Kathmandu - The Nepalese government has announced cuts to mountaineering fees aimed at attracting more climbers, the Ministry of Tourism said.
The fee for climbing Mount Everest on the main route from the Nepal side has been reduced to $11 000 (about R110 000) per person for foreigners during the spring climbing season, down from the previous rate of $25 000.
Those climbing alternative routes will pay $10 000. The fees have also been lowered for other seasons, which are not as popular with climbers, and for other peaks.
The fee changes for foreign climbers will come into effect from January 1, 2015, according to the Tourism Ministry.
The Everest climbing fee for Nepalese has been set at 75 000 Nepalese rupees per person, with effect from Thursday.
“There was no separate fee for Nepalese climbers in the past, so many had to climb as guides so they could get a waiver, in order to avoid the high climbing fees,” said Sharad Pradhan, spokesman for the Nepal Tourism Board.
“But with the new rule, they will be able to climb as mountaineers themselves and avoid the lengthy process of applying for a waiver.” - Sapa-dpa