National park · Bhutan
Royal Manas National Park
Enter Royal Manas National Park for a day trek: pay the entry fee (check), hire a licensed guide (required), and go in the dry season Nov–Mar to avoid monsoon crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
At a glance
- Country
- Bhutan
- Area
- 1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
- Park covers roughly 1,000 km² across Sarpang, Zhemgang and Pemagatshel districts; exact boundaries vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan's oldest protected area, spans tropical lowland forest to Himalayan pine zones and hosts rare species such as Bengal tigers, golden langurs and one‑horned rhinoceroses. The park links with Indian Manas National Park and other Bhutanese reserves, forming a vital trans‑border wildlife corridor.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteOldest protected area in Bhutan, upgraded to national park status in 1993.
Size and age
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²) · national park since 1993
Park covers roughly 1,000 km² across Sarpang, Zhemgang and Pemagatshel districts; exact boundaries vary by source (check).
Why go
- Spot rare wildlife such as Bengal tigers, golden langurs, and one‑horned rhinoceros.
- Explore tropical lowland forest and Himalayan pine habitats.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, good wildlife viewing.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, before monsoon.
- AprRain starts to increase.
- MayMonsoon begins, heavy rain.
- JunMonsoon, up to 5,000 mm rain.
- JulMonsoon peak.
- AugMonsoon peak.
- SepMonsoon tail.
- OctRain decreasing, still some showers.
- NovDry, pleasant temperatures.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden langurOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| One‑horned rhinocerosOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Paro International Airport
Domestic flight to Gelephu (≈106 km (66 mi)), then road transfer to park gate.Domestic flight to Gelephu (≈66 mi (106 km)), then road transfer to park gate.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
From Thimphu
Road transfer (≈200 km (124 mi)) with licensed driver and guide.Road transfer (≈124 mi (200 km)) with licensed driver and guide.
≈5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, ticket office, short trails. | Open with entry permit. |
| Jeep‑safari zone | Tracks for wildlife spotting, requires guide. | Guided only. |
| River corridor | Manas River rafting and boating. | Guide‑led excursions. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are park centre; exact gate location approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | Free | person | Exact amount not published; check with licensed operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided‑activity permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All jungle activities require a licensed guide.
- Camping
- Only in designated eco‑camps; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided stoves.
Where to stay
Near the park
Community eco‑camps
Basic tents with shared facilities, run by local villages.
Near the park
Gelephu town
Hotels and guesthouses, 30 min drive to park gate.
Safety
Monsoon flooding high
Wild animal encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by vehicle; trails are rough and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed guides and eco‑camps to support local communities.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Royal Manas National Park?
Entry fee is set by the Bhutanese tourism authority; exact amount varies and should be confirmed with a licensed operator (check).
What are the best hikes in Royal Manas National Park?
Guided jeep‑safari routes and short forest trails near the gate are the main options; longer treks require a permit and guide (check).
When is the best time to visit Royal Manas National Park?
The dry, cooler months November to March offer the most reliable weather and wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide to enter the park?
Yes, all jungle activities and wildlife spotting must be done with a licensed Bhutanese guide.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
Only community‑run eco‑camps are permitted; other lodging is in nearby towns such as Gelephu.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Royal Manas National Park
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