Double Decker Living Root Bridge ~ Cherrapunji

The State of Meghalaya is surrounded by Wonders of Mother Nature. From India’s tallest waterfalls, Lush Green Hills, Gushing Rivulets, Unexplored Caves, Breathtaking Landscapes, Unadulterated Environment one fills it all in Meghalaya. The name ‘Meghalaya’ is Sanskrit means the ‘Abode of Clouds’; and very true to this description the cover of misty clouds surrounding the State can be seen all over your journey across the State.

The Nohkalikai Falls at Cherrapunji is the Tallest Plunge Waterfall in India

Clouds means rainfall and no wonder the continuous downpours at some of the places in this State makes you fall in love with the place with every passing moment. At certain places it rains to a level that these places have been named as the Rainiest Places on Planet Earth! Mawsyram holds the record of being the wettest place on Earth. And holding a record very close to it is Cherrapunji ~ the Home to India’s Tallest Plunge Waterfalls (the Nohkalikai and the Seven Sister Falls) and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge (considered as the Eighth Wonders of the World). Travelling to one of wettest place on earth at Cherrapunji, means you are to encounter heavy rains, thick fog cover, the greenest and densest jungles, the tallest plunge waterfalls in India and visit a few of the most stunning & Eco-friendly natural wonders in the World.

Cherrapunjee is one the Wettest Places on Planet Earth

The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya are a unique sight to behold. A Bio Engineering marvel of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya, these Living Root Bridges are handmade by allowing to roots of the Rubber tree to grow across streams and rivers in the villages of Meghalaya. The young roots of the rubber trees are well adept in anchoring itself to steep slopes and rocky surfaces which make them ideal to form Living Root Bridges. Most common method adopted to grow these Living Root Bridges is to allow the roots to grow across hollowed out Areca Nut trees. The roots attach and grow across betel tree trunks that are found placed across rivers and streams and also serve to guide and protect the roots by providing adequate nutrients. A wait for 15 years and you have these Engineering marvels of Living Root Bridges ready to serve for around 500 years! The Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Cherrapunji are a unique sight to behold and is the only Double Decker Living Root Bridge in the World. The Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Cherrapunji is the only one of its kind in the World.

Majestic Capture of the Double Decker Living Root Bridge ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India. 

To reach the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat Village from Cherrapunji you have to cross over 3500 steps across hills, and rickety rope pathways to reach this beautiful place. A total time of six (6) hours is required to trek and come back after visiting the Root Bridge. On your way you will also spot the Single Decker Living Root Bridges of Cherrapunji at Tyrna Village and the one at Nongriat Village. Trek further from the Double Decker Living Root Bridge to reach the Mawsaw Bridge and the Rainbow Waterfalls at Nongriat Village.

At the Double Decker Living Root Bridge trek start point ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge starts from a village near Cherrapunji and continues upto the Nongriat village. A dense forest awaits you on this trek with soulful chirping of birds and sounds of the gushing rivers greeting you. A descent down a flight of stairs marks your trek beginning leading you to your first halt at the Tyrna village junction point. On the right is the Tyrna village and the path to the left leads to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat. At Tyrna one can get to spot a set of three Single Decker Living Root Bridges and a chance to get some refreshments. One can continue from Tyrna village to Nongriat on a separate path that would join the original path to Nongriat village or you may choose to skip Tyrna and continue on the path to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

At the beginning of the Trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The flight of stairs down to reach Tyrna Village ~ Tyrna ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Local villagers trek everyday to reach Cherrapunji ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Single Decker Living Root Bridge at the Tyrna Village ~ Tyrna ~ Meghalaya ~ India

After crossing the Tynra village junction you continue your trek across the forests to Nongriat village. On this journey one crosses a Khasi Sacred Grove forest to reach a river crossing that needs to be crossed over a suspended hanging bridge. A similar hanging bridge will also greet you just prior to your arrival at Nongriat village. The entire pathway is well paved so one doesn’t need to have any fear of getting lost. Also, the local villagers keep crossing and one can expect greetings along the way so that you do not feel lonely on your trek to the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

The first sight of a small village is the sign of your journey to the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge becoming a reality. This is the village of Nongriat. Once you reach Nongriat, a short hike from the village will reach you to a ticket counter that charges a nominal entrance fee and you sight the majestic Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge!

Crossing Khasi Sacred Groves to reach the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Hanging Bridge crossing to reach the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The Bio Engineering marvel of the Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge is a one of its kind in the World found only at Nongriat Village in Meghalaya and is sure to leave any visitor spellbound!  At the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge, spend your time admiring the grandeur of the Umshiang, enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of city life, sight beautiful butterflies species, enjoy a natural fish spa on the waters of the stream flowing beneath the Double Decker Root Bridge, spend your day at calm or even savor a bowl of hot Maggi (which tastes so good after your trek!) and sip a cup of black tea at the local shop near the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

You may choose to halt overnight at Nongriat village in any of the homestays to continue a further trek to sight the Rainbow Falls and Mawsaw Living Root Bridge or continue your trek back to Cherrapunji for your onward destination.

The Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat Village ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Spot beautiful Butterflies at the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The Stream flowing underneath the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Natural fish Spa at the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Savor a bowl of Hot Maggi Noodles near the Double Decker Root Bridge ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The Mawsaw Bridge on the way to the Rainbow Falls ~ Nongriat ~ Meghalaya ~ India

The trek to the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge might sound like a daunting one to many travellers but the fact is it is not very tough. The only challenge is on the trek back upwards where you meet the challenge of travelling up 3500 stairs. But will a plan it can be easily accomplished. It is advisable to travel light and if you are not used to walking for long distances then carry a bamboo stick to help you along your trek. The trek might make you feel humid so it’s advisable to carry a second pair of clothes. Small shops are to found along the way serving water bottles, chips, biscuits and steaming momos. So you do not need to carry food to replenish your energy as it can be found along the way. The trek can be approached in a group or if you want to enjoy a moment of calm in the lap of Mother Nature you can choose to trek alone. The pathway is well laid out but we always recommend to use the services of a local guide who can tell you much more about the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya. We arrange for your package tour to the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya from Guwahati along with local guides.

Visit the Engineering Marvel of the Khasi Tribes ~ the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Cherrapunji, the State of Meghalaya, Incredible India!

Meghalaya Tourism welcomes you to the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat Village ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

Meghalaya Tourism welcomes you to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat Village ~ Cherrapunji ~ Meghalaya ~ India

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