While there are many popular trekking routes in Nepal, including these 10 incredible treks, every climber’s ultimate dream is to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Although permit fees for the main climbing season have reached about $15,000 per person, die-hard climbers continue to attempt to scale the 29,000-foot-tall world’s tallest peak. While Everest remains a once-in-a-lifetime trekking experience, rising costs and crowds have led many to look elsewhere, including escaping the crowded treks of Nepal for unspoilt mountain adventures in “Pakistan’s Yosemite.” To address these overtourism issues, Nepal has announced that it will eliminate climbing permit fees for 97 Himalayan peaks within two years, until July 17, 2027.
Even those who think they know everything there is to know about Everest are often blindsided by interesting facts they don’t know about Everest and the region, including the number of “pristine” peaks in the Himalayas. The Nepal Tourism Board is trying to shift interest to less visited areas like Karnali and Sudupashim. In these remote provinces, dozens of peaks remain largely untouched by commercial mountaineering activities, and many have never been climbed. For those looking to immerse themselves in the authentic side of Nepal while training in high-altitude mountains, this might be just the opportunity they’ve been waiting for. However, there are still fees associated with climbing, so these excursions are not completely free.
To travel to Nepal, most international travelers fly into Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, the main airport in the country’s capital. To acclimate to the Himalayan altitude, it’s best to spend a few days exploring Nepal’s largest city, an affordable destination that offers delicious street feasts and ancient beauty. From there, guided expeditions typically involve domestic flights to remote areas, followed by rugged ground transportation to the trailhead.
Read more: The most dangerous Caribbean destinations, according to study
Explore remote trekking in the Karnali region
Mountains in Karnali Province, Nepal – dustyne9/Shutterstock
For the truly adventurous, consider the province of Canali. Located in western Nepal, it is the largest region in the country and one of the most remote and least developed. With over 70 peaks here, getting here can be a challenge, but once there, it offers a completely different experience than the crowds on Everest or Annapurna treks.
One famous peak is Tripura Hiun Chuli near the Chinese border. The mountain is approximately 21,500 feet above sea level, and as with any trek, you must hire a licensed guide if you are not a Nepalese citizen. Many agencies that coordinate travel to this remote area will fly you from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Airport and then to Dolpa Airport, a smaller regional airport in the village of Juppal. After trekking to base camp, it usually takes about two weeks to reach the summit, either camping or staying in a traditional teahouse. During the hike, you’ll pass through rugged valleys and glaciers, with Mount Tsogebu and other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the distance.
Another peak in Karnali is Patrasi, which is 21,161 feet above sea level. In June 2024, a team of three Nepali climbers took the lead in completing the first summit. The guides describe the summit as challenging, “It’s not the fixed rope climbs we’re used to, it’s the technical climb that really captures the joy of mountaineering.” They have three goals in mind: “To climb Patrasi for the first time, to promote mountaineering and sustainable mountaineering in our homeland, and to highlight the beauty of western Nepal.” If you’d like to try the climb yourself, make arrangements with a professional expedition operator such as Empact Adventures.
Plan carefully to explore the peaks of Sudurpaschim
Apishmal Base Camp, Nepal – Cellphonography/Shutterstock
Sudurpashm province is divided into nine districts, ranging from the national parks and the Gurans Himal, Sapipal Himal and Byas Rishi Himal mountains in the north to the plains in the south. There are 20 peaks to climb in the area, many of which are yet to be explored. For those looking for an off-the-grid experience on off-the-beaten-path hiking trails, with some proper preparation, you might be the first to face these steep climbs and gain some bragging rights.
Famous mountains in Sudurpaschim include Api Himal and Saipal Himal near the Tibetan and Indian borders. At over 23,000 feet above sea level, Apisimal is the highest peak that many have yet to climb. The second highest is Mount Separ, another rarely explored peak with no teahouses or accommodation, so camping is your only option.
Also, due to Nepal’s official regulations for trekkers, although permits are free until mid-2027, you still have to book with a professional guide or agency. A licensed operator will arrange the necessary paperwork, register you in the Trekkers information management system for safety, obtain a National Park permit if needed, and handle other logistics. Although royalties are waived, some agencies’ packages do not include salaries for Sherpas and porters, insurance for cooking staff and liaison officers, and travel and evacuation insurance, among others. Additionally, you will still need to pay other required permit fees, which depend on the elevation of the mountain. Some experienced hikers estimate the cost to be $6,000 to $9,000, depending on factors such as group size, time of year and what’s included in the agency’s package deal.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Sign up for our free newsletter and add us as your go-to search source for the world’s best-kept travel secrets.
Read the original article about the islands.