KATHMANDU: A total of 648 climbers from 69 countries have secured permits to ascend 20 mountains in Nepal during the autumn 2026 climbing season, generating Rs 238.96 million in royalties for the government. The Department of Tourism, which issues climbing permits for mountains above 6,500 metres, announced the figures on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The climbers are part of 71 expedition groups, comprising 485 men and 163 women. Among the countries represented are China (118 climbers), Russia (57), France (51), the United States (41), the United Kingdom (38), Germany (34), Japan (21), Nepal (20), Poland (19), India (18), Australia (17), Canada (16), Czech Republic (16), Spain (15), and Switzerland (13), according to Suraj Ghimire, Information Officer at the Department of Tourism.
Manaslu, standing at 8,163 metres, has attracted the highest number of mountaineers, with 500 climbers from 43 expedition groups receiving permits. Royalties from Manaslu permits alone account for Rs 225.86 million of the total. Other peaks drawing significant numbers include Dhaulagiri I (34 climbers), Putha Hiunchuli (20), Danga Hiunchuli (16), and Baruntse (10). Permits have also been issued for Makalu, Gangapurna West, Thorong Peak, and several other mountains. The Department stated that the total revenue collected, Rs 238.96 million, is equivalent to US$1.571 million.
This year’s autumn season figures show a slight increase from the Department of Tourism’s announcement on September 29, 2026, which reported 637 climbers from 68 teams for 18 mountains, generating Rs 238.51 million. The season has, however, been marred by a recent tragedy, with an avalanche at Himlung Himal base camp on September 27, 2026, leaving 10 to 12 people missing. The Department of Tourism is actively gathering information on the incident. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, all exceeding 8,000 metres, making it a premier destination for mountaineers globally. The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) issues permits for peaks between 5,800 and 6,500 metres.
Mountaineering trends and tourism initiatives
The autumn 2026 season follows a robust spring 2026 season, which saw 1,181 climbers from 79 countries obtain permits, generating a substantial Rs 1.25 billion in revenue. In the autumn 2025 season, Manaslu alone attracted 422 climbers, an increase from 374 climbers the previous year.
Nepal has been actively promoting its tourism sector. On January 1, 2026, the Nepal Tourism Board launched ‘Nepal-ASEAN Tourism Year 2026’, aiming to attract 1.16 million tourists by 2025 and outlining a ten-year strategic plan for 2026-2035. The country’s mountaineering activities are governed by the Mountaineering Regulations, 2059 (BS). The tourism industry faced significant setbacks in 2020 when COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of spring climbing permits, severely impacting revenue. Additionally, devastating floods in August 2026 affected several villages and the tourism sector, though the full impact on the autumn climbing season is yet to be detailed.
Future outlook and safety measures
In light of recent events, the Department of Tourism has urged climbers, trekkers, and support staff heading to mountains and trekking routes this autumn to exercise high caution and monitor weather conditions closely. Preparations for route opening and rope fixing on Himlung Himal and Ama Dablam Himal were completed when the Mountaineering Operators Association Nepal handed over necessary materials to agencies on September 17, 2026. Similar work on Manaslu Himal is nearing completion, with the goal of hoisting the flags of the Mountaineering Operators Association Nepal and the Department of Tourism on the summit soon.
Efforts are also underway to enhance tourist safety and management. Nepal is preparing to implement an online tracking system for foreign tourists, which began its first phase in Kathmandu hotels in January 2026 and is expected to expand nationwide by March 2026. Furthermore, the ‘Tourism Bill, 2081 (BS)’ is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, with proposed amendments focusing on restructuring the tourism sector, sustainable mountaineering policies, environmental protection, and the integration of digital technology.
The search and rescue operations for the 10 to 12 individuals missing after the Himlung Himal avalanche are ongoing. The full extent of the impact of the August 2026 floods on the overall autumn mountaineering season remains largely unknown. Discussions on the ‘Tourism Bill, 2081 (BS)’ are continuing in parliament, and its final form has yet to be determined.
