Tourism boost with Record Climbing Season Ahead: Mountain Climbing in Nepal
Kathmandu – Nepal is preparing for yet another record-breaking autumn in mountaineering, as the Department of Tourism has issued 157 climbing permits to 1,323 climbers from 80 different countries. These permits cover 54 Himalayan peaks, underscoring Nepal’s continued dominance as the global epicentre for high-altitude adventure.
According to the Department, the climbers represent 157 expedition teams, consisting of 1,015 men and 308 women. The government has already collected USD 1.71 million in royalties from the issued permits, highlighting the growing economic importance of Nepal’s mountain tourism sector.
This year’s mountaineering season has attracted climbers from across the world, with China, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Nepal, Russia, the United States, Poland, Austria, and Japan forming the top ten nationalities. China leads the list with 107 climbers, followed closely by Germany with 104 climbers, while Nepal stands third with 83 climbers.
Popular Peaks This Season
Among the 54 peaks open for climbing, several have emerged as the most sought-after this autumn:
- Ama Dablam (6,814 m)
- Anidesh Chuli (White Wave) (6,808 m)
- Chulu Far East (6,038 m)
- Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m)
- Himlung Himal (7,126 m)
- Manaslu (8,163 m)
- Putha Hiunchuli (7,246 m)
- Saribung (6,346 m)
- Thapa Peak (Dhampus) (6,012 m)
- Thorong Peak (6,144 m)
Other notable mountains that have attracted climbing teams this season include:
- Annapurna IV (7,525 m)
- Kumbhakarna (Jannu, 7,710 m)
- Lhotse (8,516 m)
- Makalu (8,463 m)
- Pumori (7,161 m)
- Ratna Chuli (7,125 m).
- Sagarmatha (Mount Everest, 8,848.86 m)
Comparing the 2024 and 2025 Seasons
The 2025 autumn climbing season marks a noticeable increase in both participation and diversity. In autumn 2024, Nepal had issued climbing permits for 47 peaks to a total of 1,296 climbers, comprising 1,002 men and 294 women. This year, the total number of climbers has risen to 1,323, and the number of female climbers has increased to 308, reflecting a gradual yet positive trend in women’s participation in high-altitude expeditions.
Boost to Nepal’s Adventure Tourism
Officials say the continued influx of climbers not only strengthens Nepal’s global image as the ultimate mountaineering destination but also significantly contributes to the country’s tourism revenue and local economies. Each expedition brings employment opportunities for guides, porters, and local communities in the Himalayan region, alongside increased business for trekking agencies, hotels, and gear suppliers.
Nepal’s mountains, home to eight of the world’s fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters, remain an unparalleled attraction for adventure seekers. From iconic summits like Everest and Lhotse to technical climbs such as Ama Dablam and Himlung Himal, each season draws hundreds of climbers eager to test their endurance and skill.
With teams representing nearly every continent, the 2025 autumn season is set to reaffirm Nepal’s reputation as the world’s premier destination for high-altitude adventure, a place where nature’s grandeur meets the human spirit of exploration.
