KATHMANDU: Nepal has issued climbing permits to 1,050 mountaineers across 125 teams for 29 peaks during the Spring 2026 season, collecting royalties of USD 7,840,671 — approximately Rs 1.16 billion — according to the Department of Tourism's royalty report covering March 1 to April 30, 2026.

The figures represent the most comprehensive picture yet of the season's scale, with climbers from 78 countries holding permits across all permitted peaks — making it one of the most internationally diverse Himalayan seasons on record.

Everest dominates
Sagarmatha — Mt. Everest — leads all peaks by a wide margin, with 464 permitted climbers across 47 teams, generating royalties of USD 6,792,041 — nearly 87 percent of the total royalty income for the entire season. Of the 464 Everest climbers, 364 are male and 100 female. The country-wise Everest report lists climbers from 55 countries, with China topping the list at 100, followed by the United States at 67, India at 58, the United Kingdom at 32, and Japan at 14. 

Nepal has 12 of its own citizens permitted on Everest this season.

Beyond Everest
Lhotse (8,516m) is the second most popular peak with 111 climbers across 9 teams, generating Rs 49.7 million in royalties. Ama Dablam (6,814m) follows with 92 climbers across 8 teams, and Makalu I (8,463m) has 62 climbers across 10 teams — earning USD 183,330 in royalties. Nuptse (7,855m) has 52 climbers across 5 teams, Himlung Himal (7,126m) has 46 across 6 teams, and Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) has 30 climbers across 4 teams.

Other notable peaks include 

Kanchenjunga Main (8,586m) with 36 climbers across 4 teams earning USD 108,000, and Annapurna I (8,091m) with 27 climbers across 4 teams.

Among the season's more unusual entries is Makalu II — Kangchung Tse (7,678m) — with 7 climbers across 1 team earning USD 7,000 in royalties, reflecting the growing interest in lesser-attempted objectives in the Makalu massif.

Country-wide distribution
Across all 29 peaks, the country-wise expedition permit report shows climbers from 78 countries. China leads all-peaks with 139 permitted climbers, followed by the United States with 128, India with 84, Germany with 69, and the United Kingdom with 71. Russia has 66 climbers, France 25, Poland 31, and Australia 24. Nepal itself has 16 citizens permitted across various peaks.

The gender breakdown across all peaks shows 794 male and 256 female climbers — with women making up just under a quarter of the total permitted climbing population this spring.

Royalty highlights
Total royalties collected stand at USD 7,840,671 — equivalent to Rs 1,169,144,159 — with Everest alone accounting for the overwhelming majority. Lhotse generated USD 333,000, Kanchenjunga USD 108,000, Annapurna I USD 81,000, and Dhaulagiri I USD 90,000.

The season figures come as the Khumbu Icefall route to Camp II was fully established this week after a prolonged delay, clearing the way for acclimatisation rotations and summit progression on Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse — the three peaks whose climbers share the icefall passage.