Sagarmatha National park (1,148 sq
km)
The prime attraction in the
Sagarmatha National Park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world. The
park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The park, a part of
the Himalayan ecological zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which
are above 6,000 meters.
With most of the park above 3,000
meters, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges glaciers and huge
rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a
blend of natural and cultural tourist products here.
The vegetation at lower elevation is
dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3,500 meters the forest is
dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper trees. During
spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen.
The common wildlife in the park are
Himalayan Tahr, Ghoral Musk Deer, Pikka (mouse hare), weasel, jackal etc. Other
rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf lynx, and snow leopard.
Beirs inhabiting the park are of over 118 species.Common ones among them are
impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, red billed cough, yellow-billed
cough, snow cock, snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon, and lammergeryer.
The national park also showcases the
cultural trophies with the warm Sherpa hospitality and its many monasteries and
cultural landmarks.
- Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering
- Accommodation: Resort hotels, lodges, camping
- Access: Two-day walk form Lukla which is 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu
- Best Season: Oct-Nov and Mar-May; Dec-Feb (snow, daytime temperature 5 degree Celsius), Jun-Sep (rainy)
- Park Headquarter: Mandalphu, Namche Bazaar, Tel: 038-626043
