What to Wear in Nongriat

Shoes first

The path is thousands of stone steps, many worn smooth, with moss and wet patches even in the dry months. Wear trail shoes or light hiking shoes with a soft, grippy sole that you have already walked in. Flip-flops and fashion trainers with flat soles are how people slip. A pair of sandals with straps is useful for the pools and the river crossings, but carry them rather than walk in them.

Clothes for a warm, damp gorge

Nongriat sits far below Sohra, so it feels warmer and far more humid than the plateau above. You will sweat on the way down and more on the way up. Choose quick-dry trousers or hiking shorts and a light synthetic top. Cotton soaks through and stays wet. Pack a dry set for the evening if you are staying the night.

Layers for mornings and rain

Winter mornings at Tyrna, up on the plateau edge, can be cool, so start with a light fleece you can tie round your waist. From about May to September carry a proper rain jacket and a cover for your bag. An umbrella is little help on narrow steps with a handrail you need.

Swimming

If you plan to swim in the natural pools, wear swimwear under shorts and a T-shirt. The village is conservative and Christian, so cover up when you walk back through it. A quick-dry towel and a dry bag for your phone are worth their weight.

Keep the bag small

Everything you take has to come back up the same steps. A 20 to 30 litre daypack with water, snacks, a torch and a spare top is enough for one night. A walking pole takes a lot of load off the knees on the descent.

Khasi dress

Khasi women wear the jainsem, two lengths of cloth draped over the shoulders into a long dress, often with a checked shawl. The finer silk versions come out for weddings and festivals. Handwoven Khasi shawls are sold in Sohra and Shillong markets, not in Nongriat itself.