Sagarmatha National Park: Must-See Attractions and Best Trekking Routes

Geographical Location and Climatic Context: Where is Sagarmatha National Park Located?

Sagarmatha National Park is situated in the northeastern part of Nepal, within the Khumbu region, covering 1148 square kilometers along with a 275 square kilometers buffer zone, encompassing the elevation from 2845 meters to 8848.86 meters in altitude.

The park is bordered by Tibet (China) on the northern side, and lies between 27°9785 N latitude and 86°662 E Longitude, with the six climatic zones from the woodland areas (forested section), to the terraced fields, sherpa villages, in the mid altitude, and sub-alpine zones with the mountains and glaciers at the higher elevation. Bordered by the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River alongside, this territory features diverse landscapes, surrounded by huge mountains, deepest valleys, gorges, wetlands, some great Everest viewpoints, and thrilling mountain passes, making it one of the natural UNESCO world heritage sites. 

The elevation starts to range from 2845 meters at Jorsalle and reaches the highest level of 8848.86 meters above sea level, featuring some of the greatest Himalayan peaks, such as Ama Dablam, Tharmseku, and eight-thousanders, including Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Lhotshe, centered by the world's tallest peak - Mount Everest. On top of that, along with the mountains, the pristine glaciers of Imja, Khumbu, Nzogumpa, etc., are formed by the melting of the pristine mountains. 

History and Naming of Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park was established on July 19, 1976 A.D, which was named after Mount Everest itself, where "Sagar" denotes sky and "Matha" denotes head, in the Sanskrit language, that comes together refer to "Forehead in the sky". This name highly signifies the mountain's tallest height, which pinnacle, touches the sky, and also, as Nepal considers heaven as a home to god, and the mountain as a deity itself, especially in Tibetan Buddhism practices and Hinduism as well. 

The name captures the essence of spiritual belief, connecting earth, god, and heaven. However, the old name of the "Sagarmatha" was "Chomolungma", until the famous literary scholar Baburam published it's article entitled "Sagarmatha" in 1938, stating the fact that the mountain was referred to as Sagarmatha by Sherpas of the Everest region, due to which nepalese government has officially, considered the name - Sagarmatha after 2 full decades of his publication. Still, in the present day, the name remains debatable and holds controversies, as the local Tibetans of China and Chinese representatives still prefer the old Tibetan name, named as Chomlungma - "Goddess Mother of the world", claiming their rights and political claim on the northern side of the mountain.

After the first ascent to the world's highest mountain by Sir Edmund Hillary with the assistance of the Sherpa climbing guide, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the flow of the many summiters, or even the trekkers, was rapidly increasing back in those days, following the ancient route via roadway (Phaplu and Salleri). Whereas, after the Lukla Airport was built in 1964, the traffic of the trekkers and climbers rapidly increased, which is why the Sagarmatha National Park was introduced in 1976 AD, to conserve the untamed beauty and wildlife, and preserve the Sherpa culture and tradition, by the Wildlife Conservation Office, Ministry of Office and Forest and the Government of Nepal.

Later in 2002, A buffer zone was declared to protect and manage the sustainability and development effort, covering 275 square km. approximately, where the park is a pristine landmark to endangered species, including Himalayan birds, elusive, rare species, and the Sherpa villages, who have been here for decades. In the present day, 2025, the tourism flow is recorded to be approximately. 700 visitors per day, and expected to increase by 10% in the upcoming years, as the trek to Everest Base Camp is rapidly booming on the internet, for those willing to explore the Sherpa culture, historical landmarks like Tengboche and Khumjung Monastery, and reach the lap of the world's highest peak, with the best panoramic view of mountains.

