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Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World

Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World
Written by Jonhsia Aruldhas on January 28, 2025

Mountains are overwhelmingly beautiful; that often reminds you how incredible our planet is. The towering snowpeaked mountains are just out of this world, making you curious, feel awe, and whatnot. Ever wondered what the top 10 mountains in the world are? Most of you must have heard about Mount Everest, but there are also other huge mountains that will interest you. Let’s take a look at the highest peaks in the world that would leave you speechless. 

List of the Top 10 Highest Peaks in the World

  • Mount Everest
  • K2
  • Kangchenjunga 
  • Lhotse
  • Makalu
  • Cho Oyu
  • Dhaulagiri
  • Manaslu
  • Nanga Parbat
  • Annapurna

Mount Everest 

Mount Everest is unequivocally the tallest mountain in the world and has enticed thousands of trekkers in the world. The majestic mountain is a part of the Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibetan border. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the successful first people to climb it in 1953, which astonished and inspired the next generation. The climbing challenges not just involve physical exertion but also endurance, perseverance, and determination. Something interesting about Mount Everest is that it grows about 4 mm every year because of tectonic activity. 

Elevation: 8,848 meters (29,031 feet)

Location: Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border

K2

K2 is given the nickname ‘Savage Mountain’ as it is one of the deadliest mountains to climb in the world. It takes its spot as one of the top 10 peaks in the world, second only to Mount Everest. After many unsuccessful attempts, Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli were the first trekkers who reached the summit on July 31, 1954. Fun fact is that it has multiple names: Mount Godwin Austen, Qogir Feng, Dapsang, or Chogori based on where you are at. The death rate is pretty high compared to Mount Everest, but it is increasingly becoming a climbing destination. 

Elevation: 8,611 meters (28,251 feet)

Location: Karakoram Range on the Pakistan-China border

Kangchenjunga 

Kangchenjunga, being the third highest mountain in the world, is infamously known as the ‘Killer Mountain’ for its high mortality rate. The name means ‘“Five Treasures of Snow,“ which is apt as it is a collection of five peaks and not just one. The first people to climb the summit were Joe Brown and George Band in 1995. Do you know something interesting? The locals worshipped the mountain and asked the mountaineers not to put their feet on the summit. Apparently, the climbers stopped short from the summit to respect their beliefs. 

Elevation: 8,586 m (28,169 feet)

Location: Himalayas on the Nepal-India border

Lhotse

Lhotse is one of the top ten mountains in the world, which translates to ‘South Peak’ in Tibetan. Mount Everest climbers usually pass through the slopes of Lhotse, as it is to the south of Mount Everest. Lhotese summit is actually a part of the Everest massif and has a vertical ridge that connects both. The first ever mountaineers to successfully climb the summit were Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss in 1956. Interestingly, it was initially considered a part of Mount Everest but later declared an independent mountain. 

Elevation: 8,516 meters (27,940 ft)

Location: Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet (China) border

Makalu

Makalu is named due to its appearance of black and dark peak, and the name translates to ‘Great Black’ in Sanskrit. It is infamous for its pyramid-shaped summit, which is the most perfect and striking one among the tallest peaks. The climb is dangerous because of its narrow ridges, challenging terrain, and glacial ice in the upper sections. Curious about winter climbs? The first winter ascent was done on February 9, 2009, by Simone Moro and Denis Urubko. Makalu is also one of the least climbed 8000-meter peaks because of its deadliest climbs. 

Elevation: 8,485 meters (27,838 feet)

Location: Nepal/Tibet border in Mahalangur Himalayas

Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu takes the sixth position in the list of tallest mountains in the world. The name is fascinating in itself, as it means ‘Turquoise Goddess’ in Tibetan. It is possibly due to the colour of the glacial lakes and ice when it reflects blue skies. Cho Oyu is one of the easiest and most accessible 8,000 m peaks that has even allowed snowboard descent from the peak. Something unique about Cho Oyu is its temperature, which is ultimately colder than Mount Everest due to the Tibetan Plateau.

Elevation: 8,188 meters (26,864 feet)

Location: Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet (China) border

Dhaulagiri

Dhaulagiri, being the highest point of the Gandaki River Basin, is among the more challenging terrains to climb. The first people to set foot on the summit were led by the Swiss climber Max Eiselin in 1960. The brutal weather conditions make it a deadliest mountain to ascend. It is home to the Kali Gandaki Gorge, infamous for being the deepest gorge on this planet, with a depth of 5,500 meters. Trekking the Poon Hill can give you an amazing sunrise view of Dhaulagiri. 

Elevation: 8,167 meters (26,795 feet)

Location: Himalayas in Nepal

Manaslu

Manaslu translates to ‘mountains of spirit’ and is also one of the 10 highest peaks in the world. The white-crowned mountain allures people as they look at the gleaming peak. The honour of successfully reaching the summit first goes to Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu in 1956. It isn’t much commercialised like the popular ones, but it is still chosen by mountaineers to practice for the Mount Everest climb. Unstable weather and frequent avalanches are what make the trek difficult, but it is technically easier than K2 or Dhaulagiri. 

Elevation: 8,163 meters (26,781 feet)

Location: Himalayas in Nepal

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Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat is one of the towering eight thousanders that literally translates to ‘Naked Mountain’ in Sanskrit. The significance of the name comes from the steep and bare rock faces of the mountain. The reputation of its high death rate gave it its most famed name ‘Killer Mountain.’ Hermann Buhl from Austria climbed Nanga Parbat successfully on July 3, 1953. The part of the mountain that gives nightmares to the mountaineers is the Rupal Face with its 15km vertical climb. It’s no wonder it is the world’s tallest rock face. 

Elevation: 8,126 meters (26,660 feet)

Location: Himalayas in Pakistan

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Annapurna

Annapurna is the tenth among the top 10 highest mountain peaks in the world and the tallest in the Annapurna range. It has the highest fatality rate among the other eight thousanders because of its deadliest avalanches, harsh weather conditions, and technical difficulty. The French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal were the first ones to reach the summit in 1950. Despite the challenging conditions, it was the first ever highest mountain to be climbed. The fascinating fact is that the top part of the mountain is formed of limestone, which is due to its emergence from the ocean. 

Elevation: 8,091 meters (26,545 feet)

Location: Himalayas of North-Central Nepal

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None of the mountains above 8000 meters have plant life because the oxygen levels and harsh weather conditions make it impossible. Himalayan treks, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Manaslu Circuit Trek, can give stunning views of some of these highest peaks. Every peak tells a different story, and each needs to be heard in its own unique way. Not just mountaineers: millions of people worldwide are awestruck by the grandeur of these natural formations too. We hope that reading this has enlightened you and deepened your love for mountains!

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