Daytrip to Manas National Park

        Τaking a break and indulging in a trip is like a breath of fresh air amidst our daily routines. Working six days a week is undeniably challenging, but it's essential to find time for ourselves, to recharge and rejuvenate. So, we Team Albatross Journey decided to visit Manas national park on November 5th. I’ve never been to that side, so thinking it will be a fam tour for me, I instantly said yes to the plan. Manas National Park promises not only a change of scenery but also a break from the routine, offering an opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories.

         We 4 including Purobi ma’am, Debashree Ma’am, Jintu daa and I started our drive towards Manas at 7 am from Guwahati.  Jintu da assumed the control of the steering of his Hyundai venue. Despite the standard three-hour travel time, our journey was punctuated with a stop for breakfast en route. Our major purpose was to visit resorts and other accommodation facilities for more information. Our connections on that side were limited, and we wanted to ensure our guests received the best possible recommendations.  But who will return without going for Safari? The choice to go for a jeep safari transformed the day into a thrilling experience.Our arrival at Florican Eco Cottage was met with a warm and hospitable greeting. Florican Eco cottage is one of the pleasant and splendid choice of accommodation not only for comfort but also an authentic connection with the natural beauty that surrounded us. After having a small conversation with team Florican regarding tourism in Manas National Park we started our safari.

                  Ajay da guided us with his jeep. We have to go through a small security check in the gate. Food and plastics were not allowed inside the park. We Slowly stated entering the Manas National Park. Eager and equipped with our camera and essential gear, our excitement reached its peak. However, our enthusiasm was momentarily dampened when we realized memory card had been accidently left behind in our car. We discovered the absence of the memory card when we were eager to capture the majestic sight of an eagle. We paid 100 rupees for the camera and now it has no use.  My deepest desire was to see royal bangle tiger, a python crossing Infront of our jeep and lots of orchid. Despite my desire, luck did not favour me in witnessing the regal stride of a tiger or a python. I was captivated by the melodic symphony of various birds echoing from a distance. As I looked upward, my eyes were dazzled seeing various orchids adorning the branches of trees. One thing I knew for sure is that when these orchids burst into full bloom, spreading its fragrance, there will be an additional layer of colourful beauty to the jungle. 

        After half an hour of safari without a glimpse of wildlife, our spirits were met with a sudden surge of anticipation. Suddenly our guide stops the jeep and drive backward and point his hand towards a tree. our eyes followed the guide's pointed gaze, He points towards a Giant Malabar squirrel. It was napping on a tree. Its long, fluffy tail and sleek black back was clearly visible. We silently stand there for a moment. I understood how experienced he is in Manas National Park when he points the squirrel in a distance of around 100 mtr. Our jeep slowly moved forward to more dense forest. In the excitement of seeing a tiger hiding in the bush I stand up and look around. The anticipation of spotting a royal bangle tiger heightened our senses, but beyond the thrill of encountering a royal Bengal tiger, an even more exhilarating surprise awaited us.

        We saw a big mature rhino grazing on lush green grass almost 500 meters away. It was our first sighting of rhino in Manas. But as soon as he saw our vehicle, he started running aggressively towards us. Guide told us to stay calm and silent. Although I have read about behavior of wildlife it was my first time experiencing aggressive behavior of wildlife. The sound of the vehicle made him more violent. I heard the sound of his heavy foot fall on the ground as he chasing our vehicle. Everyone in the jeep was scared except our guide and Purobi ma’am. She captured the whole incident in her camera. Jintu da was sitting silently with fear. the most scared one was Debashree ma’am who didn’t even look back. We drove fast and halted at a safe distance. The rhino also stopped at this point and turn back. Amidst the swirling dust stirred by our jeep, the rhino struggled to catch a clear glimpse of our escape. The heart-pounding 60-second rhino chase, a thrilling spectacle remind me of Jurassic Park. We were lucky that nothing happened to us.

