AdventureKayaking on the Umngot
Paddle on one of India's clearest rivers with a local guide.
WhereNongriat village, East Khasi Hills
Trek startsTyrna, about 15 km from Sohra
StepsAbout 3,000 to 3,500 each way
Time4 to 6 hours return
Best monthsOctober to March
GuideRequired, hired at Tyrna
Check before you go: Timings, fees and access can change with the season, festivals and weather. Check the latest timings before you go; on our trips we confirm them for you.
The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is a two-level bridge grown from rubber fig roots in Nongriat, a village near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Reaching it means walking down about 3,000 to 3,500 stone steps from Tyrna, around 4 to 6 hours there and back. Go between October and March, when the steps are drier and the pools below are clear.
Jingkieng Nongriat: a bridge that grows
Locals call it Jingkieng Nongriat, and you will also see it named the Umshiang double decker root bridge, after the stream it crosses. The Khasi people grew it by guiding the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastica) across the water until they thickened and fused. It is thought to be around 200 years old, and it gets stronger as it ages rather than weaker.
The upper span was added when monsoon floods rose too close to the lower one. In 2022, Meghalaya's living root bridges went on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list as "Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes".
Is it okay for parents?
HardStepsAbout 3,000+ steps down, and the same back up
WalkingSteep and tiring
ToiletsLimited on the trail
Not suitable for most parents over 60 or anyone with knee problems. On our trips this is an optional day.
Where is the Nongriat root bridge?
It sits in Nongriat village, deep in a valley in the East Khasi Hills, about 15 km from Sohra (Cherrapunji). No road reaches the village. The walk starts at Tyrna, the last point a car can go.
| From | Distance to Tyrna | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Sohra (Cherrapunji) | About 15 km | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Shillong | About 70 km | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Guwahati | About 180 km | 5 to 6 hours |
Self-drive rental cars for tourists are not allowed in Meghalaya, so book a taxi or a trip with a driver.
Tyrna to Nongriat: what the trek is like
The trail is about 3 km each way, almost entirely stone steps: roughly 3,000 to 3,500 of them. Going down takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Climbing back up takes 2 to 3 hours, and that is the part that tires people.
On the way you pass Nongthymmai village, a single root bridge, and two swaying steel bridges over blue streams. Below the bridge, natural pools are good for a cold swim when the water is calm.
Planning the visit: season, fees and guides
October to March is the best window. December to February is driest; the monsoon months, June to September, make the steps slippery and the streams fast.
- Guide: a registered local guide is required for treks in East Khasi Hills. Hire one at Tyrna.
- Fees: the village collects a small entry fee at the bridge, plus a camera fee. Carry cash, since card payment and signal are unreliable.
- Start time: leave Tyrna by 8 am to finish before dark.
- What to wear: shoes with good grip and a light rain layer, in every season.
Veg and Jain food
Small shops on the trail sell tea and snacks. Carry your own lunch.
More near Cherrapunji
Experiences nearby
Do more with locals
Adventure
Must doWalk to the Riwai living root bridge
A short, easy walk to a bridge grown from living tree roots. A good choice for parents.
Food & peopleKhasi home lunch in Mawlynnong
Sit down for a home-cooked Khasi lunch with a family in one of the cleanest villages in India.
AdventureFAQ
Jingkieng Nongriat: your questions
Is the Nongriat trek worth it if I'm not very fit?
Yes, if you can climb stairs steadily for two to three hours with breaks. Go slowly, start early, and the climb back is manageable for most healthy adults.
Can parents or kids do the double decker root bridge trek?
For most people over 60, and for small children, the climb back is too much. The Riwai root bridge near Mawlynnong is a short, easy walk and a better choice for them.
Day trip or overnight stay in Nongriat village?
Stay a night if you can. Nongriat's simple homestays let you split the climb, see the bridge before the crowds arrive, and add Rainbow Falls without rushing.
Is the Tyrna to Nongriat trek safe in the monsoon?
It is possible but harder. From June to September the steps are slippery and streams run fast, so go only with a guide and expect closures after heavy rain.
Is Rainbow Falls worth adding to the living root bridge trek?
Yes, if you have the legs for it. It is about an hour's walk beyond the bridge and adds roughly two hours to the day.
How much cash to carry for the Cherrapunji root bridge trek?
Carry enough for the guide, the village entry and camera fees, food and a homestay, as nothing beyond Tyrna takes cards. Guides are reported to charge around ₹700 to ₹1,500 per group.
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