Nepal sits in the central Himalayas and is home to some of the highest mountains on Earth. Of the world’s 14 recognised mountains above 8,000 metres, eight are located in Nepal or along its international borders with China and India. These eight-thousanders include Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu and Annapurna I.
Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan, is the highest mountain in the world at 8,848.86 metres (29,031.69 ft). Nepal and China jointly announced this official height in December 2020 after separate surveys.
The mountains are not only geographical landmarks; they also shape Nepal’s trekking culture, local economies and global identity. If you are interested in the stories behind their names, see Hop Nepal’s guide to Himalayan mountain names.
Nepal Tourism Statistics 2025 reports that Nepal received 1,147,548 international visitors in 2024, while 2,375 expedition teams were permitted that year, a 5.42% increase from 2023. These figures show how strongly trekking and mountaineering continue to contribute to Nepal’s tourism sector.
Below are the 10 highest mountains in Nepal, ranked by elevation, with updated heights, global rankings, locations and key historical facts.
10 Highest Mountains in Nepal at a Glance
The 10 Highest Mountains in Nepal
- Mount Everest — 8,848.86 m (World rank: 1st; location: Nepal-China border)
- Kanchenjunga — 8,586 m (World rank: 3rd; location: Nepal-India border)
- Lhotse — 8,516 m (World rank: 4th; location: Nepal-China border)
- Makalu — 8,485 m (World rank: 5th; location: Nepal-China border)
- Cho Oyu — 8,188 m (World rank: 6th; location: Nepal-China border)
- Dhaulagiri I — 8,167 m (World rank: 7th; location: Nepal)
- Manaslu — 8,163 m (World rank: 8th; location: Nepal)
- Annapurna I — 8,091 m (World rank: 10th; location: Nepal)
- Gyachung Kang — 7,952 m (World rank: 15th; location: Nepal-China border)
- Annapurna II — 7,937 m (World rank: 16th; location: Nepal)
1. Mount Everest - 8,848.86 m
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth above sea level. It rises in the Mahalangur Himal section of the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Its official elevation is 8,848.86 metres (29,031.69 ft).
The mountain is called Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan. Its English name honours Sir George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India, although he did not personally survey the summit.
On 29 May 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit. Today, Everest remains the best-known symbol of Himalayan mountaineering and is surrounded by one of Nepal’s most popular trekking regions.
For travellers who want to experience the Everest region without attempting the summit, the Everest Base Camp trek difficulty guide explains what to expect in terms of difficulty, altitude, and preparation.
2. Kanchenjunga - 8,586 m
Kanchenjunga, also commonly written as Kangchenjunga, is the third-highest mountain in the world and the second-highest mountain in Nepal. Its main summit reaches 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) on the border between eastern Nepal and Sikkim, India.
The Kanchenjunga massif contains several major summits, and the region is considerably more remote than the Everest and Annapurna areas. The first successful ascent of the main summit was made on 25 May 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band as part of a British expedition. In keeping with a local tradition, they stopped just short of the very highest point.
Trekkers visiting the region must plan carefully, as part of the route lies within a restricted trekking area. Hop Nepal’s Kanchenjunga trek permit guide covers the current permit requirements and access rules.
3. Lhotse - 8,516 m
Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain in the world at 8,516 metres (27,940 ft). It stands immediately south of Mount Everest and is connected to Everest by the South Col. The summit lies on the Nepal-China border.
The name Lhotse comes from Tibetan and is commonly translated as “South Peak”. The mountain has several notable summits, including Lhotse Main, Lhotse Middle and Lhotse Shar.
Lhotse Main was first climbed on 18 May 1956 by Swiss climbers Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger. Although Lhotse is physically connected to the Everest massif, it is recognised as a separate eight-thousander.
4. Makalu - 8,485 m
Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, rising to 8,485 metres (27,838 ft). It is located in the Mahalangur Himal, about 19 kilometres southeast of Mount Everest, on the Nepal-China border.
Makalu is famous for its striking four-sided pyramid shape and steep ridges. The mountain also has important subsidiary peaks, including Kangchungtse, commonly called Makalu II, at 7,678 metres, and Chomo Lonzo at 7,804 metres.
The main summit of Makalu was first reached on 15 May 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy during a French expedition. Its steep terrain and exposed climbing make Makalu one of the more technically demanding 8,000-metre mountains.
5. Cho Oyu - 8,188 m
Cho Oyu is the sixth-highest mountain in the world at 8,188 metres (26,864 ft). It lies on the Nepal-China border, roughly 20 kilometres west of Mount Everest.
Its Tibetan name is commonly translated as “Turquoise Goddess”. The nearby Nangpa La has historically served as an important route between Tibet and the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Cho Oyu is often described as one of the less technically difficult 8,000-metre mountains by its standard northwest route. That description should not be confused with “easy”: any climb above 8,000 metres involves extreme altitude, severe weather, avalanche risk and potentially fatal exposure.
Anyone planning high-altitude trekking or climbing should understand acclimatisation and the risks of altitude. Hop Nepal’s high-altitude trekking safety guide explains the practical preparation required for Nepal’s higher routes.
6. Dhaulagiri I - 8,167 m
Dhaulagiri I is the seventh-highest mountain in the world at 8,167 metres (26,795 ft). Unlike several of Nepal’s other eight-thousanders, its summit lies entirely within Nepal.
The mountain forms the highest point of the Dhaulagiri massif in western Nepal. To its east lies the Kali Gandaki valley, with the Annapurna massif on the opposite side. This dramatic geography creates one of the most striking mountain landscapes in the country.
