Just imagine standing at the top of 8848.86m and staring down at the world. Sounds interesting and scary, right? Such is the height of Mount Everest, whereby you understand the beauty of mountains. The 10 highest mountains on Earth run right through Nepal.
Eight out of the 10 tallest mountains in the world are present in Nepal, which could be said to be the mountain capital of the world. Most of the tallest mountains in the world are found in the Karakoram range of Pakistan, where all the mountains stand tall in peace.
All these mountains in the Karakoram range attract mountaineers and travelers from around the world. Not only that, but all the mountaineers are excited to be part of the journey. The toughness of climbing these mountains is different. Not only will you need to be physically fit, mentally strong, and technically potent as well. As you witness the 10 highest mountains on Earth, it will provide you with chills and thrills right along the journey.
Earth’s 10 Highest Mountains in The World
Being the lover and admirer of mountains from around the world, the 10 highest mountains in the world are exciting to climb and deadly at the same time. These mountains throw in challenges that are hard to beat at times.
Most of these 8000m peaks are located in Nepal, and most of the tourists from around the world come to Nepal to climb and conquer these mountains. The mountains that are present in Nepal are more famous than those in Pakistan. It is due to a lack of focus or also commercialization that all the mountains in Nepal get higher focus. Today, we will be talking about the top 10 highest mountains in the world, with Nepal dominating the list.
Mount Everest (8,848.86m)
Everest is the tallest peak in the world, which is located in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. providing the right balance to the mountaineering world. Mount Everest proudly stands at an altitude of 8848.56m, which is also 29,092 ft above sea level. In Nepal, Mount Everest is called Sagarmatha, while the Tibetan people call it Chomolongma. The first ever climb to Mount Everest was made by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary.
Interestingly, Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, even though it is also one of the easiest mountains to climb. With limited issues right at the death zone, proper planning helps the climbers to reach the top quite easily. The team of New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay ascended the tallest mountain in 1953 from the South Col route. Since that climb, all the doors to Mount Everest have been open.
Although Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first climb, it was Sir George Everest who actually named the peak Mount Everest. He was the land surveyor General who located the exact position of the peak. Climbers who are unaware, the Mount Everest climb can be done all around the year. Even though spring and autumn are the best seasons for it, we can also do the trail in the winter season. However, you need to be technically proficient to complete it.
Anyone who doesn’t actually want to climb to the top can do the Everest Base Camp trek, which also provides the stunning views of mountains all around. But if you are an adventure lover and a mountaineer, you have to do the Everest climb at least once.
Typically, climbing the Everest will take you around 6 to 8 weeks to climb to the top. Meanwhile, there are plenty of trekkers who also do a couple of weeks Everest Base Camp trek, making the experience worth every penny. Anyone who is not interested in the Everest trek can also perform side treks like Gokyo Lake, Cho La Pass, a day hiking trip to Everest View Hotel, Khumjung village, etc. All these treks come under the Everest region trek.
Mount K2 (8,611m)
Right behind the tallest mountain in the world lies K2, which is a dangerous and second-highest mountain in the world, and lies in the Karokaram range in Pakistan. K2 is also known as the Savage Mountain due to how tough the climb to the top is. To the mountaineers, unaware that this mountain has the 2nd highest death rate amongst all the other mountains in the world.
Such is the issue with the mountain that people prefer Mount Everest rather than K2. Stats suggest that 1 out of every 4 people to make the climb has died in K2, which is a scary number. For the first time, K2 was ascended by the team of the Italian expedition. This team had the likes of Mr. Ardito Desiofinally and his other crew. It was a tough climb, but they cut through the Abruzzi Spur climbing region.
The particular climb happened on 31st July with other members, namely, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Following this climb, the doors for K2 have been opened for other trekkers too. Some of the key reasons why K2 is difficult because you have to make your own way if you want to make it to the top of K2. The technical expertise required to complete this climb is massive, so a lot of people don’t try it at all.
