Nepal’s spring mountaineering season has officially concluded with 1,195 domestic and international climbers obtaining permits to scale 31 different peaks, including the world’s highest mountain, Sagarmatha (Mount Everest). According to the Department of Tourism, 495 climbers from 56 countries received permits for Everest alone, highlighting its continued dominance as the world’s most sought-after climbing destination.
Among the Everest permit holders, 390 were men and 105 were women, while 44 Nepali climbers also participated in the expedition. The department further confirmed that more than 1,000 support staff and guides, including experienced Sherpa climbers, successfully supported expeditions to the summit during the season.
China Leads Everest Permit Holders
Data from the Department of Tourism shows that China topped the list of Everest permit holders with 159 climbers, followed by the United States with 152, India with 101, Germany with 75, the United Kingdom with 74, and Russia with 70 climbers. Officials said the strong presence of climbers from these countries reflects Nepal’s growing reputation as a global hub for high-altitude adventure tourism.
Record-Breaking Achievements Highlight the Season
The season also witnessed historic achievements by Nepali mountaineers. Veteran climber Kami Rita Sherpa extended his own world record by successfully summiting Mount Everest for the 32nd time, further cementing his status as one of the most accomplished climbers in mountaineering history. Similarly, renowned female climber Lhakpa Sherpa achieved another milestone by completing her 11th ascent of Everest, continuing to hold records as one of the most successful women climbers in the world.
Strong Revenue Generation from Mountaineering
The Department of Tourism reported that the government collected approximately Rs 1.26 billion in mountaineering royalties during the spring season. Of this, Mount Everest alone contributed the largest share, reaffirming its critical role in Nepal’s tourism economy and foreign exchange earnings. Officials said the revenue reflects the growing number of climbers and increased interest in Nepal’s Himalayan peaks, despite challenging weather conditions and rising global competition in adventure tourism destinations.
Growing Role of Nepal in Global Adventure Tourism
With hundreds of climbers and support teams successfully reaching summits across 31 peaks, Nepal continues to strengthen its position as the world’s premier mountaineering destination. Tourism authorities believe that improved safety measures, better expedition management, and increasing international interest will further boost Nepal’s adventure tourism sector in the coming years.
