Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in northeastern Nepal that includes Mount Everest and surrounding high Himalaya; it was established in 1976 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The park offers high-altitude trekking routes, Himalayan valleys and alpine scenery across an area of about 1,148 km2, with elevations ranging roughly from 2,800 m to 8,848 m at the summit of Everest. Key highlights inside the park include high mountain villages such as Namche Bazaar, monastic sites like Tengboche Monastery, glacial landscapes and routes leading to Everest Base Camp roughly 5,364 m above sea level.

Sagarmatha National Park was created by the Government of Nepal in 1976 to protect the unique high-mountain environment and the culture of the Sherpa people; its UNESCO inscription in 1979 recognized both natural and cultural values. Over time management has focused on sustainable tourism, regulated trekking routes, and conservation programs for rare Himalayan species.

The park sits in Solukhumbu District in Koshi Province, bordering Tibet to the north. The common access point is the town of Lukla (flight from Kathmandu) and the region lies northeast of Kathmandu in the high Himalaya; the terrain is steep and remote, dominated by peaks, glaciers and deep river valleys.

• Permits: Entry requires a Sagarmatha National Park permit and a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card for most trekking routes, typically obtained in Kathmandu or at district offices.
• Gateway flight: Primary air gateway is the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla, from which most treks into the park begin; flights are weather dependent and often booked days in advance.

What to See #

• Khumbu valley and settlements: Covers the Khumbu or Everest region including the Khumbu valley and several high-altitude settlements such as Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery; many trekking routes and camps for access to higher passes and base camps run inside the park.
• Everest approaches and base camps: Contains Mount Everest South Base Camp and approaches used by trekkers and climbers to reach higher camps on Everest and neighboring peaks.
• Glacial landscapes and high passes: A network of high-altitude alpine areas and glacial landscapes including lakes, moraines and mountain passes that reach the park's upper elevations.