Guwahati, Nov. 10 -- At Nongriat, reaching a living root bridge means descending thousands of steps and climbing them again on the return. Majuli requires planning around a river crossing, while a visit to Tawang depends on mountain-road conditions and entry formalities. These six destinations across Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam offer very different journeys. Treat them as options for separate routes, rather than stops to squeeze into a single short holiday.

Khasi communities guide the aerial roots of Ficus elastica trees across streams, tending them as they grow into usable crossings. The Meghalaya Biodiversity Board estimates that a living root bridge often takes 15-25 years to become firm enough for use. Nongriat's double-de...