KATHMANDU: A total of 648 climbers from 69 countries have obtained permits to climb 20 mountains in Nepal during the autumn 2026 climbing season.
According to the Department of Tourism, the climbers belong to 71 expedition groups, comprising 485 men and 163 women. Department Information Officer Suraj Ghimire said permits have been issued to climbers from countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Nepal and China.
Among them are 17 climbers from Australia, 16 from Canada, 21 from Japan, 18 from India, 41 from the United States, 38 from the United Kingdom, 15 from Spain, 13 from Switzerland, 57 from Russia, 19 from Poland, 20 from Nepal and 118 from China. Similarly, 34 climbers are from Germany, 51 from France, seven from Belgium, five from Bulgaria, 16 from the Czech Republic and seven from Argentina. Climbers from several other countries have also received permits.
The Department has collected Rs 238.96 million in royalties from the permits issued so far. Manaslu (8,163 metres) has attracted the highest number of climbers, with 500 climbers from 43 expedition groups receiving permits. The government has collected Rs 225.86 million in royalties from Manaslu permits alone.
Similarly, 34 climbers from four groups have received permits for Dhaulagiri I, 20 climbers from two groups for Putha Hiunchuli, 16 climbers from two groups for Danga Hiunchuli and 10 climbers from one group for Baruntse.
Permits have also been issued for several other mountains, including Makalu, Gangapurna West (Long Channel), Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna IV, Chamlang, Lamjung Himal, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak (Dhampus), Pokhar Khang, Ardang and Peri.
The Department said the climbing permits issued for these mountains have generated US$1.571 million in revenue, equivalent to approximately Rs 238.96 million.
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