Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park expands over the eastern sector of the Solukhumbu District of Nepal and has a total area of 1148 square kilometers (443 square miles). This park was established in 1976 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. And it has the title of being the world's highest national park, ranging from 2845 meters at Jorsalle to 8849 meters from the summit of Mount Everest. 

Sagarmatha National Park contains Mount Everest (Sagarmatha, in Nepali), the highest mountain in the world, as well as several other mountains, such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and Pumori. These changes in elevation create a variety of ecosystems, each with their own attributes from rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, glaciers, and high elevation barrens.

Namche Bazaar serves as the gateway to the park as well as the main hub for trekkers and climbers, which has a vibrant central hubbub. The park is culturally fascinating considering the Sherpa culture predominates the area with all the Sherpa tradition, monastery (notably, Tengboche, Pangboche and Khumjung), and high altitude is embedded in the landscape.

On treks into the park, trekkers will have opportunities not only for magnificent viewing of the Himalaya but to be immersed in Sherpa culture as well. The park is accessible via Lukla and allows for a full immersion into the nature of the area, spirituality and historical significance of mountaineering that adventurers have come from around the world to experience. 

Where is Sagarmatha National Park located In Map Of Nepal?

Sagarmatha National Park is situated in the northeast of Nepal, in Solukhumbu District/Province No. 1. 

This protected area, which contains the Everest Region (Khumbu region), is unique because it has Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), the highest point in the world and which is famous around the world. 

The park extends from the southern boundary at the Dudh Kosi River to the northern boundary at the border with Tibet (China). The northern border is shared with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve.

Sagarmatha National Park is located at approximately 27.9333° N latitude and 86.7333° E longitude. The main entrance to the park is located near Namche Bazaar (the Sherpa town and trek entrance) at 27.9783° N 86.6611° E. 

The park site is also dominated by Mount Everest peak at 27.9883° N 86.9253° E. The coordinates may place Sagarmatha National Park on a map of Nepal and indicate it in the high Himalayas.

Sagarmatha National Park is approximately 1,148 square kilometres (443 sq miles) in area, rising from an elevation of 2,845 meters (9,300 ft) at Monjo to 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) at the summit of Everest. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is frequented by trekkers and climbing expeditions.

About Sagarmatha National Park

• World Heritage & Ramsar status: It was the first UNESCO Natural World Heritage Area in Nepal because of its spectacular natural landscapes and cultural significance, and it was recognized in this way in 1979. Importantly, the Gokyo Lakes have been a Ramsar site since 2007.
• Dramatic Geography: The elevation ranges from ~2845 m at Monjo to the highest place on Earth at 8848 m at the summit of Mount Everest. There are >25 peaks above 6000 m, and 7 peaks above 7000 m, including Lhotse, Nuptse, and Cho Oyu. The landscape is characterised by very deep glaciated valleys, and contains some very substantial glacier systems (Khumbu, Ngozumpa, Imja, and Nangpa) and lots of high-altitude lakes.
• Biodiversity & Ecosystems: The vegetation zones are temperate forest (pine, hemlock) → subalpine (fir, birch, rhododendron) → alpine meadow → nival above 5000 m. Over 1000 species of flora have been recorded.
• Wildlife Highlights : Species of interest are the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, serow, pika, and Ghoral. Rich species diversity is also the case with birds, with 150–208 species noted (e.g., Impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, snowcock, bearded vulture), recognised as an Important Bird Area.  
• Mountain & Trekking Culture : The park includes Mount Everest and other trekking peaks (Island Peak (Imja Tse), Kyazo Ri). Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and Three Passes are popular trekking routes. Mountaineering and Himalayan helicopter services exist too. 
• Sherpa Culture & its important Spiritual Sites:  There are about >3,500–6,000 Sherpas in the park in 20+ villages; they are strictly itinerant with villages founded today. Their Buddhist traditions connect to wildlife protection and sustainability. Important monasteries (e.g., Tengboche Monastery (~3,867 m)) are sites of cultural and spiritual significance.
• Conservation and Management: The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal has been managing the area with associated legal protections through combined acts since 1973/78.  The buffer zone programs share revenues with the local users 50% of the revenue; the user groups are supporting sustainable uses of products and managing waste. 
• Water and Climate Significance: The area is the headwaters for the Dudh Kosi watershed to the south, and Bhote Kosi and Imja Khola; and glaciers are a significant fresh water source for downstream areas (Dudh Kosi); additionally, with Dudh Kosi with glacial melt provides a climate-change monitoring zone - especially glacier retreat and change in the Himalayan ecosystem.

