Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Posted in Asia | February 22, 2011 | Comment NowRegarded as the world’s highest national park, the Sagarmatha National Park is the home of the highest point on Earth called Mount Everest that itself is known as ‘Sagarmatha = Sky for Sagar and head for Matha’. Therefore, it is obvious that this park is perched as high as on 3000 meters whose most of the landscape is a rocky deep terrain as well as steep gorges of the high Himalayas. Because of the rising height, the Sagarmatha National Park boasts four different climatic zones: a forested lower zone, the upper alpine zone, a zone of alpine scrub, and the Arctic zone without any foliage. Depending on the altitude, you get to see the different and diverse mammals and birds. The park flanks some of the tallest peaks in the world making it one of the must to visit places for the adventurers and backpackers. Lastly, the park holds much religious as well as cultural significance as it is full of several sacred sites like Thyangboche besides being the homeland of the Sherpas.
Sights/Activities
The park is not only the home of the impressive hill scenes and the diverse flora as well as fauna, but it is also the land of a few monasteries and gompas. The Visitor Center of the park is at Mendalphu that means the Headquarters. It is atop the hill in Namche Bazaar where you can also visit the museum of natural history and cultural heritage. In the area, also look for Thame Gomba – a vital religious center where in May, the famous Mani Rimdu festival is held. If you are coming in June, be a part of the Dumje festival in Khumjung Gomba as well as at the Namche and Pangboche monasteries. And yes, do also visit the Tengboche Gomba that offers magnificent vistas of Mt. Everest and the peaks.
Within the Sagarmatha National Park, there are many majestic mountains, deep valleys, and glaciers all of which are ruled by the highest peak of Mount Everest soaring up to 8,848 m. For the wildlife lovers, several rare species are easily seen, such as the lesser panda and the snow leopard. And finally, you just cannot go without meeting one of the Sherpas who live uniquely as compared to the other altitude dwellers. I recommend talking with them for some time to explore their interestingly unique culture.
Activities
There are two ways to explore the Sagarmatha National Park: nature walk and trekking. Among the two, it is said that the park is best known on foot. This is because as you walk with the nature, your sense of excitement is unmatchable here with which the vegetation and wildlife along with the cultural life is fully known.
However, for the more zealous, trekking is good here. Out of the many trails, the most popular is the trail to the Kala Pathar Peak via the thrilling treks to the Gokyoand Chukung Valleys.
Climbing the peaks is only possible if you have a permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association.
Fauna
The endangered ones include Wild Yak, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, and the Himalayan Black Bear. Big mammals that are seen easily here are the Musk Deer and the Himalayan Tahr, while the other mammals include the Jackal, Weasels, Himalayan Black Bear, Common Langur Marten, and the Himalayan Mousehare (Pika).
Coming to the birds, there are more than 100 species here of which the most common are the Impeyan Pheasant (Danphe), Yellow-billed Chough, Redbilled Chough, and Blood pheasant.
Flora
In the Lower Forested Zone, you can spot Birch, Juniper, Bamboo, Firs, Hemlock, Blue Pines, and Rhododendon in shining colors in monsoon as well as spring; while the Upper Zone restricts itself to Lichens and Mosses.
Best time to visit
- October to November
- December to February
Fee
Rs. 650 at the entrance in Monju and ticket counter in Thamel.
Accommodation
- Everest View Hotel above Namche Bazar
- Lodge at Tengpoche with cooking and toilet facilities
- Sherpa hotels
Reaching the park
There are many ways to reach the park, which are listed as follows.
- Flight to Lukla from Kathmandu, from where a walk for two days is required
- Bus to Jiri from where a walk of 10 days is needed
- Flight to Syangboche that is the world’s highest airstrip
- Flight to Phaplu from where a 5-day walk is followed
- Flight to Tumlingtar from where walk of 10 days is observed
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