Nongriat travel guide
Root bridge village
Nongriat is a remote Khasi village reached by steep trek, renowned for living root bridges, waterfalls, and lush forested surroundings attracting adventure travelers.
Best time to visit Nongriat
Go Nov–Feb for dry steps and bridges. Mar and Oct are fine. Jun–Aug rain makes the steep trek slippery and risky.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 8–19 °C | 10 mm | medium | Dry and cool; steps and bridges firm underfoot |
| February | best | 10–22 °C | 30 mm | medium | Dry and mild; good conditions for the long walk down |
| March | good | 15–27 °C | 110 mm | medium | Warming up; showers start to make steps slippery |
| April | mixed | 18–28 °C | 390 mm | medium | Heavy showers; steps and root bridges slippery |
| May | mixed | 20–28 °C | 580 mm | medium | Wet and humid; the trek is tiring and slippery |
| June | avoid | 22–27 °C | 790 mm | low | Very heavy rain; steps and bridges slippery, trek risky |
| July | avoid | 22–27 °C | 730 mm | low | Rain almost daily; steps and bridges slippery, trek risky |
| August | avoid | 22–27 °C | 620 mm | low | Rain almost daily; steps and bridges slippery, trek risky |
| September | mixed | 21–27 °C | 450 mm | low | Rain easing; still wet underfoot |
| October | good | 19–26 °C | 260 mm | high | Drying out; Diwali weeks are busy |
| November | best | 14–24 °C | 20 mm | high | Dry and clear; the best month for the trek |
| December | best | 10–20 °C | 20 mm | high | Dry and cool; busy around Christmas and New Year |
How many days to spend in Nongriat
A day covers the steps down to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge and Rainbow Falls. Staying overnight or adding a second day allows Nohkalikai Falls and Mawsmai Cave near Sohra.
How to reach Nongriat
- By air: Guwahati (GAU) — 180 km, about 3–4 h by road. Shillong (SHL) is nearer by road
- By train: Guwahati (GHY) — 160 km, about 2.5–3.5 h by road. Nearest major railhead; onward by road
- By road: From Shillong — 64 km, about 1.5–2 h. Road to Tyrna, then walk; no road reaches Nongriat
Getting around
No road reaches Nongriat. Take a cab to Tyrna, then walk the steps; the bridges and falls are all reached on foot.
Things to do in Nongriat
- NohKaLikai Falls — India’s tallest plunge fall (1 h · Paid entry)
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge — Unique root bridge trek (5 h · ₹20)
- Umiam Lake — Scenic reservoir lake (2 h · Free entry)
- Umngot River Camp — Crystal clear river (3 h · Paid entry)
- Elephant Falls, Shillong — Three-tiered waterfall (1.5 h · Rs 20)
- Krang Suri Waterfall — Blue pool waterfall (2.5 h · ₹50)
- Shillong View Point, Laitkor Peak — Highest city viewpoint (1 h)
- Seven Sisters Waterfall — Seven-segment waterfall (1 h)
- Mawlynnong Road — Clean eco village
- Laitlum Canyon — Dramatic canyon views (2.5 h)
- Mawsmai Cave — Accessible limestone cave (1 h · Rs. 30)
- Mawjymbuin Cave — Shiva stalagmite cave (1 h · ₹30)
- Police Bazar — Main shopping hub
- Wei Sawdong Falls — Three-tiered blue falls (4 h · Rs. 50)
- Ward's Lake — Central scenic lake (1 h · Paid entry)
- Living Root Bridge, Riwai Village — Natural root bridge (2 h · ₹40)
- Don Bosco Museum — Northeast culture museum (2.5 h · Paid entry)
- Mawkdok dympep valley — Valley viewpoint (1 h)
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest — Ancient sacred grove (2 h · Rs. 30-50)
- Dainthlen Falls — Myth-linked waterfall (1 h)
- Shnongpdeng Suspension Bridge — Historic suspension bridge (2 h · Free entry)
- Dawki Bridge — Historic suspension bridge
- Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians — Prominent Catholic church (45 min · Free entry)
- Rainbow falls — Remote rainbow waterfall
- Phe Phe Fall — Twin tier waterfall (2.5 h · ₹50)
- Sweet Falls — Tall scenic waterfall (1 h · Free entry)
- Arwah Cave — Fossil limestone cave (1.5 h · Rs. 20-50)
- Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong — Natural balancing rock (30 min · ₹20)
- Lady Hydari Park — Family-friendly park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Garden Of Caves — Landscaped cave park (2 h · Rs. 20)
- Nartiang Monoliths — Ancient monolith park (1 h · Free entry)
- Spread Eagle Falls — Wide cascading falls (45 min · Free entry)
- Thangkharang Park — Bangladesh view park (1.5 h · ₹20)
- Shillong Golf Course — Historic golf course (2 h · Paid entry)
- Khoh Ramhah — Giant rock formation
- Thadlaskein Lake — Serene freshwater lake (1.5 h)
- Kremdam — Adventure cave system (2 h · Paid entry)
- Lum Diengïei — Volcanic hill peak (1.5 h)
- Cherrapunji-Mawsynram Reserve Forest — Wettest place viewpoint
- Air Force Museum — Defense aviation museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Wah-Kaba Falls — Seasonal roadside falls (45 min)
- Syntu Ksiar Fish Sanctuary — Golden sand riverbank (1.5 h · Free entry)
- All Saints' Cathedral — Colonial-era cathedral (45 min · Free entry)
- Tyrna — Trek starting village
- Rhino Heritage Museum — Military heritage museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Lyngksiar Falls — Scenic hidden waterfall (2 h)
- Zero Point — Border viewpoint
- Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum — Khasi culture museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Eco Park — Landscaped viewpoint park
- Wankhar Entomology Museum — Private insect museum (1 h · Paid entry)
- Ranikor Bridge — River canyon region (2 h · Free entry)
- Thlu Amwi Falls — Hidden waterfall (2 h · Free entry)
- Borhill Falls — Seasonal waterfall (1.5 h)
Food to try in Nongriat
- Jadoh — Khasi rice cooked with meat, often pork
- Dohneiiong — Khasi pork curry made with black sesame
- Tungrymbai — Fermented soybean dish, usually cooked with pork
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Nongriat?
Go Nov–Feb for dry steps and bridges. Mar and Oct are fine. Jun–Aug rain makes the steep trek slippery and risky.
How many days are enough for Nongriat?
1–2 days. A day covers the steps down to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge and Rainbow Falls. Staying overnight or adding a second day allows Nohkalikai Falls and Mawsmai Cave near Sohra.
How do I reach Nongriat?
By air: Guwahati (GAU) — 180 km, about 3–4 h by road. Shillong (SHL) is nearer by road. By train: Guwahati (GHY) — 160 km, about 2.5–3.5 h by road. Nearest major railhead; onward by road. By road: From Shillong — 64 km, about 1.5–2 h. Road to Tyrna, then walk; no road reaches Nongriat.
What are the top things to do in Nongriat?
NohKaLikai Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Umiam Lake, Umngot River Camp, Elephant Falls, Shillong, Krang Suri Waterfall.
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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.