Major Facts about Sagarmatha National Park

1. The park features diverse climatic zones and ecological systems, with some of the greatest mountains and glaciers like Nzomgumpa, Imja, and the iconic Khumbu glacier and Khumbu Ice Fall.
2. Bordering Tibet (China), on the northern side shares with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, the park has a great impact of the Tibetan Buddhism culture, since the historical salt trade, where Namche, the central hub, used to be the trading hub for Tibetan merchants and sherpas.
3. Home to the world's highest peak - Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks, including Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotshe, Nuptshe, and other glacial systems, which play an important role in scientific research and the evolutionary process of science. 
4. Features several Himalayan species, including the Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, and langur monkeys, in the forest area, as well as blooming rhododendrons and pines, set against the backdrop of high mountains and glaciers.
5. The elevation starts from Monjo at an elevation of 2845 meters, to the highest point mountain in the world, Mount Everest at 8848.48 meters, where 25 Himalayan ranges, above 6000 meters, and 7 snowcapped peaks above 7000 meters, and features terraced fields, woodlands, glacial valleys, and glaciers like Nzongumpa, Khumbu, Imja and 3 Everest Pinnacles - Kong Ma La, Renjo La and Cho La.
6. The park is widely settled by approximately 6000 sherpas, where more than 20 sherpa villages, and monasteries such as Tengboche monastery, Pangboche, and Khumjung monastery, with the architecture, sculptures, and the sherpa cultures, traditions, and lifestyle are still preserved in ancient days.
7. A haven for bird watchers, as approximately 180 to 294 Himalayan birds, including the Himalayan monal - Danfe, snowcock, blood pheasant, and other birds, thrive in the dense forested and alpine valleys.
8. The world's highest altitude national park, and the most visited tourism destination for trekking and climbing expeditions, including Mera, Island (Imja Tse), Lobuche, to the famous wetland of Gokyo Lakes, Seto Pokhari, and the trekking route to the iconic Everest Base Camp (EBC), Everest 3 passes, etc.
9. Highly socially contributed economically by the international organizations, visitors, summiters, for instance, the famous Hillary School and Health Center was built by Sir Edmund Hillary, after the successful climb, making the record of the first person to climb the world's tallest peak.
10. Several eco-friendly practices and sustainability, to save the mountain area and promote the "Go Green Planet", by carrying paper bags, reusable bags, avoiding plastics, opting for biodegradable products like bamboo toothbrushes, combs, and so on. Hence, if you are the one, follow the best sustainable practices to protect Mother Nature.

Things to do in Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park stands out being the highest national park to exist in the world, reaching the highest elevation of 8848 meters, which marks the summit point or pinnacle of the world's tallest peak - Mount Everest. The elevation range basically rises from 2840 meters from Monjo and reaches such a high elevation above sea level, due to which, the park features diverse flora and fauna, glacial valleys, wetlands (lakes), and glaciers, along with some of the highest mountains in the world.

There are many major adventurous things that you can do in Sagarmatha National Park, no matter what the time duration, easier or challenging trekking route, and budget you are looking for. To know in depth, let's take a deep dive into the fascinating exploration that you can do while visiting the world's highest park.

Visit Everest Base Camp and Mark the New Height at Kala Patthar

One of the major highlighted features of this iconic, pristine landmark is the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek, which is the foothill of the world's highest peak of the world. The journey to the EBC takes you on a deeper dive into the untamed beauty of the blooming rhododendrons, terraced fields, with fully grown crops, or the harvestation or plantation glimpse, with the exploration of bustling town - Namche, and exploration of the sherpa culture while settling at notable settlements such as Phakding, Dingboche, Tengboche, Pangboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep, on the following days, which starts with a Lukla Flight.

The most attractive section of the overall adventure stands out to be Kala Patthar, which is also the highest elevation and the final destination of this trip, perched at an elevation of 5545 meters, showing the panoramic view of Mount Everest along with other eight-thousanders. The total duration depends on how the itinerary has been set, your pace level, and the kind of transportation accessibility that you are rooting for, as there are many options from roadway to regular flight to heli ride available. Reaching the base camp and Kalapatthar is an accomplishment and marking new heights, to your bucket list, with a reward coming with the 360-degree sunrise and sunset view of the greatest mountains and glaciers.

