KATHMANDU, Dec 28: The number of climbers coming to Nepal for mountaineering has been increasing. The Department of Tourism says the figure has grown in recent years. Compared to fiscal year 2023–24, the number of climbers rose in 2024–25.
According to Himal Gautam, director of the Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering Section at the Department of Tourism, a total of 2,548 climbers from 87 countries obtained climbing permits in fiscal year 2024–25. This included 555 women and 1,993 men from 303 expedition teams. From these permits, the government collected Rs 918.63 million in royalties.
In fiscal year 2023–24, 2,373 climbers from 93 countries received climbing permits. These included 476 women and 1,897 men from 308 expedition teams. The government earned Rs 768.69 million in royalties during that year.
Compared to 2023–24, royalty income from mountaineering increased by 19.08 percent in 2024–25, even though the number of climbers from five countries declined, the department said.
Over the past two years, Mount Everest alone accounted for 78.74 percent of total mountaineering royalties.
Wonders of rock climbing
Gautam said climbers traditionally focused on mountains in the Khumbu region, but arrivals are now increasing across mountains from east to west. This broader interest has contributed to the overall rise in climbers.
He also said the government has waived climbing royalties for mountains located in provinces with low human development indicators, which has further boosted climber numbers. Karnali and Sudurpaschim are the two provinces that lag behind on the human development index.
Gautam noted that while there is local expectation of support for mountaineering in western Nepal, poor coordination and cooperation have limited arrivals. He said climber numbers could rise further with stronger local involvement.
At present, the government has made climbing free of royalty for 97 mountains in Karnali and Sudurpaschim. A study by the Nepal Mountaineering Association shows Nepal has more than 1,300 climbable peaks, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
So far, the government has opened 461 mountains for climbing. Despite this, expeditions remain concentrated on a limited number of peaks.
According to the Department of Tourism’s annual report, 102 of the open peaks are still awaiting their first successful ascent.
Gautam said infrastructure constraints in mountain regions continue to prevent the expected growth in climbers.
The largest number of climbers visiting Nepal come from five countries: the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Nepal Mountaineering Association President Phur Gelje Sherpa said Nepal’s diverse and high-quality climbing destinations have driven the rise in climbers. He added that better management of climbing areas could attract even more mountaineers. He also said stronger promotion by the state could bring climbers from many more countries.
In the last fiscal year, certificates of successful ascent were issued to 2,196 climbers.
Of those who obtained permits and paid royalties, 1,078 were climbers, including 817 men and 261 women. The remaining 1,118 were mountain guides, high-altitude workers, and other support staff. Among them were 1,105 men and 13 women.
To promote mountain tourism and expand tourism destinations in Karnali and Sudurpaschim, which lag behind in economic, social, and human development indicators, the government has decided to fully waive climbing royalties for all mountains in these two provinces for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27.