Furthermore, there are massive weather changes too. The predictability of the weather is impossible, so there have hardly been any winter climbs to the top of K2. Other factors that make the climb tough are the fact that K2 isn’t as commercialized as Mount Everest. There are hardly any pre-installed ropes or fixed camps that can be utilized to complete the trek. As a result of that, climbers are forced to make their own destiny.
Until 2025, there have been 300 successful summits and 77 deaths on the peaks of K2, which is a very scary number. The chance to get to the top of K2 during winter, however, is almost impossible. K2 was first surveyed by Mount Godwin and Godwin Austen, who named it K2. Interestingly, the climbers love to make it to the top of K2 through the Pakistan side, even though you can do it from the China side as well.
Looking at how difficult or problematic climbing Mount K2 is, you will need to be very careful. Lack of commercialization and process means that it will take around 8 to 10 weeks to complete the climb. Out of everything we do on the climb, it is the acclimatization rotations that take up a lot of time. K2 might be difficult, but with a skilled team, it can be achieved, too.
Climbers who aren’t interested in K2 (8,611m) can look forward to other mountains like Ama Dablam (6,812m) in Nepal, Kang Yatse II in India, Aconcagua in Argentina, or even Pik Lenin in Kyrgyzstan. All of these mountains might be lower in altitude than K2, but the harsh conditions and the lack of support can be overcome in these mountains. If you are someone who loves safer mountain climbs, selecting these would be just right.
Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m)
Mount Kanchenjunga, or one of the difficult mountains in Nepal, is the third-highest mountain in the world. This particular peak sits happily in the list of the 10 highest mountains. Through this blog, we suggest that you be technically potent if you want to complete this climb.
Kanchenjunga might stand at an altitude of 8586m, but the difficulty of making the climb is key. Climbing Mount Everest is much easier. Kanchenjunga stands at the Nepal-India border, and it is considered the highest peak in India. Mainly, the Indian climbers like to call it the 5 treasures of snow. The major reason to call it so is due to the 5 peaks that are present in the Kanchenjunga region. Kanchenjunga Mountain is also religiously important to a lot of people.
The five peaks in the Kanchenjunga region are considered gold, silver, gems, grain, and the holy book. Hindu people have great respect for the Kanchenjunga Mountain. In the list of the easternmost mountains on earth, Kanchenjunga is the highest in the world. Even though climbing Kanchenjunga is tough, Mr. Joe Brown and George Band from Britain made it to the top for the very first time.
The British expedition team achieved the feat on 25th May 1955, which opened doors for others. To the readers unaware, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest mountain in the world until 1852. Interestingly, this mistake took place as the calculations for the mountains were done wrong. It was later, by the Great Trigonometrical Survey, that the actual altitude was known as Kanchenjunga became the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
Anyone who is considering climbing Kanchenjunga should know that there are three routes to the top: South West, North West, and North East. You can do the climb from the Taplejung district of Nepal or from Sikkim in India. Even though you can do the Kanchenjunga Mountain climb from Sikkim, it is Nepal’s route that is termed to be the safest in the world. This particular mountain is considered to be the home of the mountain deity. So, the level of respect is higher even in the religious aspect.
In total, the climbers need to separate for around 9 weeks if they want to safely complete the Kanchenjunga climb. Adaptation to the higher altitude and moving in the gear will take maximum time here, too. Like all other treks, it is spring and autumn that seem to be the perfect time to climb Kanchenjunga.
As Kanchenjunga can be risky, we take calculated time in case of acclimatization, along with the rotation phase. The climbing to the top might not be hard, but the remoteness and rotation phase is what makes things very difficult. The technical expertise required for the Kanchenjunga climb is pretty high. So, anyone looking for a substitute climb with the same feel, well, there are plenty of mountains for it. Makalu, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, and Nanga Parbat are some of the key mountains. Karma Eco Adventure can help you reach the top of these mountains to get the same experience.
Mount Lhotse (8,516m)
Don’t be confused, the 10 highest mountain list revolves around Nepal most of the time. Mount Lhotse (8516m) is in the list with an altitude of 8516m. Lhotse is directly connected to Mount Everest and also serves as a pathway to it.
