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
Mt. Everest is the highest peak in the world standing at an elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft), recognised by China and Nepal, was established by a 1955 Indian survey and subsequently confirmed by a Chinese survey in 1975. Everest commercial climbs use two major climbing routes (South and North). Everest has the highest number of summiteers out of all the fourteen 8000m peaks in the world. The trek to Everest base camp is also a popular walking holiday with annually more than 35000 people visiting. The trek takes you up to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain.
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 once thought to the highest mountain the world lies in the eastern part of Nepal bordering to India. Kangchenjunga and its satellite peaks form a huge mountain massif which comprises of five highest peaks (Kanchenjunga Main, West, Central, South and Khangbachen). Kanchenjunga is the second-highest mountain in Nepal and 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, the third highest mountain in Nepal is part of the Everest massif and is connected to the latter peak via the south col. Lhotse shares the same climbing route as Everest up to Camp 3. In addition to the main summit of Lhotse, the mountain comprises two peaks, Lhotse Middle and Lhotse Shar. Lhotse climbers share the same base camp as Everest climbers and the climbing route is also paired until 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 an elevation of 8,485m/27,838ft. It is considered one of the most difficult eight thousand metres mountain due to its steep pitches and knife-edge ridges. Mr Jean Couzy from France scaled Mt. Makalu first time on May 15, 1955, via west face. Mr Ang Chepal Sherpa was the first Nepali climber to summit Mt Makalu 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
Mt. Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world and 5th highest mountain in Nepal remains relatively safest and easiest out of all the 8000m peaks. It is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China. It falls on the eastern part of Nepal at Khumbu Region. The North West ridge from Tibet is the most popular climbing route for Cho Oyu. Cho you shares base camp on both sides (Nepal and Tibet, China). Most climbers scale Cho Oyu from 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
Standing tall at 8167m/26,795ft Dhaulagiri is the sixth highest mountain in Nepal and 7th highest mountain in the world. It lies in the western part of Nepal. The first summit was recorded on May 13, 1960 via Northeast ridge by a joint team of European and Nepali climbers.
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
The first summit recorded on Mt Manaslu was on May 9, 1956 by a Japenese and Nepali Sherpa climber. Manaslu has recently gained more popularity as a preliminary peak for Everest. Due to the uncertain cancellation of the expeditions on Tibet side by the authorities in the past few years, many have opted for Mt Manaslu as a training 8000m climb for Everest.
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
Mt. Annapurna was the first 8000m peak to be climbed. On June 3, 1950 Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal summitted Manaslu marking the first human feet on 8000m peak. Mt. Annapurna is the most difficult and dangerous peaks out of all the 8000m peaks in Nepal. The exposed ridge, high risk of avalanche etc makes the climb of Annapurna, the deadliest out of 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 II is the part of the Annapurna massif and it is an easter anchor point. Annapurna 2 is the 10th highest mountain in Nepal and 17th highest mountain in the world. These are the list of the Top 10 highest mountains in Nepal.
Read also: Top 10 Trekking Peaks in Nepal
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