SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK (1,148 sq km)
The Prime attraction in the Sagarmatha National Park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The park, a part of the Himalayan ecological zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6,000 meters. With most of the park above 3,000 meters, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products here. The vegetation at lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3,500 meters the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, and rhododendron and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park are Himalayan Tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel, jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Birds inhabiting the park are of over 118 species. Common ones among them are the impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, red billed cough, yellow-billed chough, snow cock, snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm Sherpa hospitality and its many monasteries and cultural landmarks.

Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering
Accommodation: Resort hotels, Lodges, Camping
Access: Two-day walk from Lukla which is 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu
Best Season: Oct-Nov and Mar-May; Dec-Feb (snow, daytime temperature 5 degrees Celsius), Jun-Sep (rainy)
Park Headquarter: Mandalphu, Namche Bazaar, Tel: 038-626043

SHEY-POKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK (3,555 sq km)
Shey - phoksundo National Park is situated in the Trans-Himalayan region of north-west Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest National Park.

With diverse terrain and altitude variation, the park spreads over Dolpa and Mugu districts and supports a broad range of wildlife and vegetation. Geographical landmarks of the park are the Himalayan peaks in the north and Lake Phoksundo, in the southern region. Vegetation includes pine, walnut, willow, oak and cypress in the lower altitude & pine, spruce, juniper & birch at higher regions. Berberis, wild rosea and caragana are seen in alpine areas while the regions higher up are mostly arid with grass alpine meadows with barely any trees. The park contains 286 flora species of botanical importance. Animals found in the region are sheep, ghoral, musk deer, leopard, wild dog, marmot, weasel, mouse hare, rhesus & langur monkeys, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear & jackals. In the upper reaches is seen the rare snow leopard. Over 200 species of birds including yellow-throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white-throated tit, wood accentor & crimson-eared rose finch are found in the park. Other species of birds found here are Impeyan, cheer pheasant, chough, revens, Tibetan snow cock, Tibetan twit, brown dipper, Himalaya griffon & lammergeyer. Apart from these, the park is home to 6 species f reptiles & 29 species of butterfly.

Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly to Dolpa’s Jufal airport from Nepalgunj or Pokhara and then a three-day walk
Best Season: Mar-May (high passes may still be covered with winter snow) and Jun-Sep (clear weather)
Park Headquarter: Sumduwa, Tel: 087-550104

SHIVAPURI NATIONAL PARK (144 sq km)
Popular as trekking, hiking and recreation area, the Shivapuri National Park offers the nearest retreat from Kathmandu. The park was established as a Watershed and Wildlife Reserve in 1976. The park was declared as a national park in 2002 for the protection of its unique natural adornments. Vegetation varieties in the park include its 129 species of mushroom while animals include 19 species 0f mammals including beer, leopard, deer, wild boar, wildcat and langur monkey. The park also boasts of 177 species of birds and 102 species of butterflies.

Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, bird watching
Access: 11 km to the north of Kathmandu, taxi or bus
Best Season: Sep-Jun; Jul-Aug (rainy)
Park Headquarter: Shivapuri, Tel: 01-4371644

DHORPATAN HUNTING RESERVE (1,325 sq km)
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only area in Nepal where licensed hunting is allowed. The reserve adjoins Myagdi district and Baglung district, just below the Dhaulagiri range in West Nepal. The reserve begins at 3000 meters reaches as high as 7,000 meters. Trees like fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper and spruce are available in the reserve. One of the prime attar actions for hunters is the blue sheep, which is abundant in the area. Hunters also get pheasants and partridges in viable populations for hunting. Other animals found here area leopard, ghoral, serow, Himalayan pheasants and partridges in viable populations for hunting. Other animals found here are leopards, ghoral, serow, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare. Endangered animals in the reserve are musk deer, wolf, red panda, cheer pheasant and Danphe.

Activities: Trophy hunting, game viewing
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Four days’ walk from Baglung which is 72 km from Pokhara by road
Best Season: Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov; Jul-Sep (monsoon), Dec-Feb (cold, windy, snow)
Park Headquarter: Dhorpatan, Tel: 068-5211121