Plan your trip · Nongriat
Best time to visit Nongriat
The best months for Nongriat are November to February, when Sohra is at its driest. From May the rain builds, and June to September is one of the wettest stretches anywhere on earth.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Mar
Cool, clear and dry — the peak season in the hills, with crisp mornings and chilly nights but no snow.
Pack: light layers with a warm sweater or jacket for early mornings and after dark.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Apr – Jun
Warm days and pleasant evenings, with pre-monsoon showers building towards June.
Pack: light clothes by day and a light jacket for the evening.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jul – Sep
Heavy rain, mist and full waterfalls, with a real risk of landslides, road closures and slippery trails.
Pack: a good rain shell, quick-dry layers and grippy shoes — and leech socks if you plan forest walks.
Shines now: Nongriat Natural Pools
Plan a monsoon day →November to February: the dry window
Sohra's driest months are November, December, January and February. The stone steps are firm, the streams are low, and the pools by the root bridge turn their clear blue-green. Days in the gorge are warm enough for a swim, while Tyrna, up on the plateau, can be cool first thing. Days are short, though, and the gorge darkens early, often by about 5 pm. Start the descent early.
March and April: warm and green
Spring brings warmer, more humid days and the first storms. The pools are still reasonably clear, and the village is quieter than in December and January. Afternoon showers can make the steps slick, so give yourself time on the climb out.
May to September: the monsoon
Sohra gets more than 11,000 mm of rain in an average year, most of it in these months, with June and July the wettest. The rain is often heavy for days. The steps turn slippery, streams rise fast and turn brown, and river crossings on the way to Rainbow Falls can become unsafe. The waterfalls across the valley are at their fullest, and the jungle is at its greenest. Go only if you are confident on wet ground, carry good rain gear, and ask locally before you start.
October: in between
October is a transition month. Rain eases through it, the waterfalls still run strong and the crowds of the winter holidays have not arrived yet. Check the forecast; a late burst of rain is common.
Weekends and holidays
Long weekends and the Christmas to New Year week bring the most day walkers to the double-decker root bridge. Sundays are a different matter, as the village has closed the bridge to visitors on Sundays at times. A weekday visit with a night in the village is the quietest way to see it.
For kit for each season, see what to wear in Nongriat.
Questions
Nongriat — FAQ
Can I visit Nongriat in the monsoon?
Yes, but it is hard going. From June to September the steps are slippery, the rivers run fast and Rainbow Falls may be unsafe to reach. Ask locally before starting.
When are the pools at Nongriat bluest?
From about November to March, when there is little rain and the water is low and clear.
How early does it get dark in Nongriat?
Early. In winter the gorge is often dark by about 5 pm, so plan to be climbing out well before then.