Explore the Six Series of Holy Gokyo Lakes

Located within Sagarmatha National Park, the 6 series of Gokyo Lakes are a hidden treasure at a high altitude formed by the melting of the largest glacier in the Himalayas - Ngozumpa Glacier. These holy lakes highly signify the spiritual and natural wonder, where the mountains reflect beautifully, without being untamed or hidden. Situated at an elevation ranging from 4700 meters to 5000 meters, within the Gokyo Valley, Gokyo Tsho, also known as Dudh Pokhari, is known as the sacred lake, whereas the deepest lake marks to be the Thonak Cho. To explore the holy six series lake, you can opt for the Gokyo Lake Trek, which follows the route of the standard trail of the EBC, and diverges from the pathway from Dole and Machhermo, reaching the highest point at Gokyo Ri - 5357 meters. The major attractions of this odyssey are the fish lens views of the Himalayan range, including Cho Oyu, Lhotshe, Nuptse, Makalu, with an exploration of ancient Sherpa villages and tea houses as the route is less facilitated.

Cross over the Three Everest High Passes over 5000 meters

Another major attraction of the Sagarmatha National Park is the Everest 3 Pinnacles, which exceed a height of 5000 meters, in a series, covering the Khumbu region as a whole Khumbu region. The trek to Everest Three Passes leads you to cross over Renjo La (5350 m), Cho La (5424 m), and Kongma La (5535 m), traversing through rugged with diverse landscapes, and the best part, you will reach the base camp of Everest and the pristine Gokyo Lake as well, which is why it is also named as Everest Circuit Trek.

This trip demands almost 19 days of duration covering more than 200 kilometers, walking trail, and attains the highest vantage point of Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5437 meters, exploration of ancient Sherpa villages such as Thame, Lungden, Thagnak, Dzongla, and Gokyo Valley passing along the Ngozumpa Glacier. This adventure is more challenging and less facilitated compared to the EBC, and genuinely fits the experienced hikers only. However, beginners can look forward to doing solely for Renjo La or Cho La, avoiding the Everest Base Camp, which minimizes the distance coverage, along with challenges. 

Explore the Rich Sherpa Culture, Traditions, and Lifestyle

The Everest region is widely settled by the Sherpas who migrated from Eastern Tibet long way back, and have been residing here for decades, who are highly influenced by the Tibetan Buddhism culture and spirituality, and some of them still follow the Bon tradition, due to which Sherpas respect mountains, and treat mountains as a god, following the guidance of gurus (lamas). While visiting the Sagarmatha National Park, you will basically settle in at the tea house or lodges within the Everest region, where you can interact with locals, learn their languages, get to see their lifestyle, and try their Sherpa foods, homemade. Sherpas still preserve their culture and traditions by hosting prayers in the monasteries, and their traditionally built houses, dotted with mani walls and colorful Tibetan Buddhism flags, whereas their economy highly depends on animal husbandry and traditional farming, except for those who run accommodation services and provide warm hospitality to the locals.

Just to let you know, Sherpas are the ones who lead many summiters, climbers to the mountains as mountain guides and porters, and even trekking guides, due to which there are many records set by the legends, backed by the Sherpas. Along the park, you might hear some of the thrilling, deadly stories, as well, from Sherpa families, so make sure to interact with them. The sherpas still maintain their generational culture, where the proof is the traditional way of jewelry making, thangka paintings, handicraft items, and even trekking gear, passed down through their generational techniques. If time favors your holiday duration, then tailor the package with the Mani Rimdu festival, Lhosar, and many other celebrations, where the prayers are hosted with masked dances in villages and monasteries, with colorful dress and jewels.

Experience the Thriving Hub and Premium Luxury Lodges at Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar stands out as the popular spot and is also considered the capital city of the Everest region, which also acts as the first stopping point within the Sagarmatha National Park, and main acclimatization point as well. Namche basically hosts bustling cafes, restaurants, bars, and also luxury lodges, along with the Buddhist Tibetan influences, dotting the town with mani walls, chortens, red shrines, and so on. showing the perfect fusion of the premium settlements along with deeply rooted Sherpa culture and tradition.

What makes the Namche more highlighted is the same tea houses, in the hillside, with painted green and blue roof tops, that look like you are not in the Himalayan adventure, that seem like somewhere surreal, or any other town of another country. Many people visit Namche just to experience the luxury facilities, and amongst all, the Everest View Hotel - the world's highest situated hotel grabs everyone's attention, which is visited along the trekking route, or during the Everest View Trek, which marks the hotel as a final destination if opted for 5 days. The trip begins with a short Lukla Flight, or you can take direct access via a helicopter ride, reaching the Syanboche village - the top hill of the Namche Bazaar. 

