Meghalaya's Living Root Bridges: A Monsoon Travel Guide

Why monsoon is actually the best time

Meghalaya's waterfalls, rivers and living root bridges are all at their most dramatic when the state is living up to its record rainfall — July through September turns Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong into their most photogenic selves, even if it means packing a good rain jacket.

"Meghalaya's waterfalls, rivers and living root bridges are all at their most dramatic when the state is living up to its record rainfall — July through September turns Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong into their most photogenic selves, even if it means packing a good rain jacket.."

The trek to the double-decker bridge

Reaching the famous double-decker living root bridge near Nongriat involves roughly 3,500 steps down (and back up) through rainforest — doable for reasonably fit travellers in 4–5 hours round trip, with a swim in the natural pool below as your reward.

Where to base yourself

Shillong makes a comfortable base for the first couple of nights, with Cherrapunji or Sohra closer to the root bridges and waterfalls for the trekking-focused half of the trip.