The Himalayas are the highest mountains that are considered as the ‘fresh water reservoir’ in different forms such as glacier, ice and snow which are facing extensive effects of climate change in the present era. The magnificent high mountains of the world are some of the most amazing and awe-inspiring that one can witness in their lifetime. Mountains are the most auspicious gift of the nature to this world, which serves many recreational activities filled with thrill and adventure. Nepal has 8 out of 10 highest peak in the world, including The Mount Everest (top among all) reaching an altitude of 8,848 meters.
Below is the short introduction of the top 10 Highest Mountains in the world. Once you go through it, you will get to know about the gigantic peaks of all around the world and in turn it will help you a lot in choosing the right destination for your trekking or mountain expeditions.
Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World are:
1. Mount Everest (8848m), Nepal
Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world is located in the Northeast of Nepal. Towering 8,848 meters above the sea level, Mount Everest offers best trekking and climbing opportunities for the many avid climbers throughout the world. Mount Everest is also renown as Sagarmatha (in Nepali) and Chomolongma ( in Tibetan). This peak got its name as the ‘Mount Everest’ by the name of ‘Sir George Everest’, Land Surveyor General, who first tried to locate the exact position of the peak. Tenzin Norgey Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary are the first ever people on earth to climb the Mount Everest successfully in May 1953. Some unsuccessful attempts were made before 1953, also.
2. Mount K2 (8611m), Pakistan
Mount K2 is the second highest peak of the world after Mount Everest. Situating on the boarder of China and Pakistan, K2 Mountain offers challenging and adventurous expedition opportunity. This mountain reaches an altitude of 8,611 meters from the sea level. This peak is the second peak in the Karakoram Range, so this is named as K2. Though climbing K2 is very challenging task, 250 expeditors have already wrote their history by successfully reaching its summit. The first successful climbers of mount K2 are Italian Expedition Team in 1954.
3. Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m), Nepal/India
Third highest mountain of the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain of the world with an altitude of 8,586 meters. The two parts of the mountain shares lands of India and Nepal. Mount Kanchenjunga is also known as ‘The five Treasures of the snows’ because it is blessed with five treasures of God that are Gold, Silver, Gems, Grains and Holy books. The first successful climbers of Mount Kanchenjunga are Joe Brown and George Band in 1955.
4. Mount Lhotse (8511m), Nepal
Mount Lhotse, located in Nepal Himalayan Range reaches an altitude of 8,511 meters being the fourth highest mountain in the world. The giant mount Lhotse is connected to Mount Everest (8,848 meters).The route to reach Mount Lhotse is considered as extremely dangerous and dramatic rocky route. Lhotse lies in the boarder of Nepal and Tibet. This is also known as one of the most deadly mountains of the world, because of many failed attempts and fatalities during the climbing procedure. Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger, are the lucky climbers they successfully reached the summit of Lhotse in 1956.
5. Mount Makalu (8,462m), Nepal
In the list of top 10 highest mountains of the world, Mount Makalu comes in the fifth position. Mount Makalu summit reaches an altitude of 8,463 meters with very sharp edges and steep pitches, making it very tough to climb. This is an isolated peak with pyramid shape. The first ever successful climbers of Mount Makalu are Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy who completed their expedition in the year 1955.
6. Mount Cho Oyu (8201m), Nepal
Mount Cho Oyu, 8,201 meters is sixth highest mountain in the world that lies in the Nepal Himalayan Range. This is considered as one of the easiest mountain to climb. This mountain is also known as the ‘turquoise goddess’ in Tibetan. The first successful climb was made in 1954 by H. Tichy, S. Jochler, and Pasang Lama.
7. Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nepal
Seventh highest mountain of the world, Mount Dhaulagiri is located in the north of central Nepal. This peak reaches an elevation of 8,167 meters from the sea level. This Mountain has become the pin point for tourists and mountain climbers. The name literally means ‘White Mountain’. Dhaulagiri is also called the ‘White Mountains’ for being one of the eight thousand lists. This was acended successfully in May 1960 by K. Diemberger, P. Diener, Nyima Dorjey, and Nawang Dorjey.
8. Mount Manaslu (8163m), Nepal
Mount Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain of the world that lies in the Nepal Himalayan Range with an elevation of 8,163 meters. Sorrounded by the hard ice and rocks which covers large area at the bottom of the mountain is one of the most interesting things to observe. Manaslu means ‘Mountain of the spirit’. The Japanese climber T. Imanishi is the first person to ascend the Mount Manaslu in 1956.
9. Nanga Parbat (8125m), Pakistan
The ninth highest mountain of the world, Nanga Parbat is located on the south of Indus River in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. The meaning of Nanga Parbat is ‘Naked Mountain’. The summit of this peak reaches 8,125 meters from the sea level. This mountain is also known as the Killer Mountain because many climbers died in the first half of the twentieth century. The Australian climber Hermann Bahl is the first person to reach the summit in 1953.
10. Mount Annapurna (8091m), Nepal
The Annapurna Mountain with an altitude of 8,091 meters is the 10th highest mountain on the earth. This peak is located in central Nepal. The ‘Annapurna’ is Sanskrit name which means ‘Goddess of Harvests in English’. This peak is considered as the world’s most dangerous peak to climb. Annapurna Conservation Area is the first and largest Conservation in Nepal with total area of 7,692sq.km. On 3rd June 1950, M. Herzog and L.Lachenal made a first ascent to Annapurna Summit.