Highest Mountains in Nepal

5 Sep 2024 Himalaya Trip

There are numerous high-altitude mountains in Nepal. There are a total of 14 eight thousand meters peaks in the world. The small Himalayan nation of Nepal is home to 8 out of 14 eight-thousand-meter peaks. Every year, thousands of mountaineers visit Nepal to climb mountains. The Himalayan nation offers you a lot if you’re a mountain lover. Trekking, Peak climbing, Mountaineering, etc. are the popular adventure activities that you can do in the mountains of Nepal.

The Himalayas, the world’s youngest and tallest mountain range, stretch for 2,400 kilometers. A significant portion, around 800 kilometers, or one-third of the range, lies within Nepal, known as the Nepal Himalayas. There are more than 1300 mountains in the Nepal Himalayas. Out of 1300+ mountains, the government of Nepal has issued mountain climbing for 414 peaks.

Top 8 Highest Mountains in Nepal

Mount 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

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the World. It sits at an altitude of 8848.86 meters from the sea level. The mountain borders Nepal and Tibet. There are two base camps on Mount Everest: the southern end in Nepal and the northern end in Tibet. The World’s tallest peak was named after the British surveyor Sir George Everest. However, Everest is locally known as “Sagarmatha” in Nepal and “Chomolungma” in Tibet. The Everest expedition is performed from both sides, but climbing from southern Base Camp in Nepal is preferred.

Mount 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

Mount Kanchenjunga is the second-highest peak in Nepal and the third highest peak globally. Kanchenjunga lies in the Eastern part of Nepal and borders with India in the East. Situated on the border of Nepal and India, the mountain was once assumed to be the tallest peak in the World, but the calculations and measurements showed that Everest was the tallest peak in the World. Kanchenjunga is the Tibetan word and was adopted as the official spelling of the mountain.

Previously, expeditions to Kanchenjunga were conducted from both the Indian and Nepali sides. However, climbing from the Indian side has since been banned, and now all Kanchenjunga expeditions are carried out exclusively from the Nepali side.

Mount Lhotse

• Elevation: 8,516m/27,940
• Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
• First Ascent: Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger on May 18, 1956
• Co-Ordinates: 27°57′42″N 86°55′59″E

Mount Lhotse is the third highest mountain in Nepal and the fourth highest mountain in the World. The central peak of Lhotse is located on the border between Tibet and Nepal. It is also known as “South Peak” in Tibetan. It, too, lies in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Lhotse sits at the highest point of the Everest massif, with Everest to the north and Nuptse to the west, forming a massive horseshoe-shaped arc. 

The mountain’s main ridge has four distinct summits: Lhotse Main at 8,516 meters, Lhotse Middle (also known as Lhotse Central I or Lhotse East) at 8,414 meters, Lhotse Central II at 8,372 meters, and Lhotse Shar at 8,383 meters.

Mount Makalu

• Elevation: 8,463m/27,766ft
• Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
• First Ascent: Riley Keegan, Bill Long, and Allen Steck on May 15, 1955
• Co-Ordinates: 27°53′23″N 87°05′20″E

Mount Makalu, standing tall at 8,463 meters, is the fifth highest mountain in the world but is the fourth highest peak in Nepal. The peak lies at 19 km east of the mount Everest in central Nepal. Makalu is a standalone peak with a distinct four-sided pyramid shape. Makalu has two prominent subsidiary peaks, with Kangchungtse, or Makalu II (7,678 meters), located about three kilometers north-northwest of the main summit. It lies in the Mahalangur Himalayan range and sits at the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Mount Cho Oyu

• Elevation: 8,201m/26,906ft
• Region/Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
• First Ascent: Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jochler, Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama on October 19, 1954
• Co-Ordinates: 28°05′39″N 86°39′39″E

Mount Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world. Cho Oyu is a Tibetan word that means “Turquoise Goddess.” Nangpa La Pass, the famous trading route between Sherpa and Tibetans, sits a few kilometers west of Cho Oyu. The mountains lie on the border of Nepal and Tibet. The Cho Oyu peak climb is preferred via the North wedge ridge from the Tibetan side. 

