Trek to the Living Root Bridge

This is only a part blog of our travel to the North-Eastern India, which has a beauty of its own with its evergreen forests and ample greenery. The beauty of its place can be judged only when one is in its absolute vicinity; something like a Natural Wonder.

Cherrapunjee region has the maximum rainfall in the world, and the entire district comprises of many such villages having Living Root Bridges to make way for travel during heavy rainfall. These villages lie on the lower reaches of southern slopes of Khasi and Jaintia Hills having generally warm and humid climate. There is rainfall all around the year, resulting in multiple mountain streams and swift flowing rivers during the monsoons. Since, local villagers have to travel to towns uphill for schools or medical facilities; they had to find some way to make their travel safer across these streams, which become quite rapid during the monsoons. It is difficult to create a mountain path with rains washing away everything. Thus, local villagers came up with the idea of a Living Root Bridge.

These bridges have been made using a species of Indian Rubber Tree – Ficus Elastica which grows abundantly along the flowing mountain streams and can withstand heavy soil erosion due to rains by thriving on boulders along the streams.

These bridges exist in many villages in Cherrapunjee district, but the gem of all is the Double Decker Root Bridge at Nongriat Village known as Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge or Jingkieng Nongriat.

We stayed at Cherrapunjee resort in Laitkynsew Village. It is located in East Khasi Hills District roughly 15 Kms further from Sohra (Cherrapunjee). The resort is run by private owners, who arrange small treks to these natural wonders.

Trek Duration: Approx 6 Hours

Guide Needed: No, Easily Manageable as Meghalaya Govt as put up boards and directions

Trek Difficulty: Strenuous

The trek to the Double Decker Root bridge begins after a 5 Kms drive from Laitkynsew Village to Tyrna Village. Since, taxis are hard to find, you will need to get in touch with a local or get it arranged through the resort.(Taxi Charges - Approx Rs 200 from the resort)

Meghalaya Tourism Board directing the Trail

Tyrna Village has a Meghalaya Tourism Board directing visitors towards the Double Decker Root Bridge. All the cars are parked near this point and the stairs take you below to the Tyrna Village. The same stairs then continue downwards for about 2-3 Kilometers to take you to Nongthymmai village. The trek can be strenuous because it’s a continuous descent of stairs for 2-3 kilometers, and you lose count of how many stairs you have taken. But, you get some of the most amazing views of Khasi hills, and various mountain falls while descending these stairs.

Waterfalls during the Monsoon Season

In the center of Village is the Church, which has a diversion. From this point, a pathway towards right leads you to Ritymmen Root Bridge which is 30 meter long (100 foot) and is the longest known living root bridge and the left diversion takes you further on the path to Double Decker Root Bridge.

First Steel Bridge on the way

After crossing Nongthymmai village and roughly a kilometer after you come across first of the steel bridges one needs to cross to reach Nongriat Village. The next one comes 500 meters after.

View of Mountain Stream from the Second Steel Bridge

The second one is even longer and takes you to the entry point of Nongriat village. You can see some natural swimming pools created here of water collected over rock boulders. There is also a water reservoir made here for harvesting rainwater. A village outhouse is also here with charges of Rs 250/ per day only. But, better option is guesthouse in the Nongriat Village which offers much better facilities at same charges.

This guy was crossing the bridge too

After one crosses this bridge, now it’s only the last Kilometer to the Double Decker, but by this time you feel so drained out of energy that everyone feels like returning back. But, push yourself further up to the beauty and you’ll not regret.

First Living Root Bridge

The first root bridge on this path comes at the entry of the village, only 500 meters from the last steel bridge. You will already some villagers, who will be very friendly and welcoming. The waterfall seen from this root bridge is so picturesque, that it’ll resemble you of some wallpaper on your desktop screens.

Nongriat Village

Nongriat Village begins from this point, and you can see several homes and way towards the guesthouse. This village is very famous for its natural honey, which can be purchased here at nominal prices and also be assured of its purity, as Khasi people are very honest.

The lane behind the guest house leads you to the beauty i.e Double Decker Root Bridge. One is left completely mesmerized of the surroundings and it appears straight out of some fantasy movie like Avatar.

The Double Decker Living Root Bridge

There’s a nominal government fee of Rs 40 for camera and Rs 5 per person collected for maintaining its cleanliness and preserving it natural beauty. Enjoy and relax here as much as you want as waterfall makes the place cooler and surroundings make everything so refreshing.

Be prepared for long and daunting walk back as its 5 Kilometers to the road at Tyrna Village. If you save some energy you can take a quick walk to the Ritymmen Root Bridge by taking the diversion skipped in Nongthymmai village. The walk towards these bridges is only 800 meters from the Village, so one can push for this much. There are two root bridges here and both are really long and beautiful.

 The Ritymmen Root Bridge - Longest Living Root Bridge

  Two parallel Living Root Bridges

 Total length of Living Root Bridge can be judged from this view 

The climb back becomes really tiring because of the steep ascent and so many stairs. So, once you return, don’t forget to have a grand feast to replenish your body as all your muscles will be aching after climbing up and down the stairs.