Nepal Cuts Climbing Permit Prices..Yes, Including Mt. Everest

In an effort to draw more tourists and climbers to one of the world’s most mountainous regions, Nepal has decided to cut permit fees and abolish others.

The Earth Times is reporting that this decision affects mountaineering expeditions to major peaks during winter, autumn, and the monsoon season–which is a bit odd since most climbers know better than to attempt a high-altitude climb during Monsoon season.

The permit cuts go as high as 50% in the autumn to 75% in the winter and monsoon seasons. The government has also waved all fees for mountains in mid-western and far-western Nepal. Of the 326 peaks open to climbers around the year, 293 of the charge special permit fees. These can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $70,000 for a 12 person expedition to Mt. Everest. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s highest peaks.

One guess as to why this is being brought to the public’s attention..

With all that has been going on on Mt. Everest this season, and the pro-tibetan riots, one can imagine that Nepal is not really a tourist hotspot right now. Also, a lot of the porters and Sherpa in the region, due to China’s take-over of Mt. Everest are not making nearly the money they would in a normal climbing season. One can se why and how these efforts, could in fact, help Nepal’s struggling economy. They rely on these expeditions to bring millions of dollars into their government system.

We will have to wait and see if these actions will spark a larger than usual interest in Nepal’s mountains in the off-season.