Nepal has announced that climbers can scale 97 Himalayan peaks for free over the next two years in an effort to promote tourism in its remote regions. The decision focuses on mountains located in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, two of the country’s least developed areas. These peaks range in height from 5,970 meters to 7,132 meters and are known for their natural beauty but have seen very few climbers in recent years.
Officials say the plan is designed to introduce visitors to unexplored destinations, create job opportunities, and boost local economies. The Tourism Department hopes the free permits will attract more adventurers to these hidden mountain areas, which have only seen 68 climbing attempts in the past two years. By comparison, Nepal issued 421 permits for Mount Everest in 2024 alone.
The announcement comes as Nepal also raises climbing fees for Mount Everest for the first time in almost a decade. Starting this September, permits for the peak season in April and May will cost $15,000, up from $11,000. Off-season climbs will cost $7,500 from September to November and $3,750 from December to February. The price increase follows a Supreme Court order to limit the number of climbing permits to protect the environment.
While the free climb initiative is expected to draw more tourists to Karnali and Sudurpaschim, challenges remain in terms of infrastructure and readiness for increased footfall. Nepal’s parliament is also discussing a new rule that would require Everest climbers to first summit a mountain over 7,000 meters in the country, which could make these free-to-climb peaks an important stepping stone for future expeditions.
