Sagarmatha National Park is home to the world’s highest peak – Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Everest. The area was designated a national park in 1976 and includes several other peaks above 6,000 meters. The park was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Most of the park is located above 3,000 m, it is mostly a rugged terrain made up of deep valleys, glaciers and huge cliffs. The park has a wide variety of wildlife including over 118 species of birds. While the forest is dominated by silver deodar, birch, rhododendron and juniper trees, animals like musk deer, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow, wolf and Himalayan black bear can be spotted by trekkers in this area.
Endangered species that are rarely seen include: the snow leopard, red panda, and two types of dazzling pheasant – the crimson-horned and impaigne, Nepal’s national bird. Small animals like marmots, pikas and martens are also found in the park.
The region ranges from less than 2,000 m above sea level at Jiri to the higher peaks of the Himalayas over 8,000 m. Hence the flora and fauna of the park consists of dense forests of pine, oak and flowering rhododendrons found at 4,000 meters above sea level. The latter is a reason to visit Nepal in the spring when the hills between 2,000m and 3,500m are a riot of colours.
The best time to visit the park is during the autumn months of October-November and in spring/summer from March-May.
More About World Heritage National Parks
- Khangchendzonga National Park – Experience Nature
- Great Himalayan National Park – What You Should Know
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
- Sunderbans National Park – Most Famous Tiger Zone
- Keoladeo National Park – Your Perfect Date With Nature
- Manas National Park – Handy Guide For Travelers To Visit
Frequently Asked Questions About Sagarmatha National Park
Q. What is Sagarmatha National Park famous for?
A – Sagarmatha National Park is home to the world’s highest peak – Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Everest. The area was designated a national park in 1976 and includes several other peaks above 6,000 meters. The park was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Q. Why is Mount Everest called Sagarmatha?
A – Its most common Tibetan name, Chomolungma, means “Goddess of the World” or “Goddess of the Valley.” The Sanskrit name Sagarmatha literally means “peak of heaven.” Its identity as the highest point on the Earth’s surface was not recognized, however, until 1852, when the Government Survey of India established it.
Q. How do I get to Sagarmatha National Park?
A – There is no road which directly leads to Sagarmatha National Park. The nearest option is to catch a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri village which is located about 100 km from the park. A trek of about 10 days from Jiri will take you to Sagarmatha.
Q. Sagarmatha National Park is in which country?
A – Including the highest point on Earth’s surface, Mount Sagarmatha (Everest; 8,848 m) and the 6,000 m Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) elevation range cover an area of 124,400 hectares in the Solu-Khumbu District of Nepal.
Q. Who gave the name Sagarmatha?
A – Eminent Nepalese historian Late Baburam Acharya is credited with the Nepali name Sagarmatha (Sagarmatha) for Mount Everest located on the Nepal-China border.
Q. Which mountain is called Sagarmatha in Nepal?
A – Therefore, the historical, local Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma, also known as Komolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” Chomolungma is pronounced “CHOH-moh-LUHNG-m?” is done. The Nepali name for Mount Everest is Sagarmatha, which means “goddess of the sky.”
Q. Do planes fly over Everest?
A – Airplanes often avoid air routes that take them over Mount Everest or the Pacific Ocean. That’s because “the Himalayas have mountains over 20,000 feet high, with Mount Everest standing at 29,035 feet. However, most commercial airplanes can fly at 30,000 feet.”
Q. How far is Sagarmatha National Park from Kathmandu?
A – Located at a distance of 135 km from Kathmandu, this national park is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and one of the Sacred Himalayan Landscapes. From flora, fauna to spectacular landscapes, every aspect of nature’s charm has been preserved here.
Q. Who manages the Sagarmatha National Park?
A – The property is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Office of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNP) within the Nepalese Ministry of Forestry. The 2007-2012 Management Plan was formally updated to the 2016-2020 Management Plan.
Q. When was Sagarmatha National Park listed in UNESCO?
A – An area of 275 square kilometers, including human settlements inside the park and the park’s peripheral area, was declared a buffer zone in 2002. The park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 as Nepal’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
