ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
River Rafting
River Teesta is a “high-adrenaline vortex” for river rafting adventure sports in India. Originating from the Himalayas, this river flows through Sikkim and West Bengal. River rafting in Teesta is an experience one cannot miss while travelling to the beautiful valleys of Dooars. The most popular rafting site on river Teesta is Melli. Octavius tea resorts in Dooars offers you an exhilarating experience at Melli which is the closest rafting site from the resort. Located at around 94kms from Nyla Sylee Tea estate in Nagrakata and 63 kms from Sylee tea estate in Dam Dim, Melli is where you can experience the river at its most pristine.
Why white river rafting in Teesta? It’s not just the thrill of voyaging across the rapids but an opportunity to enjoy the scenic valley with the mesmerizing view of the dense forests along the
mountainous slopes. The rive course changes color from course to course which is nothing but a treat to the eyes.
POPULAR RAFTING SECTIONS IN TEESTA AND HOW TO GET THERE
Teesta bazaar is the focal point for river rafting in West Bengal which is close to the Teesta river. The starting point for river rafting in Teesta is Tarkhola with the most sought over courses running up to Kalijhora.
- By road: Teesta Bazaar which is the major hub for rafting can be reached by four- wheeler in 1.5 hours from Darjeeling town and 1 hour 45 mins via Sevoke road from NJP (New Jalpaiguri Railway station)
- By air: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra (near Siliguri) with travel time of approx. 2 hours
- By rail: The closest railway station would be New Jalpaiguri which has trains frequenting from Gangtok. Gangtok is connected to major railway stations such as Delhi and Kolkata.
Rafting trips can be enjoyed by novices and experts alike. Rafting has been graded as 6 levels based on the currents in the river with grade 1 being the easiest and grade 6 being the most difficult. Considering the series of rapids and varying intensity of flow, river rafting at Teesta has been graded on a scale of 2 to 4. Grade-2 normally has small rapids and is easy to navigate, Grade-3 requires
some technical ability and a trained guide, while Grade-4 has very large rapids and should be attempted only by seasoned rafters. Rafting done in Melli is always accompanied by professional and trained rafters along with a rescue team. Some of the most popular courses for river rafting in Teesta are:
For Novices (Non-Swimmers)
- 1.5-hour course from Melli to 29th Mile
- 3-hour course from Melli to Kalijhora
For Experts (Swimmers)
- 2-hour course starting from Tarkhola and ending at Melli
- 3-hour course from Tarkhola to 29th Mile
- 4-5 Kms stretch from 7th Mile to Labarbote trimming the Sikkim Bengal border
Experts who are a bit more daring can undertake longer courses of river rafting in Teesta such as Boarding to 29th Mile which is for 4.5 hours and involves grade 3-4 rapids.
BEST TIME FOR RAFTING
The best time to visit the place for river rafting at West Bengal or Sikkim is between the months of December to June. July to September which is the monsoon is a red flag season for rafting as the rapids can be more turbulent owing to river swells. Also, it can be freezing cold during winter season and one must pack wetsuits to tackle the extreme conditions.
Following are some things to keep in mind as you jot down your itinerary for river rafting in Sikkim or West Bengal
- A pair or two of quick dry shorts/ bathing suits, sturdy footwear like boots, synthetic shirts with in built sunscreen protection, sunscreen lotions, water bottle and extra dry clothes
- Necessary medications including antiseptics.
Note
- Duration of journey & distance are in approximation. Time taken to reach may fluctuate as per weather, road & traffic conditions
- Rates and availability of all outsourced activities depend on the service providers and the season
- River rafting is an outsourced activity and will be charged as per actuals (ID proofs are required for booking).
- River rafting remains closed from around July to September (Dates may vary depending on monsoon)
- River rafting is not advisable for individuals with health conditions such as heart issues, epilepsy etc.
- It is not advisable to consume alcohol at least 6 hours prior to the trip
- Must follow all instructions provided by the operator (preferably a licensed professional) and wear life jacket/ personal floatation device while adhering to all safety regulations.
Jungle Safari
Dooars is famous for its rich biodiversity and forests, the most notable of which are Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary, and Buxa Tiger Reserve.
