Wild Manas Tours in Bhutan

Bhutan’s Crown Jewel, the Manas National Park represents the largest example of tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems in Bhutan.This park has only recently been opened to the public and offers thousands of animal and plant species, many of which are globally endangered, it is not only the most diverse protected area in the Kingdom but also noted as one of the world’s biologically outstanding parks. Lying in south-central Bhutan, Manas is connected at the southern border with India’s Manas Tiger Reserve, a World Heritage Site. To the north, it borders the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Royal Manas was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1966 making it Bhutan’s oldest protected area. The area was upgraded to a National Park in 1993. There are wide climate variations in Royal Manas. The May-September monsoons bring up to 5,000mm of rain. Rainfall is negligible in winter and the climate is extremely pleasant from November till March. Manas is also extremely rich in wildlife species, including the highly endangered Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, gangetic dolphin and pangolin. Found virtually nowhere else in the world is the especially rare golden langur, a primate of extraordinary grace and beauty with its long, silky blond fur.More than 365 species of birds have been officially recorded in Royal Manas National Park with an additional 200 believed to be in residence. Species found here include the globally threatened rufous-necked hornbill, Pallas fishing eagle, great white-bellied heron, spotted wren-babbler, blue-headed rock thrush, and emerald cuckoo. Many of the park’s more than 900 types of plants have commercial, medicinal, traditional, and religious significance.

Trip Facts

Tour Duration: 9 Nights & 10 Days
Activity: Cultural, River Rafting & Wildlife Safari
Guide: Professional River Guide
Trip Route: Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Gaylegphu-Panbang-Manas, Tongsa-Thimphu -Paro.
Accommodation: All Hotels are 3 stars approved by TCB and Luxury Camping at Manas.

Trip Highlight

Explore the best of Manas Wildlife in the Country.
Enjoy the Luxury Camping at Manas.
Enjoy the best River Rafting and Kayaking in the Country.
Explore the Southern Bhutan hardly visited by tourist.

Day 01 Arrival at Paro

Arrival at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. Visit Textile museam and Trashichhodzong. Thimphu is most crowded city in the Country and most advanced.

Day 02 Thimphu to Punakha Tour

Drive to Punakha and on the way visit Dochula Pass. Punakha is warmer than Thimphu and is one of the fertile valley of Bhutan. Punakha produces Bhutans famouse red rice and fruits in the Country.

Day 03: Punakha to Gelegphug, south Bhutan. 230km appx 6hrs.

Punakha to Gaylephu is a long drive. The road leads by the riverside and is a wonderful drive. We shall spend some time in Tsiarng which is a vegetable-producing district in Bhutan and the Birding hub of the Country. Lunch will be served in Tsirang. Further, drive through Sunkosh river and after reaching Gaylegphu rest at Hotel.

Day 04: Galegphug to Panbang/Manas. 180km. appx. 6hrs through national park. o/n Luxury Camping.

Visit the villages in Panbang and around the places. Get yourself engazed with locals. Bhutanese are very polite and loving people. Over night at Camp.

Day 05: Elephant safari and wildlife viewing. Luxury Camping.

Do the Elephant safari. Manas is also extremely rich in wildlife species, including the highly endangered Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, gangetic dolphin and pangolin. Found virtually nowhere else in the world is the especially rare golden langur, a primate of extraordinary grace and beauty with its long, silky blond fur.

Day 06: Rafting/Hiking/Sightseeing. Luxury Camping.

Manas river has some of the most adventurous river rafting sights in the Country. The river rafting experience around Manas National Park is conducted on the River Beki that is a thrilling and beautiful rafting experience the River Beki flows downstream from across the mountains of Bhutan and visitors get the opportunity to enjoy a 2 and half hour downstream river rafting experience starting from Mathanaguri to Bansbari. There is another track on this river rafting experience at Manas National Park and this journey starts at Mathanaguri which is located at the north end of Manas National Park this will end at Bansbari and the distance spreading is across 35km.

Day 07: Panbang to Trongsa,170km appx. 6hrs. Visit the Trongsa Dzong and cultural sights

Visit the Trongsa Dzong and museam. Trongsa is the most important district in Bhutan because our Crown prince shoudl be the Governor of Trongsa before becoming the King.

Day 08: Trongsa to Thimphu. Appx 200km appx. 7hrs.

Drive to Thimphu. Visit Largest standing Budha, Zorig Chusum(13th arts and Crafts School), and in the afternoon visit centenary farmers market. Evening at Hotel.

Day 09: Thimphu Tour

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch, we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government, and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.

Day 10: Thimphu to Paro Airport

Wild Manas Tours in Bhutan ends here today. Drive to Paro International airport and see off.

Tour Cost

Tour Cost Inclusion

Tour Cost Exclusion

Talk to our Experts

Best months to Travel to Book this Trip

November-December-January-February-March-April-May is the best time to Book this Wild Manas Tours in Bhutan. Most of the destination do not have good hotels, therefore we might have to compromise with standard hotel and luxury camping.

What to bring for the Tour?

Foot Wear

Hiking boots (should be water repellent)
Sandals or trainers for use in camp.
Broad brimmed hat or baseball cap for sun during the day with bandana for shading the neck
Woollen hat or balaclava for evenings
Polarising sunglasses – best to have the ones with side covers.
Mosquitoes repellent cream.

Head Wear

Head torch with spare batteries and bulbs
Small knife
Water bottles (preferably metal)
Dextrose tablets, snack bars and energy drinks.

Medicines

Medicine for diarrhoea eg Immodium
Rehydration sachets eg Dioralyte
Paracetamol or Nurofen
Plasters and Compeed for blisters
Antiseptic cream
Strepsils, Lemsip, cold and flu medicine
Sting relief,Insect and mosquitoes repellent.

Tolietries

Travel towel and sponge
Soap and biodegradable liquid for laundry
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Toilet paper, tissues, wet wipes
Sun cream (including total sun block)
Lip salve
Iodine tablets – or you can just use boiled water and on shorter treks mineral water
Tweezers
Books, iPod, playing cards and other diversions for evenings.

Similar Tours

Accommodation Used for the Tour

Hotel in Paro

Hotel Trashi Namgay Resort. Beautiful Resort located just beside Paro River. Read the Hotel Reviews.

Hotel in Thimphu

Hotel Jumolhari is 3 star Boutique Hotel located in the heart of Thimphu City. Read the Hotel Reviews.

Hotel in Punakha

Hotel Lobesa is small 3 star Botique Hotel in Lobesa over looking Lobesa Valley. Read the Hotel Reviews.

Hotel in Gaylephu

Hotel Kingacholing in Gaylephu.

Camping in Manas

Luxury Camping at Manas. All camping done by the locals in Manas National Park.