What the price of an Everest climb is made of
Two different numbers circulate. The first is the government permit fee, which Nepal calls a royalty. For a foreigner on the normal route in spring it is $15,000, in force since 1 September 2025, up from $11,000 before. The second is the price of an expedition, which is several times larger.
Do not mix the two. The permit is not an expedition price, and it is not a flight price or a trekking ticket. This page lists the fees and the prices advertised for 2027, and shows which items to check in any quote. It does not recommend an operator. Prices are in US dollars, as listed in 2026, and they change.
Nepal summit permit fees by season
Fee for the normal route, in force since 1 September 2025.
| Person | Spring | Autumn | Winter and summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigner, normal route | $15,000 | $7,500 | $3,750 |
| Nepali, normal route | NPR 150,000 | NPR 75,000 | NPR 37,500 |
| Nepali, other route | NPR 100,000 | NPR 50,000 | NPR 25,000 |
The seasons are defined as spring from March to May, autumn from September to November, winter from December to February and summer or monsoon from June to August. The fee for a foreigner in spring rose from $11,000 to $15,000 on 1 September 2025. The press reported the change on 5 February 2025. Climbing happens mainly in spring, as the climbing page explains.
The permit is separate from trekking permits for the Khumbu region. Those and their fees are covered at Everest trekking permits.
Mount Everest flights and tours
See the mountain without a summit budget: mountain flights from Kathmandu, helicopter trips and treks, with live prices and availability.
Expedition prices advertised for 2027
These are advertised prices for the coming season, not a market average for 2026.
| Offer | Price | Time and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical spending, 2026 report | $45,000 to $100,000 | Foreign participants, depending on the service, from a press report of April 2026 |
| South Col program, Nepal | $80,000 | Calculated for a team of 5, 5 April to 25 May 2027 |
| Classic program, Nepal | $83,000 | 52 days, 9 April to 30 May 2027 |
| Fast Track program, Nepal | $95,000 | 30 days |
| North side program, Tibet | From $110,000 per person | 2027, not a Chinese government fee |
The April report gives a range, not an official price list and not a final price. It does not define what is included. The offers for 2027 come from different operators, so you cannot read them as one scale. The Tibet price covers an operator program and should not be confused with a Chinese permit fee.
What to check in a quote
Compare items one by one, so that nothing is counted twice or missed.
The permit royalty
Find out whether the $15,000 fee is included in the price or paid on top. Do not add it twice.
Oxygen
Ask what oxygen is included and how much of it.
Personal equipment
Check whether clothing, boots and personal gear are included or come on top.
Flights and insurance
International flights and insurance are separate lines. Check what the insurance covers before you rely on it.
Tips
Tips for guides and staff are another item to plan, and a quote may or may not include them.
Treat none of the prices above as an all-inclusive price. Ask the operator for the current terms, including any deposits and extra fees, and read the rules for climbers before you compare offers.
Seeing Everest on a smaller budget
These cost a small fraction of an expedition.
A group seat on a helicopter trip from Kathmandu was listed from $1,399 per person for 2026 and 2027. According to its price box, that package includes hotel pickup, the flight, breakfast at the Everest View Hotel and national park fees. A trip agency lists a mountain flight at $275 per person, with ticket, taxes and service fee included, for departures in 2026 and 2027. Neither trip takes you onto the mountain. The details are on the flights page, and a short hike with a view is on the Everest View Trek page.
Cost to climb Everest: frequently asked questions
How much is the Everest permit?
For a foreigner on the normal route in Nepal it is $15,000 in spring, $7,500 in autumn and $3,750 in winter and summer, as listed for 2026. The spring fee rose from $11,000 on 1 September 2025.
How much does an Everest expedition cost?
A press report of April 2026 gave typical spending of $45,000 to $100,000 for foreign participants, depending on the service. Programs advertised for 2027 list $80,000 for a team of 5 on the Nepal side and from $110,000 per person on the Tibet side.
Is the permit fee included in the expedition price?
That depends on the offer. Ask the operator whether the royalty is included, and do not count it twice.
Is there a cheaper way to see Everest?
Yes. A mountain flight, a helicopter trip or the Everest View Trek show the mountain for a small fraction of an expedition. None of them goes onto the mountain.
Do children or students get a permit discount?
The fee table lists no discount for children or students. Do not assume that a minor can get a permit.