Top 10 Highest Mountains in Nepal

Top 10 Highest Mountains in Nepal

The top 10 highest mountains in Nepal are among the top 17 highest mountains in the world. The Himalaya is the youngest and highest mountain system in the world extending 2,400 kilometres. Fully a third or 800 kilometres of its central section traverses Nepal and is known as the Nepal Himalaya.

Nepal, the land of Himalayas is known as a mountaineers and trekkers paradise to the world. There are more than 1310 mountains in Nepal Himalaya which are over 5500m/18,090ft to 8848m/29,028ft above sea level.

All 8000m above peaks are located on the edge of the Indian and Eurasian continental plates with 8 of them consisting in Nepal. Out of the fourteen world’s highest mountain, eight are in Nepal, five in Pakistan and one in Tibet, China.

With 8 mountains higher than 8000m and hundreds of peaks higher than 6000m opened for climbing, Nepal certainly tops the list of destination for mountain lovers.

Nepal opened its mountains/peaks for climbing in 1949 and until June 2018, the Nepal government has opened 414 peaks for climbing which are jointly managed by the Department of Tourism and Nepal Mountaineering Association.

The first expedition to set foot on an 8000m peak was achieved by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal in June 3rd, 1950 on the summit of Mt. Annapurna.

Three years after the first ascent of 8000m peak on Mt. Annapurna, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29,1953, stood atop the world’s highest mountain, Everest. By 1960, eighty-four expeditions, both large and small, had encountered the Nepal Himalaya. Kanchenjunga and Makalu were climbed in 1955, Lhotse and Manaslu in 1956 and Dhaulagiri in 1960.

Let’s find out more about the top 10 highest mountains of Nepal with climbing facts:

1. Everest

Elevation: 8848m/29,029ft
Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
First Ascent: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on 29 May 1953
Co-Ordinates: 27°59′17″N 86°55′31″E
World ranking: 1

Everest is the highest peak in the world standing at 8,848 meters (29,029 ft), recognized by China and Nepal, established by the Indian Survey in 1955 and then confirmed by the Chinese Survey in 1975. Major climbing routes (South and North). Of all the fourteen 8000m peaks in the world, Mount Everest has the highest number of climbers. Trekking to Everest base camp is also a popular walking holiday with over 35000 people visiting annually. The trek takes you to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world.

2. Kanchenjunga

Elevation: 8,586m/28,169ft
Region/Range: Kanchenjunga Himalaya
First Ascent: Joe Brown and George Band on May 25, 1955
Co-Ordinates: 27°42′12″N 88°08′51″E
World ranking: 3

Kanchenjunga was once considered the highest mountain in the world, which was connected to India in the eastern part of Nepal. Kanchenjunga and its satellite peaks form a massive mountain massif consisting of five high peaks (Kanchenjunga Main, West, Central, South and Khangbachchen). Kanchenjunga is the second highest mountain in Nepal and the third highest mountain in the world.

3. Lhotse

Elevation: 8,516m/27,940
Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
First Ascent: May 18, 1956
Co-Ordinates: 27°57′42″N 86°55′59″E
World ranking: 4

Lhotse, Nepal’s third highest mountain, is part of Everest and is connected to the latter peak through the southern col. Lhotse shares the climbing route of Mt Everest up to Camp 3. Apart from the main peak of Lhotse, the mountain has two peaks namely Lhotse Middle and Lhotse Sar. Lhotse climbers share the same base camp as Everest climbers and the climbing route also connects up to Camp 3.

4. Makalu

Elevation: 8,463m/27,766ft
Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
First Ascent: May 15, 1955
Co-Ordinates: 27°53′23″N 87°05′20″E
World ranking: 5

Makalu is the fourth highest mountain in Nepal and the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 meters/27,838 feet. Due to its steep pitch and knife edge, it is considered one of the eight thousand meter high mountains. On May 15, 1955, Mr. Jean Cousy of France first climbed Mount Makalu via the west face. Ang Chepal Sherpa was the first Nepali climber to climb Makalu Himal on May 1, 1978.

5. Cho Oyu

Elevation: 8,201m/26,906ft
Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
First Ascent: October 19, 1954
Co-Ordinates: 28°05′39″N 86°39′39″E
World ranking: 6

The 6th highest mountain in the world and the 5th highest mountain in Nepal, Mount Cho Oyu is relatively safe and easy to climb among all the 8000m peaks. It is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China. It is located in Khumbu region in eastern part of Nepal. The northwest ridge of Tibet is the most popular climbing route for Cho Oyu. Cho you share base camps on both sides (Nepal and Tibet, China). Most climbers scale Cho Oyu from the north side (Tibet side).

6. Dhaulagiri

Elevation: 8,167m/26,795ft
Region/Range: Dhaulagiri Himalaya
First Ascent: Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Nawang Dorje, Nima Dorje, Ernst Forrer and Albin Schelbert on May 19, 1960
Co-Ordinates: 28°41′48″N 83°29′35″E
World ranking: 7

At 8167 meters/26,795 feet, Dhaulagiri is the sixth highest mountain in Nepal and the seventh highest in the world. It is located in the western part of Nepal. The first summit was recorded on May 13, 1960, by a joint team of European and Nepali climbers via the Northeast Ridge.

7. Manaslu

Elevation: 8,156m/26,759ft
Region/Range: Manaslu Himalaya
First Ascent: Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu on May 9, 1956
Co-Ordinates: 28°33′00″N 84°33′35″E
World ranking: 8

Manaslu mountain was recorded for the first time on May 9, 1956 by Japanese and Nepalese Sherpa climbers. Manaslu has recently gained more popularity as the initial summit of Mt. In the past few years, many have chosen Mt Manaslu as a training ground for Everest, due to the indefinite cancellation of climbs to Tibet by the authorities.

8. Annapurna

Elevation: 8091m/26,545ft
Region/Range: Annapurna Himalaya
First Ascent: Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950
Co-Ordinates: 28°35′44″N 83°49′13″E
World ranking: 10

Annapurna was the first 8000m peak to be climbed. On June 3, 1950, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climbed Manaslu, marking the first human foot on the 8000-meter peak. Among all the 8000 meters high peaks of Nepal, Annapurna Himal is the most difficult and dangerous peak. Exposed rock, high risk of avalanches, etc. make climbing Annapurna one of the most dangerous among the top 10 highest mountains in Nepal.

9. Gyachung Khang

Elevation: 7,952m/26,089ft
Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
First Ascent: Y. Kato, K. Sakaizawa and Pasang Phutar on April 10, 1964
Co-Ordinates: 28°05′53″N 86°44′42″E
World ranking: 15

10. Annapurna II

Elevation: 7,937m/26,040ft
Region/Range: Annapurna Himalaya
First Ascent: J. O. M. Roberts, Richard Grant, Chris Bonington, and Sherpa Ang Nyima on 1960
Co-Ordinates: 28°32′05″N 84°07′19″E
World ranking: 17

Annapurna 2

Annapurna II is part of the Annapurna massif and is an Easter anchor point. Annapurna 2 is the 10th highest mountain in Nepal and the 17th highest mountain in the world. These are the list of top 10 highest mountains in Nepal.

Read also: Top 10 Trekking Peaks in Nepal