Visit Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal (2024)
Mostly known for being immensely close to the breathtakingly beautiful Mount Everest, Sagarmatha National Park is genuinely one of Nepal’s unique regions. This site has more than 1,148 square km and is located in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Even though Sagarmatha is a national park, tourists mostly visit there to reach the Everest base. Many mountaineers who have successfully scaled Mount Everest went to Sagarmatha to fulfill their dreams. Although the highest point of this national park is the highest peak globally, most of it is located at 9842 feet. That is why so many new hikers and mountaineers visit Sagarmatha with professional guides.
Sagarmatha national park has been popular among adventure enthusiasts since the 1960s, but it was not until 1976 that it got listed under World Heritage Sites. Not only is Sagarmatha home to the spectacular Mount Everest, but also, it is home to other major mountain peaks, including Pumori, Thamserku, Kangtaiga, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachuyang, and others. Apart from these massive mountain ranges, Sagarmatha is famous for being the snow leopards and red pandas’ habitat. Both of these species of animals are rare and becoming increasingly endangered in the world.
If you have always dreamt of one partaking in an epic adventure in your life, visiting Sagarmatha National Park might be the most incredible option for you. This national park is quite different from other wildlife conservation sites. People visit there to witness the mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas as well as see unique wildlife species. In this blog, you will get to learn a lot about this wildlife reserve. So, let us venture into the wilderness of Sagarmatha, one of the mystical regions of the world.
Flora and Fauna Species Found in Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park is home to some of the most beautiful flora species in Asia. As this site is located at varying altitudes from 13000 to 16000 feet, Juniper and Rhododendrons can be seen over there. These spectacular flowers are pretty uncommon and can be seen in this park only. You will be surprised to know that more than 1000 species of flowers are found in Sagarmatha National Park. Most of these flowers could not grow anywhere on earth as they require extreme altitudes for their growth. While exploring the region, do not forget to keep an eye out for Himalayan Birch as they are pretty hard to locate and are extremely beautiful.
Apart from snow leopards, musk deer, Indian leopards, Ghoral, wolves, Lynx, weasels, etc., are also found in this park. Sagarmatha National Park is one of the most critical habitats for endangered species of birds in Asia. It has been recorded that more than 208 bird species are living in Sagarmatha. Some of the most uncommon birds residing in the park premises include the bearded vulture, alpine chough, Impeyan pheasant, etc. While exploring the park, you will undoubtedly come across some birds and, if you are lucky, then some wild animals.
Essential Tips to Keep in Mind While Visiting Sagarmatha National Park
- Trekking to Sagarmatha is not an easy deal. It requires preparation and perseverance to complete this trek successfully. Follow the points mentioned below to not miss out on the critical details of Sagarmatha National Park.
- To buy an entry ticket to Sagarmatha National Park, you will have to visit Namche Bazar or Monzo. These tickets are officially known as access passes and cost INR 1500 for SAARC nationals. If you are not from any one of the SAARC countries, you will have to pay INR 3000 to enter the park premises.
- Always remember to trek during daylight. It would be best if you didn’t hike after dusk. By trekking in the dark, you will face difficulty in navigating rugged terrains and face dangers due to the wildlife of Sagarmatha.
- Remember to bring some basic first aid while visiting Sagarmatha National Park. As the entire trekking route is devoid of any hospital or medical facility, exploring the region without any first aid kit will be an awful idea.
- If you have forgotten to bring any primary trekking equipment with you, do not panic, as there are a lot of shops in Namche Bazar that will sell you those items. In the shops of this market, you will also find woolen garments and light snacks.
- Remember to wear comfortable clothes for trekking in Sagarmatha National Park. If you are planning on camping, try investing in a good-quality sleeping bag.
- Even though the weather in Sagarmatha is pretty cold, do not forget to bring sunscreen lotion with you. Also, bring microfiber towels for cleaning yourself efficiently.
Places to Visit in and Near the Park
Sagarmatha National Park has some of the most beautiful places in the world. You will be able to see them while trekking in the region. Some of the most popular ones are given below.
1. Gokyo Lake
Located at an altitude of 15500 feet, the Gokyo lakes are stunning. These lakes are oligotrophic. Six different lakes combine to form the Gokyo lake. It is the highest freshwater lake in the world. Among the six lakes, the Thonak lake is the most significant contributor. The scenic view of Gokyo lake is breathtakingly beautiful.
You will genuinely be mesmerized by its otherworldly beauty. The reflection of Mount Everest on this lake will make you happy that you ever visited this site. Trekking to Gokyo lakes can be pretty tiresome, but when you will ultimately get there and witness its spellbinding beauty, you will understand every trouble was worth it.
2. Khumbu Glacier
Known for being the highest glacier globally, the Khumbu glacier is undoubtedly one of the most critical points on your trek to Sagarmatha. This glacier is situated between Mount Lhotse and Mount Everest and has the highest point at 25000 feet.
Most trekkers visit its lowest point, located at 15000 feet. While scaling Mount Everest, most mountaineers face the hurdles created by the Khumbu glacier. The Khumbu icefall is one of the most challenging limitations that mountaineers come across while climbing Mount Everest.
3. Mount Taboche
Many adventure enthusiasts and professional hikers trek to Mount Taboche to witness some of the most majestic spectacles on earth. This point allows you to get a mesmerizingly spectacular view of the Himalayas. Moreover, this site also has a monastery. It is said that this temple is the highest in the world. Reaching Mount Taboche will genuinely give you a sense of accomplishment in your life.
