KATHMANDU, MAY 2
Nepal's Spring 2026 mountaineering season has generated USD 7,840,671, approximately Rs 1.16 billion, in climbing royalties between March 1 and April 30, with the Department of Tourism issuing permits to 1,050 climbers across 125 teams on 29 peaks, according to the department's latest royalty report.
The season has drawn climbers from 78 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse Himalayan seasons on record. Of the 1,050 permitted climbers, 794 are male and 256 female - with women accounting for just under a quarter of the total.
Everest alone is responsible for the bulk of the revenue. Mt. Everest has 464 permitted climbers across 47 teams, generating USD 6,792,041 - nearly 87 percent of the season's total royalty income. Of the 464 Everest climbers, 364 are male and 100 female, representing 55 nationalities. China leads the Everest count with 100 climbers, followed by the United States with 67, India with 58, the United Kingdom with 32, and Japan with 14. Twelve Nepali citizens are also permitted on Everest this season.
Across all 29 peaks, China again leads national tallies with 139 permitted climbers, followed by the United States with 128, India with 84, the United Kingdom with 71, Germany with 69, and Russia with 66. Poland has 31, Australia 24, and Nepal 16 of its own citizens permitted across various peaks.
Beyond Everest, Lhotse (8,516m) is the season's second most sought-after peak with 111 climbers across 9 teams, generating USD 333,000 in royalties.
Ama Dablam (6,814m) follows with 92 climbers across 8 teams, while Makalu I (8,463m) has drawn 62 climbers across 10 teams, earning USD 183,330. Nuptse (7,855m) has 52 climbers across 5 teams and Himlung Himal (7,126m) has 46 across 6 teams.
Among the season's eight-thousanders, Kanchenjunga (8,586m) has 36 climbers across 4 teams earning USD 108,000, Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) has 30 climbers across 4 teams earning USD 90,000, and Annapurna I (8,091m) has 27 climbers across 4 teams earning USD 81,000. Dhaulagiri II (8,167m) has 18 climbers across 2 teams.
A notable entry this season is Makalu II - Kangchung Tse (7,678m) - with 7 climbers across one team, reflecting growing interest in lesser-attempted technical objectives in the Makalu massif.
The royalty figures come as the season's most consequential operational hurdle was cleared this week, with the Khumbu Icefall route to Camp II fully established after a prolonged delay caused by a large unstable serac. The opening clears the way for acclimatisation rotations and summit progression on Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse - the three peaks whose climbers all share the icefall passage - setting the season's busiest weeks firmly in motion.