Nepal Frees Climbing Costs Of Some Peaks To Attract Mountain Climbers

JAKARTA - Nepal will waive climbing costs for nearly 100 peaks in the remote northwestern Himalayan over the next two years, in order to attract more mountain climbers to less developed areas bordering China, an official said.

Nepal has opened its 491 peak, but climbers typically focus on about 25 peaks in Nepal's northeastern and central regions, including the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, which is climb by hundreds of people every year.

Officials of the Himal Gautam Tourism Department said the decision to waive permits for 97 peaks, ranging from 5,870 meters (19,258 ft) to 7,132 meters (23,398 ft) in Karnali and Far Western Provinces, Nepal, aims to promote mountain climbing in smaller mountains in remote areas.

"The idea is to encourage climbers to go to areas and mountain peaks that have not been explored but are beautiful," Gautam told Reuters.

Previously, Nepal had just raised the licensing fee from September to USD 350 for a smaller mountain, from USD 250, and USD 15,000 for Everest from the original USD 11,000.

Gautam said the abolition of permits would help promote tourism and improve the economic conditions of the people in disadvantaged areas of Nepal.

It is known that mountain climbing and trekking are the main attractions for tourists and sources of income as well as major employment opportunities in this country that is short of funds.