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Permission to climb the world’s tallest mountain costs an impressive $15,000. This is before adding airfare, gear and guide prices.
However, Nepal has been trying to diversify its tourism supply beyond Mount Everest, but has come up with new plans to attract tourists to areas that visit cheaper and cheaper.
The government has announced that it will open 97 peaks to international climbers in Karnari and Sudrupasim, two provinces in western Nepal.
“There are so many mountains in Nepal,” Himal Gautam, director of Nepal Tourism, told CNN.
“To date, the Nepal government has opened 462 mountains for commercial expeditions. 102 mountains are still virgins and they are waiting for the first climbers.” He did not specify exactly which mountains were closed.
Gautam added that “these mountains are not being sold properly” due to the remoteness and poverty of the area.
Karnari and Sudurpasim are adjacent to the Uttarakhand state of India on one side and the Tibet region on the other.
Gautam said permission to climb these Himalayan peaks is free for the next two climbing seasons. The government then reevaluates the plan. 77 mountains are located in Karnali, while 20 others are located in Sudrupasim.
“The Nepal government wants to spread it to the global climbing community, as there are so many attractive and valuable mountains in these two provinces. And there are many other tourist destinations (there) there,” Gautam said.
It’s not easy to bring travelers to these areas. Sudurpaschim is 535 km (330 miles) from Kahmundu, while Karnali is about 400 km (250 miles). Both require a 3-hour flight from the capital. Entering Sudurpaschim and Karnali, the roads are challenging and amenities are sparse.
Tourism is a large company in Nepal.
The country welcomed 1.15 million international tourists in 2024, and the tourism industry employs over 1 million Nepali people.
Overcrowding on the world’s tallest mountains has seen an increase in problems over the past few decades. As a result, Nepal, which lives up to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, has made efforts to crack down on the number of unprepared climbers in Everest, while also redirecting tourists to other parts of the country.
The price of mountain climbing permits rose 36% from $11,000 earlier this year. And now Everest climbers must provide evidence of previously expanded mountains of at least one 7,000 metres or more.
Some of the mountains on the new free crime list fit your bill and offer the opportunity to practice, explore and set records.
Editor’s Note: Reported by Esha Mitra of CNN.
