Dovan River Day Experience
Kayaking and river snorkelling without an overnight stay.
Visit Dovan for a pre-booked river session without staying overnight. Choose kayaking, river snorkelling or the River Duo combination. Food and transport can be arranged separately where available.
Advance booking is mandatory. Full payment is required in advance to secure the activity slot.
What you get
Inclusions
✓Guided activity session
✓Safety briefing before entering the river
✓Required safety equipment for the selected activity
Best suited for
Travellers already staying nearby, day visitors and groups who want a focused river activity without an overnight camp stay.
Current retail rates
Current retail rates. Availability and final arrangements are confirmed before booking.
Food & Meals
Food is not included with River Day activities.
If you want lunch or snacks at the camp, tell us while booking so the team can arrange it.
Things to Carry
- Quick-dry clothes
- One dry change of clothes
- Towel
- Secure footwear suitable for wet river areas
- Personal medicines if required
- Waterproof phone pouch if you plan to carry your phone near the river
Helmet, PFD/life jacket and other required activity safety gear are provided by us.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- ✅ Arrive at the confirmed time.
- ✅ Follow the guide’s instructions and use the safety gear provided.
- ✅ Tell the guide about any injury, medical issue or physical concern before the activity.
- ✅ Cooperate if activity timing changes because of river or weather conditions.
- ✅ Respect the camp team, local people and the river surroundings.
Don’t
- ❌ Do not join any activity after drinking alcohol or while intoxicated.
- ❌ Do not enter unfamiliar river sections without the guide.
- ❌ Do not litter or create unnecessary disturbance around the camp or village.
Plan your route
How to reach Dovan
From NJP / Siliguri / Bagdogra
Travel first to Odlabari. Allow roughly 1.5 hours from Siliguri and around 2 hours from NJP or Bagdogra, depending on traffic. From Odlabari, Dovan can be reached by either the shorter Pubung approach, when river conditions permit, or the all-road route through Nimbong and Bigha. See “From Malbazar / Odlabari to Dovan” for the final-route details. Travnia confirms the suitable approach before departure.
From Malbazar / Odlabari to Dovan
If starting from Malbazar, allow roughly 40 minutes to Odlabari. Shorter route: Odlabari → Patharjhora Tea Garden → Pubung → Dangkyong / Dovan. Normally around 2 hours from Odlabari. The final roughly 2.5 km is off-road and includes a river crossing near Pubung, so this route is used only when water level and local conditions allow. All-road route: Odlabari → Bagrakot → NH717A → Nimbong → Pemling → Bigha → Dovan. Normally around 3–3.5 hours from Odlabari. The final Bigha–Dovan stretch is roughly 7 km of rough road.
From Kalimpong
Travel via Kalimpong → Relli → Charkhol → Nimbong Fatak → Pemling → Bigha → Dovan. Allow roughly 3–3.5 hours depending on road and local conditions. The final Bigha–Dovan stretch is rough, so travel time can vary. Travnia can confirm the current approach before departure.
Nearby transport & essentials
Nearest main market: Odlabari Local market: Nimbong Nearest major railway station: New Mal Junction (Malbazar) Local railway station: Odlabari Nearest airport: Bagdogra Nearest hospital: Odlabari
Transparency
Exclusions
✓Overnight stay
✓Food unless separately ordered
✓Pickup, drop and vehicle cost unless specifically quoted
✓Any activity not included in the selected day option
✓Personal expenses
Important notes
Advance booking is mandatory because guide, equipment and river timing need to be arranged before arrival. River Day activity slots are confirmed only after full advance payment. Activity timing may shift if current river conditions require it.
Terms and booking conditions
Full payment is required in advance to secure a River Day activity slot. If river conditions make the booked activity unsuitable, we first try to move the session to another suitable time. If that is not possible, the affected activity can be refunded in full or rescheduled within 12 months. No-show bookings are non-refundable. Activity participation depends on current conditions and guide approval. Please share any relevant medical or physical concern before joining a river activity.