Free Himalayan Climbs: Conquer Nepal’s 7000m Peaks for Everest

The Himalayas call to those who crave the untamed. Their jagged peaks pierce the sky, whispering promises of challenge, solitude, and triumph. For decades, Everest has been the ultimate dream for climbers worldwide. But the truth is, Everest’s slopes are now choked with crowds, its routes commercialized, its magic diluted by long queues and overused trails. The real adventure, the raw, heart-pounding essence of mountaineering, lies elsewhere. In a historic move, the Nepal government has opened a new frontier: 97 Himalayan peaks in the remote Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces are now free to climb, with permit fees waived for two years starting July 17, 2025. This is your chance to forge your own path, to stand where few have stood, and to redefine what it means to conquer a mountain.

Free Permits for 97 Peaks, Everest Fees Rise

The news from Nepal's Ministry of Tourism signals a monumental shift for the future of mountaineering. First, the inevitable update for the world's highest peak: the climbing permit for Mount Everest has officially increased from 11,000 USD to 15,000 USD. In a powerful and strategic counter-balance, the government simultaneously announced that Nepal waives permit fees for an incredible 97 Himalayan peaks, including the formidable 7,000-meter giants of the far-west, Api Himal (7,132 m) and Saipal Himal (7,030 m).

This is, without a doubt, the most significant Nepal tourism promotion for Karnali Sudurpaschim we have ever witnessed. For the next two years, climbers have unprecedented access to Nepal free climbing permits across these remote and beautiful western provinces. Make no mistake: these 97 free peaks Nepal has opened are far more than a simple discount; they are a clear invitation to explore the raw, untamed soul of the Himalayas.

Why West Nepal? Your Journey to the Heart of the Himalayas

As a guide who has spent a lifetime in these mountains, I can tell you that the true soul of the Himalayas is found not in the crowds, but in the silence. The west is where that silence still lives.

Escape the Everest Crowds

The Khumbu region, home to Everest, is a circus of climbers, sherpas, and selfie sticks. In contrast, the far-western Himalayas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim are a sanctuary of silence. Here, you’ll find no crowded base camps, no littered trails, just vast, untouched valleys and peaks that demand respect. This is the last frontier of Himalayan mountaineering, where the mountains still feel wild, and the adventure is yours alone.

Summit Virgin Peaks: Make History in Nepal

Many of these 97 peaks are unclimbed or have seen only a handful of ascents. This is your chance to do more than follow a route; it’s a chance to make history. The allure of standing on a summit that few, if any, have ever reached is a feeling that cannot be described. It is the very essence of adventure.

Experience Authentic Culture, Unchanged by Time

The people of Humla, Dolpo, Bajura, and Darchula live as they have for centuries, herding yaks, trading salt, and practicing a unique blend of Tibetan Buddhism, Bon, and animist traditions. These aren’t teahouse trails; they are cultural encounters in villages where hospitality is measured not in menus, but in warm butter tea.

A Climb with a Purpose: Supporting Local Communities

Your expedition here does more than test your limits; it transforms lives. These remote provinces rank among Nepal’s poorest, with minimal infrastructure and scarce jobs. By climbing West Nepal’s peaks, you directly support local porters, guides, and homestays, injecting vital income into communities that need it most. Your adventure becomes a force for good, helping to build a sustainable future for these regions.

Everest Training: Your Path to the Top

For every climber dreaming of that final step onto the roof of the world, this new landscape presents a clear, strategic path forward. The government has instituted new Everest climbing requirements for 2026 and beyond: all climbers must first summit a Nepalese peak over 7,000 meters.

This is where the Nepal 97 Himalayan peaks free permits become your masterstroke.

This new policy answers the crucial question: How to climb a 7000m peak in Nepal in the most efficient and meaningful way possible? The west holds the best 7000m peak for Everest training. Consider a formidable giant like Api Himal (7,132 m). A fully-fledged Api Himal expedition not only fulfills your mandatory prerequisite but does so without a permit fee, saving you thousands of dollars that can be reinvested in superior training and gear. You will gain invaluable experience in a true expedition environment, preparing you for the rigors of an 8,000-meter peak in a way no crowded commercial route can.

The Realities of the Wild West

Let me be blunt: waived permits are only the doorway. The expedition itself remains demanding, in cost, time, and commitment.

Infrastructure Barrier 

There are no roads to base camp, no airstrips waiting. Access is by foot, through wild valleys. Forget teahouses; these are tented expeditions.

The Logistical Puzzle

Weeks of trekking require teams of porters, cooks, and local staff. Food, fuel, tents, and gear must all be carried in. This is not a climb you walk into; it’s an operation you build.

True Wilderness

Weather is unpredictable, routes are often unclimbed, and communication is limited. The margin for error is thin.

But therein lies the purity of the challenge. These mountains demand respect, and reward you with authenticity Everest can no longer offer.

Climb with Confidence: West Nepal Experts

These challenges are precisely why choosing the right partner is critical for a safe and successful expedition. The logistical complexity of a guided expedition in West Nepal is immense, and it is where our expertise becomes your greatest asset.

At Places Nepal Treks, we have the local knowledge, the logistical network, and the decades of experience required to navigate this wild frontier. We are a climbing company for remote Nepal, specializing in the very challenges that this region presents. We handle every detail, from the complex paperwork and transport to hiring the strongest local staff, so you can focus on the one thing that matters: the climb.

Free Climbing Peaks in Nepal

For the serious planner, here is the complete list of the 97 peaks now available without a royalty fee. Find your summit.

Note: Due to limited public data, the full list of 77 peaks in Karnali is not fully detailed here. Contact Places Nepal Treks for the complete, updated list and expedition planning

Sudurpaschim Province (20 Peaks)

Note: The complete list of 20 peaks in Sudurpaschim is available through Places Nepal Treks. Reach out for detailed itineraries and peak-specific guidance.

This is the rarest chance in modern mountaineering: to climb a Himalayan giant with no permit fees, to qualify for Everest, and to write your name in the history of exploration.

Everest will always stand. But these 97 peaks? Their time is now.

The mountains are calling. Are you ready to answer?