Nepal is increasing the fees for climbing Mount Everest, with the aim to generate higher revenue from the popular tourist destination. The increased costs may impact the number of climbers attempting to summit the world’s highest peak.
As from September, those seeking to summit the world’s tallest mountain during peak season will have to pay $15,000 (£12,180), a 36% rise on the longstanding fee of $11,000, the officials had said on Wednesday.
Fees for those wanting to climb outside the peak months: April to May will also increase by the same percentage – meaning it will cost $7,500 during September to November, and $3,750 during December to February.
Earnings from permit fees is the primary source of revenue for Nepal, with mountain climbing and trekking contributing over 4% to the country’s economy.
Mountaineering experts have often criticised Nepal’s government for permitting too many climbers on Everest, however, with about 300 permits to the mountain issued per year, it is still unclear if the price increase, which was under discussion since last year, will slow demand.
Narayan Prasad Regmi, the director general of the Department of Tourism had said to Reuters; “The royalty (permit fees) had not been reviewed for a long time. We have updated them now.”
In April 2024, Nepal’s Supreme Court directed the government to limit the number of mountaineering permits issued for Everest and other peaks, saying that the mountains’ capacity “must be respected”.
Due to concerns about overcrowding on Everest and climbers queuing in dangerous conditions to reach the summit, the Nepalese army began conducting an annual clean-up of the mountain in 2019.
Since that time at least five Mount Everest targeted clean-ups have collected 119 tonnes of rubbish, 14 human corpses and some skeletons, according to the army but it is estimated that a further 200 bodies remain on the mountain.
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest.
