Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is highly renowned for housing the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), and the popular trekking destination, Everest Base Camp. Sagarmatha National Park is a true ecological hotspot, with its diverse geography, native flora and fauna, breathtakingly lofty mountains, and vibrant Sherpa culture.

Background and History

The name of Sagarmatha is derived from two Nepali words: "Sagar,” meaning sky, and "Matha,” meaning forehead. So altogether, Sagarmatha means the forehead of the sky, and it is known as Chomolungma in Tibetian, which means "Goddess Mother of the Earth." Since the 1950s, tourism has taken the shape of mountaineering and trekking in the Everest Region, resulting in a positive change in the local economy as well as a change in the landscape, livelihood patterns, resource management, and infrastructure development. As a response to concerns about conservation, the Sagarmatha National Park was established on July 19, 1976 AD.

Following its establishment after three years, Sagarmatha National Park was also listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site List for its ecological diversity and unique culture. Furthermore, on January 1, 2002, a 275-square-kilometer buffer zone was declared, including the park's settlements. Then, on September 23, 2007, Gokyo and its surrounding lakes were recognized as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Sagarmatha National Location, Map, and Getting There

Located in the north-eastern part of Nepal, the Sagarmatha National Park spans 1,148 square kilometers, encompassing the Himalayan ecological zone of the Khumbu Region. The protected area also adjoins the Makalu Barun National Park and Rolwaling Valley of the Gauri Sankar Conservation Area to the east and the Qomolangma Biosphere Reserve in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China to the west.

The route to Sagarmatha National Park and also the popular trekking destinations such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, and the Three High Pass Trek, as well as the Everest expeditions, and Kalapathar follow the same path. The distance of the SNP from Kathmandu is about 135 kilometers. So, you have the option of a flight to Lukla, which is either from Kathmandu or Manthali, Ramcehhap. The flight is about 25 minutes. Alternately, you can also catch a flight to Phaplu or Tumlingtar and trek the remaining distance, which is two days of walking. There is also the option of a direct helicopter ride to SNP.

The best route by road is to take a bus to Salleri, then, from there, another ride to Thamdada. From Thamdada, you will have to trek for another two days to reach the Sagarmatha National Park.

Flora and Fauna

The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the ecological hotspots in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The area inhabits rare and endangered species of both plants and animals, which has brought about the conservation efforts of this protected area. 69% of the total land in the protected area is barren above the altitude of 5000 meters, 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is covered with forests.

The park has six different types of vegetation. The lower subalpine zone is above 3,000 meters and has forests of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), east Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis), and drooping juniper (Juniperus recurva). The upper subalpine zone is above 3,600 meters and has a birch-rhododendron forest with Himalayan birch (Betula utilis), Rhododendron campanulatum, and R. campylocarpum. The lower alpine is above the timber line at 3,800–4,000 meters and has scrubs of Juniperus species Rhododendron anthopogon and R. lepidotum. The upper alpine zone is above 4,500 meters and has grassland and dwarf shrubs. The sub-nival zone is between 5,750 and 6,000 meters and has cushion plants.

The park also has a thriving faunal habitat with 152 high-altitude breeding species of birds, including blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), robin accentor (Prunella rubeculoides), white-throated redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps), grandala (Grandala coelicolor), and several rosefinches. There are also a total of 28 species of mammals, such as the northern plains grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus), jackal (Canis aureus), grey wolf (Canis lupus), Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) (VU), red panda (Ailurus fulgens) (VU), yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) (EN), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) (EN), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) and Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral).

There is limited information regarding the documentation of reptiles and amphibian species. It is estimated that there are seven reptiles and six amphibians, while there have been records of 30 species of butterflies within the protected area, among them the orange and silver mountain hopper (Carterocephalus avanti), which is not recorded elsewhere in Nepal, and the rare red apollo (Parnassius epaphus).

Note: VU-Vulnerable, EN-Endangered

Mountains, Rivers, and Glaciers in the Sagarmatha National Park

The mountains of the Himalayas are considered to be geologically very young mountains, including the world’s highest Mt. Everest (8848.86 meters). Other notable peaks over 8000 meters include Cho Oyu (8,188 meters) and Lhotse (8,516 meters), along with 6000 and 7000-meter peaks such as Baruntse, Nuptse, Pumo Ri, Guachung Kang, Nangpai Gosum, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Tabuche, Kang Tega, Thamserku, and many more.

The upper headwaters of the Bhote Kosi, Dudh Kosi, and Imja Khola rivers, which splinter beneath the Himalaya Mountains on the Tibetan border and converge close to Namche Bazar, the area's primary settlement, make up the core portion of the park. The rivers in Sagarmatha National Park are fed by glaciers at the top of each valley. Key glaciers include Imja, Nangpa, Ngozumpa, and Khumbu.

