New York Times mentions Nepal in its list of destinations

KATHANDU, JAN 12 - The New York Times identifies Nepal in 45th position in its 52 places list, pointing out exciting features or new attractions that travelers shouldn’t miss this year.

The list includes Nepal because of the 165 new peaks that are in process to open for climbers.

The list says that Nepal is “is the mother lode of alpinism, home to eight of the world’s 10 highest summits (including Everest)”, explaining that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation subcommittee has recommended that Nepal allow access to 165 new peaks in the Kanchenjunga massif this year — 13 of them above 23,000 feet.

At present, out of around 1,500 peaks in the country, only 326 are currently open for climbers. According to General Secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association, Deebas Bikram Shah, bureaucratic processes to open the peaks remain.

“The idea to open more peaks came up during the 60th anniversary of the ascent of Everest,” Shah said. However, he denied to reveal the names of the peaks to be opened while stating that the preliminary homework for opening the new peaks was in process.

Capetown of South Africa is at the apex of the NY Times list.