Trekking
Nepal's 8000m Peaks: A Complete Guide
Nepal is home to eight of the world's fourteen eight-thousanders, including Everest. This guide covers every peak — their heights, first ascents, and what makes each one unique.
Of the fourteen mountains on Earth that exceed 8,000 metres, eight stand entirely or primarily within Nepal. Together they form the most concentrated high-altitude landscape on the planet.
Everest (8,849m)
The world's highest peak straddles the Nepal-Tibet border. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent on 29 May 1953. Today, roughly 300-500 climbers summit each spring season via the South Col or Northeast Ridge routes. Spring 2023 saw a record 478 summits in a single season.
Kangchenjunga (8,586m)
The world's third-highest peak sits on the Nepal-India border. First climbed in 1955 by a British expedition led by Charles Evans, it is considered technically demanding with remote logistics. The summit itself is left untouched — local Sikkimese tradition holds the final metres sacred.
Lhotse (8,516m)
Directly connected to Everest by the South Col, Lhotse shares the same base camp and lower approach. First summited in 1956 by a Swiss team, its sheer South Face is considered one of mountaineering's ultimate challenges.
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Makalu (8,485m)
Located 20km southeast of Everest, Makalu's pyramid shape makes it one of the most visually striking eight-thousanders. First climbed in 1955 by a French team led by Jean Franco, it has one of the higher fatality rates among the eight-thousanders.
Cho Oyu (8,188m)
The sixth-highest peak and widely regarded as the most accessible eight-thousander. Its relatively straightforward northwest ridge made it popular with guided expeditions. First climbed in 1954 by an Austrian team.
Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m), and Annapurna I (8,091m)
Dhaulagiri's name means White Mountain in Sanskrit — it dominates western Nepal. Manaslu offers a trekking circuit nearly as spectacular as the Annapurna loop. Annapurna I holds the highest fatality-to-summit ratio of any eight-thousander, at around 31%.
FAQ
Which Nepal eight-thousander is easiest to climb? Cho Oyu is considered the most technically accessible, though all eight-thousanders require serious mountaineering skills and fitness.
How many people have climbed all 14 eight-thousanders? Fewer than 50 people have completed all 14, with Nirmal Purja's record completion in just 189 days in 2019 being the most celebrated.
What permits are required? Each peak requires a separate Nepal government expedition permit, ranging from NPR 1.7 million for Everest to lower fees for less-visited peaks.