The best National Park to visit from Octavius tea resort is Gorumara National Park in Dooars, located on the flood plains of Murti and Jaldhaka rivers, which offers an enormous variety of flora and fauna. In this park you shall find several mammal species like one horned Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, Leopard, Sambar, Deer, Monkey etc. This park has become a major tourist attraction due to the magnificent dense forests, beautiful landscapes and the presence of One Horned Rhinocerous.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The jungle safari is open for visit between to mid September to mid June. Although, the best time for jungle safari in this national park & forests is between December to June. To experience this adventure, a morning, afternoon or an evening safari can be booked in an open Jeep through the Forest Department. There are two types of trips:
1. JEEP SAFARI – A TRIP TO THE JUNGLE (APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR LONG)
APPROXIMATE COST: Rs. 1800/- Jeep wiith 6 passengers allowed in each Jeep. You can book the entire jeep or share with other visitors. Sharing option to be arranged on the spot by the guests themselves.
Timing of jungle trips :
Trip 1
6:00 am in the morning. You have to reach at 5:00 am in the morning to purchase the tickets and take the trip in the jeep.
Trip 2:
2pm in the afternoon. You have to reach at 1:00 pm in the afternoon to purchase the tickets and take the trip in the jeep.
2. TOWER VISIT- A TRIP TO ONE OF THE TOWERS
This trip includes one watch tower and lasts for an hour. You can choose one of the following watch towers:
- YATROPROSAD WATCH TOWER
- MEDLA WATCH TOWER
- CHANDRACHUR WATCH TOWER
- CHAPRAMARI WATCH TOWER
- CHUKCHUKI WATCH TOWER
APPROXIMATE COST: Rs. 2600/- Jeep with 6 passengers allowed. You can book the entire jeep or share with other visitors. Sharing option to be arranged on the spot by the guests themselves
Timing of tower trips:
4:00 pm in the afternoon .You have to reach at 3:00 pm in the afternoon to purchase the tickets and take the trip to any one tower of your choice in the jeep.
NOTE:
- Duration of journey & distance are in approximation. Time taken to reach may fluctuates as per weather, road & traffic condition.
- Rates and availability of all outsourced activities depend on the service providers and the season.
- Jungle safari is an outsourced activities and will be charged as per actual (Self attested photocopied ID proofs are required for booking).
- Gorumara National Park, remains closed from around mid-June to mid-September (Dates may vary depending on monsoon).
A naturalist may also accompany you for this safari. The tribal village visit included in this jungle safari is also an excellent experience to witness the tribal culture. The handicraft items manufactured by the local tribals are available for sale outside the park.
DISTANCE FROM OCTAVIUS
Octavius tea resorts promises to take you through this awe inspiring experience. Gorumara National Park,
Octavius tea resorts promises to take you through this awe inspiring experience. Gorumara National Park, located at a distance of approximately 24 kms from the Nya Sylee Tea estate and 26 kms from the Sylee tea estate is the closest forest from Octavius for bird watching. It takes approximately an hour to reach the park from both the estates.
Set amidst breathtaking expanses of tea estates, each colonial bungalow extends a good share of adventure, fun and an ultimate family bonding. Dropped mobile signals, wildlife tales and great camaraderie make it a perfect escape with your loved ones.
Paragliding
Dancing with the winds through the clear blue skies as you paraglide over the lush green north eastern tea gardens of Darjeeling. A professional tandem shall take you over Eastern Himalayas while you are not expected to have any prior experience. This unique sensation of free flight and breathtaking panoramic views of the Darjeeling peaks and its wildlife is an absolutely unforgettable adventure at Kalimpong.
TANDEM FLYING FOR THE BEGINNERS
Both the pilot and you have separate harnesses that are attached to each other and the wing. Once launched, you can just sit back and enjoy the breath taking view from the amazing heights and capture some pictures also in your camera.
THE TAKE OFF THE LANDING POINTS
The take-off point of the flight is Deolo Hill in Kalimpong ( situated at an altitude of 1250 meters) one of the best view points in Darjeeling. The flying trip lasts between 10 to 30 minutes depending on the wind conditions. There are two types of flights – Medium (10 to 15 mins) & Cross Country (20 to 30 mins) The paragliding agencies provide transportation from the landing location to the starting point.
FLYING SEASON AND TIMINGS
Gliding is a weather dependent sport and it is suggested to fly in fine weather which commences from April to June and again in October. The timings of the flights are dependent on the weather conditions and are tentatively as under:
March – June: 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.,
Oct – Jan: 10.00 am to 4 pm
THINGS TO CARRY
One should preferably wear any comfortable lowers with a shirt, comfortable shoes & wind cheater/Jacket depending on the weather. Sandals/ floaters/slippers are not allowed. It is mandatory to carry one proof of identification and foreign nationals need to carry their passport and visa. Necessarily
