Manas Tiger Reserve, situated amidst the gentle slopes at the foothills of the Himalayas in northeastern state of Assam, is the only tiger reserve of its kind in the entire northeast. Manas derives its name from the Goddess Manasa. The forest stretches beyond Indian territory to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with the crystal waters of the Manas River demarcating the international border. Some areas that adjoin the river path are often flooded, but only for a brief period; the water level subsides as soon as the rainfall stops. Mixed deciduous type of vegetation is found in the park. The dense forest cover often prevents the sun from reaching the forest floor.

This beautiful park was previously known as North Kamrup and was declared a sanctuary in 1928, with parts of it having been notified as reserved forests as early as 1907 and 1927. It was established as the core of the Manas Tiger Reserve from April 1973 and consecutively inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985 and elevated to the position of a National Park status in 1990.

The core area of Manas National Park is 360-km, though the gross area is 2840 sq km. Manas is a very special biosphere, for it harbors twenty species of birds and animals that are highly endangered. Among the highly endangered species are the Red Pandas. Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog and Golden Langur are some of the rare species of animals to be found in the park apart from Tigers, Elephants, Rhinoceros, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar, Sambhar, Swamp Deer, and Hog Deer, which are easily spotted at this park.

In winter Manas is full of Migratory birds like the Riverchats, Forktails, Cormorants and Ducks like the Ruddy Shell-Duck. There are also regular woodland birds like the Indian Hornbill and Pied Hornbill.

The best season to visit Manas Park is between October and April.