| Tour Name | : | Royal Bhutan Manas Tour |
| Expedition Type | : | Trek and Cultural Tour |
| Activities | : | Hiking, Walking, Rafting and Birding |
| Duration | : | 06 Days |
| Period | : | March - May & Sept - Nov |
Bhutan Ecotourism
Nature and Community-based tourism in Royal Bhutan Manas National Park
We the Yeoong Travels will be the first to arrange the Royal Manas National park tour which carries substantial potential for nature-based tourism due to its rich flora and fauna diversity in the tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems in Bhutan which forms a corridor for the movement of wildlife from the Indian plains into interior Bhutan. Apart from these natural values, sites within a national park were considered high priority for a study on community for a number of reasons.
These are rural communities where it most likely will be some time before they have a paved road or power grid because of their remoteness and location within the park. Poverty levels are high and educational levels are low, both of which present opportunities for improvement through the diversification and training offered by community tourism. These sites were also seen appropriate for application of measures such as community tourism to help mitigate the rural-to –urban migration that many communities in Bhutan are experiencing. Furthermore, it was considered desirable to increase the ability and interest of the villagers within the national park to be good conservation stewards, with community tourism is particularly able to foster.
Gomphu – Royal Bhutan Manas National Park tour
This is a four day route that begins from Gomphu under Zhemgang dzongkhag and reaches at manas to experience the adjoining plains of Indian Manas Tiger Reserve.The elephant rid for expedition and rafting/boating at Manas. Tourist coming from Paro/Thimphu/Wangdue can make a halt at Trongsa and proceed next day towards Gomphu via Zhemgang further ahead to reach Pybang(road point). It is also possible for the tourists coming from Bumthang to reach the base camp at Pybang. On the way to Tingtibi from Zhemgang, tourist can enjoy the fascinating golden langur creeping over the cliff for salt lick alongside the road. Appropriate season for trekking is suggested from the onset of autumn (September - November) and end of spring (March - April).
DAY 1: PYBANG TO PANTANG
DAY 2: PANTANG TO SHILINGTOEY
DAY 3: SHILINGTOEY TO CHENARZAM
DAY 4: CHANGAZAM TO PANGANG
DAY 5: ELEPHANT RIDE
DAY 6: EXIT FROM ASSAM INDIA OR BACK TO PARO BHUTAN
DAY 1: PYBANG TO PANTANG
From Pybang campsite you will have a charismatic view of Mangdichhu and Chamkhar Chu confluent. Walking downhill from the base camp, it will take you about 2 ½ to 3hours to reach Mamung village that sits at an elevation of 485 meters above the sea level. Lunch spot at Mamung for the day and further proceed to Pantang that sits at an elevation of 230 meters above sea level. After a gradual walk for about 3hours you descend to the bank of Mangdi Chhu River at Pantang. You will be traversing through the warm broadleaf forest a home to several important mammal and avifauna inhabited with fragmented agriculture settlements.
DAY 2: PANTANG TO SHILINGTOEY
At Pangtang campsite you can visit school, one community Lhakhang and their unique cultural. On the opposite site of Pangtang village there is a steep cliff where there is chances of sighting Goral,hornbill and also other wild animals.
It takes you about 3 ½ to 4 hours to reach the next campsite at Shilingtoey located at an elevation of 460 meters above the sea level. The journey starts with visiting the community plantation site at Sangserri which about 20 minutes walk. All along the Mangdichu you will reach Phankar Zam. From Phakar Zam you have to walk up hill for about 30minutes and then gradual slope and after few minutes and again have to walk down hill for about 15minutes.You will come across with the stream call Yoedang chu where you have to cross it by using locally made suspension bridge. After that you will be gradually climbing up till you reach to Shilingtoe Camp. Over all you will be passing through natural warm broadleaf forest with lots of avifauna sighting, charismatic view of Goshing Village in the opposite site of the trail.
DAY 3: SHILINGTOEY TO CHENARZAM
At campsite,since this camp site is on the top of the hill you will have very good view to almost direction. There is a school at Tashibji Village which is about an hour walk. You will also see the traditional agriculture farming system in lower Kheng areas. From Shilingtoey with the gradual downhill walk, it takes about 2 to 2 ½ hours to reach the campsite at Chenar Zam located at an elevation of 170metres above the sea level. Just before reaching to Chenar Zam say about 30minutes you will see the twin water fall opposite/across the Mangdi Chu.At Chenar Zam. Campsite is located near the river bank of Mangdichu and there is very good for the beach sun bath, rafting, boating etc.
DAY 4: CHANGAZAM TO PANGANG
To reach the final destination at Manas,it will take you about 6 hours from the base camp. You will be walking along the secondary forest and till Panbang where Dungkhag head office is located. Panbang has a small town with few small shop, school, health unit, etc. From Panbang, you will be walking all through Mans National Park where there is three options to reach the Manas Camp. First option: - Walk down to Manas along the motorable road where you can have bird watching on the way. It will take around 3 hours to reach Manas. Second option: - By boating sightseeing the Goral in the habitat at lowest evevation in Bhutan, water fowls and other wildlife. It will take you about 1 hour in white water raft (rubber boat) and 45 minutes in wooden boat. Third Option: - Just Drive deon to Mans along the forest road. It will take only 30 minutes.
DAY 5: ELEPHANT RIDE
It will be interesting if you halt a day at Manas campsite. In the morning around 5 am you can go for Elephant ride where there are more chances of sighting of wild animals like Tiger, Leopard, etc. During the day time you have sightseeing along the river bank and royal cottage. Evening you can go for natural trail walk where chances of sighting of wild animals besides enjoying the landscape and birding and natural plants.
DAY 6: EXIT FROM ASSAM INDIA OR BACK TO PARO BHUTAN
Depart from Bhutan Manas and enter into India Mansa for exit to go from nearest domestic airport Guwahati, Assam, India or if interested make a loop traveling Phuntsholing and depart from Paro airport, Bhutan or Bagdora airport, West Bengle, India.
