VANAMCOVE 
Double Decker Root Bridge
Two-storey living root bridge
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
- 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/nightMid-range
₹2,500–5,000/nightComfort
₹5,000+/nightThings 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
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
The famous two-tiered living root bridge of the Umshiang stream.
Steep and long — about 3,500 steps down and back up.
A full day from Cherrapunjee.
Two-storey living root bridge
Take the break. We'll take the planning.
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll build your Double Decker Root Bridge plan with day-by-day routing, stays, food and bookings.