No more payments in the Himalayas. The Nepal Government makes 97 summits available for free

Lovers of mountain hiking and professional mountain climbers wipe their eyes with amazement. The government of Nepal, a country that is simply a mecca for climbers from all over the world, made a historical decision to abolish the fees for permissions to score close to a 100 peaks. For the next 2 seasons access to respective twelve pristine and seldom visited mountains will be completely free. It is simply a strategical decision that aims to relieve the most popular routes, including Mount Everest, and to direct tourist traffic to little developed but equally spectacular regions of the country. This decision opens up unprecedented opportunities for adventurers who dreamed of exploring untapped areas but were reduced by advanced licence costs. This change is part of a broader strategy that aims to revolutionise tourism in the Himalayas, but it besides involves a catch that any planning expedition should know about.

Historical decision for mountain climbers. 97 free-of-charge open summits

The decision of the Nepalese government is simply a real breakthrough in the planet of mountainism. Officially announced that fees for permissions to climb to 97 peaks are abolished for 2 years. It is an unprecedented initiative to advance tourism in the least developed parts of the country. Most of the mountains made available, for as much as 77, are in the state of Karnali, which is the largest and at the same time the poorest region of Nepal. The another 20 peaks lie in the neighboring state of Sudurpaschim.

Importantly, these are not low, easy accessible hills. The amount of free summits available varies from little than 6000 to more than 7,000 metres above sea level.which makes them a serious challenge even for experienced climbers. Many of these mountains stay unabated to this day, which creates a unique chance for mountain climbers who want to sign up on the pages of the past of Himalaism. So far, these regions have been bypassed by most expeditions due to hard access, mediocre infrastructure and deficiency of appropriate promotion. The government hopes that free permits will become a magnet that attracts a fresh wave of tourists.

The aim is not only to disperse tourist traffic, but besides to stimulate the local economy. The improvement of tourism in Karnala and Sudurpaschim is expected to make fresh jobs for guides, porters and pension owners, as well as to increase the income of local communities that have been surviving in the shadow of Everest's commercial success so far.

Why does Nepal quit fees? economical and tourist context

The decision to abolish charges is not accidental, but results from a deep analysis of the current tourism situation in Nepal. The country makes available for climbing a full of 491 peaks, but the overwhelming majority of traffic is centered around just a fewer of them, with Mount Everest at the head. The figures are unambiguous: in 2024 Nepal issued 421 permits to conquer the highest mountain in the world, while Only 68 climbers reached the full western regions of the country.

This imbalance has immense economical and ecological consequences. On the 1 hand, licence fees are a key origin of gross for the State. Last year they brought $5.9 million, of which as many as three-quarters of that amount came from approval to enter Everest. On the another hand, excessive concentration of tourists in 1 place leads to environmental degradation, waste problems and overcrowding on routes.

The Nepalese government wants to reverse this trend. The abolition of fees in Western provinces is simply a conscious effort Everest's relief and direction of movement parts in little known, virgin areas. The authorities hope that tourists, encouraging the deficiency of licence costs, will discover the beauty and possible of the mountains that have remained in the shadow of giants so far. It is simply a strategical investment in the sustainable improvement of tourism, which is intended to bring long-term benefits to both the state and local communities.

There's 1 catch. Mount Everest becomes even more expensive

Although the information about free access to 97 peaks sounds highly tempting, the initiative has its second bottom. The Nepali authorities, giving up income in 1 area, decided to compensate for it in another. The fresh policy does not cover the most popular and most profitable summits. What's more, Mount Everest licence fee will shortly increase significantly.

Currently, the cost of approval to enter the highest mountain in the planet is $11,000. As announced, this price will be raised to $15,000, which in the figure amounts to about PLN 60 thousand. This is simply a clear signal that the government is treating Everest as a premium product intended for those who are able to bear the highest costs. The increase is not only intended to increase the gross of the state budget, but it can besides be an effort to reduce the number of little experienced climbers who frequently contribute to the formation of dangerous “corks” on the trail.

So we are dealing with 2 strategies: on the 1 hand, democratization of access to less-known Himalayas by abolishing fees, and on the another hand, further commercialisation and eliteization of climbing on Mount Everest. For tourists, this means a clear choice: either a free, pioneering adventure in chaotic areas, or a very costly journey to the world's most celebrated summit.

A chance and a challenge. What does this mean in practice for tourists?

Nepal's fresh policy is simply a immense opportunity, but besides a major challenge for travellers. The anticipation of earning 7,000 free of charge, many of which are inactive waiting for the first winners, is an offer that happens erstwhile in a lifetime. It is an invitation for real explorers who value loneliness, wildlife and authentic experiences, distant from commercial trails and crowds.

However, possible candidates must be aware of the reality. Karnali and Sudurpaschim regions are areas of highly underdeveloped tourism and transport infrastructure. The deficiency of an extended network of shelters there, and access to many places is difficult. A journey to these areas requires much more autonomy, experience in logistics planning and preparedness for unforeseen difficulties. It is not clear at the minute whether the government plans to invest in infrastructure improvements, which could prejudge the long-term success of this initiative.

For mountain lovers it is simply a unique chance to discover Nepal again and experience an adventure in places untouched by mass tourism. However, the decision on the expedition must be well thought out and preceded by careful preparation. The initiative will last for 2 seasons after which it will be assessed. This is simply a time that will surely attract a fresh kind of traveler – an adventurer ready for a real challenge.