SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK -1976 (Area 1148sq. kms)

Facts
Introduction
In the Himalayan ecological zone in the Khumbu region of Nepal is located Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park which is spread over an area of 1,148 sq, km . The Park is largely composed of rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas, ranging from 2,845m at Monjo to the top of the world's highest Himal - Sagarmatha at 8,848m above the sea level and includes the upper catchment areas of the Dudhkoshi and Bhotehoshi Rivers.
Other peaks above 6,000m are Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku. Nuptse, Amadablam and Pumori,

Living in this region are, the famed Sherpa people whose lives are interwoven with the teachings of Buddhism. Religious festivals such as Dumje and Mane Rumdu are celebrated at the renowned Tengboche and other monasteries which are common gathering places.Some other famous monasteries are Tengboche, Thame, Khumjung and Pangboche . UNESCO listed SNP as a World Heritage Site in 1979 for its superlative natural characteristics.

Features
Climate
Flora and Fauna
The commonly found vegetation at the higher altitude is fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron, scrub and alpine plant communities while the lower altitude of the park include pine and hemlock forests.
The park is home to over 118 species of bird including the Impeyan pheasant, snow cock, blood pheasant, red billed cough etc. and also habitat for the red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, marten, Himalayan mouse hare (pika).

Facilities
How to Get There
The most common ways to reach the park from Kathmandu are:

- Flight to Lukia and two day's walk
- Bus to Jiri and 10 day's walk
- Flight to Tumlingtar and 10 day's walk
- Flignt to Phaplu and 5 day's walk

Buffer Zone
The area in and around the park has been declared the buffer zone by His Majesty's Government of Nepal in 2002 with the objective of reducing biotic pressure in the slow growing vegetation. The provision of plowing back 30 - 50 percent the revenue earned by the park to community development activities in the buffers zone has been made by the government.
In collaboration with local people it aims to conserve biodiversity in the region.

Popular Trekking Routes
The popular trek is from Namche to Kala Pathar. One gets a spectacular view from the Gokyo Lake and Chukung valleys. For wildlife viewing, phortse is famous whereas the Thame Valley is popular for Sherpa culture . Some high passes are worth crossing over for trekkers but it is advisable if they are accompanied by a guide and proper equipment for trekking.

From Namche Bazar to Kala Pathar
From Destination Duration
Namche Bazar Tengboche 5 hours
Tengboche Pangboche 3 hours
Pangboche Dingboche/Pheriche 3 hours
Dingboche/Pheriche Lobuche 5 hours
Lobuche Kalapatthar 6 hours
Kalapatthar Base Camp 8 hours

Namche Bazar to Gokyo Peak
From Destination Duration
Namche Bazar Khumjung/Khunde 2 hours
Khumjung/Khunde Dole 6 hours
Dole Macherma 4 hours
Macherma Gokyo 4 hours
Gokyo Gokyo Peak 3 hours
Gokyo Peak Thaknak 3 hours
Thaknak Phortse 6 hours
Phortse Pangboche 2 hours
Pangboche Park HQ, Mendalphu 8 hours

Safety Precautions
HAS-Some suffer from High altitude sickness if elevation is gained too rapidly and without proper acclimatization. The symptoms are - headache, difficulty in sleeping, breathlessness, loss of appetite and general fatigue. If someone develops such symptoms, one must stop ascending immediately and if these symptoms persist, the alternate is to descend to lower elevations.

To seek medical advice there is Kunde Hospital or Pheriche Health Post. In case of emergency,Radio communication with Kathmandu is available at Park Headquarter.