A well known destination for mountain tourism, Sagarmatha national park is a combined place with nature and cultural inception on northern mountain of eastern Nepal. Sagarmatha is a Nepali word deriv from two other words, Sagar meaning ‘sky’ and matha meaning ‘head.’ The name represents the glory of the Mount Everest which increases our pride as high as the sky. It is the home of the highest peak in the world. This park was introduced in 19 july 1976(2033). The world highest peak Mt.Everest with 8848 mtr. is located in Solukhumbu district also with dramatic mountains, deep valleys,glaciers, high rocks increases the beauty of this place.
Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. Sagarmatha National Park is popular not only for the breathtaking beauty but also due to the culture that prevails there. Some 6,000 Sherpas live in the surrounding 20 villages such as Kunde, Khumjung, Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche, Thame, Pangboche and Phortse.
Location of Sagarmatha National Park
It extends over an area of 1,148 square km of khumbu region. For its superlative natural characteristics, UNESCO has enlisted Sagarmatha national park as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The park includes the upper catchments of Dudhkoshi and Bhotekoshi rivers and largely composed of high Himalayas, famed of Sherpa people.The region ranges in altitude from less than 2,000 m above sea level at Jiri to the high peaks of the Himalaya at over 8,000 m
Flora and fauna
A large number of creatures call this park as a home.Hence the flora and fauna is diverse with dense forest of pine, oak and the flowering rhododendrons up to 4,000 m. Those which mostly we can spot here are musk deer,black bears, Ghoral,etc. We can look out for weasels, jackals, mouse hares (pika), snow leopard,lynx and wolves. There are 194 species of birds in this national park including Lophophorus (Daphne),blood pheasant, snow cock,red-billed chough and many others. The famed rhododendrons(laligurans), bloom during the spring from April to May, though most of the flora is colorful during the monsoon season, from June to August.
The lower zone is a forest of birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo,and rhododendron. Moving upwards, the vegetation is slowed replaced by dwarf plants and shrubs and is limited to lichens and mosses in the higher altitudes.
Climate
The climate of Sagarmatha varies from semi-arid subtropical to a temperate season with rainfall. This region usually have cold temperature comparing to others. As it is the national park with the world highest point mountain naming Sagarmatha definitely it has colder climate.
How to Reach Sagarmatha National Park ?
Air and road transportation are available to reach this region safely. The distance between Kathmandu and Sagarmatha national park is 137 km.
It takes about 1 hour 9 min to reach Sagarmatha National park through plane. daily flights are accessible.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sagarmatha is between October and November or, between March and May. The best time to visit the park is in autumn season of October-November and from March-May in summer. It’s not only about the best time to visit but one can visit it over the whole year. It offers you the different climatic experience.
Activity in Sagarmatha National Park
There are plenty of things to do and experience on this park as you want. You can make this trip as a attraction enriching by adding all these experience:
- Hiking
- camping
- Trekking
It can includes the views from many other places to mountains and chilling with friends and family.The protected area has been identified as a Important bird area.