5 facts about Sagarmatha National Park

1. World's Highest National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is the highest national park in the world, with the lowest point exceeding 3,000 m above sea level. At this altitude, alpine ecosystems can develop and limit flora, fauna and visitors. 

2. Pallas's Cat Discovered on Everest Flank

DNA samples confirmed the existence of the elusive Pallas's cat at elevations above 5,100 m on Everest's southern flank within the national park in 2019. 

This new finding represents the first-ever record of this small wild cat species in a mountain environment of this elevation, but it also shows the hidden biodiversity that exists in the world at high altitudes. "The discovery of Pallas's cat on Everest shines a light on the incredible biodiversity of this remote high‑alpine ecosystem.

3. Imja Lake: Glacial Flood Risk

Imja Glacier has created Imja Lake, which has significantly expanded since the 1960s. It has recently been estimated that it has grown to greater than 2 km², has a maximum depth of 149 m, and contains approximately 76 million m³ of water. Scientists believe it is a significant candidate for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk and is a serious risk downstream, especially during the monsoon.

4. Wild Yak Roaming the Heights

In addition to its unique high altitude fauna, the park also has wild yak, a vulnerable species with its range native to the greater Himalayan ecosystem. These big, shaggy livestock - up to 1,000 kg - which can be found grazing in the park's alpine meadows, have important ecological roles. Their presence exemplifies the diversity and adaptability of wildlife remaining in extreme altitudes.

5. Sherpa Traditional Resource Management

The Sherpas also practice traditional resource management systems, like shingo ngawa (prohibitions on access to resources found in forests). These systems have been very useful in the management of sustainability for both the park's natural resources and biological diversity.

What are the Top 10 Things to do in Sagarmatha National Park?

Trek to Everest Base Camp

The trek to Everest Base Camp is beyond doubt one of the all-time great treks in Sagarmatha National Park. The trek starts in Lukla and winds through traditional Sherpa villages, like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche, reaching a total elevation of 5,364 meters to the base camp. Along the trek, the trekkers will share the adventure with fellow travellers and witness spectacular views of the world's tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Some of the other most popular treks in the park include:

• Three Passes Trek
• Everest Panorama Trek
• Renjo La Pass Trek

14 Days

Everest Base Camp Trekking - 14 Days

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US$1455 US$1599

Visit the Gokyo Lakes and Climb Gokyo Ri

A popular trek on a less-travelled route in the park is the Gokyo Lakes trek. This trek follows a second, less-travelled route that will take the trekker to a chain of six stunningly beautiful glacial lagoon blue lakes at an altitude of 4700m or higher. The turquoise blue lakes are also considered sacred lakes and a Ramsar protected area. In Gokyo, trekkers have the opportunity to climb Gokyo Ri, which is a viewpoint at an altitude of 5357m and is worth the climb to get the spectacular views of Everest, Cho Oyu and other Himalayan peaks in the high altitudes.

12 Days

Gokyo Lake Trekking - 12 Days

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US$1575 US$1755

Go to the Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery is the biggest and most well-known monastery of the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is located at 3,867 meters, directly across from Ama Dablam mountain, to be specific, fart more magnificent, snow-covered mountains surround it.

Visitors can participate in a morning or evening prayer, watch monks meditate, learn about Tibetan Buddhism, and be part of some of the colourful Tibetan culture that is around the monastery.

It is also the site of the world-famous Mani Rimdu Festival, a very significant cultural festival that takes place here every autumn.

Understanding Sherpa Culture

Sagarmatha National Park is home to the Sherpa culture, which can further be defined as Tibetan Buddhism, and is based on centuries of mountain living. Villages such as Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, and Pangboche provide opportunities for trekkers to participate in local food, architecture, customs, and hospitality. We encounter Sherpa houses, Western-influenced hotel menus, various forms of Tsampa (roasted barley), and fried momos (stuffed dumplings).

We also visit the Sherpa Museum, which has exhibits about Sherpa culture, a short history of mountain climbing, and the natural environment. We can also visit the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Centre, also within Namche Bazaar, which has exhibits on Sherpa culture, climbing, and the natural environment.

Exploring Wildlife & Bird Watching

Sagarmatha National Park (Mount Everest National Park) is a high-altitude park and has a wide variety of wildlife. Specifically, trekking in the park allows you, as the trekker, to see many rare and endangered mammals including the snow leopard, red panda, black bear, musk deer, Himalayan tahr and many more.

Furthermore, if you're a birdwatcher, you can count over 200 identified birds that have a history in the park, and many guidebooks list typical birds as the snow pigeon, Himalayan monal (the national bird of Nepal), yellow-billed choughs and blood pheasants. 

The best time to explore wildlife and blooming alpine flora is in early summer.

