Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park, situated in the northeastern state of Assam, is one of the most picturesque wildlife parks in India. The natural habitat of the one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Kaziranga lies on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra River, northeast of Assam's capital Guwahati. Originally established as a game reserve in 1908, which included specific portions of Assam's Sibsagar district, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary in 1940 to counter excessive poaching. In 1974, the Indian Government declared it as a protected site. The park's original inhabitants-the rhino and the elephant being the most noticeable-now thrive in a serene environment to the sheer delight of nature lovers. Viewing wildlife at Kaziranga Park because of its vast open spaces, the presence of the mighty Brahmaputra, and adjoining Mikir hills makes a trip to Kaziranga a complete 'jungle' adventure.

Sightseeing in Kaziranga :

Tourists can stroll through the lush coffee and rubber plantations of the nearby Karbi Anglong. Or visit the Karbi villages, meet the Karbi people and observe their way of living. Yiu can also venture through the tea gardens that Assam is so famous for and watch how one gets one's daily cup of tea. Film shows on wildlife can be arranged at the various tourist lodges in Kaziranga, on request.

Beside ofcourse the great one horned Indian Rhino, the other major wild attractions include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc.

Kaziranga National Park is a birding paradise; the grasslands are a raptor country that can be seen on safari makes a remarkable experience. These include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Huge numbers of migratory birds descend on the parks lakes and marshy areas during winters, including Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.  

Other Attractions In Kaziranga

Elephant Safari : The vast open country makes Kaziranga National Park very accessible and wildlife viewing fairly pleasurable. Here one can leave in the early hours of the dawn for an elephant-back-ride. Authorized and trained Mahouts who guide visitors through the park train the Elephants. One could see wild Elephant herds roaming around or Indian Rhinos browse past visitors unconcernedly. Since Kaziranga wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible, its provides a chance to see animals in the wild at such close quarters, thus making a trip to this National Park a very rewarding experience.

How about checking the most awesome adventures while riding an elephant? Well, that's what Elephant Safari is all about. National Park's such as Kaziranga in Assam, with its swamps and grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and patches of evergreen forest, support the largest number of Rhino in the subcontinent. At Kaziranga, the open country makes wildlife viewing fairly easy and the Elephant safari is an experience you will never forget. Another Rhino habitat in Assam, but much more famous as a Tiger Reserve is the Manas Tiger Reserve. Located in the foothills of the Bhutan Hills and far from human habitation, this reserve is a world of its own. There are the Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks where Elephants are used for Tiger-tracking and should a tiger be located, the elephant can take visitors to that site.

By Air : The nearest airport is situated at Guwahati, which is 217-km away from the park. The other airport is located at Jorhat, 97-km from Kaziranga.

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from Kaziranga National Park.

By Road : The main gate for Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, at Kohora on the NH-37, consists of a handful of cafes and a small local market. ASTC and private buses stop here on their way to and from Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam.

Manas Tiger Reserve

State : Assam
Location : 176-km From Guwahati, Assam
Area: 391-sq-kms
Rainfall - 1200 mm
Climate : Temperature - Min 2, Max 32 (deg.Cel)
Best time to visit: October To April

Manas is located along the Indo-Bhutan border with contiguous wildlife habitats in Bhutan. Manas Sanctuary was established in 1928. Prior to that the Raja of Gauripur and the Cooch-Behar royal family used Manas as their hunting grounds. The area was declared a National Park in 1990.

While Kaziranga is known for the Rhinoceros, Manas National Park is famous for the Majestic Tigers. This park is the only Project Tiger in Assam. The Manas Reserve, located in the foothills of the Bhutan hills, far from human habitation, is a world in itself.