Lhotse is connected via the South Col to Everest. In the case of the Tibetan language, Lhotse means the South Peak. Interestingly, there are many peaks around Lhotse, which makes Lhotse more attractive. The main peak stands at 8516m with Lhotse Middle at 8414m and Lhotse Shar at 8383m. Such a multifaceted mountain with plenty of climbing opportunities for the adventure seekers.
Similar to Everest, Lhotse is located in the middle of Tibet and the Khumbu region of Nepal. Being the borderline mountain, you can climb it from both the Nepal side and the Tibet side. But most climbers prefer the Nepalese side for the climb. For the very first time, Lhotse was climbed on 18th May, 1956 by Mr. Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss. Both of the climbers were from Switzerland, who made the climb a success.
Although the first climb was made in 1956, Lhotse Middle was not climbed for a very long time. A team of Russian expeditioners was able to make the climb to the Lhotse Middle in 2001. Interestingly, Lhotse Middle remained unclimbed for decades even after the first climb was made in the 19th century.
Sergei Timofeev, Alexei Bolotov, and Petr Kuznetsov, with the leader being Eugeny Vinogradsky, led the team of Russian climbers who made the Lhotse middle climb possible. This climb to Lhotse Middle took place on 23rd May 2001. The team of 4 was able to etch their name in the history book as they conquered Lhotse Middle after a very long time.
One of the key reasons why Lhotse is famous for the climb is due to its dramatic south face climb. You will find a rise of 3.2km and 2.25 km, making it the steepest face of this size in the world. Trekkers and climbers might be shocked to know that Lhotse is registered as a difficult climb, and it is rarely attempted by mountain climbers from around the world.
Living in the shadows of Mount Everest, Lhotse is mostly overlooked most of the time. But climbers who have done Lhotse say that the view from Lhotse is much more beautiful than from Everest. As Everest gets all the attention, Lhotse has fewer crowds, making for a quicker climb.
You might be aware that the climb to Lhotse begins from the same route as Everest. In total, there will be 8 weeks that will be required to complete the Lhotse climb. As climbers adjust gradually to the higher altitude, we separate for around 3 weeks to make it into the acclimatization. Climbers need to look for either spring or autumn to complete this climb. The weather remains clear, and along well-established routes are found even for Everest.
Autumn is also a good choice, but there could be a significant weather drop, which can create issues. The weather prediction is also harder during autumn, so we suggest going in the spring. If you are someone who isn’t interested in climbing Lhotse, you also have major options they ponder upon. Karma Eco Adventure assures you that all these substitute mountains will also provide the same. Cho Oyu, Manaslu (8163m), Makalu, and Ama Dablam can be the right option for the trekkers. With stabilized weather conditions and better facilities, these substitute mountains can also be considered for the climb.
Mount Makalu (8,462m)
Located in the Mahalangur range of Nepal, Mount Makalu is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Makalu is actually present 19 km southeast of Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. Makalu, for its beauty and altitude, sits well in the list of Nepal’s 10 highest mountains. At 8462m, Mount Makalu is tough to climb at times. The key reason for it has been the steep pitches along with the sharp edges that come along with it. Climbers might be surprised to know, but this is an isolated peak that looks like four-sided pyramids.
For the very first time, Mount Makalu was climbed by Mt Lionel Terray and his partner Jean Couzy. They became the first couple to summit Mount Makalu. These two individuals completed the climb in 1955. An interesting aspect that remained with the climb is the fact that all 10 members of the expedition team made it to the top.
In 1955, it was a major achievement that everybody was able to do the climb. This made it one of the key aspects. Most of the time, either 2 or 3 people could make it to the top, but everyone being able to complete it was quite a big thing. As sad as it might sound, Mount Makalu looks like a lonely mountain with a pyramid profile. This pyramid-style shape makes it more difficult to climb.
Knife-edge ridge to go with the uneven weather conditions, things can get tough pretty quickly. A total of more than 2 months will be required to complete the climb. Similarly, you also need to have a dependable agency like Karma Eco Adventure to complete this journey.
