Nepal is giving adventure seekers a reason to look beyond Everest. In a new tourism drive, the country will waive climbing fees for 97 peaks over the next two years, opening the door for explorers to discover some of its most remote – and rarely summited – mountains.
Views on the descent of the Himalayas, Nepal/Bisesh Gurung/Unsplash
The initiative comes as the cost to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is set to rise to $15,000 (about R265,000) from September – the first increase in nearly a decade, as reported by BBC.
“Despite their breathtaking beauty, the number of tourists and mountaineers here is very low, as access is so difficult. We hope the new provision will help,” said Himal Gautam, director of Nepal’s Tourism Department.
Showcasing Nepal’s “unexplored” destinations
According to the tourism department, the goal is to highlight the country’s “unexplored tourism products and destinations” – a move that could also ease pressure on Everest, which continues to face overcrowding, environmental concerns, and safety challenges.
The 97 peaks lie in Karnali and Sudurpaschim, two of Nepal’s far-western provinces that are among the poorest and least developed in the country. They range from 5,970 metres to 7,132 metres high, making them ideal for seasoned hikers and climbers looking for a new challenge.
“They can create jobs, generate income, and strengthen the local economy,” Gautam told The Kathmandu Post.
An untapped climber’s playground
Historically, interest in these peaks has been minimal. Only 68 climbers have visited them in the past two years, compared to the 421 Everest permits issued in 2024 alone.
Some believe that making the climbs free could encourage more adventurous travellers to trade Everest’s queues for quiet summits and untouched landscapes – though it remains unclear whether infrastructure and access routes will be improved to match the anticipated growth in visitors.
Changing the rules of the climb
Nepal is also tightening its mountaineering regulations. The country’s Supreme Court recently ordered limits on the number of permits for Everest and other peaks, stating that mountain capacity “must be respected”.
From January 2025, the cost to summit Everest in the off-peak September–November window will be $7,500, and $3,750 during the quieter December–February period.
Lawmakers are also debating a requirement that climbers must first summit a mountain over 7,000 metres in Nepal before attempting Everest – making the newly fee-free peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim an “ideal training ground”, according to The Kathmandu Post.
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