Teesta Bazaar, 16 km from Kalimpong town on the Siliguri road, is the main base for whitewater rafting on the Teesta river. The rafting season runs from mid-November to mid-February, when the river has dropped sufficiently after the monsoon but is still lively. The rapids on this section range from Grade II to Grade IV, suitable for beginners and intermediates. Several operators in Kalimpong and Siliguri run day trips.
The Teesta gorge is dramatic even outside rafting season — the river cuts through deep valleys with jungle on the slopes and occasional views up to Himalayan ridges. The road down from Kalimpong to Teesta Bazaar is winding but scenic. Samco Ropeway, a short distance further towards Siliguri, crosses the Teesta and is worth stopping for: a traditional cable car that still carries passengers across the river as it has for decades.