Nepal Grants Autumn Permits to 648 Climbers, Raising Rs 239M
Nepal has issued autumn mountaineering permits to 648 climbers from 69 nations, collecting nearly Rs 239 million in fees, with Mount Manaslu attracting the vast majority of expeditions.
Nepal has issued autumn mountaineering permits to 648 climbers representing 69 countries across 20 peaks, collecting roughly Rs 238.96 million ($1.57 million) in climbing royalties, according to official figures released by the Department of Tourism.
Department of Tourism Information Officer Suraj Ghimire confirmed that the permits cover 71 expedition teams, comprising 485 male and 163 female climbers, national dailies and state news agency RSS reported. The tally highlights strong sustained interest in Nepal's autumn climbing season, which remains the premier window for expeditions tackling peaks outside the Everest region.
Mount Manaslu (8,163 metres), the world's eighth-highest summit, drew the overwhelming majority of participants. The department reported that 500 climbers divided across 43 separate expedition teams secured clearances to ascend Manaslu alone. Permit revenue from the peak topped Rs 225.85 million, accounting for more than 94 percent of all mountaineering royalties collected by the government so far this season, as reported by Karobar Daily and Nagarik News.
Beyond Manaslu, smaller contingents have set out for other prominent summits. According to department records, 34 mountaineers across four teams secured permits for Dhaulagiri I, while 20 climbers in two teams registered for Putha Hiunchuli. Another 16 mountaineers divided into two groups are scheduled to attempt Danga Hiunchuli, and a single team of 10 climbers acquired authorization for Baruntse.
The department has also cleared expeditions for Makalu, Gangapurna West (Langchenel), Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna IV, Chamlang, Lamjung Himal, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak (Dhampus), Pokhar Khang, Ardang, and Peri, Annapurna Post and The Rising Nepal noted.
By nationality, Chinese climbers form the single largest contingent on Nepal's autumn peaks, with 118 obtaining permits. Russia followed with 57 climbers, while France registered 51. The United States accounts for 41 permitted climbers, the United Kingdom 38, Germany 34, Japan 21, Poland 19, and India 18. Nepali citizens feature as well, with 20 climbers receiving permits as expedition members. Other represented nations include Australia with 17, Canada and the Czech Republic with 16 each, Spain with 15, Switzerland with 13, Belgium and Argentina with seven each, and Bulgaria with five.
Permit royalties represent an important source of non-tax revenue for the treasury, alongside supporting downstream jobs for mountain guides, high-altitude porters, and base camp workers during the post-monsoon climbing window.