Nepal is increasing permit fees for climbers seeking to scale Mount Everest, responding to mounting concerns over environmental degradation, overcrowding, and the impact of climate change.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Nepal is increasing permit fees for climbers seeking to scale Mount Everest, responding to mounting concerns over environmental degradation, overcrowding, and the impact of climate change. Starting in September, climbers will have to pay $15,000 for a permit during peak season (April-May), a 36% increase from the longstanding $11,000 fee. Off-season climbing permits will also see a sharp rise, with costs reaching $7,500 from September to November and $3,750 from December to February.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The price hike comes as Nepal grapples with the environmental toll of increased foot traffic on Everest, where an estimated 300 climbers annually—along with their support teams—leave behind significant waste, straining the fragile ecosystem of the world’s tallest peak.
Everest’s Environmental Crisis: “The World’s Highest Garbage Dump”
Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha or “Head of the Ocean,” has long been a symbol of human endurance and ambition. However, the mountain has also become infamous for the waste left behind by climbers. Each expedition generates approximately 17 pounds of trash, including discarded gear, food packaging, and oxygen canisters. Over the years, this has led to Everest being dubbed “the world’s highest garbage dump.”
Despite clean-up efforts by the Nepalese army—removing 119 tons of waste and recovering 14 bodies—experts estimate that hundreds more remain buried in the ice. The impact of climate change is making the situation worse, with melting glaciers revealing even more debris and corpses from past expeditions.
Tourism, particularly mountaineering and trekking, is a major economic driver for Nepal, contributing over 4% to the country’s $40.9 billion GDP. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, making it a global hub for high-altitude adventure seekers.
A Long-Overdue Policy Shift?
In April 2024, Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government to limit the number of climbing permits issued, stating that the mountain’s capacity “must be respected.” While the ruling did not specify a maximum number of permits, it was seen as a step toward addressing Everest’s over-commercialization and the growing risks associated with overcrowding.
Despite these concerns, some experts believe the fee increase will have little impact on demand. British mountaineer Kenton Cool, who has summited Everest 18 times, called the hike “no surprise” and noted that, in the grand scheme of climbing costs, it is unlikely to deter foreign climbers.
As Nepal moves forward with its new permit pricing, the challenge remains: how to balance the economic benefits of Everest tourism with the urgent need for environmental and safety reforms. With increasing calls for sustainable tourism policies, Nepal faces a crucial test in ensuring that Everest remains not just an iconic peak for adventurers, but a protected natural wonder for future generations.
Lead image courtesy of DanielPrudek from Getty Images (Mount Everest base camp with two tourists)
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