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Royal Manas Safari: Relieve City Stress in Nature’s Lap

If you want to visit Bhutan for its wilderness or for Bhutan bird watching tour and want to travel far , off the beaten path, then you got to include Royal Manas National Park Visit in your Bhutan tour itinerary. It is located in one of the remotest place in Bhutan.

Royal Manas National Park

With an area of 1023km2 , it is one of the first and the oldest national park in Bhutan. It was notified as wildlife sanctuary in 1966 and in 1993 it was upgraded to a national park. The park is rich in biodiversity with hundreds of wildlife, birds of Bhutan and plant species. The endangered animals like Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant,  wild buffalo, wild dog, common leopard, black panther, marveled cat, golden cat, clouded leopard and Chinese Pangolin are also found in Royal Manas National Park. 

Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan
Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan

Royal Manas National Park is famed for harboring one of the greatest populace of wildlife diversity. The park has 558 species of flora,65 species of mammals,489 species of birds,60 species of fishes and more than 180 species of butterfly recorded till date. Out of 65 mammal species recorded, 2 species are critically endangered,8 species are endangered,9 species are near threatened and 11 species belong to vulnerable list.

Birds of Bhutan

 

White Bellied Heron at Royal Manas National Park

How to visit Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan

There are many routes that can take you to Manas . The shortest route will be by taking a domestic flight  to Gelephug . And from there we can take another  6 hours drive /190 Km to reach Panbang where the Manas is situated.

However you can also chose the longer route Thimphu – Trongsa – Bumthang- Mongar- Panbang via road, if you  enjoy bird watching, good landscape, and  check out the rustic way of life in Eastern Bhutan. Or you can choose the shortest route  via road , Thimphu-Gelephu-Panbang.

Accomodation

While at Manas you can try out  eco-camps .One of the most popular eco-camp is Marandut Jungle Eco camp. It is the Bhutan’s first true jungle camp located 13Km away from Royal Manas National Park.They have 8 luxurious Thatched camp and have modern bathroom and shower facilities. They serve very good  organic food. The camp also organizes rafting, fishing and bird watching tour.

 

 

In the evening they serve you with local drink called ‘Tongba’. The local alcoholic beverage made from millet or maize and served in bamboo containers. You should try this in your visit to Manas. 

It is really a beautiful place to be in close to nature; you sleep along with the murmuring of Marandut river , and wake up with the chirping of birds. You can also choose to go for a hike to the nearby  forest or visit the riverside and do bird watching.

Rafting to Manas

Rafting at Royal Manas National ParkRafting at Royal Manas National Park

From your eco camp(Mandrut Eco Camp) you can either choose  to take the 13Km rafting down the Manas river or take a  dirt road that drive to Manas Park. The rafting can be fun , occasionally you could catch the glimpse of water birds and some Langurs. Nevertheless, the park is rich in biodiversity . It has hundreds of wildlife’s , birds and plant species but kindly note you are not allowed to enter the deeper part of forest for security and safety reasons.

Just adjacent to Bhutan Royal Manas , we have Indian Manas, if you like you can pay out some amount( INR2500 or so) and go for a jeep Safari at India side but you need to have Indian Pass to enter Indian part of Manas.

Royal Manas Safari

Besides the rich biodiversity , there are also several hiking trails within the park. If you enjoy bathing elephants, Manas Park offers elephant safari. The pristine rich forest, diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscape lend a unique charm to the rich wilderness area. The best time to visit Royal Manas Park would be winter.

Other Tourism Activities

Along with the visit to Park, you can also try out other tourism activities  like- River rafting, Fishing, Trekking, Wildlife viewing and Bird watching, Floral diversity, Artisan market and local product, Traditional Farming, Hot springs, Cultural classes, Home stay and Jeep safaris . You can also visit the the rustic mud thatched villages. 

Kindly note for nationalities other than Bhutanese has to get special permit to enter Royal Manas Sanctuary.

Check out for Royal Manas Tour Itinerary and cost here

Contributed by: Namgyelma

TaggedBhutan National ParkBirds of BhutanMongarPanbangRoyal Manas National ParkRoyal Manas SafariTingtibiWhite Bellied Heroine

Google Reviews

Jenny ChuaJenny Chua
5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars

In Nov 24, we had the privilege of exploring Bhutan with the guidance of an exceptional tour guide, Kinlay Dorji & Jigme Tshering from Bhutan Best Inbound Tour agency and I couldn’t be more impressed with the experience. From the moment we arrived, they ensured every detail of our trip was perfectly planned and executed, making it truly stress-free and enjoyable. Their deep knowledge of Bhutan’s history, culture, and traditions was remarkable, and they shared stories and insights that brought the country’s rich heritage to life. Whether we were visiting iconic landmarks like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery or strolling through serene villages, their passion for Bhutan was evident and contagious. What truly stood out was their dedication to providing personalized service. They were always attentive to our needs, ensuring we were comfortable, well-fed, and immersed in the beauty of Bhutan. Their warm hospitality, patience, and ability to adapt to our preferences made the journey unforgettable. If you’re planning a trip to Bhutan, I cannot recommend this tour guide enough. They truly go above and beyond to ensure you experience the heart and soul of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. An absolute five-star experience!

