Travel Blog

Everest Climbing Permit Fee Hiked to USD 15000

27 Jan 2025 5 min to read

The Everest Climbing Permit fee hiked to USD 15000 by the government of Nepal to focus on garbage pollution management, social security for high-altitude workers, and boost revenue. The revised rules require a compulsory guide to climb any mountain over 8,000 meters for every two climbers. On January 8, the revisions were approved in the Cabinet meeting which is yet to be published in the Nepal Gazette. The new Everest Climbing Permit Fee is effective from September 1, 2025. Since 1953, the total number of climbers to Mount Everest has been reported to be almost 8,900 from the Everest South route.

Ten years ago, on January 1, 2015, the previous royalty fee was revised where a uniform fee of USD 11000 per foreign climber for the spring season from the normal route. The royalty fee for Nepalese climber per person was NPR 75000 for the spring season from the normal route. The issued permit validity was for 75 days. Indu Ghimire, a Tourism Industry’s joint secretary, states that the new regulations focus on waste management, social security for high-altitude workers, and enhancing government revenue. The new changes won’t affect already confirmed bookings for the spring 2025 expedition. Now, new rules and regulations have been introduced for climbing Everest which we shall discuss in detail below.

What’s New in Everest Climbing Permit Fees and Regulations?

1.Increase in Royalty Fee for foreign climbers via the regular Everest south route

  • Spring Season (Mar-May): USD 15000
  • Autumn Season (Sep-Nov): USD 7500
  • Monsoon and Winter Seasons: USD 3750

2. Increase in Royalty Fee for Nepali Climbers via the regular Everest south route

  • Spring Season (Mar-May): NPR 1,50,000

3. The issued climbing permits are valid only for 55 days to simplify climbing activities.

4. The climbers are compulsorily required to carry biodegradable bags to dispose of their poop and waste properly. They must be carried back to the base camp for correct disposal without degrading the environment.

5. Climbers are only allowed to bring or carry the things listed in their permit documents as issued by the Department of Tourism.

6. Increase in Insurance coverage for high-altitude workers

  • High-altitude guides: USD 14400
  • Base Camp Workers: USD 10800

7. A guide is mandatory to climb any mountain over 8,000 meters for every two climbers.

8. Even without paying fees, the rescue teams and cleaning campaign members can collect garbage and dead bodies from the Everest region’s Camp IV.

9. A permit is mandatory to enter the death zone.

10. Paragliding is permitted only during descent and with prior approval from mountains above 8,000 meters.

11. Spring 2025 expedition bookings confirmed won’t be affected by the new regulation changes.

12. The new Everest Climbing Permit Fee is effective from September 1, 2025.

Electronic Tracking Chips Compulsory for Everest Climbers
Everest Climbing Permit Fee Hiked to USD 15000 4

Everest Climbing Permit Fee and Regulations Comparable Chart

IndicatorsPreviousPresent or Revised
Foreigners’ Royalty Fees
Spring Season (Mar-May)
Autumn Season (Sep-Nov)
Monsoon and Winter Seasons

USD 11000
USD 5500
USD 2750

USD 15000
USD 7500
USD 3750
Nepali Climbers’ Royalty Fees
Spring Season (Mar-May)  

NPR 75,000

NPR 1,50,000
Permit Validity Days75 Days55 Days
Insurance Coverage for High-altitude workers
High-altitude Guides
Base Camp Workers  
   

USD 10800
USD 5760  


USD 14400
USD 10800  

Focus on Waste Management

The data from the previous year’s spring climbing season, 2024, shows that the expeditions produced around 100 tonnes of waste. The base camps used toilet tents with barrels for waste, and a few agencies provided similar facilities up to higher camps. Only a few climbers used biodegradable bags to carry waste from the summit, while most relied on pits.

The unsustainable practices of climbers’ disposing of trash (mostly non-degradable) at random places for years had deteriorated the region’s beauty and generated health threats for local communities. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality made an effort to minimize the garbage problem. As an effort, they introduced using the bio-degradable waste bags compulsory from last spring. That season they sold 1,700 poop bags.

The new regulations primarily focus on waste management to preserve the natural beauty and safeguard the environmental degradation of the Everest region. Therefore, the New Rules on Waste Management implement the following key points.

1. Climbers must carry biodegradable bags to collect the waste and poop in high areas and above 8000 meters. They must bring it back to the base camp for proper disposal.

2. Climbers must only bring or pack the goods listed in their permit documents from the Department of Tourism.

3. The rescue teams and members of cleaning campaigns can gather garbage and dead bodies without paying fees from Everest’s Camp IV. However, a permit is required to enter the death zone.

Overland Tour to Everest Base Camp
Everest Climbing Permit Fee Hiked to USD 15000 5

Focus on Social Security of High-Altitude Workers

These high-altitude workers, including the Sherpas and other staff, take high risks by working in dangerous conditions to serve the climbers. The risk-taking is higher, but their safety and recognition are minimal. Thus, the newly revised rules focus on the social security of high-altitude workers, which are given below.

1. The insurance coverage fee for high-altitude guides increased to USD 14400 from USD 10800.

2. The insurance coverage fee for base camp workers increased to USD 10800 from USD 5760.

Everest View Nicholas2
Everest Climbing Permit Fee Hiked to USD 15000 6

Previous Year’s Waste Statistics in the Everest Region

The 2023 spring season witnessed alarming traffic jams on Mount Everest and leftover trash on slopes. This careless human behavior led the Supreme Court to order strict regulation of the rising number of Everest expeditions. The tons of trash converted this iconic site into the ‘world’s highest garbage dump’. The experts emphasize the serious need for sustainable mountaineering practices. 

Climate change such as snow and ice melting also disclosures buried garbage and human remains aggravating the waste problem. The water sources have been contaminated which results in the local communities at higher health risks.

The efforts from the local level for waste management are in practice. The Nepal Army removed more than 11 tonnes of garbage. In the Spring Climbing Season of 2024 only, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee removed 85 tonnes of waste from the Everest region, which is tabulated below.

Waste TypesWaste (in tonnes)
Burnable Garbage27.99 tonnes
Recyclable Waste7.51 tonnes
Human Excreta27.53 tonnes
Kitchen Waste14.15 tonnes