KATHMANDU, Jan 12: The government has collected Rs 1.68 million as royalty as of Saturday from mountaineers for winter expeditions to different mountains.

Through a press statement issued by the Department of Tourism on Saturday, the authority has presented a data that shows 27 permits have been issued by the department till January 11. 

The government has started issuing permit to climbers for the winter season. The government has allowed the teams to scale four mountains. “A total of 27 mountaineers in a team of five will attempt the ascending of mountains,” according to the department. The permitted teams are comprised of all male members.

Data compiled by the department shows that the highest; 15 members are attempting to climb Mt Amadablam (6814m) followed by two teams with five members to scale Mt Sagarmatha (Everest 8848m). Likewise, five mountaineers are trying Mt Nuptse (7855m) and two persons are climbing Mt Rokpai (5467m).

Four countries including Germany, China, USA and Spain have attained permission to scale the mountains. Of which, five nationals of Germany and Spain are attempting to scale Mt Everest.

In regard to the Mount Everest, foreign climbers are charged US dollar 2,750 for normal route and $2,500 for other route during winter and summer. Nepalis are charged Rs 18,250 for normal route and Rs 15,000 for other route of Mt Everest during winter and summer. For mountains having the height of above 8,000 meters except Mount Everest, Foreigners are bound to pay $450 whereas Nepalis need to pay Rs 2,500.

Likewise, the government levies $150 to foreigners and Rs 2,000 to Nepalis for the mountains having the height of 7,501 to 7,999 meters. For the mountains having the height of 6,501 to 6,999 meters, foreigners are charged $100 and Nepalis Rs 1,250. 

And for Mt Amadablam, foreigners need to pay $200 and the charge for Nepalis is Rs 4,000. While foreigners are charged $70 to get the permit to climb mountains less than 6,500 meters Nepalis are charged Rs 1,000 during winter and summer.

The government defines December, January, February as winter season for expedition to mountains. Similarly, March, April, May as spring, June, July, August as summer and the months of September, October, November as autumn season.

The charge differs according to seasons that are viable for mountaineering. The country sees more climbers during spring and autumn due to appropriate climbing climate in the seasons. 

As winter is considered off-season for mountaineering, the permit charge is comparatively low during winter and summer.

A total of 414 peaks have been opened for mountaineering in Nepal. According to the department, 86 of them remain unclimbed.

 
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