Nongriat

About Nongriat

Nongriat is a Khasi village in the deep gorges of the southern Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, reachable only on foot. There are no roads and no vehicles here. The trek begins from Tyrna village, about 10 km from Cherrapunji, and descends approximately 3,500 stone steps into a tropical rainforest gorge before reaching Nongriat at the valley floor. The one-way journey takes between two and three hours depending on fitness level. The steps are steep and uneven, and the return climb is strenuous, so most visitors who make the trip choose to stay overnight at one of the simple guesthouses or homestays in the village. The reward is one of the most extraordinary living structures in the world: a double-decker living root bridge grown over several generations by the Khasi people using the aerial roots of rubber fig trees trained across bamboo and wooden scaffolding. No other double-decker root bridge of this kind exists publicly accessible in the world. The village is surrounded by dense forest, clear streams, and natural swimming pools that make the whole valley feel removed from ordinary travel.

Top Attractions in Nongriat

The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is the centrepiece of any visit to Nongriat. Two layers of living bridge have been grown across the same stream using the same technique: aerial roots guided and trained over decades until they thicken, intertwine, and become self-supporting. The lower bridge spans about 30 metres and the upper one is shorter, with the two connected by a steep stone staircase. The bridge is strongest and safest in the dry season (October to May), and the stream below runs clearest at this time. Standing on a living structure that took over a century to grow is genuinely unlike anything else in northeast India.

Rainbow Falls is a further 45-minute walk beyond the Double Decker Bridge, deeper into the gorge. The falls drop about 25 metres into a natural pool and regularly produce rainbows in the afternoon mist, hence the name. The path there crosses several single-decker living root bridges and passes through forest so dense it blocks direct sunlight. This extension is worth the extra hour if you are staying overnight.

The natural rock pools along the stream near the village are crystal clear and cold, fed by springs from the surrounding hills. Swimming in them after the descent is one of the simple pleasures of the Nongriat experience.

Why Visit Nongriat

Nongriat holds the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, which is the single most iconic natural structure in Meghalaya and arguably in all of northeast India. The effort required to reach it, the car-free village, and the forest gorge setting combine to make this one of the most immersive experiences available to travellers in the region.

Best Time to Visit Nongriat

October to February is the ideal window. The steps are at their most treacherous during heavy monsoon rains (June to September), when they become extremely slippery and the gorge is prone to flash flooding. The living root bridges are technically accessible year-round, but the stream colour is clearest and the trails are safest in the dry months. November and December are particularly pleasant, with cool temperatures and clear skies. Avoid Sundays and public holidays if you want a quieter experience.

How to Reach Nongriat

By Air: The nearest airports are Umroi Airport near Shillong (about 80 km from Tyrna) and Guwahati (about 165 km). Most visitors fly to Guwahati and drive via Shillong and Cherrapunji to the Tyrna trailhead.

By Rail: Guwahati is the nearest major railhead. From Guwahati, take a cab to Shillong and then onward to Cherrapunji, then another 10 km to Tyrna village.

By Road: Drive from Cherrapunji to Tyrna village (about 10 km). You can take a shared cab from Cherrapunji town to Tyrna in the morning, or arrange a private cab. From Tyrna, all travel to Nongriat is on foot. The descent takes 2 to 3 hours; the return climb takes 3 to 4 hours. Carry water, snacks, and good trekking shoes with grip.

Nearby Destinations

Cherrapunji is the nearest hub, 10 km by road from the Tyrna trailhead, and provides accommodation, food, and access to Nohkalikai Falls and the cave systems. Shillong is 60 km from Cherrapunji and the main regional base. Mawlynnong and its single-decker root bridge at Riwai offer a far less demanding alternative for those who cannot manage the Nongriat trek.

Plan Your Nongriat Trip

Plan at least one overnight in Nongriat to properly experience the gorge at dawn and to reach Rainbow Falls. For a complete view of what Meghalaya has to offer, explore all Meghalaya destinations.