How to Reach Sikhiri Cottages, Manas National Park
Address
Sikhiri Cottages, Manas National Park, Bansbari Range, Barengabari, District Baksa, BTC, Assam – 781315
WhatsApp / phone: +91 6002809693
The lodge is on the Bansbari side of Manas, not inside the Mathanguri forest campus and not in Barpeta town. Put “The Sikhiri Cottages, Barangabari” into Google Maps and confirm the pin with us before the driver starts — village spellings vary (Barengabari / Barangabari).
From Guwahati airport (easiest for most guests)
- Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU)
- Distance: about 150 km
- Time: about 3 hours in normal traffic
We can arrange a pickup. If you take your own cab, budget a full morning or afternoon for the transfer. Do not plan a 6:00 am safari on the same morning you land at 8:00 am. Stay the night, safari the next dawn.
From Guwahati city by road
- About 160 km, around 3 hours
- Usual corridor: Guwahati → Pathsala / Bhawanipur → Barpeta Road side → Bansbari / Barengabari
The last stretch is countryside and tea. In fog (December–January) add 30–45 minutes. After dark the forest-edge road is slow. Arrive before sunset if you can.
From Barpeta Road railway station (best railhead)
- About 30 km / 1 hour
- Station code guests use: BPRD (Barpeta Road)
This is the station we recommend. Many trains on the northeast line stop here. Message us your train number; a lodge car can wait.
From New Bongaigaon
- About 100 km
- Useful if your train does not halt at Barpeta Road
From the rest of Assam / Bhutan side
Guests coming from Kokrajhar or western Assam should still aim for the Bansbari gate, not assume every “Manas” pin on Maps is the same entrance. Gelephu (Bhutan) is a different country crossing. Unless you are on the Panbang day trip with the correct ID, do not route your airport transfer through Bhutan.
What to tell your driver
Send this text as-is:
Drop at The Sikhiri Cottages, Manas National Park, Bansbari Range, Barengabari (Barangabari), Baksa, Assam 781315. Lodge WhatsApp +91 6002809693. Not Bansbari Lodge, not Musa, not Mathanguri forest rest house.
Check-in and check-out
- Check-in: 1:00 pm
- Check-out: 11:00 am
If your train or flight lands earlier, say so. Bags can usually sit at reception while you have lunch, provided a cottage is ready.
Sample travel day (Guwahati → lodge)
- Land GAU by late morning.
- Pre-paid lodge cab or your own Innova / similar.
- Lunch on the highway if you have children; otherwise eat at the lodge.
- Reach Sikhiri by 4:00–5:00 pm.
- Tea, cottage, briefing for the next morning’s safari.
- Dinner at the lodge (order lunch/dinner in advance; breakfast is included).
Next: Safari guide and 2-night itinerary.