Uttarakhand Opens Himalayan 83 Peaks For Explorers, Removes Expedition Charges

India is a paradise for trekkers. From the lush trails of the Western Ghats to the exhilarating peaks in Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Kashmir, there’s a lot to discover for every adventurer. And if you love trekking and have a passion for climbing high altitudes, you’re in luck. Uttarakhand has made a groundbreaking move to promote adventure tourism by allowing access to 83 new mountain peaks. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council (UTDB) has collaborated with the Forest Department to open these peaks in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions for climbers.

These peaks vary in elevation from 5,700 meters to 7,756 meters. They include famous challenging summits such as Kamet (7,756 m), Nanda Devi East, the Chaukhamba range, the Trishul range, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchachuli, and Neelkanth.

Also Read: 5 Beginner-Friendly Winter Treks In Uttarakhand And How To Plan Them

The objective is to inspire young people in the country to explore adventurous careers like mountaineering, while also creating job opportunities for local communities and promoting sustainable development alongside environmental protection. The state government is dedicated to ensuring mountaineering is safe and eco-friendly.

Uttarakhand Governement Waves Off Expedition Related Fees Like Camping Fees, Peak Fees, Etc.

In fact, for the 83 designated peaks, Indian climbers will no longer incur any expedition-related fees, as the state government will cover these costs, which were previously charged by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Forest Department. The expedition-related fees include: camping fees, environmental charges, etc. Foreign climbers will now only pay the IMF's fees, eliminating extra state charges, making Uttarakhand more attractive for international expeditions.

All mountaineering expedition applications must now be submitted via the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS) online portal, making the process quicker and more transparent. The state government emphasizes that all expeditions must comply with safety and environmental guidelines, including the “Leave No Trace” principle to protect the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. With this, a total of 123 summits in Uttarakhand are now open to climbers.