KATHMANDU: Government has granted permit to 901 mountaineers of 108 groups for winter expedition in various 35 mountains and peaks in the country.

According to the Department of Tourism, highest number of permit was issued for Mt Manaslu (8,163 m). Altogether 404 mountaineers of 38 groups were granted permit for the winter expedition on this mountain.

Permission was issued to five persons of a group to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mt Everest (Sagarmatha), the Department said.

A total of 131 permits were issued for 11 groups for Mt Ama Dablam (6,814 m). For Himlung (7,167 m), permit was issued for 144 mountaineers of 14 groups. Thirty-four mountaineers in 4 groups have received permission to scale Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) while one group to climb Mt Nuptse (7,855m).

So far, the Department has collected over Rs 70 million in royalty from permit issue for the winter expedition this year.

A total of 901 mountaineers from 68 countries, including Nepal, are here to climb various mountains and peaks.