The 10 Tallest Mountains on Earth

Nepal hosts eight out of ten of the tallest mountains in the world, earning the country the aptly suited nickname the “roof of the world”. The other two, including the formidable K2, are found in Pakistan. Despite the difference in host countries, all the top ten tallest mountains are included in the Himalayan mountain range, which covers an impressive 1,500 miles. Remarkably, there are over 50 mountains in the Himalayas that exceed 23,600 ft and these mountains are still growing at 2.4 inches a year! Also before we dive into our top 10 it's worth noting that Asia itself hosts 188 of the world's tallest mountains, it’s not until you find the 189th tallest that you leave Asia and find Aconcagua in the Andes at 22,838 ft.

If any of these particular mountains spark your interest then bear in mind that many of the treks offered through our services afford remarkable vistas of these peaks (excluding, of course, K2 and Nanga Parbat).

1. Mount Everest, Nepal 29,029 ft
First ascent: 1953
Total ascents: 4,833                      

• In 1841 Mt. Everest was first recognized as the tallest mountain in the world by Sir George Everest and his survey team.

• Mt. Everest is equivalent to the size of 20 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of eachother.
• Tibetans, Sherpas, and Nepalis call Everest “Chomolungma” and “Sagamartha”. ​

2. K2, Pakistan 28,251 ft
First ascent: 1954
Total ascents: 300                             

• K2 is considered one of the hardest mountains in the world to climb as it features precipitous overhangs and massive slopes of rock and ice.

• The mountain is also prone to frequent storms and turbulent weather that makes climbing extremely difficult and dangerous.
• Of the 300 or so people who have reached the summit, 77 have died, giving it the second highest fatality rate among the 8,000ers.

3. Kangchenjunga, Nepal 28,169 ft
First ascent: 1955
Total ascents: 243

• Kangchenjunga translates to “Five Treasures of Snow,” referring to the mountain’s five peaks.
• Kangchenjunga is the second least climbed mountain that is over 8000m.
• Until 1852 Kangchenjunga was believed to be the tallest mountain in the world.
• Every climber that has “summited” Kangchenjunga has followed a tradition to stop just short of the summit to respect the wishes of the locals to keep the summit inviolate.

4. Lhotse, Nepal 27,940 ft
First ascent: 1956
Total ascents: less than 500                

• After various unsuccessful attempts, the South Face was first successfully climbed only as recently as 1984.
• If you were to climb Lhotse you would have to follow the traditional Everest route up until Camp 3, where you would then vere off along a different path.

5. Makalu, Nepal 27,838 ft
First ascent: 1955
Total ascents: 206         

• The name ‘Makalu’ is derived from the Sanskrit Maha Kala, a name for the Hindu god Shiva that translates to “Big Black”.
• Makalu-Barun Valley is a Himalayan glacier valley situated at the base of Mt. Makalu that serves as a sanctuary for wild animals like wolves, lynx, fox, and even snow leopards.

6. Cho Oyu, Nepal 26,864 ft
First ascent: 1954
Total ascents: 2,700   

• Cho Oyu means "Turquoise Goddess" in Tibetan.
• The Nangpa La, a glacial pass at 19,050 feet high lying south of the peak, forms part of the trade route between Tibet and the valley of Khumbu.

7. Dhaulagiri, Nepal 26,795 ft
    First ascent: 1960
    Total ascents: 480

• Derived from Sanskrit, Dhaulagiri translates to ‘white beautiful mountain’.
• Dhaulagiri stands over the Kali Gandaki Valley, which is measured as the deepest gorge on earth. Within the valley it is possible to find ancient fossils littered amongst the rocks.

8. Manaslu, Nepal 26,781 ft
    First ascent: 1956
    Total ascents: 300+

• Manaslu is found in the Ghorka region of Nepal, where some of the toughest soldiers in the world are born and raised.
• On April 10th 1972, an avalanche killed 16 climbers including 10 Sherpas climbers, the Korean expedition leader and Kazunari Yasuhisa from Japan.
• While it’s relatively easy to climb Manaslu, occasional avalanches make it very dangerous.

9. Nanga Parbat, Pakistan 26,660 ft
    First ascent: 1953
    Total ascents: 335  

• Nanga Parbat is growing faster than any of the other Himalayan peaks, in 240,000 years it will be taller than Everest.
• Nanga Parbat means “naked mountain” in Urdu.
• The south side of the mountain boasts the highest mountain face in the world.

10. Annapurna I, Nepal 26,545 ft
    First ascent: 1950*
    Total ascents: 191

• This mountain is the deadliest of the 10 tallest mountains in the world with nearly 35% of climbers perishing in their attempts.
• Annapurna I was the first of the top 10 to be climbed and also the first to be climbed without supplemental oxygen.