Nepal Opens Nearly 100 Remote Peaks for Free Climbing to Boost Tourism

Nepal has launched a significant initiative to boost mountain tourism by opening 97 peaks in its remote western Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces for free climbing over the next two years, waiving the usual royalty fees. These peaks, ranging from 5,870 to 7,132 meters in altitude, aim to attract climbers to less-visited areas, fostering economic development and job creation for local communities. Himal Gautam, Director at the Department of Tourism, emphasized that the initiative intends to promote unexplored mountain destinations, offering new challenges to climbers while easing pressure on heavily trafficked peaks like Mt. Everest. Concurrently, the government has proposed a Tourism Act amendment requiring climbers to summit at least one 7,000-meter peak before attempting Mt. Everest, which is under legislative review. Additionally, starting September 1, 2025, the fee for climbing Mt. Everest will increase from USD 11,000 to USD 15,000 per person. These measures reflect Nepal’s strategic effort to diversify its tourism offerings and support sustainable economic growth in remote regions.