The rooftop of the Everest View Hotel demonstrates the panoramic views of the mountains, including eight-thousanders, such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Tharmseku, and stretches to the unhindered surrounding vista of the almighty peak of Mount Everest (8848.88 meters). For those short on time and newbies who want to travel with family and groups in style and luxury shall consider the trek to Everest View, or a heli direct flight to the hotel - Syangboche Hill.

Pay a visit to Khumjung, Pangboche, and Tengboche Monastery

One of the major things that you should definitely do while visiting Sagarmatha National Park is to explore the ancient monasteries, which are deeply rooted in the culture, tradition, and the historical and mythical beliefs of the Tibetans. Pangboche Monastery is known as the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region, which you will basically visit while returning from EBC, which has several architectural features, deity statues, thangka paintings, and textbooks, with some of the stories of the village itself, gurus (monks), and the gompa itself. On the other hand, the Khumjung Monastery is a mystical gompa, where the yeti scalp is still preserved, said to bring good fortune, to the monastery, including Buddhist murals, and offers the mountain views, including Lhotshe, Nuptshe, and Mt. Everest.

Tengboche Monastery stands at being the major center and the spiritual hub, located at 3867 meters between the confluence, the Imja Khola (Inja Tse) and the Dudh Koshi River. The gompa is a popular spot to gaze at the monks' prayers and celebrate several festivals such as Mani Rimdu, Buddha Jayanti (Lhosar), and daily prayers as well. Demonstrating the panoramic views of the mountains along with a Sherpa culture, traditions, and lifestyle, these three major monasteries within the Everest region are the main attractions that every enthusiastic hiker explores to pay a visit and unveil the culture of the Sherpas.

Bird Watching and Wildlife Spotting: A Haven for Wanderers

While entering the blooming rhododendrons and pines, expect to witness some of the notable Himalayan birds such as the Himalayan monal (Danfe), blood pheasant, snow pigeon, along the route, and some of the rarest birds like finches, yellow-billed choughs, etc, a haven for bird watchers. As the park hosts more than 100 species of birds and rare migrating birds, in the spring and autumn, expect to wander around the chirping sounds of birds right from the very start.

The Sagarmatha National Park (Mount Everest National Park) ranges its elevation from 2890 meters and reaches a height of more than 8000 meters, hosting a home to several wildlife species such as langur monkeys, musk deer, himalayan tahr, black bears in the green forest section, and the yaks grazing and blue sheep in the terraced fields over 3500 meters and crossing the highest elevation over 3200 meters, such as elusive red panda, snow leopard, etc. If you are visiting the Everest region during peak season, then expect to encounter rare animals and birds.

Climbing to the Pinnacle of Iconic Mountains 

The ultimate and iconic thrilling adventure that you can do within Sagarmatha National Park is climbing the new heights to some of the greatest heights, along with the world's highest mountain, Mt. Everest. The mountain is one of the greatest achievements for climbers, as reaching the pinnacle of 8848.88 meters is a record that one can ever achieve, after years of preparation and thousands of dollars. While it requires a lot of preparation and training with much prior experience, beginners can definitely opt for Island Peak (6165 meters) and the almighty Mera Peak at an elevation of 6476 meters, and the Lobuche Peak Climbing. The success rate for these two iconic mountains stands out to be 92 % out of 100% however, it can be successfully attained with the guidance of a licensed climbing mountain guide. Even though these peaks are high altitude mountain climbing, they do not include any technical sections, perfect for those who are seeking great heights or want to introduce themselves to the world of mountain climbing.

Helicopter Return from Your Final Destination

Even though you are willing to explore the trekking trail, to know what Himalayan adventure feels like, with rich cultural encounters of Sherpa locals, and want to experience the walking route, but still want to gain some first-hand aerial view of the Himalayan panorama, then you should do the EBC Trek with a Heli return. This adventure leads you to the Everest Base Camp through the notable settlements like Phakding, Tengboche, Dingboche, and reaches the base camp and Kalapatthar. Then, afterwards, you can take a helicopter return, enjoying the Himalayan panorama. This way, you can avoid the trekking trail back to Lukla, and also get the experience of the heli ride as well. 

