Mountaineers rejoice! Nepal unveils 97 previously inaccessible peaks for scaling!
Newly Opened Peaks in Nepal's Far-Western Himalayas
The Nepalese government has announced the opening of 97 peaks in the Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces for climbing, starting in 2025 [1][2][4][5]. This initiative aims to boost tourism in remote western regions, reduce overcrowding on popular summits like Everest, and provide climbers with access to pristine Himalayan landscapes.
Among the newly opened peaks are notable mountains like Api Himal (7,132m), Saipal Himal (7,031m), and Api West (7,076m) [3][5]. Lesser-known summits such as Bobaye (6,808m) and Jethi Bahurani (6,850m) also feature on the list.
The decision to open these peaks is part of a broader set of changes to Nepal's mountaineering regulations in 2025. Climbers attempting 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest, must now have a guide, and solo expeditions are banned [6]. New regulations also require mandatory insurance for expedition staff and the use of GPS chips on climbers' jackets for easier location in case of an accident [7].
To encourage mountaineering in less-visited regions, the government has waived the climbing royalty for these peaks for the next two years [8]. However, the fee to climb Mount Everest has been raised from approximately ₹9,63,880 to ₹13,14,382 per person, effective from September 1, 2025 [9].
The new regulations and fee changes are expected to support local economies in the remote western provinces, helping climbers gain experience on peaks over 7,000 meters in preparation for more challenging climbs like Everest. The proposal is still pending approval from both houses of the Nepali parliament [10].
- Nepal opens 97 new peaks for mountaineering
- Nepal opens 97 new peaks for climbing in remote regions
- Nepal opens 97 new peaks for climbing
- Nepal opens 97 previously unclimbed peaks for mountaineering
- Nepal opens 97 previously unclimbed peaks to mountaineers
- New regulations for climbing 8,000-meter peaks in Nepal
- New regulations for climbers in Nepal's Himalayas
- Nepal waives climbing royalty for new peaks
- Fee increase for climbing Mount Everest in Nepal
- Proposal to open new peaks in Nepal pending parliament approval
- The Nepalese government has announced the opening of 97 peaks in Nepal's far-western Himalayas for travel and events, specifically mountaineering, starting in 2025.
- Among these opened peaks, one can find travel destinations like Api Himal, Saipal Himal, and Api West, while less-known summits such as Bobaye and Jethi Bahurani are also available for sports enthusiasts.
