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97 peaks, zero royalty: Nepal's free-climbing window in the wild far west

Until July 2027, Nepal has waived all climbing royalties on 97 Himalayan peaks across Karnali and Sudurpaschim — a once-in-a-generation opening for adventurous climbers willing to go remote.

LR By Laxman Rawal · Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read · Updated Jun 15, 2026

A remote peak in far-western Nepal, newly opened for royalty-free climbing

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While Everest's permit price climbed to USD 15,000, Nepal quietly did the opposite at the other end of the country. To pull climbers toward its least-visited corners, the government has waived the climbing royalty entirely on 97 Himalayan peaks across the remote far-western provinces of Karnali and Sudurpaschim. For two years, these mountains are, in permit terms, free — and for the right climber that is a rare invitation.

Key facts

97 peaks opened with zero royalty
77 in Karnali, 20 in Sudurpaschim province
Window: 17 July 2025 to 17 July 2027
Waived royalties normally run USD 500 to 2,000+ per peak

What has actually changed

Climbing any Nepali peak normally means paying a royalty — anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a small mountain to many thousands for the giants. For these 97 peaks, that fee has been set to zero for a fixed two-year window running to 17 July 2027. The aim is openly strategic: spread climbers away from the crowded Everest and Annapurna circuits and channel income toward some of Nepal's poorest, most beautiful districts, where a single visiting team can meaningfully support local lodges, guides and porters.

97peaks, royalty waived

77in Karnali province

20in Sudurpaschim province

2027waiver ends 17 July

The catch (and it is a real one)

Free of royalty does not mean free of effort, and this is country for experienced, self-sufficient mountaineers. The far west is Nepal at its most remote: long overland approaches, sparse infrastructure, few teahouses and limited rescue cover. You will still need proper logistics, a capable guide and team, full expedition self-sufficiency, and any restricted-area permits that apply to the approach. These are not trekking peaks with a fixed-rope highway — many are rarely or never climbed, with little route information to lean on.

What this means for you

If you are building toward bigger Himalayan objectives — including a future Everest under the new 7,000m-experience rule — a far-west expedition is a rare chance to gain serious, genuine alpine experience without a royalty bill. It is also the most direct way to put your money into communities that see almost no tourism. This is a trip to plan carefully with a strong operator, not a spontaneous add-on.

A different kind of Nepal

Karnali and Sudurpaschim are the Nepal most visitors never see — the country of Rara Lake, Limi Valley, Humla and the Api-Saipal massifs, where Tibetan-influenced culture, empty trails and raw mountain wilderness still feel genuinely undiscovered. The royalty waiver is a two-year invitation to a part of the Himalaya that rewards self-reliance with a solitude you simply cannot buy on the famous trails. The clock, though, is running: the window closes in July 2027, and trips this remote need long lead times to organise well.

Source: Himalayan Social Journey; Nepal Department of Tourism.

Cover photo: Prabeshsdev with additional fixes by Cart via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Source: Himalayan Social Journey

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