Nepal offers free climbs to 97 peaks as tourism to Everest surges

The new offer allows climbers to access dozens of mountains

Surging tourism to Everest has prompted Nepal to offer free climbing permits for 97 peaks this upcoming season. The offer applies to 33 peaks in the autumn and 64 peaks in the spring, according to Nepal's Department of Tourism. Climbers can take advantage of the provision for peaks ranging from 6,000 to 6,999 meters in height. The decision aims to promote tourism in various other climbing destinations in the country.

Climbing tourism in Nepal

The decision builds on attempts to revive climbing tourism in Nepal after the Covid pandemic. Climbers flocked to the country last year in record numbers, with the Tourism Department issuing 3,304 climbing permits, almost double the previous high of 1,948 in 2019. Meanwhile, the department issued just 488 permits in 2020.

Mountain tourism growth

The number of climbers surged despite a sharp rise in permit fees in the country. Nepal introduced a controversial fee increase for Everest and other climbing peaks in the country in 2017. The new regulation set the Everest climbing fee at $11,000 per person. Additionally, climbers needed to add a $500 garbage deposit fee. This fee increased to $4,000 in 2019. In the past, climbers would pay a fee of $70 for processing their permit.