Located in Meghalaya, Cherrapunji or Sohra has the tag The wettest place on planet earth. It receives the second-highest rainfall in the world, the first being Mawsynram.
Although Cherrapunji offers numerous breathtaking waterfalls, a trek to the double-decker living root bridge is the top activity to do when you visit the hill station. A living root bridge is formed by living plants making it into a suspension bridge where one can use it to cross to the other side.
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How to reach the living root bridge?
The living root bridge is located in Tyrna village, 12 km from Cherrapunji. You can hire a taxi or contact a local tour operator. But the best option while traveling in the Northeastern part of India is to hire a self-drive car as we did. The travel time shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. We stayed at the Nisibon Nongrum Homestay through Airbnb for 2000 INR/night (~ 25€)
How long does the trek take?
The trek is ~3 km long with ~ 3,500 steps with a descent of 2,400 feet. The total trekking time is around 6-7 hours divided into three parts.
- Unlike a normal trek, the onward journey towards the root bridge is an easy one as it is descend (less than 2 hours) from the starting point.
- Spend 1 -2 hours at the root bridge.
- A 3 hour ascend on your way back to reach the top.
Pro-tip: Start your trek early (~ 6 or 7 am). You can avoid the tourist crowds and have the root bridge all for yourself
Dolly services
For those who can’t do the trek physically, dolly services are available where men carry you tied around a thick sticks (quite popular in many parts of India). The prices are subject to change
- To reach the root bridge (adult) ~ 6000 INR (~ 70€)
- Way back to the entrance (adult) ~ 10,000 INR (~ 120€)
- Way back to the entrance (kids) ~ 3,000 INR (~ 35€)
- To carry small luggage (both ways) ~ 2,000 INR (~ 25€)
Washroom
Throughout the trek, small local settlements, homestays are available where you can use their washroom for 10 INR (0.12€). So no worries, drink loads of water.
Trek start point
The entire trek isn’t smooth. So you can buy bamboo sticks for support at the entrance. They cost 20 INR. One can also see tour guides buzz around the tourists for a deal, refreshments available, parking (~ 30 INR).
Hiring a tour guide, a good idea?
If you are on a budget, you can trek the double-decker living root bridge without a guide. There are well-built steps with clear directions. Throughout your trek, locals guide you.
But I highly recommend taking a tour guide. The guide price is standard and fixed – 800 INR (~ 10€). They are waiting to make a deal near the entrance but don’t force to have them accompanied. Our guide was knowledgeable as he was a local.
The tour guides usually do 2 trips a day. On our way back, we anyway knew the route. I was ready to pay him. So, I insisted he leave us, go back to the entrance soon as he can do one more trip. But a tourist’s safety is their priority. He denied it, came all the way back along with us until the entrance, and then received his payment. At that point, I felt that Meghalaya was the best in tourism.
And the trek starts…
For me personally, more than the root bridge, the trek to reach the destination was the most memorable one. Initially, the steps are wide, easy to walk. The guide also showed us various plants/trees grown around the forest.
Later, the steps become short and the descent is steeper. Through the trek, the views are incredible. Don’t forget to enjoy them. An advantage of the tour guide is that he knows the scenic locations. Hence, you can take short breaks for photography.
Around 45 minutes into the trek, a board reads double-decker root bridge to your left and single root bridge to your right. The single root bridge is just 10 minutes away and less crowded. It is definitely worth visiting as you get a teaser of the main picture (the double-decker root bridge)
The descend now reaches the lowest point where you must cross a stream. The path is rough but the guide shall assist you. From now on, the trek continues with the ascend. After a few hundred meters, you reach a fascinating narrow bridge that you must cross. It was exciting to cross as it shakes with each step forward.
Finally, you reach the end stages of the trek. The last 20 minutes is really steep and this is where you are exhausted. Some break their trek into two days. So, homestays are available besides the root bridge. An entrance counter should be visible now.
Entrance fee: You don’t pay the entrance fee at the trek start point. The ticket counter lies just before the root bridge and the prices are available in the picture.
The double-decker living root bridge is huge and truly amazing. The roots are thick enough to hold people’s weight and allow them to cross. Their exact origin is not known but is believed to be centuries old. Amazing, isn’t it?
There is a small pool nearby where you can rest and admire the root bridge. Besides the root bridge, there is a small shop where they sell Maggi noodles, coffee, and snacks.
If you are interested to explore more, there are signboards to rainbow waterfalls. It takes about an hour further from the root bridge. But it is not recommended in the dry season.
Any other tips?
- Rain is expected any time in Cherrapunji. So always have a raincoat or an umbrella.
- Meghalaya sustains tourism. So, whenever you like a service, tip extra. They really appreciate
- The dry season is from December to March while the monsoon season is June to September
- The trek difficulty level is moderate. So be prepared mentally.
Time of my visit: December 2021
Overall experience: 