Nepal charges two separate fees for any peak above 5,800 metres: a climbing royalty to the government and a permit fee to the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Most trekking companies bundle both into their package price, which means you never see the breakdown. Here it is.
NMA Trekking Peaks: The 2026 Fee Structure
The Nepal Mountaineering Association classifies 33 mountains as "trekking peaks." These are the ones you can climb without a full mountaineering expedition permit. The most popular are Island Peak (6,189m), Mera Peak (6,476m), Lobuche East (6,119m), and Pisang Peak (6,091m).
Fees depend on the season and the number of climbers on your permit.
Spring season (March to May) is the most expensive. Autumn (September to November) costs the same. Winter and monsoon seasons are cheaper, though fewer companies operate during those months.
Current NMA Trekking Peak Fees for 2026
Peaks Under 6,500m (Island Peak, Lobuche East, Pisang Peak, Yala Peak)
- Spring and autumn: USD 350 per climber for a group of 1 to 4 people. Each additional climber above 4 costs USD 40.
- Winter and monsoon: USD 200 per climber for 1 to 4 people. Each additional climber above 4 costs USD 25.
Peaks Between 6,501m and 6,999m (Mera Peak, Chulu West, Tent Peak)
- Spring and autumn: USD 500 per climber for 1 to 4 people. Each additional climber above 4 costs USD 60.
- Winter and monsoon: USD 350 per climber for 1 to 4 people. Each additional climber above 4 costs USD 40.
These fees go to the NMA and cover your climbing permit, which your guide carries and presents at checkpoints.
Government Royalty Fees
On top of the NMA permit, the Nepal government charges a royalty fee. For trekking peaks, this is currently included in the NMA fee structure above. For expedition peaks (above 6,999m, like Ama Dablam or Cho Oyu), royalty fees are separate and significantly higher, running from USD 1,500 to USD 10,000 depending on the peak and team size.
You do not need to worry about expedition peak fees unless you are planning a serious mountaineering trip. Our Island Peak and Mera Peak climbs fall under the trekking peak category.
What Else You Pay For
The permit is just one cost. A realistic climbing budget also includes:
- Climbing guide fee: Your climbing guide must be certified by the NMA. Our guides are all NMA-certified with multiple summit records. Their fee covers the entire trek plus the climb.
- Equipment rental: Ice axe, crampons, climbing harness, jumar, helmet, and fixed-rope gear. If you do not own these, rental in Kathmandu costs USD 50 to 120 for the full set.
- TIMS card and national park entry:Sagarmatha National Park costs NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 22) for foreign nationals. The TIMS card is NPR 2,000.
- Conservation area permits: Some peaks fall in conservation areas with separate entry fees. Mera Peak is in the Makalu Barun area; Island Peak is in Sagarmatha National Park.
- Insurance: You need travel insurance that specifically covers mountaineering above 6,000m and helicopter rescue. Standard trekking insurance is not sufficient. Expect USD 100 to 250 for a policy that covers peak climbing.
- Garbage deposit: The NMA requires a garbage deposit of USD 250 to 500 per expedition, refundable when you bring your rubbish back down.
How Our Packages Handle Permits
When you book a Mera Peak or Island Peak climb with us, the permit fees are included in your package price. We handle the NMA application, the paperwork, and the fee payment. You do not queue at the NMA office in Kathmandu or fill out forms.
Our Mera Peak 14-day climb starts from USD 1,499 per person for the Budget tier. Our Island Peak 14-day climb also starts from USD 1,499. Both include the NMA trekking peak permit, national park entry, TIMS card, climbing guide, and all trek logistics.
What we do not include: personal climbing gear (available for rent), personal travel insurance, international flights, and Nepal visa.
Common Questions
Can I get my own permit without a company?
Technically, no. Nepal requires all climbers to go through a registered trekking agency for peak climbing permits. The NMA issues permits to companies, not individuals. Solo permit applications are not accepted.
Do permit fees change every year?
The NMA reviews fees periodically but changes are rare. The current structure has been stable for several years. Any increases are typically announced months in advance.
What happens if I do not summit?
The permit fee is not refundable, summit or no summit. Weather, health, and conditions all play a role. Roughly 75 to 85 per cent of well-prepared climbers summit Island Peak in good conditions. Mera Peak has a higher success rate of about 85 to 90 per cent.
Is there a permit for climbing without a guide?
No. Nepal requires a licenced climbing guide for all trekking peaks. This has been mandatory since 2023 for treks, and has always been required for climbing peaks. Our guides carry your permit documents and manage all checkpoint registrations.
Plan Your Climb
If you are considering Island Peak or Mera Peak, the permit is the smallest part of the cost. What matters is your guide, your preparation, and your acclimatisation plan.
Talk to us. Shreejan has personally designed every climbing itinerary we offer, and our guides have summited these peaks dozens of times.
WhatsApp: +977 9810351300
Email: info@theeverestholiday.com
