Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park claims the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, soaring 8,849m above sea level—more than 300m taller than #10's Lhotse (8,516m). Covering 1,148 sq km in Nepal's eastern Himalayas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 protects snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, and over 150 bird species. The park's Sherpa communities add a cultural dimension unmatched by other Himalayan reserves, with centuries-old traditions integrated into the UNESCO designation. Its extreme elevation and biodiversity are 30% more diverse than typical Asian alpine parks.