Kathmandu-Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Nepal has witnessed a record-breaking spring climbing season, with Mount Everest continuing to attract a growing number of international climbers. For the first time, royalty revenue from Everest permits alone has crossed Rs 1 billion.

According to the Department of Tourism, the government has collected Rs 1.19 billion in royalties from Everest climbing permits as of May 7. A total of 468 climbers from 48 expedition teams have received permission to scale the world’s highest peak this spring season.

The figures mark a sharp increase compared to the spring season of 2025, when 331 climbers from 32 teams generated Rs 493.37 million in revenue. In just one year, Everest royalty income has nearly doubled.

Although tensions between the United States and Iran were expected to affect international travel and tourism, Nepal’s high-altitude mountaineering sector has remained resilient. While some impact has been observed in the hotel and trekking industries, demand for Himalayan expeditions — especially Everest climbing — has continued to grow.

The surge in revenue comes even after the government raised Everest climbing fees. Under the Mountaineering (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2081, introduced by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the spring-season climbing permit fee for Everest was increased from US$11,000 to US$15,000 per climber.

This spring, Nepal has issued climbing permits for 30 mountains above 6,000 meters, including Everest. Overall, 1,108 climbers from 133 expedition teams have received permits for various peaks, generating more than Rs 1.18 billion in total royalty revenue.

After Everest, Lhotse has emerged as the second most popular destination, attracting 118 climbers from 10 teams. Significant interest has also been recorded for Ama Dablam, Makalu, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri.

According to the Department of Tourism, climbers from 79 countries have obtained mountaineering permits in Nepal this season. By comparison, permits were issued for only 22 mountains during the same period last year, generating just over Rs 560 million in royalties.