February 28, 2026 | 02:58 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Assembly of Nepal has passed the Integrated Tourism Bill that will significantly transform the expedition procedures in the Himalayan mountains. These changes include stricter climbing regulations, health checks, and environmental funds.
One of the reasons for integrating mountain climbing regulations into the tourism law is the temporary issuance of previous guidelines, leading to weak implementation, according to the Ministry of Tourism officials, as reported by The Kathmandu Post, cited from Travel + Leisure.
Climbing Requirements
Once the bill becomes law, the climbing requirements will become more stringent. Some of these strict requirements include that anyone intending to climb Everest must have experience climbing a mountain over 7,000 meters in Nepal.
There are 72 peaks within this elevation range. Climbers also need to obtain a verified certificate endorsed by the Department of Tourism. Additionally, climbers must provide a recent health certificate issued within the last month.
Climbing permits also entail other requirements, including fees and supporting documents. This is to ensure that every expedition is supported by thorough preparation and not just financial backing.
The bill also includes legal procedures for declaring climbers deceased. Therefore, if someone is missing and cannot be contacted for one year, the authorities can officially declare them deceased.
Other requirements are related to environmental issues. Anyone climbing Everest must bring back eight kilograms of solid waste. A non-refundable deposit of US$4,000 or approximately Rp67 million, will automatically be included in the Environment Protection and Mountaineers' Welfare Fund.
Additionally, the Department of Tourism will verify the climb. Failing to submit the certificate poses a risk of losing eligibility. The climbing team must declare their intentions during the permit application, including guides, sirdars, and supporting staff, who can also receive certificates documenting their roles.
If a climber defaults on compensation or abandons the expedition, the certificate will not be issued until the royalties and fees are settled. Among other requirements, every expedition staff member must be a Nepalese citizen, and trekking agents must obtain comprehensive insurance. This includes personal accidents, medical treatment, search and rescue, and management of dead bodies, according to Outside Magazine.
The bill also covers the responsibilities of search, rescue, and medical operations. If an agency is unable to perform these operations, the Department of Tourism will coordinate with other government agencies or mobilize trained personnel.
A New Era of Climbing
By implementing stricter permit quotas and experience requirements, it is hoped that the crowds of climbers will be more evenly distributed across various peaks in the Himalayas.
As reported by Travel and Tour World, this bill will be ratified by Nepal's Lower House after the March 2026 elections. There will be a three-month grace period before it takes effect. Therefore, the 2026 climbing season will mark the beginning of a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable climbing era.
Imanda Zahwa contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Seven Climbers Killed and Four Missing in Nepal's Yalung Ri Avalanche
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