KATHMANDU, MARCH 20
The Department of Tourism has issued a circular directing all trekking agencies operating expeditions to strictly follow revised procedures for the Spring 2026 mountaineering season, aiming to enhance safety, coordination and administrative efficiency.
The circular, issued by the Mountaineering Section at Bhirkutimandap following a decision on Chaitra 3, 2082 BS, outlines a series of mandatory provisions for expedition organisers.
Agencies have been instructed to submit applications for climbing permits at least two days in advance, along with detailed information as per Schedule-1 of the Mountaineering Regulation, 2059 (sixth amendment). The application must include full details of support staff, and a sardar (head guide) must be designated at the time of submission.
The department has made prior approval mandatory for adding any additional support staff, requiring agencies to specify the reason, number and dates. As per Rule 21, only those support staff including sardar and guides who reach the final camp alongside expedition members will be eligible to attempt the summit.
Expedition teams must also upload recent photographs of all members and support staff in the system, which will be used in official permits and certificates. Both companies and workers are required to complete detailed consent letters and contracts in line with the prescribed format.
The department has mandated daily joint briefings at its meeting hall at 3:00 pm (2:00 pm on Fridays), in the presence of the team leader, agency representative and liaison officer, except on public holidays.
Revising documentation procedures, the department said applicants must now submit original applications along with original vouchers of royalty and garbage deposits, insurance documents, and copies of passports. For Nepali nationals, citizenship copies will suffice. Other documents must be certified by the agency and uploaded into the permit system.
The circular also requires expedition organisers to submit details of any rescue operations to both the Department of Tourism and the Tourist Police Office at Bhirkutimandap.
The department reiterated that all mountaineering activities must be conducted within the framework of prevailing laws and regulations.
It also stated that agencies yet to receive refunds of garbage deposits from expeditions conducted up to the Winter 2025 season should apply with necessary documents. The refunds will be processed within seven days of application.