If you are confused about which face to try, always look for the western face of Makalu, as it is one of the most enjoyable, easy, and beautiful faces of Makalu to climb. More than the mountains, the natural beauty that remains with Makalu makes it a special mountain to climb. Climbers can find 3128 species of flowers in the region. Talking in detail, you can even enjoy 25 different species of Rhododendron, 440 species of birds, and 88 different species of mammals living peacefully in the region.
Climbers who are even thinking of doing the Makalu climb need to be physically fit and mentally strong. Remaining in one of the tough mountains of the world for more than 2 months requires your mental strength to be at its peak. With the steep climb, narrow ridges, icy slopes, and every chance of avalanches, you will need to be ready to make the tough climb to the top.
Well, you can either perform the Lhotse climb or also look for the likes of Manaslu. There are also the likes of Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and Baruntse, but Karma Eco Adventure suggests you look for Makalu itself. Based on the natural beauty of the mountain, you have to try Makalu at least once.
Mt Cho Oyu (8,201m)
Similar to a lot of other mountains, Mount Cho Oyu also lies on the border of Nepal and China. It stands at an altitude of 8201m, being the 6th highest mountain in the world. Mount Cho Oyu means Turquoise Goddess in the Tibetan language, which makes it important amongst the Tibetan community. This particular mountain is also located in the Khumbu region.
Interestingly, it is located in the Westernmost part of the Khumbu section of the Mahalangur Himalaya. From Mount Everest, though, Mount Cho Oyu is 20 km west. Out of all the 8000m mountains in the world, Mount Cho Oyu is one of the easiest mountains to climb. There is hardly any visible danger when we talk about climbing Mount Cho Oyu. With straight routes and no steeper climbs, anyone with basic knowledge and experience of mountain climbing can easily complete it.
The first ever climb to Mount Cho Oyu was done by Australian Joseph Joechler, Herbert Tichy from Italy, and the Nepalese star Pasang Dawa Lama. The group of three achieved this feat on 19th October, 1954. One of the key reasons why Mount Cho Oyu doesn’t get the respect it deserves is due to its placement. The mountain is situated between Mount Everest and Makalu (8,481 m). With so many people being interested in these 2 mountains, Cho Oyu seems to be the centerpiece only.
Even though climbing Mount Cho Oyu seems easier, it would take you around 6 to 8 weeks if you want to do the safe climb of the peak. Not only will you need to be careful about the acclimatization and the altitude sickness factor, too. As Mount Cho Oyu gets overlooked most of the time, other options can be followed if you want to look for alternative routes. They are Manaslu, Ama Dablam, Baruntse, Island Peak (6,165 m), etc. Interestingly, most of these mountains can be climbed in less than 8 weeks.
Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m)
The list of the 10 highest mountains reaches Mount Dhaulagiri. In this list, Mount Dhaulagiri is one of the most eye-catching and pleasing mountains that you can see. Standing tall with snow most time of the year, Dhaulagiri must be on your trekking list too. On 13th May, 1960, Mount Dhaulagiri was climbed for the very first time. The feat was achieved by K Diemberger, P Diener, Nyima Dorji, and Nawang Dorji. The group of 4 was able to do it in record time.
Dhaulagiri refers to a dazzling mountain, and you can imagine how beautiful the mountain is after you view it. Climbers will also pass through the most sacred gorge of Kali Gandaki if they want to reach their destination. Although trekking in winter isn’t advised much but we can say that winter trek is one of the best times to see the ultimately beautiful view. Sadly, you will have to be an expert to complete the winter trek of Dhaulagiri. As we move towards Dhaulagiri, the natural beauty peaks out pretty well.
You will get to see plenty of beautiful villages, along with the welcoming and warm people in the villages. From semi-wild yak herds to mountain sheep, snow leopards, and the Kali Gandaki river, the natural and living beauty is hard to overlook during this climb. The Kaligandaki gorge, present in the Dhaulagiri Mountain climb, also has the most important role. It is religiously important for both the Hindu and Buddhist communities.