Mount 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

Mount Dhaulagiri is the 6th tallest mountain in Nepal. The mountain lies in western Nepal and is the highest mountain within the borders of a single country. The panoramic views of Mount Dhaulagiri are one of the major highlights of Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. It is one of the most challenging peaks of Nepal Himalaya to climb. The name of Mount Dhaulagiri comes from the Sanskrit word “Dhawal,” which means Dazzling, White, Beautiful, and “Giri” means beautiful. 

Mount 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

Mount Manaslu is the eight highest mountain in the world. Manaslu means the “Mountain of the spirit.” These days, Everest expeditors prefer Manaslu as the trekking peak. The northeast face is considered the standard route for the Manaslu expedition. 

Mount 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

Mount Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world. The Annapurna Mountains are among the most challenging mountains to climb, presenting several dangerous ascents. There are four peaks in the Annapurna Massif: Annapurna (I, II, III, IV). Annapurna I is the tallest peak among the four mountains of Annapurna Massif. Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular treks in the world, and it encircles the Annapurna Massif. 

Mountain climbing in Nepal

Mountain climbing in Nepal began in 1949. Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal were the expeditors who kicked off the first expedition on June 3rd,1950, where they summited Mount Annapurna. However, mountaineers took three more years to summit the world’s highest mountain. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first to summit Mount Everest. Every year, thousands of expeditors summit over the different mountains of Nepal. 

The Nepal government has permitted a total of 414 peaks for mountain climbing. Spring and autumn are the best times to go mountain climbing in Nepal. These seasons offer the ideal weather conditions for expeditions. If you’re an experienced trekker, there are numerous exciting yet challenging mountains to climb in Nepal. Island Peak, Peakey Peak, Tersko Ri, etc., are some of the beginner-friendly peaks to climb in Nepal.

If you plan to climb any mountains in Nepal, you can get an expedition permit and summit different high-altitude peaks worldwide.

Some Popular Treks in Nepal’s Himalayas

Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in the world. It leads to the base of the highest peak in the world. The trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most exciting and challenging adventures ever. You will be able to witness the different mountain peaks of the Mahalangur Himal range, such as Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc. The trekking trails comprise several steep ascents and descents, but the trek takes you to witness the breathtaking views of the gigantic Everest. 

The total hiking distance in this famous trekking route is about 130 km both ways. It takes you around 12-14 days to complete this trek. You will be hiking for around 10-15 km per day. Acclimatization is a must in any Himalayan trek. Likewise, you will need to acclimatize while trekking in the Everest region.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the least trekked regions of Nepal. Trekking in the Kanchenjunga Circuit will allow you to trek in the off-the-beaten paths of Nepal. Trekking in this region will allow you to witness the different bordering peaks of Sikkim and Tibet. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek lies among the top most challenging treks in Nepal. You will be trekking in one of the most remote parts of the country, where there will be very few facilities compared to other treks. 

You will need to cover a total distance of 220 km both ways to reach the base of the second-highest mountain of Nepal. It will take you around 18-22 days to complete this trek. The hiking days depend on several factors, like acclimatization days, your pace of hiking, etc. 

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or ABC Trek, is one of the most popular treks in the world. This ABC Trek allows you to trek in one of the most pristine regions of Nepal. It is one of the most popular trekking routes, offering multiple landmarks and vantage points between the trekking routes. Trekking in the Annapurna region will allow you to witness numerous mountains of the Annapurna range, such as Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare, Gangapurna, etc. 

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek covers a total distance of around 110 km or 68 miles. A trekker can complete this trek in around 7-10 days. Trekking in this region will provide you with the option to customize the trek route where you can add multiple short treks of this region. 

Conclusion

To sum up, the Himalayan nation of Nepal boasts numerous highest mountains in the world. Everest peak stands as the tallest peak in the world at an elevation of 8848.86 from sea level. Trekking to the base camp of any of these peaks or climbing any of these peaks will be one of the most thrilling adventures you will ever come across. The breathtaking mountain views, snow-capped peaks, rich local culture, and warm, vibrant people make your journey to the Nepal Himalayas an experience you’ll cherish forever.

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