Expedition Permits
Everest, Nepal’s other 8,000m giants, and the country’s 86 peaks between 7,000m and 7,999m are all permitted directly by the Department of Tourism — under stricter rules and higher fees than standard trekking peaks.
Peaks above 7,000m fall outside the Nepal Mountaineering Association’s trekking-peak system and are permitted directly by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nepal. Fees scale sharply with altitude — a 7,000m peak costs a few hundred dollars in royalties, while Everest costs $15,000. All expedition permits must be arranged through a registered trekking agency.
7,000m Peak Royalty Fees (per climber)
| Season | Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | $500 – $800 |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | ~50% of spring rate |
| Winter / Summer | Lowest rate of the year |
Applies to Nepal’s 86 peaks between 7,000m and 7,999m, including popular objectives like Baruntse, Himlung Himal, Tilicho Peak, Putha Hiunchuli, and Annapurna IV. Exact fee depends on the specific peak’s altitude within this band — higher peaks carry higher royalties.
Everest Permit Fees (per climber)
| Route | Spring | Autumn | Winter / Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| South-East Ridge (Normal Route) | $15,000 | $7,500 | $3,750 |
| Other Routes | $10,000 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
Rates effective from September 1, 2025 onward, confirmed by the Department of Tourism. This marked the first Everest fee increase in nearly a decade.
Other 8,000m Peaks (approximate, spring)
| Peak | Approx. Spring Fee |
|---|---|
| Kanchenjunga | ~$3,000 |
| Lhotse | ~$3,000 |
| Makalu | ~$3,000 |
| Cho Oyu | ~$3,000 |
| Dhaulagiri | ~$3,000 |
| Manaslu | ~$3,000 |
| Annapurna I | ~$3,000 |
Autumn and winter/summer rates for these peaks are typically lower than spring, following the same seasonal pattern as Everest. Figures above are approximate and vary by peak — confirm the exact current rate for your chosen mountain when you book.
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01 Why Climb a 7K Before an 8K
Recent Department of Tourism regulations require Everest aspirants to have already summited a 7,000m peak in Nepal before an Everest permit will be issued. Beyond meeting that requirement, a 7,000m expedition is genuinely useful preparation — building altitude tolerance, technical skill, and expedition experience at a fraction of the cost and commitment of an 8,000m climb.
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02 Peaks in Our Catalog
Our 8,000m expedition catalog covers Everest, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu — all Department of Tourism-permitted peaks under the fee tables above.
Our 7,000m catalog includes Baruntse, Himlung Himal, Kanjiroba, and Api Himal — standard 7,000m royalty-band peaks. It also includes two peaks worth a specific note:
- Ama Dablam at 6,812m, sits just under the 7,000m mark, but is permitted by the Department of Tourism rather than the NMA due to its technical difficulty — it’s priced and regulated more like an expedition peak than a standard trekking peak. Confirm its specific fee and requirements separately from the general 7,000m band above.
- Ramdung Peak at roughly 5,925m, actually falls within NMA trekking-peak territory rather than the Department of Tourism’s 7,000m band — see our Peak Climbing Permits page for its fee structure instead.
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03 Climbing Guide Requirements
Revised regulations set mandatory guide ratios for all Himalayan expeditions: Everest and peaks above 8,000m require one licensed guide for every two climbers; peaks below 8,000m — including all 7,000m expeditions — require one guide for every fifteen climbers, though most 7,000m expeditions run a much closer ratio in practice. Solo and unguided alpine-style ascents are not permitted under current rules.
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04 Eligibility & Prior Experience
Everest climbers must demonstrate prior high-altitude experience — specifically, having summited at least one 7,000m peak in Nepal — before a permit will be issued. This rule was introduced to improve climber safety and reduce risk on the mountain. Requirements for other 8,000m peaks vary; we’ll confirm what applies to your specific expedition when you book. Most 7,000m peaks have no formal prior-summit requirement, though solid mountaineering preparation is strongly recommended.
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05 Insurance Requirements
Current regulations require death and repatriation insurance coverage for climbers, alongside comprehensive travel and high-altitude rescue insurance covering helicopter evacuation. Insurance requirements for high-altitude guide staff have also been increased under the same regulations. This applies across both 7,000m and 8,000m expeditions. We can advise on suitable insurance providers and minimum coverage levels for your specific expedition.
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06 Liaison Officer & Formalities
Department of Tourism expedition permits typically require a government-appointed liaison officer to accompany the team, along with formal registration of your expedition, equipment, and route with the department before departure. As your registered agency, we handle this coordination on your behalf, for both 7,000m and 8,000m expeditions.
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07 Planning a Lower Peak Instead?
If your objective is a lower 6,000m-class peak such as Island Peak, Mera Peak, or Lobuche East, you’ll need a Peak Climbing Permit issued by the Nepal Mountaineering Association instead — a simpler and considerably less expensive process than a full Department of Tourism expedition permit. Most 7,000m and 8,000m expeditions also require the relevant national park or conservation area permit for the approach route.
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08 How We Handle Your Expedition
Bonny Himalaya arranges your full expedition permit, liaison officer, garbage management deposit, and any supporting trekking permits for the approach route, as part of your expedition package — for both 7,000m and 8,000m objectives. Get in touch to discuss your goal and we’ll put together a detailed permit and cost breakdown.
Expedition permit fees, guide ratios, and eligibility rules are set by the Government of Nepal and are subject to change. Figures above reflect rates effective from September 2025 — always confirm current requirements before committing to an expedition. Contact us for a detailed quote.
