The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) has informed the UIAA Office that for the 2020 climbing season, it will offer a 50% discount on handling charges to encourage foreign climbers to visit the Indian Himalaya. Full details are provided in the following link. Discounts vary based on altitude of peak and number of members in the party.
As recently detailed in a UIAA news release and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation’s Apex Magazine, the government of India has declared 123 Himalayan peaks, located in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, open to foreigners ‘interested in obtaining a mountaineering visa for climbing and trekking purposes, in a major boost for the international mountaineering and adventure community’.
Foreign climbers and expedition organisers previously had to seek permission from the Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs in order to climb these peaks. They can now directly apply to the IMF for permits. The list includes 51 peaks in Uttarakhand, 10 peaks in Sikkim, 15 peaks in Jammu & Kashmir, and 47 peaks located in Himachal Pradesh, ranging from above 7000m to trekking peaks, in addition to the peaks already open for climbing. Full details here.
Main photo:
Stock library: Mesmerizing view of Dunagiri and Elephant mountains of Garhwal Himalayas from Kuari pass hiking trail near Auli, Uttrakhand,India
