Nepal, home to eight of the world's fourteen 8000-meter peaks, is a major destination for mountaineering expeditions. The government regulates mountaineering activities in the country through a system of permits, which come with associated royalty fees. These fees play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of climbers, as well as contributing to the welfare and development of mountain communities. Here's a breakdown of the logic and structure of these fees:
Purpose of Royalty Fees:
- Safety and Monitoring: The primary purpose of these fees is to ensure the safety of climbers. The Himalayas can be unpredictable, with risks of avalanches, crevasses, and severe weather conditions. With the permit system, the government can monitor who is on which mountain and facilitate any necessary rescue operations.
- Development: The fees also contribute to the infrastructure, health, education, and other developmental projects in the remote mountain communities. This helps in the overall betterment of the region and ensures that some benefits of tourism reach the local populace.
- Environmental Conservation: Some portion of these fees also goes into conservation efforts, ensuring the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is preserved for future generations.
Fee Structure:
- Peak Elevation: As you rightly pointed out, the royalty fees vary based on the height of the peak. Expeditions targeting the 8000-meter peaks, especially Everest, are charged the highest fees. Smaller peaks, often referred to as 'trekking peaks', have lower permit costs.
- Seasonal Variation: Spring (pre-monsoon) is the most popular season for climbing in Nepal due to the most stable and favorable weather conditions. Consequently, royalty fees are highest in spring. Autumn (post-monsoon) is the second most popular season and has slightly reduced fees. Winter and summer (monsoon season) see fewer climbers, resulting in the lowest fees. However, these off-peak seasons pose more challenging conditions for expeditions.
- Team Size and Composition: The structure of fees can also vary based on the size of the expedition team and whether they are foreign or local climbers.
Other Considerations:
- Additional Permits: Aside from the peak-specific royalty, climbers might also need other permits, especially if the peak is located inside a national park or conservation area.
- Liaison Officers: On major peaks, expeditions are often required to have a liaison officer from the government to ensure compliance with regulations. Their costs are typically borne by the expedition.
- Insurance: The Government of Nepal mandates certain insurance coverages for both climbers and their local staff, like Sherpas.
Updated Expedition and Climbing Permit Fees
Permit fees for mountains above 8000m
S.N |
Mountain Name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Mount Everest (8848 M) |
$ 11000 |
$ 5500 |
$ 2750/2500 |
2 |
Kanchenjunga (8586M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
3 |
Lhotse (8516M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
4 |
Makalu (8463 M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
5 |
Cho You (8201M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
6 |
Dhaulagiri (8167M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
7 |
Manaslu (8163M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
8 |
Annapurna (8091M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
9 |
Shisapangma (8013M) |
$ 1800 |
$ 900 |
$ 450 |
Please, click here for the 8000m expedition packages.
Permit fees for mountains above 7500m
S.N |
Mountain Name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Kang Gyachung (7952 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
2 |
Annapurna II (7937 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
3 |
Kangbachen (7903 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
4 |
Himachuli E (7893 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
5 |
Ngadi Chuli (Peak 29 Dakura) (7871 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
6 |
Nuptse (7855 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
7 |
Dhaulagiri II (7751 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
8 |
Dhaulagiri III (7715 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
9 |
Kumbhakarna (Jannu) (7710) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
10 |
Varaha Shikhar (Fang) (7674 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
11 |
Dhaulagiri IV (7661 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
12 |
Dhaulagiri V (7618 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
13 |
Annapurna III (7555 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
14 |
Himchuli West (7540 M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
15 |
Annapurna IV (7525M) |
$600 |
$300 |
$150 |
Permit fees for mountains above 7000m
S.N |
Mountain Name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Khang Sar Kang (7485 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
2 |
Jongsang Peak (7483 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
3 |
Shartse (7459 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
4 |
Mount Gangapurna (7455 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
5 |
Gangapurna(7455M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
6 |
Himchuli N (7371 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
7 |
Churen (7371 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
8 |
Kirat Chuli(Tent Peak) (7365 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
9 |
Gimigela Chuli (7350 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
10 |
Pasang Lhamuh (Chuli Jasamba)(7315M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
11 |
Chamlang (7319 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