How to reach Sagarmatha National Park?

There are several ways to visit the Sagarmatha National Park, the iconic landmark and the UNESCO Heritage Site, as the route is well facilitated and can be easily accessible, no matter whether you are short on time or want to experience the classic trailhead.

Meanwhile, before heading to the park, one must consider several things, firstly, following the rules and regulations, and to grab the official two permits, the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Pasang Lhamu Khumbu Municipality Permit. Another major thing remains the transportation accessibility, which you can either go for, Lukla Flight, Helicopter Ride, or follow the road to Lukla, and enter the Sagarmatha National Park, following the route to Namche Bazaar after officially registering the permit in Monjo.

Sagarmatha National Park by Lukla Flight

One of the easiest and most frequently used accessibility to access the park stands out to be the Lukla Flight, the 35-minute aircraft ride, which shows the breathtaking scenic views of the landscapes and mountains.

The flight can be directly accessed from Kathmandu domestic airport, whereas, might get diverted to Ramechhap Manthali Airport due to the bad and uncertain weather conditions, and of course! The huge flow of air traffic, as individuals in the peak seasons opt for the enchanting Mount EBC Trek, which is one of the most loved trekking route destinations, are willing to gaze at the mountains from the highest point, Kala Patthar. One of the interesting facts about Lukla is that it is also one of the dangerous airports to exist, due to a small landing slope at such high altitudes; however, high surveillance and maintenance are daily looked after by the expert teams, ensuring the flight engine is safe to proceed. 

Lukla also serves as a starting and ending point of the trek, with a first trekking trail, beginning point to Phakding, followed by Namche Bazar, and departing from Dole, Machhermo, if opting for the Gokyo and Three Passes adventure, if not, then, the journey continues following the Dengboche, Lobuche, Tengboche, Gorakshep and finally to the base camp explore the highland pristine beauty of the protected area of the park.

Sagarmatha National Park by Helicopter Ride

One of the direct access ways to the park marks the helicopter tour, which can directly take you to Lukla Airport, and then, you can get access to the Everest National Park, following the route to Phakding and Namche Bazaar. Or else, another medium is to get a direct 1-day helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp (EBC), which shows the beauty of the Sherpa villages, mountains, and transformation of landscapes along with glacial lakes and valleys. On the other hand, there are several points where the helicopter lands, such as Namche Bazaar - Syangboche Hill, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and directly to EBC and ultimately Kala Patthar. 

However, the helicopter ride will be on the expensive side, costing around USD 500 to USD 1900 per head, depending on the stopping point. To minimize the overall cost, one can venture out on a heli ride, on a sharing basis, with 5 other passengers.

Reaching, Kala Patthar, directly via helicopter for now since, January 1 2025, untill and unles, it's an emergency or rescue, other than that, to protect the environment and safety,  it is not allowed, untill further notice.

Sagarmatha National Park by Drive

Another way to reach the Everest region tends to be the roadway to Salleri and Jiri, which you can either take a drive via jeep (sharing one or private) or a local bus. For the bus, you can take it from the Bus Park or Gongabu Bus Park located in Kathmandu, just a few kilometers away from Thamel, and use the Indrive or Pathao app to get transported there. You can use the local bus to get there at the bus stop, as well. The route to Jiri is almost 100 kilometers from Kathmandu, and to reach the Sagarmatha National Park, 10 days (additional days, just to touch and enter the park from Namche Bazaar, whereas from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, it takes almost 15 days, covering more than 120 kilometers, in total.

Another short version to reach the park requires 5 days of time duration, starting from Salleri, following the route of Thaplu Danda, Chauri Kharka, and joining the route to Namche, officially entering, Everest region. 

Visiting the Sagarmatha National Park is one of the preferred options, as well, but the major drawback is the long distance and walking trail coverage through diverse terrain, which makes the trip more demanding. Meanwhile, it suits perfectly those who are looking forward to exploring the untamed beauty of nature and wildlife with ease, and settle in at an ancient tea house, avoiding the hassle and delay of the Lukla Flight.

