The taxi journey from our accommodation to the village of Tyrna.
Walk from Tyrna to Nongriat
Date of the journey:- January 2020
Distance travelled:- 20 miles (for the return trip)
From Cherrapunji we wanted to see the living root bridges and Rainbow Falls of Nongriat village. This entailed trekking to Nongriat and back. Research had revealed that the trek to Nongriat and back was challenging, with some 3000 to 3700 steps to descend and ascend.
Not being the fittest people in the world, but always up for a challenge. We made the decision to have an overnight stay in Nongriat. Giving us the opportunity to rest prior to the arduous uphill trek back to Cherrapunji. This turned out to be a very wise decision.
Our accommodation, La Kupar Inn in Cherrapunji, was kind enough to store our backpacks. While we were away for a night in Nongriat. They also drove us the 45 minutes to the village of Tyrna, from where our trek to Nongriat would begin.
We packed light for the trek. Not taking more than was necessary. At the starting point of the trek, there are a few vendors allowing for stocking up of drinks and snacks if required. However, there are plenty of small shack shops along the way, should the need for food or drink arise.
Bamboo walking canes are available for 20 Rupees each, again, should one be required. Children are also selling these along the entire route.
The descent down to Nongriat starts off as quite a shallow incline with small well spaced steps. Don’t be fooled into thinking the whole descent is this easy. It doesn’t last long, turning into horrible, short, uneven steps. Somewhere between 3000 – 3700 steps in total, although it feels like far more.
With the worst of the descent over, there is a tiny village at the base of the never ending steps. At this point the path forks, Nongriat to the left and the first and longest of the root bridges, to the right. A short diversion, but one that is well worth taking.
A small charge of 20 Rupees each with a further charge for using a camera.
The sight of the first living root bridge is amazing. Its roots trained, twisted and weaved together to form a bridge across the gorge. For ease of walking across it, the bridge has a bamboo cane decking along its length. This bridge is not on the route to Nongriat, so once across, about turn and cross it again to pick up the path to Nongriat.
More steps
The second bridge encountered on the trek is a newer suspension bridge. Built adjacent to the old wire bridge that it has now replaced. A further root bridge is to be crossed before Nongriat village is reached.
Our journey took exactly 2 hours from Tyrna to Nongriat, which included time taken to divert to the longest root bridge and stopping to take photographs. Once at Nongriat, we checked in to our homestay, Serene homestay. Byron, the owner, is really accommodating, no need to book, just turn up, if Serene is full, Byron will find somewhere for you to stay. Although we did WhatsApp him.
The trek back to the top the following day took 2 hours and 10 minutes. We made it back to the top, having made a number of stops along the way to get our breath back and mop the perspiration from our brows, necks, arms, and backs.
There is an alternative route back, via the Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint. This takes a lot longer to complete, somewhere in the order of 6-7 hours, which some of the other travellers leaving at the same time, were going to complete.
Taking responsibility
Please remember, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is in danger of being ruined. Especially if visitors keep leaving their rubbish behind. The village does not have the means of dealing with this, so if you do intend to visit, please take your rubbish home. 👍