7 Highest Mountains in the World Ranked by Height
7 Highest Mountains in the World Ranked by Height
When you stand in front of the Burj Khalifa, your sense of scale shifts.
Then you realize the highest mountains on Earth are more than 10 times taller.
This list covers the 7 highest mountains in the world. And the best part? You can trek close to most of them.
Why These Mountains Matter
- 14 peaks rise above 8,000 meters.
- Above 8,000 meters is the “death zone.”
- The air is extremely thin.
- 8 of these 14 peaks are in Nepal.
You do not need to summit them to experience them. Base camp treks bring you close enough.
The 7 Highest Mountains in the World
1. Mount Everest (8,848 meters)
- Location: Nepal–China border
- Nepali name: Sagarmatha
- Tibetan name: Chomolungma
- First summit: 1953
- Successful summits: 12,000+
- Deaths: 340+
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
You do not need to climb it.
You can trek to Everest Base Camp. It sits above 5,000 meters. The experience alone is worth it.
2. K2 (8,611 meters)
- Location: Pakistan–China border
- No connection with Nepal
- Death rate: Around 12%
K2 is known as a savage mountain.
It is deadlier than Everest. There is no commercial base camp trekking culture like in Nepal.
3. Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters)
- Location: Nepal–India border
- Meaning: “Five Treasures of Snow”
- Five distinct peaks
Climbers traditionally stop short of the true summit out of respect for local beliefs.
You can trek to Kangchenjunga Base Camp. Duration: Around 22 days.
4. Lhotse (8,516 meters)
- Shares base camp with Everest
- Connected via the South Col
- First summit: 1956
- 1,000+ successful summits
From base camp, you can see its steep south face.
It is one of the most dramatic walls in the Himalayas.
5. Makalu (8,485 meters)
- Location: Southeast of Everest
- Region: Mahalangur
- Shape: Four-sided pyramid
- 800 successful summits
- 40 deaths
Makalu Base Camp Trek:
- Duration: 18 days
- Remote valleys
- Fewer foreign trekkers
6. Cho Oyu (8,188 meters)
- Meaning: “Turquoise Goddess”
- Location: Nepal–Tibet border
- 4,027 successful summits
- 50 deaths
It is considered the easiest 8,000-meter peak to climb.
Limited trekking access. Permits required due to Tibet border routes.
7. Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters)
- Meaning: “White Mountain”
- Fully located in Nepal
- Highest mountain within a single country
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek:
- Duration: 18 days
- Passes through Kali Gandaki Gorge
- One of the deepest gorges in the world
Experience Trekking These Giants
You can trek to the base camps of 6 out of these 7 mountains.
Trekking removes summit risks.
You still:
- Walk above 5,000 meters
- See glaciers
- Watch clouds form below you
- Experience thin air
You do not need the death zone to understand their scale.
What You Need to Know
Most base camp treks require:
- Good physical fitness
- 5 to 7 hours of walking daily
- Proper acclimatization
- Trekking permits
- A guide in restricted regions
- Cold weather gear
Preparation determines your experience.
About Trek Nepal
Trek Nepal has over 25 years of experience in the trekking industry.
They offer guided treks to multiple base camps across Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where are the 7 highest mountains in the world?
- 6 of the 7 highest mountains in the world are in Nepal. The second-highest mountain is in Pakistan.
- How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp?
- The ABC trek is moderately difficult. You’ll find it to be quite challenging.
- How to get an ACAP permit in Nepal?
- You can get an ACAP permit easily by contacting a registered trekking agency in Nepal.
- When is the best time to trek in Nepal?
- Spring and Fall seasons are the best times to trek in Nepal.
- Can I adapt to altitude sickness?
- You can have altitude sickness if you ascend too quickly. If you let your body adjust, you can adapt to altitude sickness.