- Address: Lukla, Nepal
- Phone: +977 029-560136
The highest mountain system in the world - the Himalayas - interests both scientists and ordinary students and tourists. Many countries are located on the borders of Central and South Asia. And it is very important that they all try to keep part of the mountain ecosystem in its original form. One of the most popular sites in this area is the Makalu-Barun National Park.
Acquaintance with the park
The Makalu-Barun National Park is located in the Himalayas on the territory of the modern state of Nepal . This is one of eight national parks for nature protection. Administratively, the Makal-Barun belongs to the regions of Solukkhumbu and Sankhuvasabha. It exists since 1992 and is the eastern extension of Sagarmatha's special ecological park . On the Chinese side, the park is bordered by the Jomolungma Reserve.
Makalu-Barun stretched for 1500 square meters. km., In addition it has another 830 sq. km. km of the so-called buffer zone, which adjoins the south-eastern and southern borders of the park. The size of the park is 44 km in the direction from north to south and 66 km from west to east.
Within the boundaries of the Makalu-Barun National Park are such mountains as:
- Baruntse (7,129 m);
- Makalu is the fifth peak in height among the eight-thousandths in the world (8463 m);
- Measure (6654 m);
- Chamlang is a high and very steep peak for ascent (7319 m).
The landscape of the National Park is changing all the way. In the south-east from the valley of the Arun River at an altitude of 344-377 m above sea level, up to 8000 m above the Makalu peak rises. The Makalu-Barun National Park is a part of the most important nature protection zone "Sacred Himalayan landscape".
Nature of the Makalu-Barun National Park
Differences in mountain altitudes adorn the National Park of Makalu-Barun with different types of forests: from the dipterocarp, growing at a level of about 400 m, to the tropical forests at a level of 1000 m and subalpine coniferous forests covering a height of 4000 m. All forest vegetation directly depends on:
- the amount of precipitation;
- temperature;
- humidity;
- thickness of snow at a specific altitude and on a specific slope.
And if above 4000 m the Alpine meadows still prevail, at an altitude of 5000 m above sea level, glacial and stony landscapes with a minimal amount of greenery are already observed.
Fauna and flora
In the National Park of Makalu-Barun, you can meet 315 species of butterflies. Also there are 16 species of amphibians, 78 species of fish and 43 species of reptiles. From mammals it is worth noting:
- snow leopard;
- smoky leopard;
- reed cat;
- leopard;
- Bengal cat;
- small panda;
- an ordinary fox;
- the Himalayan bear;
- a flying squirrel;
- solongeous and others.
In total, 88 species of mammals and 440 species of birds are found in the park.
Very important is the event, which happened in May 2009: at the altitude set at 2517 m, the zoologists photographed the Temminka cat. The last scientific description of this species was produced in Nepal in 1831.
The property of the flora is 40 species of bamboo and 48 species of tropical orchids, incl. flower red rhododendron - symbol of Nepal.
Fun for travelers
Fans of eco-tourism will appreciate the treasures of the park. Throughout the territory of Makalu-Barun there are fine trails. Accompanied by a guide, you can stroll through the protected forests and meadows. Hiking and horseback riding will give you amazing views of local lakes, waterfalls and snowy peaks.
A fan of rafting will experience a real extreme of the Himalayas: the rivers in the Makalu-Barun National Park are famous for their rapids and sharp descents. Catching animals, fish and collecting plants in the park is prohibited.
How to get to Makalu-Barun?
You can reach the park only by air from the capital of Nepal Kathmandu to the small town of Lukla . The local population is happy to tourists at any time of the year.
Unskilled travelers are advised to stay on the territory of the Makalu-Barun National Park, accompanied by a guide or as part of an excursion group.