Nepal Opens 97 Himalayan Peaks for Free Climbing to Boost Remote Tourism

Nepal will waive climbing permit fees for 97 Himalayan peaks over the next two years in an effort to draw visitors to some of its most remote and underdeveloped regions.

The move comes as the cost of summiting Mount Everest during peak season rises to $15,000 (£11,170) from September — the first price hike in nearly a decade.

The fee-free mountains, located in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, range from 5,970m (19,590 ft) to 7,132m in height. These far-western areas are among Nepal’s poorest and least developed, and the tourism department hopes the plan will spotlight the country’s “unexplored tourism products and destinations.”

“Despite their breathtaking beauty, very few tourists visit because access is so difficult,” said Himal Gautam, director of Nepal’s Tourism Department. “This initiative can create jobs, generate income, and strengthen the local economy.”

Mountaineering is a major source of revenue for Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains. Last year, climbing fees brought in $5.9 million, with Everest alone accounting for more than three-quarters of that income. Yet in the past two years, only 68 climbers have tackled these 97 remote peaks — a stark contrast to the 421 permits issued for Everest in 2024.

It remains unclear whether authorities plan to improve infrastructure and access in the far-west, or how local communities might handle a sudden influx of visitors if the scheme succeeds.

Everest itself has faced mounting challenges in recent years, including overcrowding, environmental strain, and deadly accidents. In 2024, Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government to cap permits for Everest and other peaks, warning that the mountains’ capacity “must be respected.”

Earlier this year, Nepal introduced a 36% increase in Everest permit fees for off-peak climbs — now $7,500 between September and November, and $3,750 from December to February. Parliament is also debating a new rule requiring would-be Everest climbers to first summit a Nepalese peak above 7,000m, making the free-to-climb mountains in Karnali and Sudurpaschim potential training grounds for the world’s highest challenge.