It is key to understand that excelling in Dhaulagiri will require technical climbing skills along with navigating through the icefalls, scaling steep slopes, etc. Being challenging and remote, not a lot of climbers choose this mountain. Sadly, this mountain gets overlooked most of the time.
If you are thinking of climbing Mount Dhaulagiri, you will need to set aside at least 8 weeks to complete this climb. Not only is it tough, but we also don’t suggest either the months of winter or even monsoon. Anyone who is looking for other options can go for Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and even Annapurna I. Even though these mountains aren’t easy either but the technical prowess required isn’t as high as Dhaulagiri.
Mount Manaslu (8163m)
The list of the 10 highest mountains in the world now goes to Mount Manaslu. Standing at an altitude of 8163m, this mountain is the 8th-highest in the world. If you are a climber who doesn’t like much of the noise but wants to complete your mountain climb in peace, this could be the right option for you.
Most of the time, mountains like Everest and Cho Oyu take all the limelight, which diminishes the crowd from this particular mountain. Manaslu is located in the Gorkha district of Nepal, where trekking in this particular mountain started in 1991, which was quite surprising.
Manaslu has a meaning in its name. When we say Manaslu, it means the mountain of spirit. The religious value of this mountain for any climber is massive. For climbers, you can find Manaslu Mountain 64 km east of Mount Annapurna, and the Manaslu base camp sits happily at an altitude of 4700m above sea level. For the very first time, Mount Manaslu was climbed by a Japanese expedition team. This took place in 1956, with plenty of focus on whether they could do it or not. T Manisha is the first climber of this mountain from Japan.
Readers might be surprised to know that the value of Manaslu Mountain is much higher in Japan. Even with all the extreme weather conditions and harsh temperatures, Manisha was able to complete the first trek, which opened doors for other people. You will also find picturesque mountains along with the local villages, which carry the history behind them. One of the key aspects is the Manaslu conservation area, with the rare extinct plants and animals present in it. This particular conservation area is spread over 642 km of distance.
It will take you around 6 weeks to complete the climb if you make the right package for climbing mountains. Based on the time, weather, and the team, you will be doing the actual climbs on 21-25th days of the overall tour. Having said that, there are also substitute mountains to climb if you want to have an experience. They are Himlung Himal, Baruntse, Mt Annapurna IV, etc.
Nanga Parbat (8,126m)
Climbers and even readers will be surprised to know that Pakistan has 2 of the 10 tallest mountains in the world. Nanga Parbat is the 9th-tallest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8126m. Interestingly, there aren’t a lot of people who have done the Nanga Parbat climb. Particularly, Nanga Parbat is located on the south side of the Indus River in Gilgit Baltistan. In the Pakistani language, this mountain means the elevated peak. The southern face of this mountain is the toughest one to ascend.
Nanga Parbat is termed to be naked, and the name comes from the open rock face that you can watch quite easily. Rupal Face, which is located on this mountain, is also the highest mountain face, standing at 4600m. This makes the climb even more difficult. It won’t be a mistake to say that Nanga Parbat was also not well commercialized, to say the least. To the climbers who are making up their minds, this mountain is also termed as Killer Mountain mainly due to the fatality rate that comes with the mountain.
There are a massive number of deaths who attempt the Nanga Parbat climb, which makes it hard to ascend. The first shot to climb Nanga Parbat was in 1953, and since then, the mountain has been opened to interested climbers. The first ever climb at Nanga Parbat was made by an Austrian named Hermann Buhl. What’s even more fascinating is the fact that he reached the top without oxygen, which makes the achievement even more special.
Vertical ice walls, Rupal Face, and the technical issues that come in the middle of the climb make the Nanga Parbat climb a tough one to attempt. Another key reason could be the frequent changes in the weather. There is hardly a single stable weather in the region, making climbing much more difficult.
Besides the all-famous Rupal face, you can also find the Diamir face, which is the west face of the mountain. This particular face is used for the commercial route. Lastly, you can also observe the Raikot face, which is the north face. It is the least commercialized and used face in the whole mountain.
