Unique among natural heritage sites world-wide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which includes Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and other high peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Located North-east of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National Park is 1,148 sq km. in area and consists of the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and the Imja Khola rivers. Much of the park lies above 3,000m. Sagarmatha is rugged, with deep gorges, glaciers and unnegotiable ice and rock faces. Locally known as the 'Khumbu', it is the home of the famous Sherpa people. The Sherpas make a living by farming barley and potatoes and graze their yaks in high altitude pastures. Young Sherpas have also made their name in mountaineering and the trekking industry has of late become the community's economic mainstay. In 1979 the park was declared a World Heritage Site.

Trees such as rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters above which they give way to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring and summer, the hillsides around the villages of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Thyangboche and Thame are a riot of colours with several species of rhododendon in bloom. Wildlife most likely to be seen in Sagarmatha are the Himalaya tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel and occasionally jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Birds commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.

Entry Fee Per Person Per Entry:
For Nepalese Nationals, Free
For SAARC Nationals, Rs. 100/-
For Other Foreign Nationals, Rs. 1,000/-

Access:
All of Khumbu is road-less, all travel and exploration must be undertaken on foot. Quick access are by helicopter at the Syangboche and via the Lukla airstrip from where the park head-office at Namche Bazaar is a two-day walk. Alternative approaches are from Jiri in the south-west and through Arun Valley in the south-east. Namche is 10 to 12 days trek on both these approaches. The best time to visit is in October and November and from March to May when days are warm and clear. However night temperatures can reach zero levels. A two to three-week stay in the park is ideal and the best areas to visit are Gokyo Valley, Lobuche-Kala Pattar-Base Camp, Chukung Valley and Thame valley. Travellers should come with camping, food and fuel support to enable them to move freely although room and board are available in most villages. To enjoy the visit thoroughly it is best to arrange services of guides and porters with government registered outfitters in Kathmandu.

Note:
Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years Park
Entrance fees is regulated by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (Phone: 4220850). Entrance fees for mountain National Parks can be paid at ACAP counter (Phone: 4222406) at Sanchaykosh building in Thamel, Kathmandu, or at the Park gate. For other National Parks entrance fees are to be paid at the Park gate.

CLIMATE.
During the autumn months of October and November, the weather is pleasant but colder at night. During the winter months of December through February the weather is cold. Daytime temperatures do not exceed 5° Celsius. During this time, the area receives occasional heavy snowfall. During spring season the days are warmer. From June to September monsoon rains make travel difficult.

GLACIERS:
Within the park, glaciers of various sizes can be found at the head of the Khumbu Valley. The biggest ones are the Khumbu, Lhotse, Imja, Ngozumba, and Nangpa glaciers. Most Himalayan glaciers are 2 - 3 miles long and are in retreat.

SHERPA CULTURE:
About 3,500 Sherpa people reside in various settlements within the park. The Sherpa people originated in the eastern Tibetan Province of Kham. They left their original home in the late 1400s or early 1500s crossing over the Nangpa-La into Nepal. The Sherpa people follow the Nying-mapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The famous Tengboche and other monasteries are the common gathering place to celebrate religious festivals such as Dumje and Mani Rimdu.

The economy of the local Sherpa community has traditionally been agriculture, livestock herding, and trade with Tibet. Since the 1950s, mountaineering expeditions have attracted tourism in the region. The local economy is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism.

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