Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia have led to skyrocketing airfares and rising transportation, accommodation and other costs, which have hit the tourism sector hard. However, despite all this, the attraction of climbing Mount Everest remains the same. According to tour operators, trekking and travel bookings have fallen by about 60 percent compared to normal days, but this does not seem to have had any impact on the Everest expedition. Even though the government has increased the climbing fee in the meantime, the government had increased the Everest climbing fee from $4,000 to $15,000 per person from September 1, 2025. The hike in the climbing fee was made with the expectation of a decline in the rate of climbing. The government approved the Mountaineering (Sixth Amendment) Regulations 2081 in December 2081.

However, according to tour operators, its impact on climbing has not been seen so far. Because climbers had already booked months in advance. Cheap Everest packages that previously cost $30,000 to $35,000 now start at around $45,000. Mingma Sherpa, managing director of Seven Summit Treks, said, "The love of climbers for Everest is unique. Despite the changes in the world situation, including the Iran conflict, no climbing plans have been canceled." He said that about 80 to 90 climbers are expected to climb Everest this year. Which is slightly less than about 100 last year. According to the Sherpa,

The participation of climbers from Iran and Israel has dropped to almost zero, while the number of Russian climbers has started to increase.' 104 years of human struggle on Everest Pemba Sherpa, executive director of 8K Expeditions, also said that despite a sharp drop in trekking bookings for the month of April, climbing permits are still available. 'We have not received any information about any cancellations,' he said, 'but, the entire tourism industry is under pressure due to the conflict in West Asia and the fake rescue incident.'

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the police has investigated the fake rescue incident and recommended that the accused be charged with a criminal offence. The police had submitted a 1,243-page report to the government attorney's office, concluding that the country's reputation was tarnished by organizing fake rescue flights and embezzling insurance money.'
Executive Director Pemba Sherpa said that air fares have doubled or tripled in recent days, and many tourists are reluctant to use West Asian transit hubs, which has had a major impact on trekking trips. He said, "Many trekkers have cancelled due to disruption of regular flights and high re-routed flights." Although the Everest climb is usually done in mid-May, climbers start arriving as early as March to acclimatize to the high altitude. The spring climbing season in Nepal lasts until the end of May.

Pemba said that prices for everything from climbing equipment, oxygen, food, insurance and helicopter services have increased in recent days. "Everything has become more expensive - from road transport to air transport, hotels to restaurants, equipment to guides, oxygen to insurance."

According to trek operators, the price of mountaineering equipment alone has increased by 20 to 30 percent. Boots that used to cost around 25,000 rupees are now being sold for around 40,000 rupees. Meanwhile, the value of the US dollar has increased. Although Nepali companies have been made a little easier, the cost has increased for foreign climbers and climbing team members.

As of Friday, the Department of Tourism has issued permits to 360 people to climb Mount Everest, from which a revenue of around 710 million rupees has been collected. Last year, 331 permits were issued during the same period. A total of around 480 million rupees was collected. This year, citizens of countries including China, the US, Britain, India, Russia, Japan and Poland are among the main climbing groups.

This year, China has closed the Everest route towards Tibet to foreign climbers, which has completely closed the northern route. This has led most international climbers to focus on the southern route to Nepal.

Tourism Department spokesman Himal Gautam said that the number was initially expected to decline due to tensions in West Asia. “But the pace of permits being issued seems to be around the same as last year,” he said, “which is a positive sign for Nepal’s high-end tourism.”

Nepal issued 469 Everest permits in the 2025 spring season, one of the highest ever. There were 722 successful ascents that season, including 272 foreign climbers and 434 guides. 479 permits were issued in 2023 as well.

Including Nepali guides, more than 1,000 people are expected to attempt Everest this year.