12 |
Dhaulagiri IV (7268 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
13 |
Langtang Lirung (7234 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
14 |
Putha Hiunchuli (7246 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
15 |
Langtang Ri (7205 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
16 |
Gurja Himal (7193 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
17 |
Tarke Kang (7193 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
18 |
Chamar (7187 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
19 |
Manaslu North (7157 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
20 |
Pumori (7161 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
21 |
Mount Tilicho (7134 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
22 |
Gauri Shanker (7134 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
23 |
Api Himal (7132 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
24 |
Barun Tse (7129 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
25 |
Mount Baruntse (7129 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
26 |
Pathivara Chuli (7125 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
27 |
Himlung Himal (7126 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
28 |
Ganesh II (7111 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
29 |
Ganesh III (Salasungo)(7110 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
30 |
Api West (7100 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
31 |
Nilgiri North (7061 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
32 |
Ganesh IV (Pabil) (7052 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
33 |
Gyajikang (7038 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
34 |
Saipal (7031 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
35 |
Saipal East (7031 M) |
$500 |
$250 |
$125 |
Please, click here for the 7000m and above climbing & expedition packages.
Permit fees for mountains above 6500m
S.N |
Mountain Name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Ganesh V (6986 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
2 |
Kang Guru (6981 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
3 |
Leonpa Gang (Big White Peak)(6979M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
4 |
Dorje Lhakpa (6966 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
5 |
Numbur (6957 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
6 |
Lemgpa Peak (6954 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
7 |
Tukuche Peak (6920 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
8 |
Lamjung Himal (6918 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
9 |
Ri Gurkarpa (6891M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
10 |
Jethi Bahurani (6850 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
11 |
Nilgiri South (6839 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
12 |
Ohmi Kanga (6829 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
13 |
Kanijiroba (Main Peak) (6828 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
14 |
Cheo Himal (6820 m) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
15 |
Bobaye(6808 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
16 |
Drangang Ri (6801M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
17 |
Bhairab Takura (Madiya Peak) (6799 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
18 |
Khatang (6782 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
19 |
Kangtega(Kantega) (6779 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
20 |
Nampa (6755 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
21 |
Cho polu (6711 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
22 |
Fimkot (6697 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
23 |
Chobuje (6685 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
24 |
Baudha (6672 m) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
25 |
Fimkot West (6645 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
26 |
Phurbi Chyachu (6631 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
27 |
Kande Hiunchuli (6627 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
28 |
Thamserku (6623 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
29 |
Kanjeralwa (6612 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
30 |
Sita Chuchura (6611 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
31 |
Raksha Urai (6593 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
32 |
Nampa South (6580 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
33 |
Changla (6563M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
34 |
Tripura Hiunchuli (6563 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
35 |
Hongde (6556 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
36 |
Surma-Sarovar North (6523 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
37 |
Tso Karpo (6518 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
38 |
Karyolung (6511M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
39 |
Tawache (6501 M) |
$400 |
$200 |
$100 |
Please, click here for the 6000m and above climbing & expedition packages.
Permit fee below 6500m
S.N |
Mountain name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Peaks below 6500m |
$ 250 |
$125 |
$70 |
A special permit fee for Mt. Amadablam
S.N |
Mountain name |
Spring |
Autumn |
Winter/Summer |
1 |
Amadablam (6812M) |
$ 400 |
$ 400 |
$ 200 |
Luxury Holidays Nepal has some elite peak climbing plans with attractive offers and bonuses. We offer 8000 m peaks, 7000 m peaks, and 6000 m peaks, etc for climbing.
For the Complete Guide to Climbing and Expedition in Nepal, please click here.
If you need any further information, please contact us, Email: at [email protected], Phone: +977- 985 100 5129 (WhatsApp)