Nepal has increased climbing permit fees for Mount Everest via the South Col route, with the new rates set to take effect from September. The revised structure sees higher charges across all climbing seasons, a move that has drawn criticism from expedition operators.
For the spring season (March-May), the peak climbing period, fees for Everest’s South Col route will rise from $11,000 to $15,000 per climber. The charge for the autumn season (September-November) will increase from $5,500 to $7,500, while permits for the winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August) seasons will go up from $2,750 to $3,750.
Permit fees for other routes on Everest remain unchanged at $10,000 for spring, $5,000 for autumn, and $2,500 for winter and monsoon.
Similarly, the government has raised climbing fees for Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, to $1,500 for spring, $3,000 for autumn, and $1,500 for winter and monsoon.
For other 8,000-meter peaks (excluding Everest and Manaslu), climbers will be required to pay $3,000 for spring, $1,500 for autumn, and $750 for winter and monsoon.
The existing climbing fee for mountain above 8,000m is $1,800 for spring, 900 for autumn and $ 450 for winter/summer.
The revised fee structure also applies to lower peaks:
Peaks between 7,501m and 8,000m: $1,000 for spring, $500 for autumn, $250 for winter & monsoon
Peaks between 7,001m and 7,500m: $800 for spring, $400 for autumn, $200 for winter & monsoon
Peaks between 5,401m and 7,000m: $500 for spring, $250 for autumn, $200 for winter & monsoon
However, the fees for Ama Dablam (6812 meters), a popular mountaineering training peak, remain fixed at $1,000 for spring and autumn, and $500 for winter and monsoon.
Narayan Prasad Regmi, director general of the Department of Tourism, said the hike aligns with recommendations made last year.
“It will come into effect from September. It means it won’t be applicable for the upcoming spring season of Mount Everest,” Regmi said.
Expedition operators aren’t happy with decision, arguing that the increases could deter climbers from attempting Nepal’s peaks.
“This decision will discourage climbers. The government is only interested in collecting higher royalties but does nothing to improve climbing conditions or safety,” an operator said.
Nepal is the home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks and the country’s Himalayan belt relies heavily on mountaineering tourism, with Everest expeditions alone generating millions in revenue annually.
However, increasing congestion and safety concerns have fueled debates over how the government manages the sector.
