Sagarmatha National Park, the name Sagarmatha stands for Mt. Everest in Nepal, while the local native calls it Chomolungma. A name of Tibetan language origin, in both languages, means a ‘Mother like the Great Ocean. Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1,148 sq. k.m around the district of Solu-Khumbu within Nepal’s North Mid-East Himalayas.
Around the high Khumbu or Everest range, the entrance point is near the village of Monjo.Where all trekkers require to obtain the Sagarmatha National Park entrance fees of about NRS 33,00 for foreign visitors. As for neighboring South East Asia, Areas Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is NRS 1,500 per person.
The main headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park is located on top famous Namche Bazaar. Approx. 3,450 m / 11, 647 feet high, a scenic location for views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. Includes other famous peaks Ama Dablam, Thermasarkhu, Kwangde, and Khangtiaga with dramatic landscape views.
One of the world’s highest Parks and the Himalayas, with 8,000 m world’s tallest peaks. Likewise Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Cho-Oyu, and several high above 7,000 m and below. Namely, Mt. Pumori, Nuptse, and Gyachung Kang, the park was established in 1976. Added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979, enriched with exotic flora and fauna.
The park with famous major villages Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, and Thame with Pangboche and Phortse. Where rest of the places on route Everest base camps are temporary settlements of Yak herders. As well as having nice lodges to cater to the need and comfort of trekkers overnight stops.
The Sagarmatha with varied vegetation and landscapes rises from an average of 2,880 m to the world’s tallest Mt. Everest at 8,848.86 m. The tree lines and rich green vegetation exist up to 3,900 m till Tengboche Monastery and few around Pangboche village. Beyond 4,000 m the area is dry with moon-like landscapes with scenic glacial valleys.
Sagarmatha National Park is a famous and popular adventure destination for mountaineering expeditions to lesser peak climbing. But the major flow of visitors is for trekking to its various scenic areas. The most popular trekking destinations are Everest base camp (5364m), crossing three high passes of Everest above 5,000 m high.
As well to the picturesque Gokyo valley and its beautiful lakes, the adventure includes moderate to adventurous walks. Sagarmatha National Park offers stunning viewpoints from the top of Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery. Most famous and high is Kalapathar at 5,643 m / 18,514 feet and Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m / 17, 575 feet. On treks around Sagarmatha National Park, trekkers can enjoy the marvelous scenery of snow-capped peaks, throughout the walk also.
Besides spectacular views on treks and climbing on top viewpoints, the park treasures exotic flora and fauna. The vegetation includes pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir and juniper, birch, and rhododendron woods. Higher areas above 4,000 m with scrub and alpine plant species with bare rock and snow. Trekkers can enjoy the famed rhododendrons flowers of various colors and species. From spring season of March to May is the blooming time.
Although various flora is also spectacular and colorful during the monsoon season of June to August. Wild mammals likely to be seen around the Sagarmatha National Park are the Himalayan Thar, Ghoral, Serow, and Musk Deer. The snow leopard and Himalayan black bear exist but are rarely sighted. But other smaller animals rarely seen are the weasel, marten, Himalayan mouse hare (pika), and jackal.
The park is colonized by the Sherpa, also known as Highlanders of the eastern Himalayas. The Sherpa is known as famous natural mountaineers and mountain guides, due to their hard life in mountainous terrain. Within Sagarmatha National Park populated by approx. 3,000 Sherpa families, whose lives are interwoven with Buddhism religions and cultures.
Similar to their Tibetan predecessors, across the border north of Khumbu bounded by the high Nangpa-La Pass. The Sherpa main settlements are Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Tengboche, Pangboche, and Phortse. The Khumbu Sherpa’s main economy has traditionally been heavily based on trade and livestock herding.At present for last four decades the flow of international mountaineering expeditions and the influx of trekkers. The livelihood is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism.