Nepal has announced a significant increase in the permit fees for climbers seeking to summit Mount Everest, marking the first price hike in nearly a decade. Starting in September, those looking to climb during the peak season will face a fee of $15,000, which is a 36% increase from the previous fee of $11,000.

For those attempting to climb outside of the peak April to May season, fees will also rise by the same percentage. The new charges will be $7,500 for the months of September to November, and $3,750 for December to February.

The hike in permit fees is expected to provide a substantial source of revenue for Nepal, where mountain climbing and trekking contribute more than 4% to the country's economy. However, the government has faced criticism from mountaineering experts for issuing too many permits, with around 300 permits granted annually for Everest. It remains uncertain whether the higher fees will deter climbers.

Narayan Prasad Regmi, Director General of Nepal's Department of Tourism, explained that the royalty had not been reviewed for many years, which led to the fee increase. However, he did not clarify how the additional revenue would be allocated.

In a related move, Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the government to restrict the number of mountaineering permits for Everest and other peaks in 2024, emphasizing that the mountain's capacity should be respected. While the court did not set a specific limit on permits, the decision underscores growing concerns over overcrowding on Everest, with climbers often facing dangerous queues near the summit.

As part of efforts to address environmental issues, the Nepalese army has conducted annual clean-up operations on Everest since 2019, removing 119 tonnes of rubbish, 14 human bodies, and several skeletons. Despite these efforts, it is estimated that around 200 bodies still remain on the mountain.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, and continues to be a major hub for climbers and trekkers worldwide.