Sagarmatha National Park

SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK 1148 SQ.KM

The prime attraction of Sagarmatha national Park established in 1976 A.D. is Mt.Everest- the higest peak of the world. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The park a part of the Himalayan ecological zone, has serval other prominent peaks of the parks most of which are above 6000 metres. With most of the park above 3,000 metres, Sagarmatha is ful of rugged terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan teeain and its culture, the parks offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products. The vegetarian at the lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forest, while above 3,500 metres the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhodendron and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varities of rhodendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park are Himalayan Tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel and jackel. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leophard. Birds inhabiting the parks are of over 118 species. Common ones among them are the impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, red billed cough, yellow- billed chough, snow-cock, snow pigeon, Himlalayan griffon, and lammergeyer. The area also provides warm Sherpa hospitality and has many monasteries and cultural landmarks. Tourism activities and farming are the main activities of the area. Growing barleys and potatoes and raising Yaks are some of the notable occupations. The majority of the youths are engaged as mountaineering and trekking guides in the season.

The best point to explore the area could be Gokyo valley Lobuche Kalapatthar Everest Base Camp Chuking valley and the Thame valley.