The Government of Nepal has launched a two-year waiver on climbing permit fees for 97 Himalayan peaks situated mainly in the western provinces of Karnali and Sudurpashchim. The policy, which took effect in July 2025, is designed to draw climbers away from the overcrowded eastern and central routes and encourage exploration of less developed regions.
Government Initiative to Promote Lesser-Known Regions
The waived mountains range in height from 5,870 meters to 7,132 meters, including Api Himal (7,132 m), Saipal Himal (7,030 m), and Bobaye (6,808 m). Officials have described the program as an attempt to “unlock tourism potential” in provinces that remain economically disadvantaged despite their natural beauty.
Dr. Narayan Prasad Regmi, Director General of the Department of Tourism, explained that the decision was made after consultation with the Tourism Board and the Nepal Mountaineering Association, noting that these areas had seen minimal climbing activity in past years.
Rising Costs on Everest and Established Peaks
The new policy coincides with a steep increase in fees for more popular climbing destinations. From September 2025, the permit for Mount Everest has risen from US $11,000 to US $15,000, marking the first increase in a decade. Other peaks in busy central regions will also see permit fees raised from around $250 to $350.
Authorities argue that the dual approach, waiving fees in the west while raising them in the east—will redistribute climber traffic and reduce environmental strain on iconic mountains such as Everest, Lhotse, and Annapurna.
Climbing royalties remain a vital source of income for Nepal. In recent years, royalties generated close to $6 million annually, with more than 75% derived from Everest alone. By contrast, the 97 newly opened peaks brought in just $10,000 per year between 2023 and 2025, with only 68 climbers attempting them during that period.
Limited Impact Without Infrastructure
Despite the fee waiver, many in the mountaineering community question whether the measure will meaningfully change patterns of demand. Expedition costs extend far beyond permit fees, typically running $1,500 to $3,000 per peak once insurance, liaison officer charges, conservation fees, and logistics are included.
Veteran climber Mick Fowler noted that although infrastructure in western Nepal has improved, “transportation remains unreliable” and reaching base camps often requires flights, long road journeys, and multi-day treks. John Kelley, another experienced mountaineer, emphasized that the administrative burden of securing multiple clearances and working with local operators often outweighs any savings from waived permit fees.
Poor road access, limited accommodation, and the absence of established guiding services have long discouraged both climbers and trekking companies. Analysts caution that without coordinated investment in airports, lodges, and communication networks, the free-climbing program may struggle to achieve its objectives.
Long-Term Prospects and Policy Reforms
Tourism officials remain hopeful that the fee waiver will lay the foundation for local job creation and community-based tourism enterprises. Liladhar Awasthi, a spokesperson for the Tourism Department, argued that the initiative could gradually integrate western Nepal into the global mountaineering circuit.
Broader policy changes are also under consideration. A bill before parliament would require climbers attempting Everest to have first summited at least one 7,000-meter peak, a regulation intended to improve safety and preparedness. Peaks like Api and Saipal could serve as proving grounds under such a system.
However, industry representatives stress that tax relief for operators, streamlined permit procedures, and targeted infrastructure projects will be necessary to complement the waiver. Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, stated that incentives beyond royalty fees are crucial if the western ranges are to attract sustained international interest.
For now, the initiative represents an ambitious experiment: shifting the spotlight from the world’s most famous peak to nearly a hundred lesser-known summits in one of the Himalayas’ most remote corners.