Background
Sagarmatha is an exceptional area of dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 8,848 m. UNESCO notes rare species such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, and says the presence of the Sherpas with their unique culture adds further interest.
The park was established on 19 July 1976, covers 1,148 square kilometres of the Solukhumbu district from 2,845 m to the summit of Everest, and in 1979 became Nepal's first natural World Heritage site. Wikivoyage says the Khumbu is famous as much for the loyalty and friendliness of the Sherpas as for its peaks, that there are no roads, and that the best months are March to mid-May and September to November.
- 1953Hillary and Tenzing reach the summit of Everest
- 1976Sagarmatha National Park is established on 19 July
- 1979Inscribed as Nepal's first natural World Heritage site
- 2002A buffer zone is added
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Namche BazaarThe Sherpa capital, two days' walk from Lukla.
- 2Everest Base Camp TrekThe classic route up the Khumbu to the foot of the icefall.
- 3Tengboche MonasteryThe monastery with Ama Dablam and Everest behind it.
- 4Gokyo and Renjo LaThe turquoise lakes and the 5,360 m pass with views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.
- 5Kala PattharThe viewpoint above Gorak Shep for the summit at sunrise.
- 6LuklaThe mountain airstrip, 25 minutes from Kathmandu.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Everest from Kathmandu
From the GoGo Kathmandu guide · Open the Kathmandu Guide ›
- 06:30Everest Mountain Flight2 hrsAn hour's flight along the Himalaya past Everest.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Aug–Jun. Freezing days in Oct–Apr. Rainy season Jul.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