4. Kala Patthar
Located at the height of 18,519 feet, Kala Patthar is one of Nepal’s best points from where you could get a crystal-clear view of Mount Everest. This point allows tourists to see the highest peak of the world up close.
To reach Kala Patthar, trekkers have to hike a challenging terrain. This site can be reached from Gorakhstep. Gorakshep is the base of Mount Everest. As the trail to Kala Patthar from Gorakshep is exceptionally steep, not many hikers can attain it. That is why only professional trekkers and mountaineers partake in this hike. If you are an experienced hiker, you must visit Kala Patthar at least once in your life. It is the best point in Sagarmatha and the best point in the world to get a spectacular view of Mount Everest.
5. Dudh Koshi River
Dudh Koshi river is located inside Sagarmatha national park. The region where the river flows through the park is one of the most beautiful areas of Nepal. You will be genuinely bewildered by the majestic allure of this river with the surrounding beauty of the Himalayas.
The turquoise blue water of the river amid the surrounding snow-capped Himalayan peaks is spellbindingly astonishing.
6. Khumjung Village
Located at an altitude of 12500 feet, the Khumjung village is one of the world’s most mystical places. Situated in the Sagarmatha National Park, this village is one of the highest towns in the world. You will realize how difficult it is for them to sustain themselves in such rugged terrain by visiting there.
One of the most notable things on this site is the Khumjung school. This school was constructed in 1961 and was built by Edmund Hillary’s trust. It is one of the few remote areas in Asia where internet and mobile connections are available quite easily.
Ways to Reach Sagarmatha National Park
Reaching Sagarmatha National Park might feel overwhelming, but in reality, the process is relatively straightforward. Primarily, there are three ways through which you will get to visit this park easily. They are given as follows.
Flights: The nearest airport from Sagarmatha National Park is located in Lukla. Commonly known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla is located only 33 km from the forest. Now, there is a catch. To reach the park, you will have to trek for at least two days from Lukla. Reaching Lukla is not a big deal. You will find plenty of flights from Kathmandu to get there. Usually, the journey from Tribhuvan airport to Tenzing-Hillary airport takes around one and a half hours.
The distance between the said airports is approximately 138 km.
The trek from Lukla to Sagarmatha is quite tricky, but you will have no problem completing it with the guidance of a local guide.
There is another flight that you can take to reach Sagarmatha National Park. Many people love trekking and want for than two or three days of it. That is why they take a flight to Tumlingtar or Phaplu airport. From Phaplu, it would require you at least five days to trek towards Sagarmatha National Park.
Road: Now, nobody can reach Sagarmatha National Park directly by roads. To get there, one has to trek for some days. Some buses will allow you to reach Jiri and Salleri. Now, Jiri is the point that many adventurers and hikers choose to get to Sagarmatha. As the distance between Jiri and Sagarmatha is around 100 km, it takes about ten days of trekking to reach the forest. Now, if you love trekking, you can choose Jiri as your starting point.
Otherwise, you can select Salleri. From Salleri, you will have to trek for five days to get to Sagarmatha. Buses to Jiri as well as Salleri are pretty readily available from Kathmandu.
Helicopters: In the past few years, Helicopters have become pretty standard among tourists who do not love trekking. By availing of a helicopter, you will get to visit Sagarmatha National Park directly. These helicopters can be availed from Kathmandu. They will drop you off at Everest Base Camp or Namche Bazar. Many mountaineers who wish to scale Mount Everest choose helicopters over any other transportation modes to reach Sagarmatha.
Best Months to Visit the Sagarmatha National Park
If you want to explore Sagarmatha National Park comfortably, try visiting it between March and May; and October and November. In these months, the weather of Sagarmatha will be perfect for trekking for multiple days.
No matter when you go to Sagarmatha, always avoid the monsoons between July and September. In these months, the weather in the region is awful. Moreover, it is pretty dangerous to trek in the challenging terrains of Sagarmatha in heavy rainfall.
Top Places to Stay Near Sagarmatha National Park
There are some great hotels, homestays, and inns located near Sagarmatha National Park. You could easily stay there for a day or two to acclimate to the surrounding.
Thanka Inn Gokyo
Thanka Inn is a cozy bed and breakfast located in the Khumjung village of Nepal. As this inn is located inside the Sagarmatha National Park premises, resting there for a day during your expedition in this region is a great idea. This property offers clean and well-maintained rooms. As this hotel comes with a terrace, you will appreciate the surrounding beauty of the Himalayas more effectively. It will be better for you if you pick a room with a balcony while staying there.
Address: Khumjung 56000, Nepal.
Phone Number: +977 981-3899146.
Price of a room per night: INR 2500.
Shreedewa Lodge
The Shreedewa Lodge, Pangboche is one of the most luxurious and beautiful resorts located in Sagarmatha National Park. This property, too, is located in the Khumjung village of Nepal. With comfortable rooms, an in-house restaurant, and mesmerizingly beautiful surroundings, this hotel is the perfect place to spend a few days during your exhilarating trek in Sagarmatha National Park. Apart from all the said aspects, this hotel also has an in-house bar.
Address: Pngboche, Khumjung 56000, Nepal.
Phone Number: Not available.
Price of a room per night: INR 2200.
Sagarmatha National Park is the pride of Nepal. It is one of the most critical regions in the world. Visiting this site will be the highlight of anyone’s life. If you are serious about going to Sagarmatha, make proper planning of your entire itinerary. Even though guides will help you in your quest, you must have exhaustive knowledge regarding the site.
It will be better for you if you bookmark this page while planning your trip. We Hope you had a great time reading this guide and all the best for your upcoming adventure.
