Baksa & Chirang · Assam
Manas National Park
A UNESCO tiger reserve on the Bhutan border, with golden langurs, elephants and the Manas river.
Manas National Park is an easy hill destination in Baksa & Chirang, Assam, reaching 200 m. The best time to go is November to April. Plan 3 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹3,500 per person per day.
What to do in Manas National Park
The one thing not to miss
A jeep safari
From the Bansbari range into grassland and forest.
- 2MathanguriThe forest lodge on the river at the Bhutan border.
- 3The Manas riverRafting on the gentle lower stretch.
- 4Open seasonThe park is open roughly November to April.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Manas National Park
About 4–4.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
A jeep safari · Mathanguri · The Manas river
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Manas National Park to Guwahati
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Wilder and far quieter than Kaziranga, with the Bhutan foothills as a backdrop.
Why not
Fewer stays and less polished safaris.
Before you go
- Permits
- Park entry and safari bookings.
- Guide
- Safaris only with park guides.
- Safety
- Check current advisories for the area before booking.
- Phone & internet
- Patchy.
Permits, food and festivals in Assam →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Assam: Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati.
All emergency contacts for Assam →What to pack for Manas National Park
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
3 items
- Fleece or light sweater Mornings and evenings are cool in the travel season.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Dull-coloured clothes for safarisGreens, browns and greys. Bright colours and white stand out to animals; early-morning jeep rides are cold in winter, so add a warm layer.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
3 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsPark entry and safari bookings.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePatchy.
For what you're going for
3 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Binoculars Most birds and animals are seen at a distance.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Assam Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Assam
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Guwahati
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Drive time
- 4–4.5 hours
- Guwahati
- Rangia
- Pathsala
- Barpeta Road
- Bansbari
From
Barpeta Road station
- Distance
- about 22 km
- Drive time
- about 45 minutes
- Barpeta Road
- Bansbari
The nearest railway station.
Live directions from Barpeta Road station
Buses and shared taxis. Fly or take a train to Guwahati. Trains towards New Jalpaiguri stop at Barpeta Road.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Manas National Park yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Manas National Park: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Manas National Park?
The best months for Manas National Park are November to April. October is possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Manas National Park?
Manas National Park is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 100 m and reaching 200 m.
How many days do you need for Manas National Park?
Plan 3 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Manas National Park cost?
Expect about ₹3,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹10,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Manas National Park?
By road: from Guwahati it is about 150 km, 4–4.5 hours (Guwahati → Rangia → Pathsala → Barpeta Road → Bansbari); from Barpeta Road station it is about 22 km, about 45 minutes (Barpeta Road → Bansbari). Fly or take a train to Guwahati. Trains towards New Jalpaiguri stop at Barpeta Road. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Manas National Park?
Permits: Park entry and safari bookings. Guide: Safaris only with park guides.
Is Manas National Park suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is quiet in season. Check current advisories for the area before booking.
What should you pack for Manas National Park?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines, insect repellent, power bank. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Manas National Park?
Patchy.
Who should not go to Manas National Park?
Manas National Park suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Fewer stays and less polished safaris.