The Himalayas are the highest mountain series that exists in the world. They are also freshwater reserves in the form of a glacier, ice and snow. These highest mountains in the world are a great sight and most majestic which one should witness once in a lifetime. Top 10 highest mountains in the world with countries are Nepal, Pakistan and India. Out of the 10 highest peaks in the world, Nepal has eight peaks which are over 8,000 meters high which also includes, Mt. Everest- the world’s highest peak. Top 10 highest mountains in the world and their location are as follows:
Top 10 highest mountains in the world list
1. Mount Everest (8848m), Nepal
2. Mount K2 (8611m), Pakistan
3. Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m), Taplejung District Nepal/Sikkim India
4. Mount Lhotse (8511m), Nepal
5. Mount Makalu (8462m), Nepal
6. Mount Cho Oyu (8201m), Nepal
7. Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nepal
8. Mount Manaslu (8163m), Nepal
9. Nanga Parbat (8125m), Pakistan
10. Mount Annapurna (8091m), Nepal
1. Mount Everest (8848m), Nepal
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world which measures 8,8848 meters (29,029 ft.) above sea level. The mountain is located on the Nepal and Tibet border, and is in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The peak is in the Northeastern part of Nepal. In the Nepali language, Mt. Everest is called ‘Sagarmatha’ and in Tibetan ‘Chomolungma’. Mt. Everest is at number one position on the top 10 highest mountains in the world list. The mountain was first located by British surveyor and geographer General Sir George Everest thus the name Everest. The first climb of Mt. Everest was by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary in May 1953. After there have been many successful summits to the mountain. If not climbing the mountain then one can trek to it’s the base camp where Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular treks. The area of Everest has a wide range of flora and faunas and is protected under Sagarmatha National Park. Wild animals found in here are Red Panda, Musk Deer, and Snow leopard, Himalayan black Deer, Himalayan Thar, Langur Monkeys, Martens, and Himalaya wolves. The park is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. To witness Mt. Everest and the other world’s highest peaks like Lhotse, Cho Oyu one can choose one of many treks in the Everest region.
2. Mount K2 (8611m), Pakistan
Mount K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world located in Pakistan. Mount K2 stands at 8,611 meters above sea level and is situated on the border of China and Pakistan. The name K2 stands for the 2nd peak in the Karakoram Range. K2 is a challenging mountain to climb with only about 250 climbers successfully climbing to it’s summit. Thus the mountain is also known as ‘Savage Mountain’. This vast ice pyramid stands away from all the rest of the peaks of K2. It was first climbed in 1954 by an Italian expedition which also got it’s name. Mt. K2 is in second place on the top 10 highest peaks in the world. col. H.H. Godwin Austen was the first to survey the peak. Mount K2 is the only mountain difficult mountain among the eight thousand meters peaks. K2 has never been climbed during winter from its east face. The base camp of K2 is located in Pakistan. Climbing the mountain from Pakistan is more popular than the route from China.
3. Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m), Taplejung District Nepal/Sikkim India
The 3rd highest mountain in the world is Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m). Mount Kanchenjunga is situated in Taplejung District, Nepal, Sikkim, India. It’s the highest mountain in Nepal and the second-highest in Nepal. The peak is also considered “The Five Treasures of Snows” as it is blessed with five treasures of God that are gold, silver, gems, grains, and holy books. It was successfully climbed in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band. Mount Kanchenjunga is at a distance of 78 miles from Mount Everest. Kanchenjunga is the second least climbed mountain. The area of Kanchenjunga is protected under Kanchenjunga national park to conserve it’s endangered birds and animals. One can trek into the Kanchenjunga region via Nepal with Kanchenjunga trekking. South West, North West, and North East from Nepal are the three routes to climb Kanchenjunga and there’s also one route from India – North East Sikkim from Sikkim. But the three routes from Nepal are considered more safest. Mt. Kanchenjunga is also considered a religious mountain since it’s believed the peak is home to a mountain deity. Kanchenjunga base camp is located in Taplejung, Nepal.
4. Mount Lhotse (8511m), Nepal
Mount Lhotse is a beautiful mountain and is at the same Himalayan range as Mt. Everest. It’s the world’s fourth-highest mountain with a height of 8,511 meters. The peak is connected with Mt. Everest and towards the south of Everest in the Khumbu region in Nepal. It is a perilous and dramatic rocky route. The peak is located at the border of Nepal and Tibet. Mount Lhotse is considered one of the lethal mountains in the world as there have been many failed attempts and fatalities while it’s ascent. Besides, Lhotse is most dangerous to climb due to Khumbu’s icefall. Though in 1956 Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger successfully climbed this peak. Mt. Lhotse has three main three submit of mount Lhotse: – the main summit 8,516 meters (27,940 ft.), smaller peaks Lhotse Middle (East) 8,414 m (27,605 ft.) And also Lhotse Shar of height 8,383 m (27,503 ft.). The middle Lhotse was not climbed until early 2001. A Russian expedition consisting of Sergei Timofeev, Alexei Bolotov, and Petr Kuznetsov with their leader Eugeny Vinogradsky, became the first one to climb middle Lhotse on May 23, 2001.
