Nepal eliminates charges for climbing 97 mountains in response to growing Everest tourism popularity
Nepal's New Climbing Fee Strategy: Redistributing Tourism and Promoting Sustainable Growth
Nepal is implementing a new strategy to manage the overcrowding and environmental concerns on Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, by increasing its climbing permit fee and waiving fees for 97 lesser-known peaks in remote regions.
Starting September 2025, the climbing permit fee for Mount Everest will rise from $11,000 to $15,000. This nearly 40% increase is expected to discourage some climbers, encouraging them to explore the 97 mountains in Nepal's Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, for which fees are being waived for two years.
These 97 peaks, ranging from 5,970 meters to 7,132 meters in height, are currently less frequented and offer a chance to spread tourism more evenly. Himal Gautam, director of Nepal's Tourism Department, believes this move will help increase the number of tourists and mountaineers in these less accessible areas, potentially fostering local economic development and infrastructure improvements in underdeveloped regions.
However, these areas currently suffer from limited access and poor infrastructure. Increased climbing activity could generate demand for better transport, lodging, and services, but the lack of readiness raises concerns about possible ecological harm and the need for investment in local infrastructure to sustainably support tourism.
To further promote sustainable mountaineering, Nepal is also proposing new legislation that would require climbers to summit at least one 7,000-meter peak before attempting Everest. This rule positions the newly free peaks as vital training grounds for high-altitude mountaineering. Some of these mountains, such as Saipal (7,030m), Api (7,132m), and Api West (7,076m), are suitable for advanced training, though current climbing interest remains low.
The government hopes that rising Everest costs combined with free access to other peaks will stimulate economic growth in less developed Himalayan regions while reducing environmental degradation on Everest caused by overcrowding. In 2024, Everest expeditions generated about $4.52 million in fees, comprising 77% of all mountaineering revenue in Nepal, whereas the new free peaks currently contribute negligible fees due to low traffic.
In summary, the fee increase and fee waivers represent a dual strategy: managing Everest overcrowding and safety while promoting sustainable tourism, economic growth, and mountaineering skill development in Nepal’s remote mountain regions. The success depends heavily on improving local infrastructure and coordinated efforts to market and support these new climbing destinations.
Meanwhile, the waiver of fees for these 97 peaks is aimed at creating jobs, generating income, and strengthening the local economy. However, the Nepalese government has not yet announced any plans to update the local infrastructure for these mountains.
[1] Nepal Tourism Board [2] The Himalayan Times [3] Kathmandu Post [4] BBC News Nepal
