Living Root Bridge Trek

🌳 Living Root Bridge Trek

🌄 A Walk Through Nature’s Ancient Architecture

As my boots crunched over the damp forest floor and the mist danced above the canopy, I realized I wasn’t just on a trek—I was stepping through time. The Living Root Bridge Trek in Meghalaya isn’t just a journey through lush landscapes; it’s a spiritual immersion into a community that has patiently woven life and nature into one.

Planned and guided by Sonakshi Travels, this trek through the dense Khasi hills transformed me. It awakened something within—something ancient and beautifully human.

🌿 Where It All Begins: The Root of the Journey

The living root bridges are a natural marvel created by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes. They train the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree (Ficus elastica) across streams and rivers. Over decades, these roots intertwine to form sturdy, living structures.

The most iconic of them all is the Double-Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat village near Cherrapunji.

📅 Best Time to Trek:

  • October to April: Ideal weather and visibility
  • Monsoon (June to Sept): Slippery and challenging, but dramatically beautiful

🚗 Getting There: Reaching the Trailhead

🌍 Route Overview

  • Guwahati to Shillong: 100 km (3 hours)
  • Shillong to Cherrapunji: 54 km (2 hours)
  • Cherrapunji to Tyrna Village (trek base): 12 km

Tyrna is the starting point of the Living Root Bridge Trek. Here, the air feels different—cleaner, lighter, and filled with anticipation.

🚶️ The Trek Experience: A Descent Into Wonder

🛃 3,500 Stone Steps

Yes, you read that right! The trek from Tyrna to Nongriat involves a steep descent of over 3,500 steps. But every step is worth it. Along the way, you’ll pass:

  • Bamboo groves
  • Gushing waterfalls
  • Hanging bridges made of wire and cane
  • Crystal-clear natural pools

You’ll be breathless not from fatigue alone, but from the jaw-dropping beauty of every twist and turn.

🛎️ Key Highlights:

  • Single Root Bridge at Riwai
  • Double-Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat
  • Rainbow Falls (further 2-hour trek from Nongriat)

📸 First Sight: The Double-Decker Living Root Bridge

There it stood. Draped in green moss, alive and breathing, the bridge spanned over a serene blue stream. I paused mid-bridge, feeling the roots pulse beneath my feet. Unlike steel or concrete, this bridge had grown with time, nurtured by loving hands.

This was no ordinary architecture. This was organic engineering, spiritual resilience, and nature’s quiet genius.

🏡 Where I Stayed: Hospitality from the Heart

🏨 Homestay in Nongriat

Run by a local Khasi family, my homestay was simple yet soulful. With bamboo walls, handmade quilts, and warm smiles, I felt like family.

Meals included:

  • Red rice and smoked meat
  • Poh-saj (banana leaf wraps)
  • Spicy chutneys and boiled veggies

Sonakshi Travels had pre-arranged all stays and guided experiences, making the journey effortless.

🍽️ Local Flavours: Simple, Nutritious & Delicious

Food on the trek is traditionally Khasi:

  • Jadoh: Rice cooked with pork or chicken
  • Dohkhlieh: Pork salad
  • Tungrymbai: Fermented soybean paste
  • Bamboo shoot curry

Enjoyed best beside a bonfire under a canopy of stars, with tales and laughter.

🌍 Cultural Insights: Where Nature and Tribe Are One

The Khasi people believe in sustainable living. Each root bridge is a legacy, passed down through generations, and tended like a sacred garden. Children grow up learning how to bend the roots, how to care for them.

Evenings were filled with:

  • Folk songs in the Khasi language
  • Drumming circles by the youth
  • Storytelling from elders about spirits of the forest

🚵 Exploring Nearby:

🏖️ Additional Sights Near Cherrapunji:

  • Mawsmai Caves
  • Nohkalikai Falls
  • Eco Park
  • Thangkharang Park

🚗 Distances:

  • Shillong to Tyrna: 65 km
  • Cherrapunji to Tyrna: 12 km
  • Tyrna to Nongriat: 3.5 km (trek)

🛌 What to Carry:

  • Lightweight backpack
  • Rain poncho / waterproof gear
  • Trekking pole (useful for steep return)
  • Water bottle & filter tablets
  • Energy bars & local fruits
  • Flashlight & basic first-aid
  • Extra socks & quick-dry towel

🚤 Travel Tips:

  • Start the trek early morning
  • Wear trekking shoes with good grip
  • Hire a local guide arranged by Sonakshi Travels
  • Avoid loud noise and respect local customs
  • Don’t litter (you’ll be in sacred terrain)

🎉 Seasonal Events & Festivities

🌿 Wangala Festival (nearby Garo Hills)

Celebrating the harvest with 100 drums and traditional dance

🌟 Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong (November)

Add Shillong to your plan and witness pink blossoms, music, and food fairs

🙏 Emotional Takeaway

The Living Root Bridge Trek was more than an adventure. It was a revelation. Every breath of fresh air, every root beneath my feet, every smile from a Khasi child taught me something profound:

Patience builds miracles.

As I climbed back the 3,500 steps on my return, my legs trembled but my spirit soared. I had walked through a story still being written by nature and humans in harmony.

✨ Book Your Green Escape with Sonakshi Travels ✨

Embark on the transformative Living Root Bridge Trek with Sonakshi Travels. From safe transfers and local guides to cozy homestays and authentic food, we ensure your journey is not only scenic but soulful.

📦 Choose from our top-rated packages:

  • 🎇 Celebrate the Unexpected — Join the Next Festive Sundarban Tour Package!
    Enjoy cultural programs, tribal dances, and evening bonfires under the stars.

  • 📿 The locals believe your Sundarban Tour must begin with a prayer to Bonbibi—protector of all

📞 For inquiries & bookings: WhatsApp +91 7980469744

Sonakshi Travels — Because real journeys grow with roots.