Daijiworld Media Network – Kathmandu

Kathmandu, May 15: Nepal has issued a record 492 climbing permits for Mount Everest during the current climbing season, surpassing the previous high of 479 permits recorded in 2023.

According to official data, royalties collected from Everest expeditions alone have reached USD 7.19 million, equivalent to over NPR 1.07 billion.

Climbers from 55 countries are participating in expeditions to the world’s highest peak this season. The United States has fielded the largest national contingent with 76 climbers on Everest, while China leads overall participation across all permitted peaks with 109 climbers. India follows with 95 climbers, while the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia have sent 74, 71, and 69 climbers respectively.

Nepal has issued a total of 1,134 climbing permits this season for various mountains, including 860 male and 274 female climbers. Total royalty collection from mountaineering permits has reached NPR 1.24 billion.

The figures cover the period from March 1 to May 8, 2026.

Among the 30 mountain peaks open for expeditions in Nepal, Mount Lhotse recorded the second-highest number of climbers with 120 permits, followed by Ama Dablam with 111 permits and Makalu with 72.

The surge in permit numbers highlights Nepal’s continued popularity as a global destination for high-altitude mountaineering and adventure tourism.