Nepal has announced a significant increase in the permit fees for climbing Mount Everest, making it more expensive for climbers to scale the world’s tallest peak. The fee hike, the first in nearly a decade, will take effect from September 2025 and is expected to generate more revenue for the Himalayan nation.
A Major Increase in Climbing Costs
The new permit fee to climb Mount Everest will rise by 36%, from $11,000 to $15,000, according to Narayan Prasad Regmi, director general of Nepal’s Department of Tourism. The price adjustments will also apply to other climbing seasons, with fees for the September-November season increasing to $7,500 and the December-February season climbing to $3,750.
“The royalty (permit fees) had not been reviewed for a long time. We have updated them now,” Regmi said, emphasizing that this was a necessary adjustment.
The Impact on Climbers and the Industry
Despite the fee hike, experts believe it will not deter climbers from attempting to reach Everest’s summit. Lukas Furtenbach, of Austria-based Furtenbach Adventures, stated, “We expected this hike in permit fees.” He added that the increase was an “understandable step” from Nepal’s government and expressed hope that the additional revenue would be used to “protect the environment and improve safety on Everest.”
On average, 300 permits are issued annually for Everest, making it a major contributor to Nepal’s economy. Income from climbing permits and associated spending by foreign mountaineers is a key source of revenue for the country.
Addressing Environmental and Safety Concerns
Nepal has long been criticized for allowing too many climbers on Everest, leading to overcrowding and increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, experts and mountaineers have raised concerns about environmental degradation. Regmi assured that Nepal undertakes regular cleaning campaigns to collect garbage and ensures rope-fixing and other safety measures.
Mountaineers returning from Everest have noted that the mountain is becoming “increasingly dry and rocky” with less snow, a change that experts link to global warming. This has raised further concerns about the long-term sustainability of climbing Everest.With Everest’s climbing permit fees set to increase, Nepal aims to generate more revenue while addressing concerns about environmental preservation and climber safety. While some welcome the price hike, its effectiveness in tackling Everest’s challenges remains to be seen.