Reviewed on: 1/14/2025

Terri KimTerri Kim
5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars

Our first time in Bhutan couldn’t have been as amazing & memorable as it was without the wonderful team behind Bhutan Best Inbound Tour who were with us every step of the way. We decided (very last minute) to go to Bhutan with only weeks to spare. I decided to go with Bhutan Best Inbound Tour based on online reviews, responsiveness (via WhatsApp), and reasonable pricing. Because our trip was short (5 days/4 nights) and we already rushed to book our flights/accommodations, we were mainly looking for a dedicated tour guide/driver to explore Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. Deki, who planned our itinerary, was responsive and accommodating to all my inquiries and requests. She answered my questions, and put my mind at ease when it came to our visas. She was lovely to work with, and made us feel prepared before our trip. But what she couldn’t have prepared us for was how amazing Bhutan would be and how much we would love our trip. We arrived at Paro International Airport early in the morning, and were greeted outside with white scarves by our guide and our driver who were patiently waiting for us. Our guide, Phub, was fantastic. Not only was he like a walking encyclopedia about his country, the culture, and Buddhism, he was personable and so funny. He was also quite the photographer, capturing the best angles and even directing us on how to pose. Phub was also very flexible with our daily schedule, and accommodating to our requests, which we appreciated immensely. He also shared tips & tricks that only locals would be privy to, which made this trip much more intimate and fulfilling than if we decided to go without a tour guide. I HIGHLY recommend a tour guide if you are thinking of going to Bhutan for the first time. We had two drivers, both very humble and excellent drivers. I felt very safe in the car despite impatient drivers, the occasional cow and dog, and landslides. On our day trip to Punakha from Thimphu, a landslide extended our trip by an hour each way, but our driver was patient and made sure we were comfortable. The breathtaking views (and company) made the delays worth it. We were so fortunate to have such wonderful drivers who prioritized our safety. From the kindness of the people to the delicious food, from the beautiful weather to the rich culture, and of course, Tiger’s Nest (which left us breathless, both figuratively and literally), Bhutan is truly a special country that left us with so many beautiful memories. We plan to visit Bhutan again, and when we do, we can’t wait to work with Bhutan Best Inbound Tour for all our needs. If you’re looking for a tour guide, I highly recommend reaching out to Bhutan Best Inbound Tour for a seamless experience

Reviewed on: 12/24/2024

Suresh KaruSuresh Karu
5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars

I had an amazing 7 nights 8 day trip to Bhutan, Phub my guide and driver Nima made it a memorable vacation. They were professional , kind and always helpful , also their local knowledge made it an experience unforgettable to me. The hotels they choose had excellent service, the cook made my favourite dish Idli. The home stay hostess was always smiling and kind. They also had the best price for the tour package.If I ever return to Bhutan I would choose them again Hands down .

Reviewed on: 9/30/2024

Charles VrtisCharles Vrtis
5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars

Everything about my experience in Bhutan was outstanding from start to finish! It is very serene, stunningly beautiful, and its people are exceptionally kind and welcoming! Of course, had I not chosen the right tour operator, I might have left with different feelings. Fortunately, I selected Bhutan Best Inbound Tour. From the start, my experience with them was smooth and seamless. Deki, my contact in arranging the logistics, could not have been more responsive and helpful. She made everything so easy, including arranging for a visa. And, I cannot say enough good things about my guide and driver. They really made my experience in Bhutan so wonderfully memorable. I felt completely comfortable and safe with the driver, Jigme. Not only that, he always had a smile on his face. My guide, Tenzin (“Tax”] Loday was great. He was prompt, reliable, and very engaging. He is now my Bhutanese brother! His love for his country shows, and his clear and helpful explanations about its history and sites could not have been better. Thank you Bhutan Inbound Tour!

Reviewed on: 3/30/2024

Brian NYCBrian NYC
5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars

Huge thanks to Bhutan Best Inbound Tours for an amazing experience in magical Bhutan! My guide Phub is a true expert who taught me so much about the history and culture of Bhutan, and he took perfect care of me each and every place we visited. Our driver Lobzang got us to all of our destinations safely and on time, and they made a great team, always keeping me smiling and in awe of the beauty of bucket list Bhutan. Everything was smooth from start to finish, the hotels were all excellent and comfortable, and I highly recommend Bhutan Inbound and my friends Phub and Lobzang to anyone planning a trip to stunning Bhutan!

Reviewed on: 10/14/2023

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