[TREK] Double Decker Root Bridge - Meghalaya
Khublei!
Literally we were living in the clouds. Yes, living in Cherrapunjee is quite equivalent to that.
Meghalaya, the abode of the clouds, is a perfect destination for those who crave for some enchanting landscapes, majestic waterfalls, thrilling caves
and caverns and lastly the living root bridges. These living root bridges are the unique attractions of the much unexplored north eastern states of India. There are many living root bridges in Cherrapunjee but the special one is none other than the Double Decker Living Root Bridge located in the Nongriat village.
We stayed in Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort, one of the premium resorts in Laitkynsew village, Cherrapunjee & seriously it was an absolute delight to stay there. Special mention to the food (buffet breakfast and dinner) they served and the heavenly view that you will get from the lawn of the resort. They will take care of all your needs and guide you throughout your trip.
There is a Tips to Trek attached in the reception where you can find the nearby tourist spots, along with the map of the places that you can cover from the resort.
"Special thanks to Mrs. Arbanita Banerjee for recommending us this Resort"
Coming to Double Decker Living Root Bridge, it was again them who provide us a map and detailed information about the trek.
The entrance of the Double Decker Living Root Bridge is located within 5 kms from the resort. We booked a cab which dropped us at the entrance and after the trek took back to the resort. It will cost you Rs.200 (up) and Rs.200 (down), but still it’s better to book one as you can hardly move after the trek is completed.
First let me give you a brief description of this root bridge. The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is just 3 kms trek, where you have to step down 3000 steps only and again climb up 3000 steps to cover 3 kms. So all together it’s just a matter of 6000 steps. & what will you get? You will be amazed to see how the people living there maintained a rubber tree for so many years so that it will grow like that and creates naturally a double decker bridge which is basically used for communication purpose.
Anyways let’s start the trek. It’s 9:45 am and with full of energy and enthusiasm we started stepping down one by one, feeling the ambience, nature and the continuous sweat that we were producing. It was a very sunny day and quite hot which is seldom in that area. Hard luck for us and all other fellow trekkers on that day! After just 200 steps we met a guy who is returning from half way and screaming “Impossible!! Extremely steep”. Quite demotivating but we continued. Also we met some other people who were staying for 2 to 3 days in the home stays down near the root bridge. Trekking continues and after almost 1000 steps we were totally exhausted and our legs were shivering. So we sat on a rock, made a bottle of ORS, drank a few sips and after 10 minutes resumed trekking. A bottle full of water and 3 to 4 sachets of ORS are mandatory to keep with you in this trek, and no need to carry extra bottles of water as there are shops where you can buy water bottles and also tap waters.
We also bought sticks worth Rs.20 from one of these shops.
The sticks really helped us to complete the trek. After some
time we got a small village from where the steps are divided in two directions, so we asked the locales which one leads to the double decker bridge, also saw some trekkers returning from the bridge. Trekking step by step with full of trees like pineapples, jack-fruits, betel nut etc. surrounding us creates an extraordinary essence.
Meanwhile came the first metal bridge, crossing it was just another adventure.
It’s a single way bridge, i.e. only persons from one particular direction can cross it at a time & others have to wait in the opposite direction.
Then after 300 steps came the second metal bridge.
This bridge is a bit wide & hence trekkers can cross from both the directions. This bridge after some more steps is followed by a Single Living Root Bridge which is just like a trailer of the final one.
Whoever we met returning from the bottom asked only one question “How far from here?”. The answers were 45mins, 30mins, 20mins and hence we arrived at the bridge.
You have to buy the tickets worth Rs.10/hd and for camera Rs.20. Finally we entered and half of our mission accomplished.
Now what we were seeing in front of us was much more than what we expected. Really we are stunned and flabbergasted by the beautiful waterfalls and the Double Decker living root bridge.
People were bathing in the streams, enjoying natural fish pedicures, taking selfies. It’s so much happening all around us. So what were we waiting for? Put the bags aside, dipped our feet in the water, feed the fishes with our dead skins for 20 minutes, then jumped in the water for a refreshing bath. There are also changing rooms available. After almost 45 mins of bathing in the natural swimming pool all our exhaustion was just vanished. Roamed over the place, the root bridge, took umpteenth number of photographs and get ready to return. From the Double Decker Living Root Bridge you can also visit the Rainbow falls which is another 1.5 hrs away where you can also find another natural swimming pool.
Now it’s time to climb up 3000 steps. With the ultimate refreshment after bathing we were all set to cover the distance of just 3 kms or 3000 steps. Started afresh we climbed 500 steps at a stretch and arrived at the Single Living Root Bridge where there is a small shop. We ate maggi noodles for lunch and bought a bottle of water for making ORS. Step by step, one by one, we were climbing, climbing and climbing. 20 to 25 steps and 5 mins rest. Almost 2000 steps we covered. The last 1000 steps is the hardest as it is very steep. This last phase just extracted the last drop of sweat from us. Without the sticks and the ORS it can’t be possible. Finally we reached the top and tried to call our driver Franklin but no network was available. Thanks to Franklin as he was already there waiting for us.
We ended our trek on 5.30pm. We took 6 hrs 45 mins to complete the trek. But it’s a lifetime experience to reach there, relish the place and cherish the memories forever.
PS- Maximum shops in this remain closed on Sundays. For any queries feel free to ask in comments section.
Khublei!