The 10 highest mountains in the world

Everest

What is the highest mountain in the world? Here are the top 10 highest peaks on our planet.

The 100 highest peaks on Earth are all in Asia, and their altitude doesn’t go above 7,200 metres. As for the top 10, they all reach an altitude of over 8000 metres above sea level. For some inaccessible and for others a source of challenge, these mountains are and will remain mythical forever. Here are the 10 highest mountains in the world!

10. Annapurna I

Annapurna I

Flickr – Andrew Newdigate

Annapurna is part of the Himalayas in Nepal. It is a series of peaks, the highest of which is calledAnnapurna I, the tenth highest mountain in the world. Located in central Nepal, it is exactly 8091 metres high. Its rocky peaks are among the most dangerous in the world to climb. Indeed, the mortality rate speaks for itself, with 1 death for every 2 successful ascents.

9. Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat

Flickr – Marc Ewert

Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world, standing at 8126 metres above sea level. Although the meaning of its name in Urdu is « naked mountain », during the first half of the 20th century the mountain was known as the « killer mountain ». Its ascent is extremely dangerous (61 deaths for 186 ascents). Today, however, it’s less dangerous to climb, but still very difficult. This immense, spectacular peak rises above Pakistan.

8. Manaslu

Manaslu

Flickr – Matthew Winterburn

Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8163 metres, and is located in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepal Himalayas, in Nepal. Its name, meaning « Spirit Mountain », comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning « spirit » or « soul ». Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, two members of a Japanese expedition. While it is said that « the British consider Everest their mountain », Manaslu has always been the Japanese mountain.

7. Dhaulagiri

Dhaulagiri

Flickr – Neil Young

Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,167 metres. It is located in Nepal. Its name means « White Mountain ». Dhaulagiri’s steep south and west faces have seen many mythical ascents. Separated only by a valley from Annapurna, the mountain’s scenery is absolutely magnificent. For 30 years, it was considered the highest mountain in the world, having been discovered by Europeans in 1808.

6. Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu

Flickr – R E M I B R I D O T

Standing on the border between Tibet and Nepal, Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8201 meters. Cho Oyu means « turquoise goddess » in Tibetan. The mountain lies 20 km west of Everest and is considered the most affordable to climb.

5. Makalu

Makalu

Flickr – Deana Zabaldo

Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest peak at 8485 metres. It lies 19 km southeast of Everest, on the Nepal-China border. Part of the « eight thousand » like all the other mountains in this top 10, Makalu is an isolated peak in the shape of a four-sided pyramid.

4. Lhotse

Lhotse

Flickr – Antoine SIPOS

Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain on Earth and is linked to Everest by the South Col (known as a « satellite peak » of Everest). Lhotse means « southern peak » in Tibetan. In addition to the 8516-meter-high main peak, there’s also the 8414-meter-high Central I (East) Lhotse and the 8383-meter-high Lhotse Shar. It lies on the border between Tibet (China) and the Khumbu region of Nepal.

3. Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga

Flickr – lepetitNicolas

Kangchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world, with an altitude of 8586 metres. Mount Kangchenjunga lies some 20 km south of the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim. Kangchenjunga is India’s highest peak, and its meaning in Tibetan is « the five treasures of the snows », as it contains five peaks. The treasures represent the five relics of God, which are gold, silver, precious stones, grain and holy books.

2. K2

K2

Flickr – Ruud

K2 is the second highest mountain on Earth. It lies on the border between Baltistan, in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, in China. With an altitude of 8611 meters, K2 is the highest point in the Karakoram massif and the highest point in Pakistan. It has the nickname of the « Mountain without Pity » due to the difficulty of its ascent, and the second-highest mortality rate among the « eight thousand ». With 1 death for every 5 people, it is one of the most dangerous mountains. It was climbed for the first time in winter on January 16, 2021, by a team of Nepalese mountaineers.

1. Everest

Everest

Flickr – INDIVIDUELL MÄNNISKOHJÄLP

Everest is the world’s highest mountain, peaking at 8848 metres above sea level. It lies on the border between the Sagarmatha area of Nepal and Tibet in China, and is part of the Himalayan mountain range. Although it is the highest mountain and attracts many expert and novice climbers, it remains one of the easiest to climb. The first ascent was made on May 29, 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay(see route to base camp).