Rules and Regulations for Sagarmatha National Park

Several rules and regulations have been implemented with an ongoing effort to preserve the culture, environment, and promote safety and tourism as well. This aim has highly influenced the conservation of the wildlife and also the varied ecosystems surrounding this pristine landmark. These official guidelines balance the high traffic flow of tourism, cultural integrity, rights of animals, and locals as well, maintaining the untamed beauty of the World Heritage UNESCO site, so visitors can explore the Himalayan adventure within this territory just as it is, without any destruction of Mother Nature.

1. Permits must be obtained, such as the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, costing around USD 27, which is NPR 2800 approximately, and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Permit, where the permits must be verified and registered at Monjo to enter the national park officially.
2. Once the permit is grabbed and accessed, the cost is non-refundable, even if you cancel the trip or any uncertain situation occurs; the cost cannot be refunded, whereas one must carry the permits throughout the journey, along with one photocopy of the permit for safety purposes. 
3. In many areas, solo trekking without a licensed guide isn't allowed, and must be commenced with an experienced assistance of the guide, whereas the porter option remains as per your personal choice.
4. To film movies, use drones or any short films, or episodes, for the selling purpose, such as cinema, Netflix, or other social platforms, one must obtain special permits from the Wildlife Conservation and the Department of National Parks, paying approximately USD 1500 for foreigners, whereas USD 480 for SAARC nationals, and USD 100 for Nepalese.
5. Trekking is only allowed in the trekking routes; do not venture to places that are not allowed to be accessed, and it is strictly prohibited. At the same time, camping must be done only in certain areas, for safety purposes.
6. Throwing the garbage anywhere is not allowed, and if caught, then extra fines are charged, so stay free from penalty by following the sustainability practices.
7. Touching or disturbing the wildlife is strictly not allowed for safety purposes, whereas, at the same time, plucking the Himalayan flora is not allowed as well.
8. Usage of plastic bags is not highly encouraged, nor are plastic bottles. Even if used, dispose of them in some dustbin areas, along the trailhead, or at the tea house, waste disposal bins, instead of using paper bags, and carry a water bottle that can be reused.
9. While visiting the heritage sites like monasteries, temples, or any cultural spots, follow the rules regarding photography, dress etiquette, leaving the slippers behind, and other rules as well.
10. Using motorbikes, cycles, or any transportation means directly to the park is not allowed without permission.

Sagarmatha National Park Weather and Temperature

The ideal seasons to visit Sagarmatha National Park are Spring from March and April, and Autumn, from September to November, as during this time frame, the weather remains stable, without any rapid fluctuations. Due to the moderate surroundings with less chance of precipitation, the clear views of the mountains and landscapes can be seen without any disturbance, with blooming rhododendrons and thriving festivals that fall in the months of Spring and Autumn.

The temperature usually ranges from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius below the elevation of 3000 meters, during the daytime, and might go down to 0 degrees Celsius at the nighttime. The mild humidity presents the ideal situation to venture out, without draining your energy, and makes the trip even easier, and goes smoothly. Whereas, after crossing the elevation above 3200 meters, above sea level, the temperature might range from 5 to 8 degrees Celsius during the day and drops down to a minimum of -5 degrees Celsius with a low level of snowfall, especially at some view points of the Everest region.

Meanwhile, after crossing the elevation above 5000 meters, near the base camp, the temperature falls below - 10 degrees Celsius at night, with moderate snowfall, maybe, during peak seasons, which can be manageable, with warm gear and a sleeping bag to settle in at the tea houses, and reach the Kala Patthar, the highest vantage point as well. On the other hand, during the off-season, along the monsoon and winter times, the climatic conditions drastically change, and might drop to - 22 degrees Celsius with high levels of snowfall, hence prior preparation, training, and contingency days are required in the off-season. 

Flora and Wildlife in Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park, being the world's highest park in the world stands out to be the home of several animals and flora, from lower altitudes to the higher elevation, above sea level exceeding 8000 meters. The park features diverse flora and wildlife from forested areas to the higher section, hosting more than 1100 plants along the varied climatic zones, and endangered wildlife are elusive, rare ones, across the landmark of the territory.

