Nepal’s autumn mountaineering season is gathering pace, with expedition operators making extensive preparations to welcome hundreds of international climbers to the country’s Himalayan peaks. The main attraction this season is Mt. Manaslu (8,163 metres), the world’s eighth-highest mountain. The Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOAN) estimates that more than 300 foreign climbers, along with their guides and support teams, will attempt to summit Manaslu this autumn. Expedition agencies have already begun sending staff, equipment and essential supplies to the mountain, signalling the start of preparations for what is expected to be a busy climbing season.
Rope-Fixing Work to Begin on Manaslu
According to EOAN President Damber Parajuli, expedition agencies are currently finalising bookings while support teams have already reached the base camp to prepare camps and other logistics. An experienced climbing team led by EOAN is scheduled to head to Manaslu next week to begin rope-fixing work on the 8,163-metre peak.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has authorised EOAN to carry out the route-fixing task. The rope-fixing operation is a crucial part of the preparation, as it establishes the climbing route that expedition teams will follow during their summit attempts.
Major Operators Report Strong Bookings
The expected turnout on Manaslu is being reflected in the bookings reported by some of Nepal’s leading expedition companies. 8K Expeditions Managing Director Lakpa Sherpa said his company has more than 60 foreign clients preparing to climb Manaslu. Sherpa, who will lead the company’s Manaslu and Dhaulagiri expeditions, said most of the required logistics have already been supplied to the base camp. 14 Peaks Expedition is also expecting a strong team, with founder and CEO Tashi Lakpa Sherpa saying that at least 45 foreign climbers will attempt Manaslu through his company. Its guides and support staff have completed refresher training ahead of the season.
Meanwhile, Seven Summit Treks has secured bookings for at least three Manaslu expeditions involving more than 40 foreign clients, according to Expedition Director and owner Chhang Dawa Sherpa. Asian Trekking is planning two international expeditions on the mountain, with Managing Director Dawa Steven Sherpa expecting nearly 30 foreign clients, alongside Sherpa climbing staff. Other major operators, including Imagine Nepal Treks, Himalayan Guides Nepal, Satori Adventure, Sherpa Extreme, Pioneer Adventure and Glacier Himalaya Treks, are also preparing teams and logistics for the autumn season.
Climbers to Target Other Himalayan Peaks
The autumn expedition season will extend beyond Manaslu, with international climbers also preparing for Mt. Dhaulagiri, Himlung Himal and Ama Dablam. The activity across several peaks is expected to bring a significant number of international visitors to Nepal’s mountain regions and create demand for experienced mountain guides, high-altitude workers, porters and other support services. For expedition operators, the autumn season represents one of the key periods of the year, when Nepal’s Himalayan landscape attracts mountaineers seeking challenging high-altitude adventures.
Government Prepares for the Expedition Season
The Department of Tourism is also making preparations as expedition companies begin applying and inquiring about climbing permits. Department Director General Ram Krishna Lamichhane said the department is finalising a roster of liaison officers who will be deployed to different mountains during the season. The officers will help facilitate coordination and monitoring of expedition activities as climbing teams begin arriving at the mountains.
A Strong Season for Nepal’s Mountain Tourism
The expected arrival of more than 300 foreign climbers on Manaslu alone highlights the continued international demand for Nepal’s high-altitude destinations. Beyond the climbers themselves, expeditions support a wider network of tourism workers and businesses, including mountain guides, porters, transport operators, accommodation providers and suppliers of food and climbing equipment. With route-fixing teams preparing Manaslu, expedition companies mobilising their staff and international bookings already underway, Nepal’s autumn climbing season is shaping up to be a significant period for the country’s mountaineering and adventure tourism industry.
