KATHMANDU (ANN/KATHMANDU POST) – Nepal has announced a significant increase in climbing fees for Mount Everest and introduced stricter regulations to address environmental concerns and enhance safety on the world’s highest peak.
The new measures, approved by Nepal’s Cabinet earlier this month, aim to reduce garbage pollution and improve climbing practices in the wake of growing criticism over the mountain’s deteriorating condition. The revised rules will come into effect on September 1, 2025.
Steeper fees for climbers
Foreign climbers will now pay USD15,000 to scale Everest during the spring season, up from the current USD11,000. Fees for other seasons have also been increased, with autumn permits rising to USD7,500 and winter and monsoon permits now costing USD3,750. Nepali climbers will also see fees double to NPR150,000 during the spring.
The last fee adjustment was made in 2015, and officials say the hike will help boost revenue for better management of the iconic mountain.
Stricter regulations for climbers
The new rules mandate that every two climbers must hire a guide for peaks above 8,000 meters, including Everest. Additionally, the validity of climbing permits has been reduced from 75 days to 55 days to streamline climbing activities.
In an unprecedented move, climbers will also be required to bring their waste, including human waste, back to base camp for proper disposal. Biodegradable bags will be mandatory, ensuring waste is removed even from higher altitudes.
“These measures are designed to protect the environment and ensure safety while preserving the dignity of the mountain,” said Indu Ghimire, a joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry.
Addressing Everest’s pollution problem
Everest’s pristine slopes have become a dumping ground for discarded oxygen canisters, tents, food packaging, and human waste. During the 2024 spring season alone, 85 tonnes of waste were collected, according to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee. This included 28 tonnes of human waste, which poses significant health risks to local communities.
“The volume of waste collected underscores the urgent need for sustainable mountaineering practices,” said a spokesperson for the committee.
Local authorities had already introduced biodegradable bags for climbers last year, and this practice is now mandatory for expeditions scaling peaks over 8,000 meters.
Improved conditions for sherpas
To better protect high-altitude workers, Nepal has raised insurance coverage for Sherpas and other support staff. Guides will now be insured for NPR2 million, up from NPR1.5 million, while base camp workers will have coverage increased to NPR1.5 million.
“These changes are meant to provide greater security for those who take on enormous risks to support climbers,” said Ghimire.
The new regulations also limit climbers to items listed in their permits, ban unauthorised activities, and allow rescue teams to collect waste and bodies without fees up to Camp IV. However, permits will be required for operations in the death zone.
The changes come as Nepal grapples with rising criticism over overcrowding and safety concerns on Everest. Last year, traffic jams on the peak made global headlines, with hundreds of climbers lining up in treacherous conditions.
Nepal’s government says these new measures will help protect Everest’s fragile ecosystem while ensuring safer climbing experiences.