The Manas River flowing through the Park demarcates the border between India and Bhutan. The Park has vast deciduous forests where the dense cover often cuts out the light. Its wet grasslands are the home of the rhino, water buffalo, elephant and tiger. Manas is noted for its population of the rare golden langur - found only in this part of the country. They are often spotted in the tall trees. Other primates in the Park include the capped langur, Assamese macaque, the slow loris and the hoolock gibbon. These are rarely seen but the whooping call of the hoolock gibbon can be heard resounding through the forest. The Reserve is also home to the attractive red panda but these are only seen occasionally in the higher elevations.

Manas has a very special biosphere, for it harbours twenty species of birds and animals that are highly endangered and listed in the IUCN Red Data Book. These include the hispid hare and the pigmy hog. The lush forest canopy at Manshelters colourful birds - the giant hornbills, both pied and gray varieties, pheasants, jungle fowl and scarlet minivet being among them. The water-birds along the rivers include brahminy ducks, mergansers and a range of egrets, herons and pelican Over 2840 sq. km. in area, Manas is, a fascinating tiger reserve.

The area of Manas has roughly 45% grassland and 55% tree land as wildlife habitat. The river course may have about 100 sq.km. of riparian forests of grass and primary succession of tree cover, which is probably the most suitable water buffalo habitat anywhere and providing by far the best habitat for the tiger, where the concentration of the species is the highest. Inter and inter specific relation of the prey and predator in this area is extremely interesting and awaits scientific study to understand population dynamics and other evolutionary processes at work. In this area the ever changing river course cause erosion and accretion at the same time providing extraordinary dynamism to the habitat/ecosystems sustaining very high productivity. The rain fall in this area is very high about 450 to 500 cm and the temperature is also very conducive to add to the productivity.

By air : Guwahati is the nearest airport at 176 kms.

By rail : The nearest town and rail-head is Barpeta Road, 41 kms away. Manas Tiger Reserve

By Road : Manas is well connected by network of roads which connect the place with other cities and towns in the state.

Places to see in Guwahati

Guwahati is capital of State Assam. Guwahati has derived its name from Assamese words, �Guwa� - areca nut and �Haat�- market. It is also known as the city of Eastern Light �Pragjyotishpur�. Guwahati is at north east of Assam, situated on the eastern edges of Himalayan Mountains. Guwahati has many religious and natural tourist sites.

Guwahati is a mystic land of beautiful rivers and eternal blue hills. Guwahati is located on the bank of river Brahmaputra and is famous for its tea. It is the largest industrial, commercial and educational center. Guwahati is the most important tourist destination in north east India.

Places to see

Dighalipukhuri, Jorphukhur, Nakkatapukhuri, Deepor Beel, and Silpukhuri are artificial and natural lakes.

Poa Mecca Mosque is a must visit place for tourists here.

This temple is on top of Nilachal Hill and is known for best tantric shrines of Shakti worship in the world. This temple was constructed by Naranarayan, the Koch King in tenth century. Animals are sacrificed here for goddess even today.

This temple is situated on much higher ranges from Kamkhya Temple. You can an awesome view of Guwahati from here.

This temple is situated on an island in the middle of Brahmaputra River. To reach this spot, motor boats and public ferries from Umananda Ghat are available.

This temple is also situated on top of the hill and is also known as �temple of nine planets�. This is center of astronomy and astrology.

Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple is spread on 2 acres of huge area at Betkuchi.

Other than these temples you can also visit Basistha Muni Temple, Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Umananda and Janardhan Temple.

This is a multi arts complex, where life and culture of Assam people are expositioned. It is named after integrator and Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardeva.

This ashram was made by sage Vashistha, with lots of greens and 3 lovely rivulets, Lalita, Kanta and Sandhya.

You can also visit Guwahati Planetarium, Hajo, Madan Kamdev Sualkuchi.

There are many museums like Anthropological Museum, Assam Forest Museum, Assam Government Cottage Industries Museum, Assam State Museum, Commercial Museum, Ethnographic museum, Regional Science Center and Museum and Veterinary College Museum.

Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Kaziranga National Park, Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas Sanctuary, Deeporbeel Bird Sanctuary and Chandubi.