In the park region, there are about 3000 Sherpa families living who are believed to have come to Nepal during 15th and 16th century from south Tibet. They reside mainly in the region of Namche Bazaar, Khumbu, Khunde, Thaam, Thyangboche, Pangboche and Forse. The Sherpa living in these regions depend on agriculture, poultry, animal-grazing and trading in Tibetal goods. For the lively wood though since the advent of the new law regarding adventure mountaineering in 1950, the economic activities has shifted to tourism. Thanks mainly to the mountaineers who traverse that way to quench their thirst of alpine conquest.

What to See?

Vegetation
In the low altitude region of this magnificent park, trees like Deodar and Bhaang cover a large area. A higher altitude offers you the evergreen tree, the Bushy trees, the Rhododendron trees and also the Deodars. The highest altitude has also numerous vegetations but it offers you mainly spectacular view of bare hills and snow covered landscapes. Rhododendron blossom in the months of March and April and other vegetations flourish in the months starting July till September.

Animals
The animals one usually sees in this park are the Musk Deer, the Himalayan Black Bear, etc. Among other animals Rabbits, mountain Rats, Wolves and monkeys can be spotted every now and then.

Birds
This region is the paradise of 118 species of multi colored exotic birds. The birds that have made the park their home are the national bird Danfe, Red Munal, Wild Crows, Yellow beak and Red beak birds and the snow Pigeons. Among the ordinary breeds one may find the mountain eagle and the snow Titra etc.

How to Travel?
Though the route usually followed is the 'Kala Patther' route, one can reach the Park via 'Chukung' and 'Gokyo'. If you want to preceed by 'Kala Patthar' route it is a nine day trek from Lukla. If you opt to travel along Gokyo Lake, you will have to walk for 7 days from Namche Bazaar/Khumjung.

Here is a brief description about the route to the park. On foot it is about 2 days from Lukla to Namche, 5 hours trek from Namche to Nyangboche, 2 hours from Nyangboche to Khumjung, 4 hours from Tyangboche to Pangboche and from Pangboche to Feriche it is 3 hours.

Likewise, one would take 5 hours on foot from Feriche to Lobuche, 3 hours from Lobuche to Gorakchep, another 3 hours from Gorakchep to Kalapatthar, 1 hour from Feriche to Dinboche, 4 hours from Dinboche to Churung and from Namche to Thaam it is a 5 hour walk.

While trekking to the park, permissions are not granted unless you have the necessary items/equipments and a Sherpa guide because high hills and small peaks are the common geographical features of the region. For scaling peaks above 6600 meters a special permission from the Tourism Ministry is compulsory and for climbing peaks of less than 6600 meters in height a green signal from 'Nepal Mountaineering Association' will suffice. These offices are both situated in Kathmandu City.

To reach the park, there are mainly 3 routes. The first one is a shirt flight to Lukla after which follows a 2 day walk to the right destination. Another route is a journey by bus to Jiri and a two week walk and thirdly, a flight to Tumlintar followed by 10-11 days walk.