In a development expected to boost adventure tourism, Uttarakhand has opened 83 major Himalayan peaks for mountaineering under a simplified and streamlined permission system. The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, in partnership with the Forest Department, implemented the decision to make high-altitude expeditions more accessible while maintaining safety and environmental regulations. State officials believe that the initiative will enhance the appeal of mountain peaks in Uttarakhand to the global mountaineering community.
The 83 peaks span the Garhwal and Kumaon regions across Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Rudraprayag, and Tehri Garhwal districts. Elevations range from 5,700 meters to 7,756 meters, making these among the best Himalayan peaks to climb in India.
Among the mountain peaks in Uttarakhand now open are Mount Kamet, standing at 7,756 m as the state's second-tallest mountain, and Nanda Devi East at 7,434 m, long considered sacred by local communities. The Chaukhamba Group, famous for its four-towered structure, also makes it to the list.
Climbers will find access to other well-known summits such as
- Trishul
- Shivling
- Satopanth
- Changabang
- Panchachuli
- Neelkanth
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Expedition Fees Removed, Digital System to Simplify Approvals
The state has waived multiple expedition-related charges for climbers attempting these peaks. Indian mountaineers will no longer be required to pay state-level fees, while foreign expeditions will now pay only the standard charges set by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), with additional state levies removed.
The waived fees include:
- Peak access charges
- Camping fees
- Trail management costs
- Environmental protection fees
Earlier, these charges were shared between the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and the Forest Department, but the state government will now take on the full cost, easing the burden on climbers.
International mountaineers will receive additional relief, with all state-level charges eliminated, while foreign expeditions will only pay fees set by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
All applications for adventure travel in Uttarakhand in 2026 must go through theUttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System(UKMPS), an online platform designed to expedite approvals. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the initiative seeks to encourage young Indians to pursue mountaineering while creating local jobs and maintaining environmental standards.
