Adventurers wanting to climb Mount Everest during the most popular season will have to pay 36% more to climb the tallest mountain on Earth.
Reuters reports that starting in September, Nepal plans to increase permit fees from $11,000 to $15,000 for the popular April-May season along the standard South East Ridge or South Col route.
Those seeking a permit for the September to November season will pay $7,500, while those planning to climb in the December to February season will pay $3,750, Reuters reported.
Climbers’ permit fees are an important source of income for Nepal. This steep price increase is the first time in about 10 years that Nepal has raised the cost of climbing Everest.
About 300 permits are issued each year, according to Reuters. Expedition organizers said they hoped the price hike would cool some interest in climbing the mountain.
The high death rate on the mountain has led officials to distribute electronic chips to climbers to aid rescue efforts in emergency situations.
