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Nepal is launching a new initiative to attract tourists and climbers to some of its remote mountainous regions by offering free climbs on 97 of its Himalayan peaks for the next two years. This campaign aims to balance the increasing popularity of Mount Everest—where climbing permit fees will increase to $15,000 starting in September—with a focus on less-visited areas in the country. The tourism department believes this move will showcase Nepal's untapped "tourism products and destinations."
Mountaineering in Nepal is a substantial economic contributor, having generated $5.9 million in revenue last year. Everest alone accounted for over 75% of this figure. The waived fees apply to peaks located in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, which range in height from 5,970m (19,590 ft) to 7,132m (23,435 ft) and are among Nepal's poorest and least developed areas. “Although these locations are breathtakingly beautiful, tourist access has been limited due to challenging logistic issues. We hope this initiative will open up these areas,” said Himal Gautam, the director of Nepal's Tourism Department.
However, the success of this initiative may hinge on improving infrastructure and ensuring local communities can handle a potential influx of climbers. Historically, interest in these remote peaks has been low; only 68 climbers have attempted to scale them in the past two years, while Everest saw 421 permits issued in 2024 alone. Everest has faced criticism for overcrowding, environmental concerns, and a number of tragic incidents in recent climbing seasons.
In response to these challenges, Nepal's Supreme Court recently mandated that the government impose limits on the number of climbing permits for Everest and other peaks, emphasizing that the mountains' capacity must be observed. Earlier this year, authorities also announced a 36% increase in Everest permit costs for climbers during the off-peak months and proposed new legislation that would require aspiring climbers of Everest to have previously summited another mountain over 7,000m within Nepal.
Proponents of the new initiative suggest that the peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim could serve as "ideal training grounds" for climbers preparing for Everest.
Nepal is launching a new initiative to attract tourists and climbers to some of its remote mountainous regions by offering free climbs on 97 of its Himalayan peaks for the next two years. This campaign aims to balance the increasing popularity of Mount Everest—where climbing permit fees will increase to $15,000 starting in September—with a focus on less-visited areas in the country. The tourism department believes this move will showcase Nepal's untapped "tourism products and destinations."
Mountaineering in Nepal is a substantial economic contributor, having generated $5.9 million in revenue last year. Everest alone accounted for over 75% of this figure. The waived fees apply to peaks located in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, which range in height from 5,970m (19,590 ft) to 7,132m (23,435 ft) and are among Nepal's poorest and least developed areas. “Although these locations are breathtakingly beautiful, tourist access has been limited due to challenging logistic issues. We hope this initiative will open up these areas,” said Himal Gautam, the director of Nepal's Tourism Department.
However, the success of this initiative may hinge on improving infrastructure and ensuring local communities can handle a potential influx of climbers. Historically, interest in these remote peaks has been low; only 68 climbers have attempted to scale them in the past two years, while Everest saw 421 permits issued in 2024 alone. Everest has faced criticism for overcrowding, environmental concerns, and a number of tragic incidents in recent climbing seasons.
In response to these challenges, Nepal's Supreme Court recently mandated that the government impose limits on the number of climbing permits for Everest and other peaks, emphasizing that the mountains' capacity must be observed. Earlier this year, authorities also announced a 36% increase in Everest permit costs for climbers during the off-peak months and proposed new legislation that would require aspiring climbers of Everest to have previously summited another mountain over 7,000m within Nepal.
Proponents of the new initiative suggest that the peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim could serve as "ideal training grounds" for climbers preparing for Everest.
