About
Sagarmatha National Park is located in the eastern part of Nepal as part of the Himalayas. The national park encompasses an area of 443 square miles (1,148 sq km).
Mount Everest accounts for the highest elevation at 29,029 feet (8,848 m). The altitude changes from the summit of Everest down to the lower plateau elevation of 9,334 feet (2,845 m). It borders the neighboring Makalu Barun National Park.
Mount Everest is the mountain in the world and accordingly serves as the pinnacle attraction of the national park.
The park is comprised of massive rugged landscapes, gorges, towering mountains from the Himalayas, with Mount Everest serving as the iconic destination. Few people climb the mountain, while several others trek and climb the surrounding lower elevations or to base camp.
The majority of tourists look to see Mount Everest from one of the scenic flights that give a bird’s eye view of the mountain. Everest is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Amadablam, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Muptse, Pumori, and Thamserku are six other summits with heights over 20,000 feet (6,000 m).
Only 3% of the park area features forested ecology. Another 28% is accounted for by grazing lands and minimal vegetation. Almost 70% of the park is made up of barren land void of vegetation because of the higher altitudes.
Although only 3%, the lower forested area is comprised of bamboo, birch, blue pines, firs, hemlock, juniper, and rhododendron. Almost all other vegetation is accounted for by lichens and mosses.
The forested area does provide homes for 118 species of birds. Other wildlife found within the Sagarmatha National Park includes black bear, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan thars, Himalayan wolves, and the incredibly elusive snow leopard.
Photos
Things to See
Sagarmatha National Park Trails
There are several trails and treks within the Sagarmatha park boundaries and not everything is directed at climbing Mount Everest. It is fair to say, that high altitudes, rugged terrain, steep inclines, and limited oxygen make hiking in this area challenged and reserved for those who are in better physical condition.
In almost all endeavors, you are looking at multiple days of hiking and trekking. Everest Base Camp takes 12 to 14 days to reach with lots of acclimatization.
Sources
- Beautiful World, Sagarmatha National Park, https://www.beautifulworld.com/asia/nepal/sagarmatha-national-park/, retrieved October 2019.
- Britannica, Sagarmatha National Park, https://www.britannica.com/place/Sagarmatha-National-Park, retrieved October 2019.
- Government of Nepal, Sagarmatha National Park, https://www.sagarmathanationalpark.gov.np/, retrieved October 2019.
- Naturally, Nepal, Sagarmatha National Park, https://www.welcomenepal.com/places-to-see/sagarmatha-national-park.html, retrieved October 2019.