Heli Tour

Helicopter tours are a quick and thrilling opportunity to see Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks above the clouds without doing any trekking.

Heli tours can leave from either Kathmandu or Lukla, and will fly through glaciers, rivers, through Sherpa villages, and breathtaking mountain scenes. Heli tours will occasionally land for quick stops at famous places like Kala Patthar or the Everest View Hotel, where you get the best views and actually get some moments outside of the helicopter to take a few pictures. 

Heli tours in Sagarmatha National Park can be a good option for any travellers who are running short of time or have physical constraints, or for anyone looking for something extra and out of the ordinary to get a birds-eye view of the Himalayas.

1 Days

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Landing - 1 Day

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US$1400 US$1555

Some of the most popular helicopter tours in Sagarmatha are:

• Everest Base Camp Heli Tour
• Lukla to Everest Base Camp Heli Tour
• Gokyo Lakes Heli Tour

Mountain Flight

The mountain flight allows you to observe the Himalayan region and Mount Everest without having to trek. The fixed wing tours leave from Kathmandu and are located near the mountains where you can view other 8000-meter mountains like Lhotse and Makalu. In most cases, every participant will be in a window seat, and there won't be any obstructions to your view of the breathtaking scenery. The tours are approximately one hour. They are extremely popular for travellers who want to see the scenic view of Sagarmatha National Park and the surrounding mountains and landscapes.

Participate in Local Festivals

If you have arranged your travel to coincide with local "style" parties, so that you are able to witness events like Losar (the Tibetan New Year) or Mani Rimdu, you will likely witness the local dances wearing masks, chants, and ceremonial events to reach a heightened spiritual experience. Local festivals are spiritually considered events, and are usually held at monuments like Tengboche and Thame. Other local parties and festivals which take place within the same area include:

• Dumje.
• Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's Birthday),
• The Tenzing Norgay Memorial Day.

Mount Everest Climbing

The ultimate experience and adventure in Sagarmatha National Park is climbing the mighty Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, and it draws climbers and adventurers from all over the world. Climbing Mount Everest is a complicated and difficult expedition that takes months of preparation, technical climbing skills and experience of climbing and being at altitude.

Climbers will climb to different camps up the southern side of the mountain to challenge themselves against the extreme weather and the extreme physical requirements of getting to the summit. There are a lot of known risks that can arise from climbing, from altitude sickness to death, but those climbers who do brave the trek find once-in-a-lifetime satisfaction, and the view from the top at 8848m makes the climb a reality for many mountaineers.

Weather and Climate of Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park experiences four seasons, each one impacting the environment and trekking conditions in many ways. Spring (March to May) has mild temperatures, blooming rhododendrons, and is a nice season (although it is very busy with visitors more & more). Summer (June to August) has also begun to mean monsoon season, which means lots and lots of rain and usually makes trails muddy and slippery, while also blocking mountain views. 

Autumn (September to November) is the best time to visit because the weather is usually more stable, skies are generally clearer, and temperatures are better suited for trekking and climbing. Finally, winter (December to February) is cold and snowy, with temperatures dropping sharply, and snow in the high mountains closes some mountain passes and blocks some treks.

The park's temperatures change dramatically with altitude. For example, Namche Bazaar summer temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C; in winter, they can drop to -15°C. 

At Everest Base Camp, summer temperatures will be close to freezing, while winter temperatures can drop to below -20°C. In addition to lower temperatures, the elevation will also be accompanied by a decrease in air pressure and, therefore, a thinner atmosphere with more UV rays, which means visitors must acclimatize if hiking at altitude and prepare appropriately for the hike with sunscreen for the UV rays.

How to reach Sagarmatha National Park From Kathmandu?

By Air (Fastest Option)

Direct Flight to Lukla: Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla is the fastest way to travel to Sagarmatha National Park. Airplanes from Tribhuvan International Airport to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla cover the distance of roughly 25–30 minutes. A 2-day trek from Lukla will get you to the park's entrance. Another option is flying to Phaplu or Tumlingtar and then trekking for 5 or 10 days, respectively.

Flight via Manthali (Ramechhap): Due to air traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, flights to Lukla now leave from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. A 4–5 hour car ride from Kathmandu takes you to Manthali, where a 25-minute flight will become your last leg to Lukla. A trek of 3–4 days from Lukla leads to the park entrance. This route is heavily favored during the peak trekking seasons.

By Helicopter (Direct Access)

If you want, for a more comfortable and direct trip, helicopter tours that are available from Kathmandu can be used. In addition, the flight can land at Kala Patthar, or Namche Bazaar, Gorakhshep, Everest View Hotel thus allowing you to enjoy the Himalayas from an incredible perspective. Fishtail Air, for instance, provides such services.

By Road and Trek (Budget-Friendly)

In case you would rather use land transport, buses from Kathmandu's Gongabu Bus Park can take you to Jiri or Salleri. Jiri is situated 10 days' trek from the park , whereas from Salleri it is only 5 days. This option allows you to experience nature more intimately but requires more time and physical effort.

How did Mount Everest Get the Name Sagarmatha?

Though this mountain is frequently called Mount Everest,   it also has meaning and significance, referred to as Sagarmatha in Nepali. The name Sagarmatha is made up of two Nepali words. The first word is Sagar which means "sky". The second word is Matha which means "head". Therefore, Sagarmatha means "Forehead of the sky", or "Head in the sky" and is the mountain's required elevation being the highest point in the world.

Profound honor and respect are indicated in the name: all local people, especially Sherpa and other indigenous peoples respect the mountain greatly. Sagarmatha is not just a mountain to them; it is an object of spirituality. The mountain has staggering meaning in their belief systems, and something beautiful and majestic in the natural world.

In contrast, "Mount Everest" was given to the British in the 19th century to honour Sir George Everest, who was the surveyor general of India at that time. It is globally recognized and known by most of the world with the British name, but Sagarmatha is still the most commonly used and most meaningful name in Nepal, maintaining the cultural identity of their country and their heritage. 

Similarly, the Tibetans call the mountain Chomolungma, which means Goddess Mother of the World. This shows that different cultures interact with their majestic mountain with a name and in meaningful ways. Sagarmatha is representative of the height and spiritual connection that attracts the safest of passive explorers and adventurers alike.

Sagarmatha National Park Animals 

Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Nepal has a number of fauna that can survive in extreme high altitudes. For mammals, there are examples of threatened or rare mammals that can be found in the parks, like the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan bear, and musk deer. 

Bird life is impressive at Sagarmatha too - a good representation of the birds for the region, with significant residents of Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, and snow cock - lodged in any observations - will make Sagarmatha a stops for every serious birder. Besides mammals, there are also reptiles and amphibians found there, plus hundreds of insect species in the forests and alpine meadows.

Flora of Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in eastern Nepal is rich in environmental vegetation types, which encompass all the possibilities associated with variances in elevations and climates. The vegetation types fall into six major categories (themselves represented by communities of plants): 

• Lower Subalpine Zone (3,000–3,600 m): Forests of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), East Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis),  and drooping juniper (Juniperus recurva) dominate this zone.
• Upper Subalpine Zone (3,600–4,500 m): This zone of birch-rhododendron forests is represented by Himalayan birch(Betula utilis) and several Rhododendron species (Rhododendron campanulatum, R. campylocarpum).
• Lower Alpine Zone (4,500–5,500 m): Scrub vegetation consisting of junipers (Juniperus spp.), Rhododendron anthopogon, and R. lepidotum. 
• Upper Alpine Zone (5,500–6,000 m): Composed of grasslands and small shrubs (dwarf shrubs) including cushion plants.
• Sub-nival Zone (over 6,000 m): Domination by mosses, lichens, and dwarf grasses consisting of alpine species (Arenaria polytrichoides and Tanacetum gossypinum).

A few of the Unique Flora of Sagarmatha National Park are as follows:

• Himalayan Blue Poppy    
• Himalayan Rhubarb
• Himalayan Birch    
• Himalayan Yew    
• Himalayan Edelweiss    
• Himalayan Blue Poppy    
• Himalayan Cushion Plant    
• Himalayan Gentian    
• Himalayan Primrose    
• Himalayan Rhododendron    

FAQS about Sagarmatha National Park

How many mountains are there in Sagarmatha National Park?

Sagarmatha National Park is home to over 90 of the world's high Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest and the Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam, along with 7 peaks over 7000 metres. 

What permits are required to enter Sagarmatha National Park?

There are some fees for visitation to Sagarmatha National Park including entry permits and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) cards before trekking into the area. The permits are useful for tracking tourism arrivals and for managing conservation efforts. 

What are the rules for Sagarmatha National Park?

Hunting, logging, and littering are not permitted to ensure the ecology in the park is not disturbed. Visitors must stay on designated tracks and must be respectful of the local culture, customs and wildlife. 

Is Sagarmatha National Park a series of high peaks?

Yes. The park is made up of a chain of aligned Himalayan peaks including the highest, Mount Everest, and many others above 7000m. 

What is the height of Sagarmatha National Park?

The elevation range of Sagarmatha National Park is approximately 2845m at the south gate to 8848m at the top of Mount Everest.