KATHMANDU: Nepal will waive climbing fees for 97 Himalayan peaks over the next two years to attract visitors to its lesser-known mountain regions, officials announced.
The move coincides with a planned fee hike for Mount Everest, where the cost to summit during peak season will rise to $15,000 (₹11,170) from September — the first increase in nearly a decade.
According to Nepal’s tourism department, the initiative aims to showcase the country’s “unexplored tourism products and destinations.” Mountaineering is a major revenue source for Nepal, home to the world’s 10 tallest mountains. In 2023, climbing fees generated $5.9 million, with Everest contributing over three-quarters of that amount.
The fee waiver applies to peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, standing between 5,970m (19,590 ft) and 7,132m high. Both far-western provinces are among Nepal’s poorest and least developed, with limited tourist access.
“Despite their breathtaking beauty, visitor numbers remain low due to poor accessibility. We hope this policy will change that,” said Himal Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, as quoted by The Kathmandu Post. “These climbs can create jobs, generate income, and strengthen the local economy.”
Everest, at 8,849m, has faced overcrowding, environmental concerns, and fatal climbing incidents in recent years. In April 2024, Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered limits on mountaineering permits for Everest and other peaks, citing the need to respect their carrying capacity.
Earlier this year, authorities also announced a 36% increase in off-season permit fees — $7,500 from September to November, and $3,750 from December to February. A proposed law under debate in parliament would require Everest climbers to have first summited a peak above 7,000m within Nepal.
