Starting this September, climbers aiming to conquer Everest during peak season will be required to pay $15,000, an increase of 36% from the previous fee, reflecting both economic needs and ongoing concerns surrounding overcrowding on the mountain.
Nepal Increases Mount Everest Climbing Permit Fees Amid Overcrowding Concerns
Nepal Increases Mount Everest Climbing Permit Fees Amid Overcrowding Concerns
Nepal has announced a significant hike in permit fees for climbing Mount Everest, marking the first increase in nearly a decade.
Efforts to manage climbing traffic on Mount Everest have prompted Nepal to raise climbing permit fees, as officials grapple with revenue generation and environmental sustainability.
Nepal's Department of Tourism has decided to raise the climbing permit fees for Mount Everest significantly, with the new price set at $15,000 from September 2023. This raises the longstanding fee of $11,000 by a notable 36%. Similarly, climbing outside the peak April to May window will also see fees rise to $7,500 for the months of September to November and $3,750 from December to February. The government cites the need for updated fees to reflect economic realities while generating crucial revenue—over 4% of Nepal’s economy derives from mountaineering and trekking.
Mountaineering experts and climbers have long criticized the government for issuing excessive permits—up to 300 per year—leading to overcrowding and hazardous conditions on the mountain. Narayan Prasad Regmi, the director general of the Department of Tourism, stated that this decision was necessary as the royalty fees had not been reviewed in a long time. While the fee increment is expected to have limited impact on foreign climbers' decisions, British mountaineer Kenton Cool highlighted the hope that revenues will enhance mountain care efforts.
Earlier this year, Nepal's Supreme Court mandated the government to restrict the number of permits for climbing Everest and other peaks to prevent overcrowding. Despite the court decision, the specifics regarding maximum limits remain unclear. Additionally, the Nepalese army initiated a clean-up operation in 2019 to manage the growing refuse on Everest, which is often referred to as the "world's highest garbage dump.” Although five clean-ups have removed vast amounts of waste and remains from the mountain, an estimated 200 bodies are yet to be recovered.
With eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks located in Nepal, the ongoing efforts to balance tourism with preservation pose a complex challenge for the Himalayan nation.
Nepal's Department of Tourism has decided to raise the climbing permit fees for Mount Everest significantly, with the new price set at $15,000 from September 2023. This raises the longstanding fee of $11,000 by a notable 36%. Similarly, climbing outside the peak April to May window will also see fees rise to $7,500 for the months of September to November and $3,750 from December to February. The government cites the need for updated fees to reflect economic realities while generating crucial revenue—over 4% of Nepal’s economy derives from mountaineering and trekking.
Mountaineering experts and climbers have long criticized the government for issuing excessive permits—up to 300 per year—leading to overcrowding and hazardous conditions on the mountain. Narayan Prasad Regmi, the director general of the Department of Tourism, stated that this decision was necessary as the royalty fees had not been reviewed in a long time. While the fee increment is expected to have limited impact on foreign climbers' decisions, British mountaineer Kenton Cool highlighted the hope that revenues will enhance mountain care efforts.
Earlier this year, Nepal's Supreme Court mandated the government to restrict the number of permits for climbing Everest and other peaks to prevent overcrowding. Despite the court decision, the specifics regarding maximum limits remain unclear. Additionally, the Nepalese army initiated a clean-up operation in 2019 to manage the growing refuse on Everest, which is often referred to as the "world's highest garbage dump.” Although five clean-ups have removed vast amounts of waste and remains from the mountain, an estimated 200 bodies are yet to be recovered.
With eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks located in Nepal, the ongoing efforts to balance tourism with preservation pose a complex challenge for the Himalayan nation.
