Peak Climbing Permits

Nepal splits peak climbing permits between two bodies. Peaks below 6,500m — known as “trekking peaks”, despite often being technically demanding — are permitted by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Peaks above 6,500m, including Everest, Ama Dablam, and Manaslu, are classed as expedition peaks and permitted by the Department of Tourism. All climbing permits in Nepal must be arranged through a registered trekking agency — solo applications are not accepted.

• 01 Trekking Peaks vs. Expedition Peaks

  “Trekking peak” is a licensing category, not a difficulty rating — several NMA peaks involve glacier travel, fixed ropes, and technical sections comparable to much higher mountains. Peaks above 6,500m step into full expedition territory, with permit fees, logistics, and required experience increasing significantly. Everest’s permit fee alone currently stands at $15,000 per foreign climber; other expedition peaks such as Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Cho Oyu carry separate royalty fees, typically ranging from roughly $1,500 to several thousand dollars depending on the peak, season, and team size.

• 02 Peaks in Our Catalog

  All of the following peaks in our climbing catalog fall under the NMA trekking peak fee structure above:

  • Island Peak (Imja Tse) 6,189m — Everest region, our most popular climb.
  • Mera Peak 6,476m — Nepal’s highest trekking peak, non-technical but demanding at altitude.
  • Lobuche Peak 6,119m — technical summit ridge, often paired with Island Peak.
  • Pisang Peak 6,091m — Annapurna Circuit region.
  • Chulu West 6,419m — Annapurna region, more technical than Chulu Far East.
  • Chulu Far East 6,059m — a gentler introduction to peak climbing in the Annapurna region.
  • Naya Kanga 5,844m — Langtang region.
  • Pachermo Peak 6,187m — Rolwaling/Khumbu border region.

  Peak heights above are standard reference figures — always confirm the exact permit fee for your specific peak and season when you book.

• 03 Garbage Deposit & Environmental Fee

  Climbing teams are typically required to lodge a refundable garbage deposit with the NMA before departure, refunded once the team confirms proper disposal of waste from the mountain. This policy helps keep Nepal’s climbing peaks clean and is standard practice across all NMA-regulated expeditions.

• 04 Additional Permits You’ll Need

  A peak climbing permit is issued on top of, not instead of, your standard trekking permits. Most climbing routes also require the relevant national park or conservation area entry permit, a TIMS card where applicable, and — for restricted regions — a Restricted Area Permit. We factor all of these into your climbing package.

• 05 Guide & Insurance Requirements

  A certified climbing guide is mandatory for all peak climbs in Nepal. All our climbing guides are NMA-certified with proven high-altitude experience. Climbers must carry comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude climbing, helicopter rescue, and medical evacuation. For higher expedition peaks, Nepal’s regulations set minimum insurance thresholds for both climbers and high-altitude guide staff — we’ll confirm the exact requirement for your chosen peak when you book. Solo climbing and unguided alpine-style ascents are not permitted under current regulations.

• 06 How We Handle Your Permit

  As a registered trekking and expedition agency, Bonny Himalaya arranges your peak climbing permit, liaison officer (where required), garbage deposit, and all supporting trekking permits as part of your climbing package. You’ll need to provide your passport copy, photos, and proof of insurance — we take care of the rest.

Peak climbing permit fees and regulations change periodically and can vary significantly by peak, season, and team size. Figures above are a general guide — confirm exact costs for your chosen peak when you book. Contact us for a detailed quote.