New $15,000 Permit Fee for Mount Everest

Nepal is increasing the permit cost for climbing Mount Everest to $15,000 for the spring season, the most popular time for ascents. This increase comes alongside the opening of 97 new peaks for free exploration, in an effort to alleviate congestion on the main route.

The new permit fee is $15,000 for spring, $7,500 for September-November, and $3,750 for winter. Additional fees include mandatory collaboration with a local organizer ($3,500), a liaison officer ($5,000), and a garbage deposit ($5,000).

Despite the increases, Nepal remains a popular destination for climbers. In the spring of 2024, approximately 600 climbers reached the summit, 200 of whom were foreigners. The government hopes that opening new peaks will boost tourism in lesser-known regions of the Himalayas.