Triveni, where the Teesta meets the Rangeet

The Rangeet rises in the glaciers of West Sikkim and the Teesta drains North Sikkim. They meet near Teesta Bazaar at a place known as Triveni. In the dry months, from November to March, the two rivers often show different colours where they join, the Rangeet clearer and greener, the Teesta greyer with silt. Wide banks of sand and stones make room for picnics, and local families come on weekends and holidays.

Reach it by a short drive from Teesta Bazaar and a walk down to the bank. There are no facilities beyond what seasonal operators set up, so carry water, food and a bag for rubbish. In recent winters some operators have run tented camps near the confluence. If you stay, ask about licences, toilets and what happens if the river rises at night.

The rivers are cold and fast, and both have strong undercurrents even when they look calm. Do not swim or wade beyond your knees, and keep children close. After the October 2023 flood, the banks and access paths changed, so ask locally which approach is open. The view from the roadside viewpoints above on the Darjeeling road is a safe alternative. Visit between late morning and early afternoon in winter, when the sun reaches the valley floor and the banks are warm.