Nepal is a country well known for its Himalaya mountains. Among the 10 highest peaks in the world, eight, including the highest peak Mt. Everest, crown this country. Nothing on earth can beat the exhilaration of scaling them. No wonder Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers and every year more than 600 expeditions trudge up the Himalaya, including the trekking peaks.

Seasons
There are four mountaineering seasons: spring (March/May), summer (June/August), autumn (September/November) and winter (December/February). A total of 153 Himalayan peaks are open to mountaineers. Climbing permits are issued by the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation (MOTCA) for 135 peaks known as mountaineering peaks, and by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) for 18 smaller peaks, known as trekking peaks, which range from 5,587 to 6,654 m in altitude.

Permission
The following documents have to be sent to MOTCA, Mountaineering Division when applying for a climbing permit: completed application, endorsement of the National Alpine Club, short biographies of all the members of the expedition (with photograph and signature), map and/or photograph of the mountain indicating climbing route and approach route map. Enlistment of the expedition's name does not require any fee and it should not be paid before receiving the permit from the Ministry of Tourism.

Permits to climb the 18 trekking peaks are issued by NMA on "first come first served" basis. It is necessary to appoint a government recognized trekking agency of Nepal as a local liaison for the expedition in Kathmandu. The trekking agency will look after all the requirements during the expedition.

Royalty Fees
The mountaineering royalty fee should depend upon season and mountains heights . Normally Spring is the high season and summer/winter is off season for mountaineering. Provide discount of 50 % in winter/summer season and 75 % in autumn season keeping intact the royalty fee in spring season. Provide 100% discount on royalty fee for mountains located in mid and far western development region of 5 years

Royalty fee for Mt. Everest (Based on normal route of south east ridge )

(One expedition team has maximum 15 members)

Royalty fee for Mt. Everest (Based on normal route of south east ridge )

(One expedition team has maximum 15 members)

Royalty fee of above 8000m except Mt. Everest

(One expedition team has maximum 15 members)

Restriction
Food and equipment imported for expeditions require an import license and should be custom cleared. Walkie-talkies, transceiver sets and other communication equipment are controlled items in Nepal and have to be declared at the customs office at the entry point.

Contact
For further information, contact Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tourism Industry Administration, Mountaineering Division, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu; Tel: 256234.

Nepal Mountaineering Association, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 434525, 435442; Fax: 977-1-434578; Email: peaks@nma.wlink.com.np