricted to certain sections of the river, on the advice of the River Guide/Trip Leader.
River rafting has its own itinerary which mostly depends upon the number of days one wants to spend in the river. Please feel free to enquire us for a wonderful trip. It can also be organized with Trekking and Tours.
Rules to note before rafting
- All guests are required to sign 'assumption of Risk and Release' bond before undertaking the trip.
- All foreign guests are to carry passport at the time of going for a Rafting trip.
- Persons suffering from weak heart conditions, epilepsy, expecting mothers and those with serious ailments are not permitted to go rafting.
- Alcohol is not permitted at least six hours prior to the river trip.
- Non-swimmers are welcome to rafting but may be restricted to certain sections of the river, on the advice of the River Guide/ Trip Leader
Note:
All guests are required to sign 'assumption of Risk and Release' bond before undertaking the trip.
All foreign guests are to carry passport at the time of going for a rafting trip.
Persons suffering from weak heart conditions, epilepsy, expecting mothers and those with serious ailments are not permitted to go rafting.
Alcohol is not permitted at least six hours prior to the river trip.
Non-swimmers are welcome to rafting but may be restricted to certain sections of the river, on the advice of the River Guide/ Trip Leader.
The Hindustan Travel will not be responsible for civil disturbances, theft, accidents, natural calamities and other such incidents beyond human control.
No refund is admissible if a tour is cancelled or altered at the last moment due to unforeseen circumstances beyond human control.
