Double Decker Root Bridge Trek
East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
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- Max altitude
- 736 m
- Days
- 2 days
- Distance
- 7 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Only about 3.5 km each way and never high, but the trail is some 3,000–3,500 steep stone steps; the climb back up to Tyrna in heavy humidity is the hard part and punishes weak knees.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1
Tyrna → Nongriat (Double Decker Root Bridge)
736 m → 390 m
Day 2 · highest point
Nongriat (Double Decker Root Bridge) → Tyrna
390 m → 736 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Tyrna
at 736 mLoading forecast…
High point · Tyrna (trailhead)
at 736 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Tyrna (nearest town: Sohra (Cherrapunji))
- Nearest railway
- Guwahati
- Nearest airport
- Shillong Airport (Umroi); Guwahati (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport) has more flights
- By road
- Sohra (Cherrapunji), about 15–20 km and 30–45 minutes by taxi to Tyrna; Shillong, about 65–70 km via Sohra
- Drive
- About 2.5 h from Shillong
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹1,500–3,500
With an operator
₹2,100–3,200
Per person, ex-Sohra (Cherrapunji) for self-guided and ex-Shillong for the package. Guided: Treks and Trails (treksandtrails.org) lists a 2-day/1-night Nongriat camping trip with guide, meals and entry charges at ₹3,200; discoverwithdheeraj.com (Oct 2026) estimates ₹2,120–3,045 each for two people doing a guided day trip from Sohra (guide, entry fees, cab). Only one operator's package price could be confirmed. Self-guided is an estimate: shared taxi Sohra–Tyrna, a local guide (reported ₹700–1,500 per group), village entry and camera fees (₹10–30 reported), one night in a basic Nongriat homestay and meals.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 22
Hot days in Mar: start at first light and carry extra water and ORS.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Weak and patchy signal in the valley; better at Tyrna
- Last ATM
- Sohra (Cherrapunji); no ATM in Tyrna or Nongriat, so carry cash for the guide, fees and homestay
- Nearest hospital
- Sohra (community health centre); full hospitals in Shillong
- Water
- Streams and small village shops selling bottled water and drinks along the steps; carry at least 1–2 litres
Highlights
- Jingkieng Nongriat, the two-tier living root bridge grown by Khasi villagers from rubber-fig roots and said to be about 200 years old
- Thousands of stone steps down through areca-nut groves and rainforest past the hamlets below Tyrna
- Swaying steel-cable suspension bridges over clear blue rivers on the way down
- Optional side trip from Nongriat to the turquoise pool of Rainbow Falls, about 2 km further
- Natural swimming pools beneath the Double Decker bridge
Risks
- The climb back up some 3,000–3,500 steep steps is far harder than the descent; start by 8 am on a day trip and allow 2–3 hours for the return
- June to September brings very heavy rain around Sohra: steps turn slippery, streams swell and leeches are common. Sources advise against the trek then, though villagers and some visitors still walk it
- A registered local guide was reported mandatory for treks in East Khasi Hills from July 2025 (district order reported by Asia News Network); confirm at Tyrna
- The path to Rainbow Falls beyond Nongriat is rougher and can be confusing, so take a guide
- Light fades by about 4:30 pm in winter; do not be on the steps after dark
- Wikipedia's Nongriat infobox says entry is closed on Sundays; we could not confirm this, so check locally before planning a Sunday visit
Know before you go
Questions
How many steps are there to the Double Decker Root Bridge?
Meghalaya Tourism gives two figures, about 3,000 and about 3,500 stone steps, from Tyrna down to Nongriat. Expect roughly 3 km each way, mostly steps, with two suspension bridges on the way.
Can I do the Double Decker trek in one day?
Yes. Most people walk Tyrna to Nongriat and back in 4–6 hours. If you also want Rainbow Falls, or your knees are not trek-fit, stay a night in a Nongriat homestay and climb back the next morning.
How far is Rainbow Falls from the Double Decker Root Bridge?
About 2 km beyond Nongriat. Trekkers report anywhere from about 1 hour to 2 hours each way because the trail is rough; a guide is recommended for this section.
What is the best time to visit the Double Decker Root Bridge?
October to March, the dry season. October and November are the best overall; June to September brings very heavy rain, slippery steps and swollen streams.
Is there an entry fee or permit?
There is no government trekking permit. The village collects a small entry fee at the bridge (reported ₹10–30, plus a camera fee). Fees change, so carry cash and check locally.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: East Khasi HillsMeghalaya
- Nearest hospital
- Sohra (community health centre); full hospitals in Shillong
- Last ATM
- Sohra (Cherrapunji); no ATM in Tyrna or Nongriat, so carry cash for the guide, fees and homestay
- Phone network
- Weak and patchy signal in the valley; better at Tyrna
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Double Decker Root Bridge
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Nongriat — Meghalaya Tourism (official)
- My Experience On The Double Decker Root Bridge Trek — Indiahikes
- Hike to the Double Decker Living Root Bridges — The Outbound
- Best Treks in Meghalaya You Shouldn't Miss – A Complete Guide for Indian Trekkers — Muddie Trails
- Nongriat Village Camping with Activities — Treks and Trails (treksandtrails.org)
- Meghalaya Living Root Bridges Trek Guide 2026 — Discover with Dheeraj
- Rainbow Falls Meghalaya – Stunning Hidden Waterfall Near Nongriat Village — Chal Banjare
- Double Root Bridge Trek, Meghalaya — Two Together
- Nongriat — Wikipedia
Photos: Vinayak Hegde, CC BY 2.0; Rajesh Rane, CC BY-SA 4.0; PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0
