KATHMANDU: A total of 1,410 climbers from 76 countries have received permits to scale 44 Himalayan peaks during the autumn season. According to the Department of Tourism, 161 separate climbing teams have been granted permission for the season.
Department official Sudha Regmi stated that the group of climbers consists of 1,069 men and 341 women. The department has collected Rs 318 million in royalty fees from these permits.
Manaslu (8,163 meters) remains the most popular destination this season, with 500 climbers across 43 teams receiving permits. This peak alone generated Rs 225.8 million in royalties. Meanwhile, 386 climbers across 32 teams have been permitted to scale Ama Dablam, contributing Rs 57.6 million to the state revenue.
Other notable peaks attracting climbers include Dhaulagiri-1, which has 37 permitted climbers, Himlung Himal with 121, and Makalu with three. Additional permits have been issued for various other peaks, including Putha Hiunchuli, Danga Hiunchuli, Baruntse, Gangapurna West, Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna-4, Chamlang, Lamjung Himal, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak, Pokhar Khang, Ardang, Jugal, and Peri.
The largest contingent of international climbers comes from China, with 141 individuals. Other significant groups include 130 from France, 119 from the United States, 108 from Russia, 96 from the United Kingdom, 47 each from Switzerland and Italy, 41 from Poland, 40 from India, 35 from Japan, and 33 from Nepal. The total royalty collection of Rs 318 million is equivalent to approximately 2.08 million US dollars.
