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10 Days 9 Nights Royal Manas Trek
Places highlights: Gelephu, Zhemgang, Manas, Nganglam, & Guwahati
Requirements:
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A minimum group size of 5 participants is required.
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Travellers must have a double-entry visa for both India and Bhutan.
Royal Manas National Park holds the honour of being Bhutan’s first officially protected area. It is also the country’s most biologically diverse national park, safeguarding a remarkable range of endangered plants and animals. Recognised globally as one of the world’s most important sites for biological conservation, the park forms a vital ecological corridor linking Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan with Phrumshingla National Park across the border in India.
This connection creates a vast, uninterrupted sanctuary for wildlife to roam freely across protected landscapes. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Royal Manas stands as a testament to Bhutan’s commitment to preserving biodiversity. Within its boundaries are 30 mammal species classified as vulnerable or worse, including two that are critically endangered, underscoring the park’s vital role in global conservation efforts.
Bhutan is famous throughout the world for the beauty and bounty of its natural environment. Thanks to its unique history, isolated location, and conservation efforts, the country sports some of the most pristine, undisturbed wildlife areas on the planet. From bird watchers to sport fishers to tiger and leopard enthusiasts, animal lovers from across the globe flock here to encounter the country’s rare and stunning animals, as well as its abundant plant life.
The Royal Manas Trek gives you the opportunity to experience all the natural beauty Bhutan has to offer in a single, unforgettable trip. This experience focuses on immersion, putting you in direct contact with all of the country’s unique flora and fauna. In particular, you will have a chance to see species like the Asian elephant, the Royal Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the gangetic dolphin, the Himalayan black bear, the pangolin, and the clouded leopard — all endangered species that are rare or unknown elsewhere in the world. Even rarer is the golden langur, a monkey with silky blonde fur that is indigenous to this region alone. On no other trek can you find such a unique and eclectic group of animals.
In addition to monkeys, bears, and leopards, the Royal Manas Trek also offers a chance to view over 365 stunning bird species. These include rare and threatened species like the rufous-necked hornbill, the imperial heron, the Pallas fishing eagle, the spotted wren-babbler, the emerald cuckoo, and the blue rock thrush. The park is also home to nearly a thousand different plant species, many of which have played a key role in Bhutanese religious rituals, commercial activities, cultural traditions, and medical care.
To get a feel for what awaits, watch BBC’s “Lost Land of the Tiger.” This documentary follows scientists exploring the Royal Bengal tiger’s breeding grounds in Bhutan and showcases the country’s extraordinary biodiversity. After watching, you’ll be eager to witness it all for yourself and ready to join the adventure into Bhutan’s wild heart.
All our tours are fully customisable — the itineraries you see are simply a starting point. We'll work closely with you to tailor every detail.
10 Days 9 Nights Royal Manas Trek Itinerary
1 A First Look at the Kingdom of Bhutan
Instead of flying directly into Bhutan, your journey begins overland from the Indian city of Guwahati. Your guide will meet you there and drive you across the border, giving you a chance to admire the changing landscapes of both India and Bhutan. After completing customs and immigration at the Bhutan Gate, we’ll continue to Gelephu, a bustling town known for its role in trade and cultural exchange between the two nations. Check in at Hotel Pelrithang, then enjoy a relaxed tour of Gelephu before gathering for dinner to go over the exciting days ahead.
Accommodation: The Hotel Pelrithang in Gelephu, Bhutan
2 Reaching Our First Campsite
After breakfast, we set out on a scenic drive north toward Zhemgang District. The route is best travelled between November and March, when conditions are ideal. We’ll pass through the charming town of Tingtibi before arriving at Gomphu, home to a rustic eco-campsite perched 1,450 feet above sea level. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for vibrant Himalayan birdlife, including the magnificent Great Hornbill. Once at camp, settle in and soak up the peace of the surrounding forests.
