In a bold move to diversify mountain tourism, Nepal’s government announced free permits for 97 unexplored peaks across the Karnali and Far Western provinces for the next two years.

This initiative follows a 40% fee increase for Everest expeditions, designed to redistribute climbers and boost economic growth in lesser-known regions.

Officials from the Nepal Tourism Board believe this policy will ignite new opportunities for local communities, guiding services, and eco-tourism lodges.

According to WTTC, Nepal’s mountain tourism contributed 7% of the national GDP and supported over 1.2 million jobs in 2024. By encouraging expeditions on alternative peaks between 5,800m and 7,000m, the country hopes to replicate Everest’s success while preserving its fragile ecosystem.

As mountaineering legend Kami Rita Sherpa noted after his record 31st Everest ascent, “Nepal’s mountains are not just Everest — they’re all stories waiting to be climbed.”WTTC Tourism Data