Sagarmatha National Park Tourism And Travel Guide

Sagarmatha National Park is a tourism delight, a wildlife reserve located in the Solukhumbu District of Nepal. While it is home to a number of exotic rare species like the red panda and snow leopard, it is also an extraordinary region of glaciers, valleys and majestic mountains that make it stand out from other national parks in the country. Moreover, it has also been recognized as an important bird sanctuary by BirdLife International.  

Enlisted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the conservation site is involved with the preservation of the natural heritage in the region along with being a religious and cultural sanctuary for the native Sherpas who reside here and contribute significantly to the growing tourism in the area. Listed below is a brief travel guide to steer you towards a more fulfilling experience in your next trip to Sagarmatha National Park.

By Air:

Reaching Sagarmatha National Park via air does not include any direct routes. The closest airport to the sanctuary is located in Lukla, which is a half hour flight away from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The distance between Lukla and Sagarmatha is covered through a trek of two days.

By Road:

Roads do not reach Sagarmatha National Park directly. The closest road route from Kathmandu is to the village of Jiri via bus or private cab, from where a trek of 10 days will take you to the park. The other option is to catch a bus to the village of Salleri, followed by a trek of 5 days to Sagarmatha.

Autumn (October-November):

The autumn months of October and November are the best times to visit Sagarmatha National Park. A crisp cool weather allows great opportunities for hiking along the popular trails and the clear skies that appear after the monsoon retreat creates breathtaking views of the surrounding hillsides.

Winter (December-February):

The months December through February are usually too cold to enjoy much of sightseeing in this region. The night time temperatures usually fall below 0ᴼC, and snowfall is also quite common. While short treks may be enjoyed during the day hours in the lower altitude regions, the temperature dips lower with progressive increase in height.

Spring (March-June):

After autumn, springtime is the best season to enjoy the views of Sagarmatha. As the temperature rises steadily after the bitter winter months, the season of blossoms and greenery brings with it the perfect weather to go hiking and explore the local attractions.

Summer (July-September): 

Summers do not make for a good travel season to the Sagarmatha region. Although the temperatures remain along the range of mild to moderate, the chances of rainfall are quite heavy throughout the summer months. Hence it is unsuitable for camping and trekking activities.

Everest Base Camp Trek:

While there are a number of trekking trails on offer all around the Everest region, the most sought after activity in Sagarmatha is the Everest Base Camp Trek. With panoramic views of the mountains and the lush green valleys and forests, the trek also encompasses a visit to some iconic landmarks in the sanctuary.

Camping along Gokyo Lakes:

The Gokyo Lakes are located near the Everest and apart from being a popular tourist spot, also hold a significant religious importance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Situated at a substantially high altitude of 5000 m, the region around the lakes is usually extremely cold, and the lakes may even remain frozen through the greater part of the year. Camping along the banks of these lakes is also a fun aspect of trekking across this region.

Explore Sherpa Villages:

Local villages like Khumjung provide the perfect opportunity for tourists to mingle with the native communities and explore the traditions and culture of life among the mountains. Most of these areas have access to the outside world through various means of modern communication, and have benefitted greatly from the growing tourism in these areas.  

Visit Local Museums:

The two museums in this national park are Sherpa Museum and the Sagarmatha National Museum. The Sherpa Museum is devoted to providing insights into the lives of the native Sherpa community; it consists of three rooms packed with exhibits that are an intrinsic part of the Sherpa livelihood.

The Sagarmatha National Museum contains all the information one would require about the national park with regards to its native flora and fauna, and features as a great guide for people visiting the park for the first time.   

Most of the eateries in this region are located in a small locality called Namche Bazaar that is a part of the Khumbu District. The Sherpa Barista Bakery, Café de 8848, Hermann Helmers Bakery, Himalayan Java and the Everest Bakery are some of the most frequented spots in the area by tourists. Namche Bazaar is also the main market area for shopping purposes with stores and shops that cater to all requirements of the tourists, along with vendors from Tibet who travel to the bazaar every week to sell Chinese consumable goods.