Kathmandu, Aug 12 – In a bid to promote its lesser-known mountain regions and attract more visitors, Nepal has announced that climbers can scale 97 Himalayan peaks free of charge for the next two years.
According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism, the fee waiver applies to mountains located in the far-western Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, with elevations ranging from 5,970 metres to 7,132 metres. Officials say the move aims to spotlight unexplored destinations and bring economic benefits to some of the country’s poorest and least developed areas.
Mountaineering remains a major revenue source for Nepal, home to the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest. However, the government hopes this initiative will encourage tourists to explore beyond the crowded Everest and Annapurna routes, spreading tourism income more evenly across the country.
Tourism officials believe that promoting these remote peaks could boost local economies by creating jobs in guiding, hospitality, and transport services, while also fostering infrastructure development in the far-western region.