Sagarmatha Region Sees Influx of 700 Tourists in a Single Day

The Sagarmatha region, home to the world’s highest peak, witnessed the arrival of nearly 700 tourists in a single day on Monday, signaling a strong revival of tourism in the Spring season.

According to the Sagarmatha National Park Office in Namche, a total of 694 tourists were recorded entering the Khumbu region on April 21. Of them, 608 were foreign nationals, while 86 were domestic tourists. Ranger Bibek Shrestha from the Park Office confirmed that local hotels are currently seeing high occupancy rates due to the surge.

Temba Chhiri Sherpa, a seasoned Sagarmatha climber, noted that the Spring season traditionally draws a large influx of trekkers and climbers. “Finding quality accommodation has become difficult due to the increase in tourist arrivals,” he said.

With weather conditions improving, flight frequency to Lukla—often described as the gateway to Everest—has also increased. Amrit Magar, the Lukla station in-charge for Tara Air, said, “We’ve added more flights to meet the growing demand. Tourists are eager to experience the grandeur of Sagarmatha.”

Tourism entrepreneurs in the area are expressing renewed optimism. Karma Sherpa, Senior Vice Chairman of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), remarked that the region is finally bustling again after years of stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The influx of tourists is not only uplifting the mood of the local community but also reviving livelihoods,” he said.

Hotels in Lukla and Namche are currently packed, with many operators reporting full bookings. Locals dependent on tourism for income are seeing increasing opportunities as visitor numbers rise.

Visitors to the Sagarmatha National Park are also contributing to conservation revenue. Entry fees for the park are set at Rs 3,000 for tourists from non-SAARC countries, Rs 1,500 for SAARC nationals, and Rs 100 for Nepali citizens.

The growing number of tourists signals a positive turn for Nepal’s mountaineering and trekking economy, and with clear weather and improved infrastructure, the region looks set for a strong season ahead.