What are The Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World ?

Kedar Neupane 28th Aug, 2025

The highest mountains in the world are located in Asia, particularly in the mighty Himalayan range. Out of the 10 tallest peaks above 8,000 meters, 8 of them lie in Nepal, making the country a dream destination for mountaineers and adventure travelers.

Here’s the list of the Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World with their height, location, and interesting facts.

1. Mount Everest (8,848 m / 29,029 ft) – Nepal/China

Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, is the highest mountain on Earth. Located on the Nepal–China border, Everest rises majestically to 8,848 meters.

It was first successfully summited on 29 May 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal. Today, climbing Everest remains the ultimate dream for mountaineers worldwide. Despite its extreme altitude, it is considered one of the more accessible 8,000-meter peaks due to established routes and logistics support.

2. K2 (8,611 m / 28,251 ft) – Pakistan

Known as the “Savage Mountain”, K2 is the second highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in Pakistan. Located in the Karakoram Range, K2 is notorious for its technical challenges and high fatality rate—about one climber dies for every four who reach the summit.

The first ascent was made on 31 July 1954 by Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni of an Italian expedition.

3. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m / 28,169 ft) – Nepal/India

Kangchenjunga, meaning “The Five Treasures of Snow”, is the third highest mountain in the world. Situated on the Nepal–India border, it consists of five massive peaks. The name refers to five treasures: gold, silver, gems, grain, and holy books.

The mountain was first climbed on 25 May 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band of a British expedition.

4. Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft) – Nepal/China

Connected to Everest by the South Col, Lhotse is the fourth tallest mountain in the world. Its dramatic south face is one of the steepest and most difficult climbs in mountaineering history.

Lhotse was first ascended on 18 May 1956 by Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss of Switzerland.

5. Makalu (8,481 m / 27,825 ft) – Nepal/China

Located just 19 km southeast of Everest, Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. Famous for its striking pyramid shape, Makalu is one of the most technically challenging 8,000-meter peaks.

The first successful ascent was in 1955 by a French expedition led by Jean Franco, with climbers Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy reaching the top.

6. Cho Oyu (8,201 m / 26,906 ft) – Nepal/China

Cho Oyu, meaning “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan, is the sixth highest mountain. It lies 20 km west of Everest, on the Nepal–China border.

Regarded as the easiest 8,000-meter peak due to its relatively straightforward climbing routes, Cho Oyu was first summited on 19 October 1954 by Herbert Tichy (Austria), Joseph Jöchler, and Pasang Dawa Lama (Nepal).

7. Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m / 26,795 ft) – Nepal

Dhaulagiri, meaning “White Mountain” in Sanskrit, is the seventh highest mountain in the world. Located in central Nepal, its dazzling snow-covered ridges stand out dramatically above the landscape.

It was first summited on 13 May 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian-Nepali expedition.

8. Manaslu (8,163 m / 26,763 ft) – Nepal

Manaslu, known as the “Mountain of the Spirit”, is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Situated in the Mansiri Himal of west-central Nepal, it is a popular peak for climbers seeking their first 8,000-meter experience.

It was first climbed on 9 May 1956 by Toshio Imanishi (Japan) and Gyalzen Norbu (Nepal).

9. Nanga Parbat (8,126 m / 26,660 ft) – Pakistan

Nicknamed the “Killer Mountain”, Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain and one of the most dramatic peaks in the world. It rises steeply above the Indus River in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

The first ascent was completed in 1953 by Hermann Buhl of Austria, who made a legendary solo climb to the summit.

10. Annapurna I (8,091 m / 26,545 ft) – Nepal

Annapurna I, the tenth highest peak in the world, is part of the stunning Annapurna massif in central Nepal. Despite its beauty, Annapurna has one of the highest fatality rates among 8,000-meter peaks, making it extremely dangerous.

The mountain was first summited on 3 June 1950 by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal of France, marking the first successful ascent of an 8,000-meter mountain.

Final Thoughts

From the mighty Everest to the treacherous Annapurna, the top 10 highest mountains in the world represent the ultimate challenge and adventure for climbers. With 8 out of 10 located in Nepal, the country truly is the heart of the Himalayas and the world’s top destination for trekking and mountaineering.

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