Manas National Park

Go there for: Tiger, Rhino, Elephant

Manas National Park at a glance
The North Eastern region of India is a proud hostage to some of natures most enticing secrects. One of its safest refuge of wild creatures is the Manas wildlife sanctuary, perched on the foothills of the Himalayas with a part of it reaching Bhutan. Bathed in celestial natural beauty and enriched with a legion of flora and fauna, Manas was truly an ideal target for the Project Tiger. Due to indiscriminate poaching and disturbing of the ecological balance the forests of Manas, spread across an area of 391-sq-km, were declared a sanctuary in 1928 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1985. The park is watered by the enchanting Manas River, named after the serpent goddess Manasa. It is the largest Himalayan tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra. Coming down the Bhutan Hills from the north, the crystal clear waters of the Manas river runs through the heart of the 500 sq. km core area of the Manas Park.

Widlife Attractions of Manas National Park

The whole park is peppered with small meadows located among densely forested foothills with many rivulets, streams and natural drains criss-crossing one another. It is mainly watered by the Manas river - the international boundary between India and Bhutan. The vegetation is mixed deciduous and supports the breeding of a huge variety of wildlife, which include - Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, Wild Buffaloes, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Gaurs, Swamp Deer, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Assamese Macaques, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbons, Smooth Indian Otters, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Sambar, Chital and the amazingly beautiful and rare Black Panthers. The park is also a haven for highly endangered species. Two of the unique residents of the park are the Hispid Hare and the Pygmy Hog.
Some of the rarest of avian species can be located in the forests of Manas. Some of these are Giant Hornbills, Jungle Fowls, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Khaleej Pheasants, Egrets, Pelicans, Fishing Eagles, Serpent Eagles, Falcons, Scarlet Minivets, Bee-Eaters, Magpie Robins, Pied Hornbills, Gray Hornbills, Mergansers, Harriers, Ospreys and Herons.

Safari Adventure

Explore the park in your own car or a hired one. Some of the animals that come out on the banks of the river Manas can be viewed from a boat which commences its ride from Mathanguri and ends around 35km away, from where one is picked up by pre-arranged transport. The third option, which is favourite with most visitors, is the elephant ride organised by the park authorities. These take you deep in to the wilderness and right between the wildlife there. And when there is lady mahout roosted atop the mighty tusker,dressed in the beautiful mekhela-sador, the traditional attire of the North-east and the BBC's "Queen of the elephants" - the safari is definitely going to be one you will remember. Fifty year old and elegantly aristocratic, Parvati Barua is not just the only female mahout in India, but the lifetime Chief Elephant Warden of Assam. Ok leave elephants, how about a long walk in the jungle? A 5-km long jungle trail along the Mathanguri river is laid for such languid strolls - especially after the rains when the entire path is carpeted with petals and cotton blossoms and the air reverberating with the peacocks and langurs calls. Are you still pondering about a visit? Pack-up!

What more to look out for in Manas

Fatemabad tea estate: You are in the heart of a tea country and leaving without a walk through the plush tea gardens will be blasphemous almost. The plantations begin right outside the park.
Land of Villages: The Bodo villages neighbouring the park with their treasure of tribal way of living and pagan customs will make you want to extend your vacation. A surprise music and dance session might be lodged in your honor, you never know!
Boat cruises: Don't miss a float down the Manas on the 8-seater boat and watch wild animals from closet possible quarters.
Mothanguri area: The central zone of Manas, covering the Mothanguri area, is one of the most picturesque of Nature's landscapes. Eco-tourism has been recently initiated in the eastern Kaklabari area by the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society, opening up this bird rich area to visitors.

How to reach there
Manas Park is 176-kms from Guwahati. The nearest airport is Borjhar, which is situated at 5-km. The nearest railhead is situated at Barpeta road. Buses regularly ply from Guwahati to Barpeta Road in 4½ hrs.

Ideal time to visit: The ideal time to visit the Manas national park is during the months of November to April.

Accommodation options

No special permits are required to visit Manas. You must, however, obtain permission to stay inside the forest from the Filed Director's Office at Barpeta Road. For accommodation there are two lodges maintained and run by the tourist department. The state department has two bungalows located at Mathanguri inside the forest with little or no catering facilities.