Uttarakhand Opens 83 Himalayan Peaks for Mountaineering
News Date: 3 Feb 2026
Uttarakhand has fully opened 83 major Himalayan peaks across the Garhwal and Kumaon regions for mountaineering, marking a major push to position the state as a global adventure tourism hub.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council (UTDB), in coordination with the Forest Department, has cleared the peaks for expeditions. The move aims to boost adventure tourism, encourage youth participation, generate local employment, and promote sustainable development in remote and border areas.
The opened peaks range from 5,700 metres to 7,756 metres and include some of the most iconic and technically challenging summits in the Indian Himalayas, such as Kamet, Nanda Devi East, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchachuli and Neelkanth.
Chief Minister Dhami said the Himalayas are central to Uttarakhand’s identity and heritage, calling the decision a historic step toward giving the state global recognition in adventure tourism. He said the initiative would motivate Indian youth to take up mountaineering, create livelihoods for local communities, and ensure balanced development with environmental conservation. The government, he added, remains committed to safe, responsible and sustainable mountaineering.
No Expedition Fees for Indian Mountaineers
For the 83 notified peaks, Indian climbers will not pay any expedition-related fees, including peak, camping, or environmental charges. These costs, earlier levied by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Forest Department, will now be borne by the state government—significantly lowering barriers for young aspirants.
Simplified Rules for Foreign Climbers
All additional state-level fees for foreign mountaineers have been abolished. Foreign expeditions will now pay only the charges prescribed by the IMF, a move expected to increase international interest in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan peaks.
Fully Digital Permission Process
All expedition applications will be processed through the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS) online portal, ensuring a transparent, fast and paperless approval mechanism.
Boost to Local Economy
Officials said the decision will spur tourism activity in border villages, creating jobs for local guides, porters, homestay operators, transport providers, and other service sectors. The initiative is also expected to help curb migration from remote areas and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Welcoming mountaineers from India and abroad, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council said the move would mark a major milestone in showcasing and elevating the rich adventure heritage of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, while positioning the state as a premier global destination for high-altitude mountaineering.
