Nepal will prohibit Evrest from climbers who have not achieved 7,000 before

If you have never uploaded a seven thousand meters mountain but you want to try EVrest, you have to hurry, because there is very likely that as of September it is a condition sine qua non.

Nepal prepares a bill that conditions the obtaining of permits to ascend to Everest to have previously trained at least 7,000 m in Nepali territory, and raises the rates significantly from September 2025.

The measure seeks to decongest the “zone of death” and improve security, after the record of 12 deaths and 5 missing in 2023 – In 2024 at least 8 more deaths were recorded.

International operators criticize the rigidity of the requirements, ask to recognize foreign summits close to 7,000 my the participation of IFMGA guides without nationality distinction.

The Nepali government, which obtains key currencies for the economy of the country of climbing and mountain tourism, must also deal with the criticisms it receives by authorizing the ascent to people with little experience, which generates long queues in critical sections with insufficient oxygen for survival. Hence, he tries to approve measures for a long time.

According to the draft law presented at the National Assembly, those mountaineers who prove to have previously climbed at least one mountain of 7,000 m in Nepal may only obtain permission for Everest, but also provides that both the Sardar (head of local personnel) and the mountain guide must be Nepali citizens.

This threshold of 7,000 m only contemplates Nepali peaks, which leaves out peaks such as Aconcagua (6,961 m), Denali (6,190 m) or Ama Dablam (6,812 m), an option that international operators consider most reasonable given the shortage of 7,000 m popular in Nepal.

Changes in rates

It is not just the only change that is coming. As of September 1, 2025, the permission to climb Everest in the spring season will rise from 11,000 USD to 15,000 USD for foreigners. For autumn, the price will be USD 7,500, and in winter and 3,750 USD.

This 36 % increase in spring intends to finance rescue equipment and environmental projects, although some warn that it can exclude non -commercial climbers

Several leaders of expedition companies criticize the exclusivity of Nepalese peaks together with the mandatory nationality of guides. Lukas Furtenbach (Furtenbach Adventures) pointed out in statements to the Reuters agency that accepting experience in global mountains similar would make more sense and defended the inclusion of IFMGA guides without restriction of nationality.

Garrett Madison, by Madison Mountaineering, even proposed a minimum of 6,500 m in any region, due to the difficulty of finding 7,000 m adequate in Nepal.

But that is specifically pursued with the new measures studied by the Nepal government:

– Decongestion and security: It is expected to reduce bottlenecks in the “zone of death” and deaths associated with overcrowding.

– Lower volume of permits: With the new filter, the number of annual licenses could fall, today around 478, and raise the preparation of the expeditionaries.

– Challenges for ecotourism: The balance between height and conservation tourism income and fragile Himalayo ecosystem will be key; 600 USD reimbursable deposits are applied for human waste management in the Khumbu.

Nepal seeks to compatible safety, sustainability and economic benefit, hardening experience filters and increasing rates.

It remains to be seen if the rigidity of the requirements is compensated with a real decrease in accidents or if, on the contrary, it promotes less regulated alternative routes.

The approval in the National Assembly seems likely, given the majority of the government, and its implementation can mark a before and after in the history of ascent to Everest.