"Based on bookings from other major operators and our own company, we are expecting more than 500 Everest aspirants this season."

Operators say upcoming changes in mountaineering regulations, set to take effect on September 1, have contributed to the surge in interest.

One of the most significant changes is the increase in the Everest climbing fee, which will rise by $4,000 to $15,000 per person starting in September.

The government has also raised the daily allowances for liaison officers, wages for high-altitude guides, and salaries for base camp workers, all of which must be borne by climbers.

Daily wages for liaison officers will more than triple, increasing from 500 Nepalese rupees to 1,600 Nepalese rupees. Sirdars, or lead Sherpas, will now earn 1,500 Nepalese rupees per day, up from 500 Nepalese rupees. Similarly, the high-altitude guides have will now make 1,200 Nepalese rupees a day, up from 350 Nepalese rupees, and base camp workers' wages have been increased from 300 Nepalese rupees to 1,000 Nepalese rupees.

Insurance coverage for high-altitude guides has been raised to 2 million Nepalese rupees from 1.5 million Nepalese rupees, and for base camp workers to 1.5 million Nepalese rupees from 800,000 Nepalese rupees.

Under the revised rules, solo expeditions will no longer be allowed, and each pair of climbers ascending peaks above 8,000 meters — including Everest — must be accompanied by at least one guide. For other mountains, at least one guide per group will be mandatory.

Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, also known as Mingma G, the managing director of Imagine Nepal Trek and Expeditions, said the new charges may increase the total cost of an Everest expedition package in the range of $7,000 to $10,000.

The average package, currently around $40,000, could rise to $50,000, while elite climbers may end up paying close to $100,000.

Preparations for the season are already underway. Icefall doctors — specialist high-altitude guides responsible for fixing ropes and ladders along the climbing route up to Camp II — have been mobilized. Climbing is expected to begin early next month.