Recommended & pending a personal visit by our travel writer

Bansbari is a simple but comfortable 16-room lodge where the main focus is to introduce the guests to the Manas National Park next door. What the lodge lacks in creature comforts is compensated by its excellent location. Set in pristine tiger country, there is no sign of civilisation for miles. The air is clean and the view is sensational – the lodge is at the brink of the wildlife park, which is itself nestled on the foot of the majestic Bhutan Himalayas. So, along with wildlife attractions, you come across some enthralling views of Himalayan beauty.

One of the most beautiful jungles in India, the Manas National Park is dense, dark and wild. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 1928. Since then it has been endowed with many more titles - it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, an elephant reserve, and a biosphere reserve. It is also the only national park in the entire State of Assam to be included under Project Tiger. Besides the elusive cat; the one-horned rhinoceros, the Asiatic Wild Buffalo and the Gangetic River Dolphin are the main attractions of the park. Very different from the jungles of the plains – the vegetation and especially the hornbills, give this national park a strange exotic feel.

A visit to the Bansbari Lodge will ensure an adventure packed trip including jeep safaris with the in-house naturalist, river rafting on the river Manas, elephant rides and nature walks.