Nepal has announced a significant hike in permit fees for climbing Mount Everest, the first increase in nearly a decade, making the world’s tallest peak more expensive for mountaineers. The new rates, which represent a 36% increase, will take effect in September 2025, according to Narayan Prasad Regmi, Director General of the Department of Tourism.
The cost for a permit to climb the 8,849-meter (29,032 feet) Mount Everest will rise from $11,000 to $15,000 for the popular April-May climbing season along the standard South East Ridge route, famously pioneered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Permit fees for the less popular September-November and December-February seasons will also increase to $7,500 and $3,750, respectively.
The increase in permit fees is expected to provide a boost to Nepal’s revenue, which heavily relies on income from foreign climbers. The Himalayan nation, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, issues approximately 300 Everest permits annually, contributing significantly to its economy.
“The royalty (permit fees) had not been reviewed for a long time. We have updated them now,” said Regmi.
While it remains unclear how the additional revenue will be utilized, some expedition organizers have welcomed the move. Lukas Furtenbach of Austria-based Furtenbach Adventures described the hike as an “understandable step” and expressed hope that the funds would be used to improve safety and environmental protection on Everest.
Nepal has faced criticism for allowing too many climbers on Everest, which has led to overcrowding, safety risks, and environmental degradation. Climbers and experts have raised concerns about increasing waste on the mountain and the effects of climate change, which have made the terrain drier and rockier.
Regmi stated that regular cleaning campaigns are organized to collect garbage and ensure safety measures, such as rope fixing. However, mountaineers returning from Everest have reported diminishing snow and precipitation, which experts attribute to global warming.
Despite the fee hike, expedition organizers believe the increase will not deter climbers. “We expected this hike in permit fees,” said Furtenbach, adding that climbers are likely to adapt to the change.
The new rates aim to balance the growing demand for Everest expeditions with the need for sustainable management of the iconic mountain. Nepal’s decision reflects its commitment to preserving the environment and ensuring the safety of climbers while continuing to attract adventurers from around the world.
