Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is in the Solu-Khumbu District, in eastern Nepal and bordering Tibet to its north. Though the park is famous for its namesake mountain, several other notable mountains lie within the park, including Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Pumori. Nepal’s national bird—the colorful peacock-like danphe—can be found in the park, as well as the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Sherpa people who live here.

Many people come to the Sagarmatha National Park to trek to Everest Base Camp, but this isn’t the only trek possible in the area. It’s important to be reasonably fit to undertake any Himalayan trek, but trails suited to a range of experience and fitness levels can be found. It’s not mandatory to trek with a guide and porter, but it is a good idea for safety reasons. Scenic helicopter flights from Kathmandu can also be arranged.

• Permits are required for trekking in the park. If you book with a trekking company, these will be arranged for you before leaving Kathmandu, or you can collect them yourself in Kathmandu if you are traveling independently.

• The quality of accommodation throughout the park ranges from very basic to luxurious.

• The park sits at high altitude, ranging from 9,333 feet (2,845 meters) to 29,028 feet (8,848 meters) at the summit of Everest. Proper acclimatization is required.

The most common way to get to the park is to take a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which is several hours to a couple of days’ walk from the park entrance. Flights to Lukla are often delayed due to poor weather or visibility. Keen trekkers can do the “pioneers’ route” from Jiri, skipping the flight and trekking an extra week. Travelers with a generous budget can take a helicopter tour from Kathmandu.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) are the best times to visit, as the weather is clearest and temperatures warm. However, these are also the most crowded seasons, with trails and lodges at full capacity. Winter (December-February) is not a bad time to trek, but be well prepared for the cold. Avoid the monsoon (June-September).

Experienced trekkers seeking a more remote experience could head to the Makalu Barun National Park, to the east of the Sagarmatha National Park. The infrastructure there is much less developed, but adventurous trekkers will be rewarded with unspoiled mountain vistas and authentic local life untouched by tourism.

Does the name Mount Everest ring any bells? The world’s tallest peak is known as Sagarmatha in Nepali, loosely translated to “Goddess of the Sky.” This unique UNESCO-protected region is filled with stunning mountain landscapes, including snowy valleys and sky-high glaciers. It is also the traditional home of the Sherpa people.

Unless you’re planning on a summit climb, chances are you’ve got your eyes on the Everest Base Camp trek, or EBC in hikers’ parlance. That said, you’ve got a choice of several routes, so make sure you do significant research ahead of time. High-altitude treks are considerably more challenging, so don’t skimp on preparation..

A park entry permit is required to access the protected areas. It can be obtained in the Sagarmatha National Park visitors’ center or in Kathmandu ahead of time. Fees are typically payable in Nepali rupees, so make sure you have enough cash on you. Bonus: Children 10 or under can enter for free.

Visitors have two main weather windows for optimal Everest views. The first is in the fall, typically from late September or October to November, when skies clear up after months of monsoon rains. The second is in the spring from March to May—the latter part coincides with most summit bids.

One of the best places in the Khumbu region to learn about Sherpa communities is Namche Bazaar, which is home to a small Sherpa Museum. It is a short hike from town, located in a stunning woodland setting. You can also reliably meet local community members during overnights in homestays.

While the region is home to snow leopards, the Grey Ghost is famously hard to spot. Visitors will have better luck catching sight of over a hundred bird species, including the Himalayan snowcock. There are also small mammals, from marmots to the mouse-like pika, and endangered red pandas.