The 20-kilometer-long Ngozumpa Glacier is bordered by four Gokyo lakes. While all glaciers are retreating, Imja Dzo has expanded since the 1970s, now covering 1,200 hectares and 45 meters deep. Several new glacial lakes have also formed recently.

Communities and Culture of the Khumbu

The natives of the Khumbu region are the people of the Sherpa caste. The history of the Sherpas dates back to the late 1400s and early 1500s when the Samlo Gang in the eastern Tibetan territory was said to escape from military and political pressure. In the early 1530s, they migrated into Nepal over the Nangpa La Pass, splitting into two groups that settled in Khumbu and Solu, further south.

One of the biggest influences on the Sherpa communities has been the introduction of mountaineering in the 1950s, which revolutionized their economy. They are the followers of Tibetan Buddhism, which was founded by Guru Rinpoche. Monasteries like Tengboche and Pangboche and other smaller gompas are held in high regard, which is the prime location for their celebrations and ceremonies. The routes and trekking trails are often covered with inscriptions and flags of the Buddhist prayer Om mani padme hum, "praise to the jewel of the lotus flower."

Seasons, Weather, and Climate

The weather and temperature of SNP vary in accordance with the season and the diversity of the geographic location. Lower alpine regions such as Namche Bazaar are considerably humid with seasonal monsoons during summer, whereas the higher altitudes are very cold and dry, even dropping to a negative 25 degrees Celsius during the winter season. Autumn and spring have a more moderate temperature and a clear sky, which is the perfect time to visit SNP.

Even so, the average temperature in the Himalayas has increased by 1°C since the 1970s, nearly twice as quickly as the 0.6°C global warming that the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported. This indicates that climate change is a serious problem. There have been visible impacts, such as the risk of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), retreating glaciers, untimely snow and rainfall, and reduced snowlines.

Trails and Landmarks of the Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha National Park should be on your list to visit at least once in your lifetime. There are a variety of options you can choose from; from trekking to mountain expeditions to having a religious retreat, this protected area has got you covered. Here are some popular destinations within the National Park:

Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trek of Nepal. A trail within the park offers the best view of the Everest along with other majestic mountains and an immersive experience of the Sherpa culture.

Tengboche Monastery

Built in 1916, it is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. An integral part of the Buddhist and Sherpa communities, at an elevation of 3,867 metres (12,687 feet), Tengboche Monastery is also known as the gateway to Everest.

The intricate architectural design, with the beautiful backdrop of Mount Ama Dablam, makes the monastery even more spiritual. It is a place of great importance for both the Sherpa and Buddhist communities.

Gokyo Lakes

TheGokyo Lakes Trek with ebc is another popular trekking journey among adventurers. It is a site of great importance, in terms of both natural and religious importance. Gokyo and its associated lakes are part of important wetlands around the world. Along with the lakes, the Gokyo Ri Trek also offers the best view of the Himalayan mountains.

Three High Passes trek

The Three High Passes Trek is a challenging adventure where the trails go through the famous high passes of the Everest region: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. A long and formidable trekking journey around the Sagarmatha National Park, with all-round views of Everest.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a bustling Sherpa town at an elevation of 3,440 metres (11,286 ft). It lies within the Sagarmatha National Park and is a trading hub for the Khumbu Region. It is the main transit for Everest treks or expeditions. Despite the lack of access to roads, Namche Bazaar has ample amenities and services that meet the demands of tourists.

Ultimately

Sagarmatha National Park is not only a significant part of the trekking and mountaineering community but also holds equal importance in regard to ecology and biodiversity. With majestic views of some of the highest mountains in the world and glimpses of rare wildlife, SNP is the best place to quench your thirst for outdoor adventure in every sense.

If you are planning a journey to Everest, allow us to guide you. From Everest Base Camp to Gokyo, you are guaranteed the best time with our experienced guides at your service, who will take you on an unforgettable adventure in the Sagarmatha National Park.

Reference

Daconto, G., & Sherpa, L. N. (2010). Applying scenario planning to park and tourism management in Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu, Nepal. Mountain Research and Development, 30(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-09-00047.1

DNPWC. (n.d.). Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. https://dnpwc.gov.np/en/conservation-area-detail/72/

Sagarmatha National Park. (n.d.). https://www.snp.gov.np/about-us

Unep-Wcmc. (2017, May 22). SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK. World Heritage Datasheet. http://world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org/datasheet/output/site/sagarmatha-national-park/

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