The tourism department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is set to resume adventure tourism and sporting activities in Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills from the middle of next month.

River rafting in the Teesta, daylong mountain hikes on old hilly routes and jumping from the slopes of the mountains for a short aerial stroll through paragliding are some of the activities that have been planned.

“After the monsoon break, all adventure tourism and related activities in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong will begin from September 15. This time,
we will introduce some new attractions for adventure enthusiasts in the hills,” said Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of adventure tourism in the GTA.

The new attractions include paragliding from Rohini (near Lepchagaon) to Giddey Pahar of Kurseong and a 10km “White Orchid Trail” through the Old Military Road in Kurseong.

As of now, tourists can take a paragliding trip from St. Paul’s to Lebong in Darjeeling.

Members of the Teesta Rangeet River Rafters’ Welfare Association, which functions under the GTA’s tourism department, are gearing up to resume river rafting in the Teesta.
After the flash flood in October last year, rafting had stopped in the river.
It resumed in April but was discontinued after a few days because of inclement weather.

“GTA officials have informed us about the resumption of rafting from September 15. It is an ideal time as the water level in the river is appropriate and also, the weather is conducive for such adventure sports,” said Roshan Bhujel, a member of the association.

In the Teesta, rafting is organised in two stretches. One is a three-and-half kilometre-long stretch from Bhalukhola to Laburbote while the other is from Seventh Mile to Laburbote, which are 7km apart.

Seven persons, including a guide and his assistant, are allowed in each raft.

“It is indeed good news for us. Since October last year, we have faced huge losses as our earnings have stopped,” said another member of the association.

The GTA, sources said, has introduced some other trek routes in Kalimpong like the Kalimpong-Lepcha trail (also known as the cucumber trail during monsoon)
and the “Magical Mystery Trail” at an elevation of around 4,500 feet.

“One can experience the seven-kilometre-long journey on the mountain trail from Third Mile (3km from Chitrey) by covering the Tashi Ding Forest, Poshyore Busty and Chibbo Busty,” said Sushil Chhetri, a representative of Ghumaun Kalimpong,
a group of local youths backed by the GTA for organising the treks.

“During the trek, trekkers can enjoy a session on mountain yoga and meditation at Chibbo.
They can view long stretches of the Teesta from Poshyore and the waterfall in Tashi Ding,” Chhetri added.

Chhetri said they introduced the trek route as a “cucumber hike” during the monsoon (April to July) because around 50 families residing along the route are engaged in cucumber cultivation.

The “Magical Mystery Trail” is a short walk covering a distance of 5km to experience the wilderness of the hills, get introduced to orchid cultivation and the local cuisine, sources said.