        We slowly forward our journey through the small narrow path. The local jeep owners are aware of the violent behavior of this particular rhino. They have faced the same situation last year also. The jeep owner took it upon himself to caution every traveller returning on the road. There was no network on our phone to warn others who were coming behind us. We resume our journey to the Bhutan boarder. Just after reaching there, we got news from another guide in the boarder that the same rhino toppled two jeeps, luckily no one were injured.

        The other part of Manas in Bhutan is called Royal Manas National Park. We saw an elephant and some of the wild buffalo on the other side of the river peacefully grazing.  After clicking some photos there, we returned to our territory and took a break at Mathanguri Bunglow sipping a cup of red tea. What could be more delightful than sipping tea by the riverbank. Earlier it was used for accommodation, now stands as a museum curated by the forest department, the bungalow offers a clear viewpoint to behold the majestic Beki River. The simplicity of the moment, coupled with the natural beauty, left an indelible mark on our journey through this pristine landscape.

        After half an hour of spending leisure time in the Bunglow we resumed our rest of the safari. The thought of encountering the aggressive rhino again was sacring us. Luckily the rhino wasn’t there. We arrived at the spot where two jeeps were toppled by the roadside. One of the jeeps still there flipped upside down. Scared peoples whose jeep was toppled were standing in the watch tower waiting for other jeep to rescue them. We helped the jeep to bring it back onto the road. Although it was not allowed to get down from the jeep, we couldn’t stop ourself from helping them. We successfully brought back the jeep onto the road.

Ajay da, guided his jeep onto another safari road, hoping for new opportunities and exciting wildlife sightings. The anticipation of what lay ahead added a sense of adventure to our safari. We drove through vast and tall grassland. In the midway we saw couple of peacocks, and some of wild hens. The colorful feathers of those male peacock sparked a memory of buying colorful feathers for just 10 rupees each at a fair. In the middle of a bush, we saw an elephant baby. The path was so narrow and were almost 150 meters from the elephant. As our jeep came into its view, the elephant responded with a cautionary warning noise. It was a gentle reminder to maintain the distance.

        

              After a minute of driving through tall grassland I saw the massive swaying ears of an elephant. The body was still hidden in the grassland. As we move closer, the massive creature came into full view. Despite of the gigantic size he was standing there as picture of calmness, undisturbed by our presence. We move forward our safari and after a drive of 4 km we saw 3 mature rhino grazing in the field. We were so thrilled by the earlier rhino that the sightseeing of these rhino felt almost domesticated. Sharing the moment with three other jeeps, we collectively marveled at the scene. We had the privilege of experiencing both the calm and wild aspects of these gigantic creatures. My desire to seeing python and tiger came to an end. The adventure was a rollercoaster, ranging from the enchanting beauty of peacocks to the scary moment of being chased by a rhino.Our safari came to an end. As the sun descended, its golden rays gently touched our faces. Chirping of various bird, the golden rays were transforming the moment into a magical afternoon. In a poetic essence, the beauty of the wilderness came into live with the kiss of golden sun a magical evening.

          As travel agents, our visit to the place served a dual purpose – to build a network and gain a comprehensive understanding of Manas National Park tourism. Saying good bye to the team florican we headed to Musa Jungle retreat to satisfy our empty stomach. Their excellent service, delightful lunch, and pleasant surroundings worked like magic, making us forget our tiredness. Winter days are approaching, and with them, the daylight hours are growing shorter. It was getting dark and we still had several resorts and homestays to explore. Somehow, we managed to visit some of the resort including “smile tusker elephant camp” and “Daorai”.

            There's no need to worry about accommodation. The park offers a range of options to suit different preferences and ensures a comfortable stay for all visitors. Several accommodation facilities are there and several new resorts with modern amenities were under construction. The visit to Manas National Park proved to be truly worthwhile. Despite the demands of work responsibilities, we couldn't extend our stay, but the experience left a lasting impression.  We conclude our daytrip with a cup of tea in smile tusker and began our return journey to home.