Manas National Park, Assam: Heritage and Nature

Here is the complete Manas National Park travel guide to Assam. Manas national park is situated in the serene and picturesque foothills of the Kamrup district of the North East Indian state of Assam, the Manas National Park is one of the 21 Tiger Reserves in the country and is among India’s most prominent national parks.

Established as a national park in 1973, the Manas National Park is perhaps most known for its tigers and Golden Leaf monkeys and is home to some of the best specimens of India's wildlife.

Deriving its name from the Manas River, which forms the border between Bhutan and India, the Manas National Park is both very dense and very large. Spread over an area of 2840 sq kms, the Manas National Park is home to twenty highly endangered species of birds and animals. Prominent among these endangered creatures are the red panda, hispid hare and pygmy hog, which have become very rare and are only found in the higher altitude regions.

A declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Manas National Park has also been officially declared a biosphere reserve. Manas National Park is also home to many rare and exotic birds including pheasants, partridge, jungle fowl, giant hornbills (both pied and gray varieties), scarlet minivet, florican, etc. The park also provides sanctuary to many water birds such as the mergansers, brahminy ducks and a range of herons, egrets and pelican. Perhaps, the most prolific sight that any visitor to the Manas National Park will always remember and relish is that of large numbers of hornbills flying in formation over the Manas River in the early morning and evening.

PLACES to VISIT

The Manas National Park is strategically located in Assam. The park is located close to many tourist attractions of North-East India including the regions’ other wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and wildlife parks. Further, the park also extends into Bhutan, perhaps, the most beautiful of Himalayan kingdoms. Note that Indian citizens are allowed visa-free entry into Bhutan upon displaying an identification proof.

Manas National Park- TRAVEL TIPS

• Languages: Hindi and Assamese are widely spoken in the region surrounding the Manas National Park, and as such communication should not be a problem. English too is somewhat prevalent.
• Cuisine: Cuisines catering to all tastes and stomachs are readily available.
• Safari: Perhaps, the most adventurous way to enjoy the park is via a night safari using night vision goggles. Jeep rides and elephant rides, however, are more preferred by the visitors to the Manas National Park. Boat rides over the river Manas that originate from Mathanguri are also popular.

BEST TIME to visit

Note that the region where the Manas National Park is located receives very heavy rainfall and is shut during the monsoons. The best time to visit the park is between the months of November and April. The period between January and April, however, is more advisable. Many tour operators in India offer package wildlife tourism tours and national park tours. Find Travel Agents suiting your travel on Tripraja.com

BEST WAY to reach Manas National Park

• By Air: Guwahati, located 186 kms away, is the airport nearest to this wildlife sanctuary.
• By Rail: Barpeta Road, located 40 kms away, is the nearest railway station.
• By Road: The Manas National Park is well connected to all the important cities in the region. Buses are plenty from all towns/cities in the region.

ACCOMMODATION

In the region surrounding this wildlife park, hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. The region surrounding the Manas National Park abounds in family holiday bungalows.