Nepal Opens 97 Unclimbed Himalayan Peaks for Free to Boost Tourism in Lesser-Visited Regions

The cost to ascend Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, stands at a staggering $15,000, not including airfare, equipment, and guide fees. In an effort to attract tourists to less-explored regions of Nepal, the government has announced a novel initiative: granting free permits for 97 peaks located in Karnali and Sudurpaschim, two remote western provinces.

Himal Gautam, a director at the Nepal Tourism Department, explained to CNN that Nepal boasts an impressive array of mountains, with 462 already open for commercial expeditions. Among these, 102 remain unclimbed. The specific peaks have yet to be identified.

Gautam noted that the regions’ remoteness and poverty have hindered effective marketing of these untouched mountain ranges. Permits for climbing these Himalayan peaks will be offered free of charge for the next two seasons, after which the government plans to reassess the strategy. Seventy-seven mountains are located in Karnali, with an additional 20 found in Sudurpaschim.

Gautam expressed that Nepal aims to convey to the global mountaineering community the wealth of alluring and worthwhile climbing opportunities present in these two provinces, along with numerous other tourist attractions.

Accessing these regions proves challenging. Sudurpaschim is 535 kilometers (approximately 330 miles) from Kathmandu, while Karnali requires a journey of around 400 kilometers (about 250 miles). Both provinces necessitate three-hour flights from the capital. Upon arrival in Sudurpaschim and Karnali, travelers will encounter challenging roads and scarce amenities.

Tourism plays a significant role in Nepal’s economy, with the country welcoming 1.15 million international tourists in 2024 and employing over one million Nepalis within the tourism sector. Overcrowding at Mount Everest has led to several issues in recent years, prompting Nepal—home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks—to implement measures aimed at reducing the number of unprepared climbers on Everest while steering tourists towards other regions within the country.

Earlier this year, climbing permit fees increased by 36%, bringing the price up from $11,000. Aspiring Everest climbers must now provide proof that they have previously scaled at least one mountain exceeding 7,000 meters in Nepal. Several mountains on the new free-to-climb list meet this requirement, offering an opportunity for practice, exploration, and record-setting.