Flora

In the lower elevation, the lowland is widely covered with the blue pine known as Pinus wallichiana, Himalayan hemlock, Betula utilis, dominating below the altitude of 2800 meters.

Whereas, from an altitude of 2800 meters to 3500 meters, the woodland area, from where the trekking trail usually begins, is fully bloomed with the red rhododendrons, juniper, and fir, and even bamboo sections along the route, which is more colorful and thrives beautifully, in the shade of pink, blue, and red.

Meanwhile, after crossing the elevation above 4000 meters, the hardy plants that can only be seen in the Himalayas, including gentians, asters, and Himalayan poppy, etc. Near the base camp, along the alpine valleys and glaciers, the plant species mentioned cannot be able to the high sun exposure and heavy winds, and snowfall, including lichens, mosses, are rare alpine flowers thrived astonishingly.

Wildlife

Sagarmatha National Park serves as a home to diverse wild species, from rare to endangered animals, to some of the domestic mammals, as well as serving as a transportation means for locals, as well. More than 198 bird species have been recorded along the trailhead, which can be seen along the forested area, with the chirping sound of birds, like the Himalayan monal (Danfe), Nepal's national bird, blood pheasants, and bearded vultures, along with the rare migrating birds, making the route even more captivating.

While the lower elevation, forest area, such as Himalayan Tahr, langur monkeys, spotted deer, black bear, and the rare mammals, including the red panda, musk deer, and blue sheep (chyangra), are found in the mid elevation, and snow leopard at the high altitude, above 5000 meters.

Accommodations in Sagarmatha National Park

The tea houses and lodges along the park are well-facilitated and have proper amenities, as the route itself is the iconic trailhead, with many visitors all across the globe. While the regular trailhead to the Everest Base Camp is more facilitated with luxury lodges, tea houses, wifi, and charging amenities, with 5-star lodges. However, on the other route, for instance, the almighty Gokyo Lake and Three Passes, the trekking route is less facilitated, and more on the lodging and tea houses, basic. The accommodations en route, even though it is simple and run by Sherpa, are hygienically cleaned and looked after, whereas the accessibility to wifi (internet) is on a solar basis - a natural way of electricity, which is why extra dollars are charged from USD 2 to USD 5.

To know more, you can take a look at our recently updated blog: Accommodations along the Everest region.

Conclusion: Final Say

Sagarmatha National Park is a perfect fusion of natural diversity and the ancient culture of the Sherpa communities, which caters to the preferences of every enthusiastic hiker across the globe, no matter what kind of adventure you are looking forward to opt for. From short hikes to thrilling adventures passing through the rugged terrains, rocky pathways, glacier sections, and the high mountain passes, with the diverse culture of the Sherpa communities, the park is a haven for every kind of hiker. Navigating through the lowland of the forested area, to the terraced fields of sherpas and villages, to the highly surrounded mountains and monasteries being highly influenced by the Tibetan Buddhism communities, the Sagarmatha leaves an everlasting memory in everyone's heart, making it one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

FAQs

Why is Sagarmatha National Park regarded as a World Heritage Site?

Sagarmatha National Park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several reasons, with the main highlighted section standing out to be the diverse ecological and biodiversity, surrounded by the deep valleys, gorges, high mountains, and passes with the wide settlement of Sherpa cultures and traditions.

How long is Sagarmatha National Park from Kathmandu?

The distance coverage is approximately 138 kilometers, which can be covered most quickly via the Lukla Flight or a direct heli tour to Lukla or Gorakshep, starting from Kathmandu.

What permits are required to visit Sagarmatha National Park?

To visit the Sagarmatha National Park, there are 2 permits are required: firstly, the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, and secondly, the Pasang Lhamu Municipality Permit, which was replaced by the TIMS Card.

What are the attractions in the Sagarmatha National Park?

From the deep valleys, glaciers, and sherpa settlements, to the highest mountains, glaciers, and high passes over 5000 meters, with the surrounding mountains and Himalayan panorama etc., are the major attractions of the Sagarmatha National Park.

What is the height of Sagarmatha National Park?

The elevation range basically rises from 2840 meters at Monjo and reaches a high elevation above sea level of 8848 meters at Mt. Everest.