The climbing any of the scheduled expedition peaks, in Nepal, is regulated by HMG/N Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, (MOCTCA),who's postal address is Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. The mountaineering section of MOCTCA is located at the Tourist Service Centre in Bhrikuti Mandap and is open during office hours throughout the year. However, for some peaks Nepal mountaineering Association (NMA) also grants permission for expedition.

The regulations require that an expedition team wishing to attempt any of the scheduled peaks apply to the Ministry through the medium of one of the registered trekking agencies. Various financial and environmental guarantees must be given and a permit is then issued upon payment of the appropriate royalty. For all expedition peaks, exceeding 6500 meters elevation, a government appointed liaison officer is deputed to accompany the team to base camp for the duration of the expedition. For all peaks with less than 6500 meters elevation, do not require liaison officer. The primary function of this liaison officer is to ensure that the mountaineering regulations and laws of Nepal are adhered to. The complete details of the regulations and fees for mountaineering expeditions are contained in the government publication "Some Provisions Relating to Mountain Tourism in Nepal ".

Fees

The fees payable for permission to attempt any of the scheduled peaks can be divided up as follows:

Royalty

The royalty fees range from US$1,500 for peaks below 6,500 meters to US$70,000 for the normal route on Everest. These prices are for groups containing a maximum of seven members. Additional members, up to a maximum group size of twelve, can be added for an additional fee. For three years, from 2002, the fees for a number of rarely attempted peaks have been waived or the Mountaineering Section of MOCTCA. The permit to climb any of the scheduled peaks includes any trekking permit that may be required to access the base campsite.

Liaison Officer

Many peaks do not require a Liaison officer. However, wherever required, the expedition team must cover all costs of the Liaison officer. This includes wages, equipment allowance, transport, food and accommodation for the entire expedition period. The Liaison officer must also be insured against accident.

Environmental deposit

Expedition attempting peaks in the Khumbu region must deposit US$ 4,000 for Everest, US$ 3,000 for other 8,000 meter peaks and US$ 2,000 for peaks less than 8,000 meters. This is refundable upon the team removing all garbage at the completion of the expedition.

Radio and telephone permits

Operating licenses must be obtained and paid for at the Ministry of information and Communications in Singha Durbar for the use of two-way radios and satellite telephones.

Filming permits

An expedition wishing to make documentary films of their climbs must obtain government permission from the Ministry of Information and Communications in Singha Durbar and pay a permit fee the amount of which depends on the nationality of the filmmakers.

Preparation

Preparation for an expedition send us necessary document which is recommended from your club appointed team leader our trekking agency can be submitted application forms various government office to represent the team. In most cases all of the required documents can be submitted to the various government office in advance so that there is minimal delay in issuing the necessary permits once the team arrives.

The Sherpa Brothers Treks & Expeditions Pvt. Trekking also arrange the equipment, food and fuel and engage the entire required Experience climbing guide, local staff.

Staff

Expeditions Staff will be hired through the Government authorized trekking agency SBT. We will arrange Expeditions crew, local staff's insurance wages and equipment allowances etc. And also complete the other Government formalities. Such as will process the expeditions permit forms. And any other related expeditions, filming process.

Seasons

Expedition can be carried out throughout the year. For the highest peaks the latter part of the spring season is the most popular since weather and snow conditions are more predictable at this time. Winter season is sometimes possible but weather conditions usually make successful attempts unlikely.

CLIMBING PERMIT & ENTRY FEES

MOUNTAINEERING PERMIT

All mountaineering teams desirous of obtaining a permit in Nepal, must submit an application in the form as prescribed, to the Ministry if Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section (Tel: 4-256231, 4-256234; Fax: 977-1-4227281) enclosing therein a recommendation of the concerned government, or of a Mountaineering Association of its home country recognized by the International Mountaineering Association (U.I.A.A) or a recommendation of the Embassy of its home country prior to its proposed mountaineering expedition.

SUBMISSION OF ROUTE MAP FOR MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION

Every mountaineering team, while submitting an application to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section for a mountaineering permit, should submit a map, as prescribed which clearly depicts the caravan route and the expedition route.

PAYMENT OF CLIMBING PERMIT FEE (ROYALTY)

The leader of the expedition team is required to pay the full amount of climbing permit fee (royalty) within two months of the date of permission. In case of the failure of the payment of royalty within two months, such permission may be cancelled.

The climbing permit fee (royalty) must be paid directly in favor of the Ministry of Culture,

Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section, either by bank draft of bank transfer to Nepal Rashtra Bank, Thapathali, Kathmandu , payable in convertible foreign currency.

EQUIPMENT FOR EXPEDITION

His Majesty's Government may provide the following facilities to any mountaineering team which has obtained a permit for mountaineering expedition:

a. To import and use temporarily, during the expedition such number of walkie-talkies not exceeding 12 and two sets of wireless having the capacity to communicate between the base camp and the nearest police station or the place where the means of telecommunication is available on the condition that such sets shall be taken back to the home country of the team after the end of the expedition.

b. Partial exemption of customs duty on the goods and materials imported for the expedition.

c. Two sets of wireless having the capacity to communicate between the base camp and the capital city Kathmandu, provided the mountaineering team desirous to use such facility shall have to hand over one of the two sets of wireless to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section, for its use during the continuation of the expedition.

MOUNTAINEERING REGULATION

The royalty and the size of the Expedition Team:

1. As per these new Rules climbers participating in mountaineering expedition has to cross the age of 16 yrs.

2. These Rules have cancelled the existing season based concept of mountaineering time has been determined on the basis of the height of the mountain and area concept.

3. The Rules have cancelled the old provision of compulsory acquirement of recommendation letters from the Alpine Clubs of the respective countries by the foreign mountaineers.

4. Timely improvements regarding the Royalty of Mt. Everest and the structure of the expedition team have been accomplished. According to these new provisions, a sole member may also be allowed to scale the Mt. Everest from the common route (southeast edge) with least Royalty of $25,000.00. There will be an enhancement of direct and indirect advantage by alluring additional mountaineering through the expedition of Mt. Everest with a special royalty scheme set for one to six persons on the expedition. The Royalty for climbers of routes excluding normal routes remains unchanged at $50,000.00.

5. New provision has been made to grant the primary license on the basis advance payment based on peak royalty to reduce the business uncertainly, commitment of mountaineers, unnecessary administrative workload. The amount has been fixed 5% of royalty for the Mt. Everest and 10% for other peaks.

6. The old special provision of acquiring a deposit for the management of garbage produce from the mountaineering activities has been extended to all the newly opened peaks through out the Kingdom to protect the environment of the mountain area. Such deposit has been determined as $5,00,000 to $4000.00.

MOUNTAINEERING ROYALTY (IN US$)

For each additional

Classification of Peaks For expedition including member exceeding 7 members (Excluding Mt. Everest ) up to 7 members up to a total of 12 members in a team