Assam’s UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to welcome visitors back as the wildlife tourism season begins
ASSAM | SEPTEMBER 16, 2026: Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam is scheduled to reopen to tourists on October 2, 2026, marking the beginning of the 2026–27 tourism season.
The reopening comes after the park’s annual monsoon closure, when heavy rainfall, flooding and difficult ground conditions can affect access and tourism operations. Current travel-industry information citing the Assam Forest Department indicates that Manas is scheduled to resume tourism activities from October 2.
Located in western Assam along the Bhutan border, Manas is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its rich biodiversity, grassland ecosystems, forests and riverine landscapes. The park is also a tiger reserve, elephant reserve and biosphere reserve.
A major wildlife destination in Northeast India
Manas is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, Asian elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, golden langurs, pygmy hogs and Assam roofed turtles. The Assam Tourism Department lists the park among the state’s major destinations for rare and endangered wildlife.
The park’s combination of forests, grasslands and waterways makes it particularly significant for wildlife tourism and nature-based travel in Northeast India.
October reopening comes ahead of the festive travel season
The October 2 reopening also falls on Gandhi Jayanti, creating a three-day weekend from October 2 to 4 this year. With wildlife destinations such as Manas and Kaziranga entering the tourism season around this period, the timing could provide an opportunity for travellers to combine wildlife experiences with the broader festive-season travel calendar.
For visitors planning a trip, however, safari availability, operating ranges, entry procedures and other on-ground arrangements should be checked closer to the date, as these can be subject to forest department instructions and local conditions.
Manas prepares to welcome visitors
The reopening will once again bring safari tourism back to one of Assam’s most important wildlife landscapes. The park has historically reopened after the monsoon period in late September or early October, although dates have varied between tourism seasons. For example, Manas reopened for the 2025–26 season on September 24, while its 2024 reopening was advanced to September 27.
With October 2, 2026 currently scheduled as the reopening date, wildlife enthusiasts and travellers planning an Assam itinerary can begin looking towards the new tourism season at Manas.
TravelWire will continue to track updates on the park’s reopening, safari operations and travel conditions.
Note: The October 2, 2026 reopening date is currently reported as scheduled; travellers should verify final operational arrangements with the relevant Assam Forest Department authorities before travelling.
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