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Everest: $15,000 to Climb, 97 Nepalese Peaks Free: The Anti-Overtourism Plan in the Himalayas

Everest: $15,000 to Climb, 97 Nepalese Peaks Free: The Anti-Overtourism Plan in the Himalayas

Nearly 100 new peaks will be accessible without expensive passes; the fee for climbing Everest will be increased to $15,000, while there are plans to introduce minimum requirements for those wishing to ascend the roof of the world: most importantly, having climbed at least one 7,000-meter peak in their climbing career.

These are the Nepalese government's initiatives, which aim, on the one hand, to curb the high-altitude overtourism that the mountain, first conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary, is increasingly suffering from, and its consequences— high-altitude deaths and environmental degradation; on the other, to diversify the Himalayan country's tourism offerings , also promoting less-frequented areas.

The first increase in a decade

To recap, according to the BBC, Kathmandu will make 97 of its Himalayan mountains accessible free of charge for the next two years, while the fee for Everest will be increased starting in September, up to $15,000 (almost €13,000 at the current exchange rate) for the peak season, April-May. This is the first fee increase in nearly a decade.

The Nepalese Tourism Department hopes the initiative will highlight the country's "unexplored tourism products and destinations." Mountaineering generates a significant source of income for Nepal, home to eight of the world's ten highest mountains. Last year, climbing registration fees brought in $5.9 million, more than three-quarters of which went to Everest.

The western provinces to be promoted

The peaks for which tariffs will not be applied are located in Nepal's Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and range in altitude from 5,970 to 7,132 meters. Located in the far west of Nepal, they are among its poorest areas.

Despite their breathtaking beauty, the number of tourists and climbers is very low because access is very difficult. We hope the new arrangement will help," Himal Gautam, director of Nepal's Department of Tourism, told the Kathmandu Post. "They can create jobs, generate income, and strengthen the local economy."

It's unclear whether authorities plan to improve infrastructure and connectivity in these remote areas, nor how well local communities would be able to handle the influx of climbers if the "free-to-climb" initiative were to take off. Historically, climbers have shown little interest in these remote peaks: only 68 have ventured there in the past two years. In contrast, approximately 421 Everest climbing permits were issued in 2024 alone.

The Supreme Court ruling

As is well known, the world's highest peak is plagued by severe overcrowding, environmental problems, and a series of failed attempts. In April 2024, Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the government to limit the number of climbing permits issued for Everest and several other peaks, stating that the capacity of these mountains "must be respected."

A 36% increase in permit prices was announced in January. For those attempting the summit outside of the high season, from April to May, the cost to climb Everest will now be $7,500 from September to November and $3,750 from December to February. The Nepalese parliament has also been debating a new law for some time that will require anyone wishing to climb Everest to have first reached the summit of a mountain above 7,000 meters.

meters in the country.

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