When we talk about climbing Nanga Parbat, it will take you at least 7 weeks to make the complete climb and return. Due to the uneven weather conditions of the mountain, we suggest you complete this trek mainly during the autumn and spring seasons.
Reading all the challenges and difficulties that might arise during the trek, if you are looking for a mountain switch, there are plenty of other options. From Mount Manaslu to Broad Peak, Dhaulagiri, and Cho Oyu, climbers can perform a safe climb and also enjoy the overall outcome.
Mount Annapurna (8,091m)
The last name in the list of Earth’s 10 highest mountains is the very favorite Mount Annapurna. Standing bright at an altitude of 8091m, this mountain provides you with an exotic feel, along with the challenges that come along with climbing mountains. Mount Annapurna has a series of mountains, with Annapurna I being the highest mountain. Even, Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world, it is one of the toughest to climb in the whole world.
As famously called, the Annapurna massif has 6 major peaks in its list. These include the Annapurna I, Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), and the very famous Annapurna South (7,219 m). Stats also don’t support Annapurna much, as the number of fatalities is massively high. You will be surprised to know that 32% of attempts to climb Annapurna Mountain result in death.
Some of the key parts of the Annapurna Mountain region are the trekking circuits too. Besides, you can enjoy the flora and fauna in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The particular spot of the Annapurna conservation area spreads over 7629 sq km, and it is one of the largest conservation areas in the country. Even though Annapurna is tough to climb, the first successful attempt was made by M Herzog, L. Lachenal from France. Both of them were from France, and they made the successful climb right at their first attempt.
Annapurna was first climbed on 3rd June, 1950, and since then it has been open to the world. When you are performing the Annapurna climb, you will notice various other mountains like Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and Gangapurna smiling right at you. Some of the readers might be confused as to why Annapurna is known as the toughest mountain to climb. Well, the predictability of the weather is almost impossible with Annapurna.
There is a major chance of massive avalanches at any point in time. Along with that, you might also face the risk of difficult routes, slippery trails, and whatnot. The best weather to perform the Annapurna trek is during the months of spring and autumn. As the weather remains much clearer, you will get a better view and also climbing conditions, which eases out the issue.
More than autumn, though, spring is better. The weather remains predictable with fewer chances of avalanches, too. Being at a higher altitude, the weather could significantly drop even during the autumn season, so carrying extra luggage could create an issue in unknown circumstances.
To ace Mount Annapurna, you will have to separate for at least 8 weeks. Based on the difficulty of the trek, we take the whole process quite seriously. There will be proper training before actually going on the climb of Mount Annapurna. In case you aren’t interested in the Annapurna climb, there are other options too, which can be checked out. Famous alternative mountains to Annapurna include Manaslu, Dhaulagiri I, Cho Oyu, Baruntse, etc. Being one of the toughest climbs in the world, we suggest you choose either autumn or spring to complete the trek.
Anything between monsoon and winter means that there is heavy snow or frequent rain, which makes the overall trail slippery. Even for someone with major experience, we don’t suggest you choose monsoon or winter for this trek.
Final Thoughts
Nepal is blessed to have 8 of the 10 tallest mountains in the world. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Nepal to explore and climb these mountains. But the risk associated with climbing these mountains can’t be ignored either. Not everyone can do the mountain climb, so most of them looked for an equally enjoyable trek. To get to the top of the mountain, though, you will need to have technical skills and knowledge to survive well.
Our team of experts will be present to support you right from the start, but being physically and mentally strong is also helpful. Although there are two different mountains in Pakistan, they are not famous due to a lack of commercialization.
Every mountain trek in Nepal, however, requires permits that will be key. With the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) being common, there are different permits for different mountains, which can be obtained through the Nepal Tourism Board.
Similarly, if you choose an experienced agency like Karma Eco Adventure, we will make all of these permits available right before the trek. Some permits might also be gained right before the actual trek to the mountain. So be well aware of where and how to get permits.
Besides these 10 highest mountains on Earth, other mountains in Nepal provide the thrill, experience, and knowledge you have been looking for. You can contact Karma Eco Adventure to know more about these mountains in detail.