Accommodation: The camping grounds of Gomphu
3 Trekking to Pangtang
Today marks the start of your trekking adventure. After a hearty breakfast, we set off for Pangtang, choosing between two routes: a traditional forest trail (around 4.5 hours) or a shorter motorable path (about 1 hour), depending on weather and group preference. The forest route rewards you with sightings of woodpeckers, bulbuls, cuckoos, and hornbills — a paradise for bird enthusiasts. We descend gradually to lower elevations, reaching Pangtang (239 feet above sea level) by afternoon, where we’ll set up camp and rest for the night.
Accommodation: The camping grounds of Pangtang
4 Onward to Shilingtoe
Our trail today involves gentle ascents and descents as we climb to around 420 metres above sea level. Expect about four hours of walking, passing through lush bird habitats alive with eagles, drongos, pheasants, and partridges. The final half hour is an uphill climb to the eco-camp at Shilingtoe, where stunning views of the local village and surrounding valleys await.
Accommodation: The camping grounds at Shilingtoe
5 From the Caves to Panbang
We begin with a three-hour hike from Shilingtoe to the suspension bridge at Changazam. En route, you’ll pass two fascinating caves — one a revered Buddhist site, the other home to a lively colony of bats — and the beautiful Lelang Twin Waterfall. From the bridge, we follow a road to Panbang, overlooking the Indian Manas Tiger Reserve. Our campsite at Anilademba, where the Dangme Chhu and Mangdi Chhu rivers meet, sits at just 160 metres above sea level.
Accommodation: The camping grounds at Panbang
6 Aquatic Activities at the Royal Manas National Park
The Dangme Chhu, or Manas, river is one of the world’s least explored rivers, and is home to some of the largest Golden Mahseer fish. We offer you the chance to reel in this prized game, so long as you release it after catching it. Besides angling, we’ll take a trek through the park to see all its plant, animal, and geographical wonders, before retiring to the campsite for supper. You may also be able to go rafting on the river, if you’re willing to brave its wild waters.
Accommodation: The Dangme Chhu river campsite
7 Keep a Lookout for Wildlifes
Get ready for your binoculars. Today we explore Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan’s most biodiverse sanctuary. Look out for Asian elephants, water buffaloes, rhinoceroses, golden langurs, and if you’re lucky, signs of clouded leopards and Royal Bengal tigers. Even if the big cats remain elusive, their paw prints and markings remind you that you’re walking through their territory.
Accommodation: The Dangme Chhu River campsite
8 Leisure Day in Royal Manas National Park
The Royal Manas National Park is so breathtaking that it’s worth spending an extra day to explore its untamed beauty. Many travellers use this time to capture nature through their lenses, observe fascinating insect life, or accompany park rangers on thrilling wildlife-tracking expeditions.
Accommodation: The Dangme Chhu River campsite
9 A long but rewarding trek
Today brings the trek’s most challenging stretch — a six-hour hike from Panbang to Nganglam via Norbugang. The trail is rewarding, offering sweeping views and glimpses of rural life along the way. Once in Nganglam, unwind and take in the tranquillity of Bhutan’s heartland.
Accommodation: The camping and school grounds of Nganglam
10 Bidding Goodbye to Bhutan
Your journey comes full circle as we drive you back across the border to Guwahati, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel or the airport depending on your travel plans. As your adventure concludes, take with you unforgettable memories of Bhutan’s wild beauty — and let Druk Asia be your trusted partner for your next trekking expedition.
Community Partners
Your journey contributes directly to local communities. Complete a feedback form after your tour and Druk Asia will donate to your chosen cause.
Gyalyum Trust
VAST Bhutan
Museums of Bhutan
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What Our Travellers Say
I had the fantastic luck to be one of the first tourist let into Bhutan after Covid. I just finished a 12 day tour and i do not possess the words to relay the beauty and magic of this wonderful country! I had booked a trip 4 treats ago and had to postpone, then Covid and I finally arrived on July 21, 2022. I Was solo on this trip and loved everything about it. I took the cultural trip and my guide and driver were fantastic. We hiked, saw temples and dzongs and drove through most of the county. The people are incredibly generous and welcoming and the food is so good, but spicy! I highly recommend this agency, every single detail was looked after, the accommodations were stellar and the communication could not have been better even through all of the turmoil of Covid and chan
