Nepal makes 97 mountains free to climb with increasing Everest fees

Nepal will make 97 of his Himalayan mountains free to climb over the next two years in an attempt to strengthen tourism in some of its more distant areas.

It comes as permits fees for the Supreme Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, during the peak season reach up to $ 15,000 (11 170 British pounds) from September – the first increase in nearly a decade.

Nepal’s tourist department said he hoped the initiative to emphasize “unexplored tourist products and destinations of the country”.

The mounting generates a significant source of revenue for Nepal, which is home to eight of the 10 highest mountains in the world. The ascent fees brought $ 5.9 million last year, with Everest reporting more than three -quarters of it.

The peaks for which the fees will be canceled are located in the provinces of Karnali and Surapim in Nepal, standing between 5 970 m (19 590 feet) and 7.132 m.

Both provinces, located in the distant Western region of Nepal, are among the poorest and least developed provinces in the country.

“Despite its breathtaking beauty, the number of tourists and mountaineers here is very low as access is so difficult. We hope that the new provision will help,” said Himal Gautam, director of the tourist department of Nepal.

“They can create jobs, generate income and strengthen the local economy,” he said, as reported by The Kathmandu Post.

But it is unclear whether the authorities have plans to improve infrastructure and connectivity to these remote areas-and how well the communities in these areas can handle the influx of climbers if the initiative for free climbing is distinguished.

The climbers historically show little interest in these 97 distant peaks – only 68 of them have dared there in the last two years. In contrast, about 421 climbing permits were issued for Everest in 2024 only.

Everest, the highest peak in the world over 8,849 m, in recent years has been struck by overpopulation Environmental concern and a series of Fatal climbing attemptsS

In April 2024, the Nepal Supreme Court ordered the government to limit the number of mountaineering permits issued for Everest and several other peaks, stating that the capacity of the mountain “must be respected”.

In January this year, authorities announced a 36% mark -up in permits fees. For those trying on the top outside of peak April to May in May, this will now cost $ 7,500 to climb Everest in September to November and $ 3750 in December to February.

Nepal’s parliament also discusses a new law that will require anyone who wants to scale Everest to first summarize the mountain over 7,000 meters in the country.

This makes the peaks in the “ideal training grounds” of Karnali and Surapim, according to Kathmandu Post.