ChaloHoppo to Dzukou and Nongriat

This is a big day. We need to wake up early. After breakfast drive to Tyrna village, the start of the famous Double Decker living root bridges trek. On the way, the guide will try and

let you pluck some local fruits that grow during that season if you wish(we take permission from the villagers before plucking anything and even compensate them for it).

This trek is nothing like a typical trek as you need to climb down a staircase, similar to walking from the top floor of a 100 storey building. Your knees will start to give in and you

may find your thighs shaking and you will be drenched in your sweat but you will recover every drop of that sweat when you reach your destination. After you reach the end of the stairs and finally see the Double Decker living root bridge, take a dip and freshen up. Because there is another trek(the next day) to go! This one will lead us to the Rainbow Falls. Trust us, if you need to hit the gym right away because you think you can’t handle this. Do that. You don’t want to miss this.

P.S. We will be only carrying a small backpack for the 2 days that we will be staying down in the village below. Specific instruction regarding the same will be given once you sign up for the trip.

Overnight at a homestay in Nongriat village.

The evening will be spent around the bonfire (depending on the temperature) and star gazing while sipping on hot red/ black tea.

Total drive time from Shillong to Tyrna parking lot will be 2.5 hours.

Total time taken for the trek to reach homestay from the parking lot will be 1.5 to 2 hours.

Total time for the trek from homestay to Rainbow falls is approximately 1 hour one way.

Carry a water bottle that can be filled up along the way. Refrain from buying mineral water and reduce the plastic content that is becoming a problem in Nongriat.

Overnight in a very basic homestay in Nongriat village.

Waking up early(6 am) will ensure that you get to spend quality time near the Double Decker living root bridges before day trekkers start pouring in while getting a natural fish pedicure

at the pool in front of the bridges. Ideally, by 8 am, you should start the trek back to Rainbow Falls. This trek is more akin to a trek on a rugged stony trail.

This takes an hour from the homestay(which is near the Double Decker living root bridges). Come back in time for a swim in the pool in front of the Double Decker bridge before heading back to the homestay.

A packed lunch will be had near Rainbow Falls or we will come something simple on the spot!

Overnight at a homestay in Nongriat village.

Today we need to head back up to the top and get on the road again, the train later. But before that, we will check out a few delicious waterfalls, yeah?
The ascend can take up to 2.5 hours or an hour, depending on your speed and stamina. No pressure.

We will start early, as early as 7 am. Lunch will be had in Sohra(Cherrapunjee).

The hectic road journey from Dimapur to Kohima.
It would be surprising if you feel like you have been on roads worse than this. No, we aren’t referring mind-numbing hairpin bends. Just infrastructural negligence. This will last for 3 to 4 hours.

Rejuvenate at Camp Yedikha

At our campsite in Jakhama village, you will feel relaxed and realise the journey was worth the pain. Settle in your tents, enjoy the view on offer from the campsite, sipping hot ‘laal cha’(red tea). Oh, what a feeling it is!

Explore the Rice fields-

People who aren’t tired and are hungry to explore more can head to the rice fields down the campsite. Look around and feel you are in Bali or Vietnam. Watch the sunset, shoot a time-lapse or just seize the moment in your eyes.

Bonfire and meals
Veg And Non-veg meals for all, sip on some rice beer let the food settle in and stargaze lying down in your tent. A night to remember, to share with your grandkids.

It’s been a long day. Time to get some rest.

Wake up call!
We will need to begin the day early. Wake up call at 6 am. Post Breakfast, we rush to the sumos waiting for us.

Drive to the starting point of the trek
It will take a 45 minute to 1-hour journey from the camp to reach the starting point of the trek through Viswema village.

Trek to Dzukou – steep climb followed by even path

The trek to Dzukou will take a maximum of 4 hours considering there will be the first time and slow trekkers. It’s a bit steep, slippery climb up the stairs, but only for about an hour. The initial walk is through a thick forest with giant rhododendrons trees.

The path flattens out thereafter making your walk easy unless rains have inundated the path.

6 km of walking on along a plain surface lined with small bamboo plants in a circular path gives passing views of the narrow Dzukou stream and glimpses of what the valley promises.

Reach the Dormitory.

Our abode for the night will be the only dormitory(nothing but a big concrete room with a roof) available at Dzukou. Relax your calves, stretch out and energize yourself with hot cuppa Noodles.

Sunset with Laal Chaa.

Admire the beauty Dzukou is while you sip on some ‘laal cha’. Watch one of the most serene sunsets one can come across.

Stargaze.

Sit through the cold winds to count the uncountable stars in the sky. Gift yourself the sight of trails of Milky Way(based on Dzukou’s temperamental weather of course).
Sleep tight, it will be COLD.

Drive time: Jakhama to Viswema: 45 minutes largely on steep kaccha road
Trek time: 5 hours on an average, including fast and slow trekkers
Trek grade: easy to medium
Altitude: 8,045 ft
Trek gradient: Moderate. Mostly ascending trails with some steep stretches.

Water sources: 1 tap around 3 km after starting the trek

Wake up and Head to the Valley

Wake up by 5 am to catch the sunrise in the valley. So far you have been admiring the valley from the hills; it’s time to head into the valley. The trail down takes about 1 hour. Walk through the mist, look around the dead trees in the middle of the green bamboo sea. Live!

Hike back for breakfast and start the trek back to base

Reach the dormitory, have Wai Wai and ‘Lal Cha’ for breakfast and start the trek back by 10 am. Walk back but don’t forget to look back, these are the last moments you share with the valley. Bid farewell and reach the starting point of Viswema trek where our Sumos will be waiting for your rescue.

Reach Campsite and dip in a natural riverside pool
An hour ride back and some hot food awaits you at this small riverside pool. It’s a short walk/ drive to this stream which is the perfect therapy for your tired body. Take a dip, gulp the food and then head back to the camp.

Bonfire, rice beer, repeat!

Drive Time- Viswema starting point to Campsite will take 1 hour.

Trek Time- 2 hours from the valley and Maximum 5 hours to the endpoint. (considering first-time trekkers and slow trekkers)

Distance Covered on wheels – 12km + 15 km

There are two ways of booking the return ticket for this trip:
a) Book a return from Dimapur (this means you need to leave the campsite at 6 am in the morning since flights from Dimapur usually depart by 12 pm or there about and you have to account for extra time)

b) Book a return from Guwahati for a flight the next morning and board a train from Dimapur at 4:56 pm, Jan Shatabdi express(12068) to reach Guwahati by 9 20 pm. You need to book an accommodation for the night in Guwahati.

This trip will be aligned with the first option.