Dhaulagiri I was first climbed on 13 May 1960 by members of a Swiss-Austrian-Nepali expedition. The name comes from Sanskrit roots often interpreted as “white mountain”, reflecting its snow-covered appearance.
Pokhara is the main tourism hub south of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions and an important gateway for travellers heading into western Nepal. See Hop Nepal’s guide to the top places to visit in Pokhara for ideas before or after a mountain trip.
7. Manaslu - 8,163 m
Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft). It rises in the Mansiri Himal of west-central Nepal, in Gorkha District.
The name Manaslu is derived from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning "mind," "intellect," or "soul." The mountain was first climbed on 9 May 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu as part of a Japanese expedition.
The surrounding Manaslu region has become one of Nepal’s major trekking destinations, especially for travellers seeking a quieter, high-altitude route than the Everest or busier parts of the Annapurna region.
The mountain and much of the trekking region fall within the Manaslu Conservation Area where conservation, local communities and mountain tourism are closely connected.
8. Annapurna I - 8,091 m
Annapurna I Main is the highest summit in the Annapurna massif and the 10th-highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres (26,545 ft). It lies in north-central Nepal.
Annapurna I has a major place in mountaineering history. On 3 June 1950, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached its summit, making Annapurna I the first mountain above 8,000 metres to be successfully climbed.
The broader Annapurna region is one of Nepal’s most visited trekking areas. It includes routes ranging from shorter foothill treks to the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp.
For information on the protected landscape surrounding the massif, read Hop Nepal’s guide to the Annapurna Conservation Area.
9. Gyachung Kang - 7,952 m
Gyachung Kang rises to approximately 7,952 metres (26,089 ft) in the Mahalangur Himal on the Nepal-China border. It is generally ranked as the 15th-highest mountain in the world.
Its most distinctive statistical claim is that it is the highest mountain on Earth below the 8,000-metre threshold. Because it misses the eight-thousander category by less than 50 metres, it receives far less public attention than nearby Everest and Cho Oyu despite its exceptional height.
Gyachung Kang was first climbed in 1964 by members of a Japanese expedition. Its relative obscurity is a good example of how the symbolic 8,000-metre threshold influences the international profile of Himalayan peaks.
10. Annapurna II - 7,937 m
Annapurna II is a major mountain of the Annapurna massif, reaching 7,937 metres (26,040 ft). It forms the eastern end of the main Annapurna range and is generally listed as the 16th-highest mountain in the world.
Despite the name, Annapurna II is not merely a secondary summit of Annapurna I. It is a distinct, independently prominent mountain separated from Annapurna I by a considerable distance.
The first ascent was completed in 1960 by a British-Indian-Nepalese expedition via the West Ridge. Chris Bonington, Richard Grant and Sherpa Ang Nyima were among the climbers who reached the summit.
See More on Tiktok
The world’s 10 highest 8,000-metre peaks — all in one frame! From Everest to Annapurna I, these legendary Himalayan giants are more than mountains — they are dreams, challenges, history, and adventure standing above the clouds.
Why Nepal Has So Many of the World’s Highest Mountains
The Himalayas were formed by the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Nepal lies in one of the highest parts of this mountain system, which is why such a large concentration of the world’s highest peaks is found within the country or along its northern and eastern borders.
The country’s mountain geography also creates enormous variation in climate and landscapes. Within relatively short horizontal distances, Nepal rises from subtropical lowlands to valleys, alpine zones, glaciers and some of the highest points on Earth.
Trekking and Mountaineering Around Nepal’s Highest Peaks
You do not need to be a mountaineer to experience Nepal’s highest mountains. Many trekking routes lead to base camps, viewpoints, high passes and valleys beneath these peaks. Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna region, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga all provide ways to experience major Himalayan landscapes without attempting a technical summit climb.
Trekking rules vary by region, nationality and permit category. Before planning a route, check whether a licensed guide, conservation-area permit, national-park permit or restricted-area permit is required. Hop Nepal’s current guide to trekking in Nepal, with or without a guide, explains how the rules apply to popular routes in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the highest mountain in Nepal?
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in Nepal and the world. Its officially recognised height is 8,848.86 metres (29,031.69 ft).
How many mountains above 8,000 metres are in Nepal?
Eight of the world’s 14 recognised mountains above 8,000 metres are located in Nepal or on Nepal’s borders with China or India.
What is the second-highest mountain in Nepal?
Kanchenjunga is the second-highest mountain associated with Nepal and the third-highest mountain in the world, at 8,586 metres.
Which 8,000-metre mountains are entirely inside Nepal?
Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu and Annapurna I have their main summits within Nepal. Several of Nepal’s other eight-thousanders lie on international borders.
What is the highest mountain below 8,000 metres?
Gyachung Kang, at approximately 7,952 metres, is the highest mountain in the world below the 8,000-metre mark.
Do trekkers climb these mountains during normal trekking trips?
No. Trekking to a base camp or viewpoint is very different from climbing an 8,000-metre summit. High-altitude mountaineering requires specialist training, expedition permits, technical equipment, acclimatisation and extensive logistical support.
Final Thoughts
Nepal’s mountains range from globally famous peaks such as Everest and Annapurna to lesser-known giants such as Gyachung Kang and Annapurna II. Together, they make Nepal one of the most important mountain destinations in the world.
For travellers, the important distinction is between seeing these mountains, trekking in the regions around them and attempting technical climbs. Each requires a different level of preparation, permits and experience. Accurate information, proper acclimatisation and responsible planning are essential in Nepal’s high-altitude environment.