5. Mount Makalu (8462m), Nepal
Mount Makalu is another beautiful mountain in Nepal. It is the fifth highest mountain in the world with an elevation of 8463 meters above sea level. The peak is located on the Mahalangur range and about 19km southeast of Mount Everest. Mount Makalu is quite tough to climb since it has very sharp edges and steep pitches. Mount Makalu shape is a four-sided pyramid and an isolated peak in the Himalayas. So it is kind of a lonely mountain but a unique one. It was climbed in 1955 by Mt Lionel Terray with his climbing partner Jean Couzy who was the first to climb Makalu. Climbing Makalu is a challenging task due to it’s pyramid shape with knife-edge ridge. The average day taken to climb Makalu is around 61 – 65 days. Many mountaineers choose to climb the peak from it’s western face because of the wonderful and enjoyable route. The region of Makalu is loaded with abundant natural beauty. Studies show altogether there are 3,128 species of flowers 25 different species of Rhododendron, 440 different species of birds, and 88 different species of mammals living there. Makalu Base Camp Trek will get to the peak’s base camp.
6. Mount Cho Oyu (8201m), Nepal
Mount Cho Oyu is the sixth highest peak in the world at an altitude of 8201m meters above sea level. This mountain is accessible to climb where H. Tichy, S. Jochler and Mr. Pasang Lama were the first persons to climb Cho Oyu in October 1954. In Tibetan, the peak is considered as “Turquoise Goddess”. Mount Cho Oyu is located on the border of Nepal and China. It is 20 km far away from Mount Everest and in the Mahalangur range. Climbing Mount Cho Oyu is from three sides i.e. northwest, northeast, and Southeast. The peak isn’t hard to climb and mountaineers climb Cho Oyu as a practice and experience before their attempted climb of Mt. Everest. Ang Phiri Sherpa record the first Nepali person to climb Cho Oyu. During Cho Oyu climbing one gets the perfect views of other eight-thousanders’ mountains. It’s climbing season is from March and May end and the second season is on September through November where the second season is considered as the best one. While climbing Cho Oye there are three more base camps and a final Advanced Base camp before getting the final attempt to Cho Oyu.
7. Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nepal
Mount Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest peak in the world located in the north of central Nepal. It’s elevation is 8,167 meters above sea level. The name Dhaulagiri means “White Mountain. Winter is the best season to trek into the Dhaulagiri region where views are at it’s best. Mt. Dhaulagiri is the highest point in the Gandaki basin. The name Dhaulagiri is acquired from the Sanskrit word dazing, white and beautiful surely is the white beauty. Dhaulagiri region can be explored via Around Dhaulagiri Trekking. It’s a beautiful trek Passing through an ever-changing landscape, with numerous picturesque villages to finally reach Dhaulagiri base camp. En-route the trekking trekkers will encounter semi-wild yak herds, mountain sheep or the elusive snow leopard as well as hike past Kali Gandaki River; the world’s deepest gorge. Dhaulagiri trekking route has hidden snow valley after crossing French Pass gives a celestial test of the white world.
8. Mount Manaslu (8163m), Nepal
It’s the world’s eighth highest mountain located in Nepal with an elevation of 8163 meters. a large area at the bottom of the mountain is covered with rock-hard ice surrounding the peak which a great sight to behold. Manaslu means “Mountain of the Spirit.” The peak was first climbed in 1956 by T. Manisha from Japan. So that’s why this peak is famous among the Japanese community. In Sanskrit Manaslu means soul. Mt. Manaslu is at a distance of 64 km east of mount Annapurna. One can also explore Manaslu region via Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek. The base camp is at 4700-meter from sea level. Mount Manaslu lies in the Gorkha district of Nepal. The area is protected under Manaslu Conservation Area where plenty of flora and faunas exits. Manaslu Conservation Area covers the area of 642 square. Km.
9. Nanga Parbat (8125m), Pakistan
Nanga Parbat is a beautiful mountain located in Pakistan and is the world’s ninth-highest peak. It is located on the south side of the Indus River in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Nanga Parbat means “Naked Mountain” with an elevation of 8125 meters. Nanga Parbat is also considered as the Killer Mountain since many climbers died in the first half of the twentieth century. It was first climbed in 1953 by Mr. Hermann Bahl- the Australian climber. It’s another mountain in Pakistan on the list of 10 highest mountains in the world. The peak is also the second-highest mountain in Pakistan after mount K2. The highest point of Nanga Parbat is it’s southern face. It’s name also came from Sanskrit where nanga is naked and parbat is mountain. The mountain is very difficult to climb so many mountaineers have lost their lives thus also called the Killer Mountain.
10. Mount Annapurna (8091m), Nepal
Mount Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. It is located in Nepal with an altitude of 8091 meters. In Sanskrit ‘Annapurna’ means ‘Goddess of the Harvests’. This mountain is also dangerous to climb. Surrounding Mt. Annapurna area is protected under Annapurna Conservation Area Project. This is the first and largest conservation area of Nepal with 7,629 sq. Km. R. It covers Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung with an area of approximately 7,629. The first climbers of Mt. Annapurna were France M. Herzog and L. Lachenal who reached it’s summit on 3 June 1950. Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is the most popular hike to get to it’s base camp. Mt. Annapurna has several faces like Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m) and other beautiful peaks in this area are Machhapuchhre (6993 m), and Hiunchuli (6441 m), Gangapurna (7454), fang (1647m). Trekking in Annapurna region is the best long-distance trek which is a combination of both cultural and natural beauty.