Double Decker Root Bridge

1 dayBest: Oct–MayNatural Landscapes#root bridge#trek#unique

Two-storey living root bridge

Why this weekend?

Double-decker bridgeJungle trekNongriat village

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The jungle bridge
- Early trek start
- Descent to Nongriat
- Bridge visit
- Stream hour
- Return climb

Geography & terrain

The Double Decker Root Bridge lies near Nongriat village in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, about 80 km from Shillong — the famous living root bridge of the jungle, its two-tiered structure of the ficus roots spanning the Umshiang stream in the gorge's deep green.

History & culture

The bridge is the region's living architecture — the War-Khasi tradition of guiding the ficus roots across the streams over the generations, with this double-decker span believed to be about 180 years old and one of the only two-tiered root bridges of the world; the trekking route from Tyrna through the jungle, with the area's dozens of other root bridges, gives the Umshiang its place in the Meghalaya story.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Living bridge
Jungle trek
Clear stream
Waterfalls
Green gorge

Eat & drink

Jadoh (rice with pork)
Dohneihong (minced meat)
Tungrymbai (fermented soya)
Pumaloi (steamed rice cake)

Getting there

Fly: Shillong (SHL) / Guwahati (GAU) nearest major
Train: Guwahati for long-distance rail
Road from Guwahati: 100 km / 3 hr to Shillong
Getting around: Shared taxis and autos

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Best: 7–23°C · Light rain
Feb · Good: 10–26°C · Light rain
Mar · Good: 14–30°C · Moderate rain
Apr · Hot: 18–32°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 21–33°C · Heavy rain
Jun · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 18–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 12–27°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 8–24°C · Light rain

Practical info

Language: Khasi / Garo; English common (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–May
Connectivity: Patchy in villages — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The trek's 3,500 steps ask the knees — the early start and the walking sticks
The rains (the monsoon) make the stones slippery — the Oct–May season serves
The overnight at Nongriat rewards the day-tripper's second morning

Frequently asked questions

What is the Double Decker Root Bridge?

The famous two-tiered living root bridge of the Umshiang stream.

How hard is the trek?

Steep and long — about 3,500 steps down and back up.

How long is the visit?

A full day from Cherrapunjee.