KATHMANDU: Nepal has issued climbing permits to 82 mountaineers across 10 expedition teams in the first 25 days of the spring climbing season, collecting $124,050 (approximately NPR 18.4 million) in royalties, according to data released by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The figures, covering March 1 to March 25, 2026, capture early-season permit activity across seven peaks ranging from mid-altitude mountains to some of the world's highest summits.

Permits have been issued for expeditions to Annapurna IV (7,525m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Chulu Far East (6,038m), Saribung (6,346m), Khangri Shar (6,811m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and Ama Dablam (6,814m). Of the 82 permit holders, 61 are male and 21 are female.

Mountaineers from 25 countries have received permits during this period, reflecting Nepal's enduring status as a premier global climbing destination. Germany leads with 26 permit holders, followed by Poland with 10 and Canada with 9. Russia, Switzerland, China, the United States, and Nepal are among the other countries whose climbers have received permits in this early window.

With major expeditions to Everest and other eight-thousanders yet to fully mobilise, permit numbers are expected to rise sharply in the weeks ahead as the season reaches its peak.

The spring mountaineering season is a critical period for Nepal’s tourism and high-altitude expedition industry.