nature · Rongli, Gangtok
A riverside hour on the Rangpo at Rongli
The Rangpo River starts high up at Menmecho Lake, below Jelep La and not far from Zuluk, and drops fast through forest to reach Rongli, where the Rongli Khola joins it. From here it flows west past Rorathang, where it begins to mark the border between Sikkim and West Bengal, and meets the Teesta at Rangpo. It is often listed as Sikkim's third largest river after the Teesta and the Rangeet.
From the bazaar, lanes and paths lead down towards the water. Pick a spot on the boulders, sit, and listen. In October and November the river runs clear and green-grey; in spring it is lower; in the monsoon it turns brown and loud. Look for wagtails and forktails on the stones and dippers working the fast water. Children love throwing pebbles here, but keep them well back from the edge.
Do not swim. The water is cold even in summer, the current is stronger than it looks, and it can rise quickly after rain upstream. Stay off the river completely from June to September. Take your rubbish back up with you, as there are no bins by the water. If you want a longer riverside stay, Rolep, a village lower down on the Rangpo, has a few homestays near the bank.
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Where does the Rangpo River start
The Rangpo River rises at Menmecho Lake, below Jelep La near Zuluk, in East Sikkim. It flows down past Rongli, where the Rongli Khola joins it, then past Rorathang and on to Rangpo town, where it meets the Teesta. From Rorathang to Rangpo it forms the border between Sikkim and the Kalimpong district of West Bengal.
Is it safe to swim in the Rangpo River at Rongli
No, we advise against it. The water is very cold, the current is stronger than it looks, and the river can rise quickly after rain upstream, even on a sunny day. Paddling at the edge in calm spots is fine with care, but keep children well back. From June to September stay away from the water completely.
Can we see birds along the river at Rongli
Yes, often. Look on the boulders and at the edge of fast water for wagtails, forktails, dippers and redstarts, especially in the early morning from October to April. Kingfishers sometimes fly along the river. Bring binoculars and stand still for a few minutes; most river birds return quickly once you stop moving.
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