Top 10 tantalizing  mountains for mountaineers

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity due to its geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of Nepal ranges from 60 m above sea level to the highest point on the earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters. Nepal is also called the land of paradise for tourists, treks and mountaineering expeditions due to presence of more than 1,500 peaks over 5,000 meters and 8 out of 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in the world. Nepal is a country of extreme beauty, so here are the top 10 peaks located in Nepal.

1. Mt. Everest

Mt. Everest, also known as ‘Sagarmatha’ is the world’s highest peak elevated at an altitude of 8,848 meters above sea level. Situated in the Khumbu region of Solukhumbu district, Mt. Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal sun-range of the Himalayas. Every year Mt. Everest lures around 10,000 summiteers despite encountering various obstacles on the way.

2. Mt. Kanchenjunga

Mt. Kanchenjunga, is the third highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,586 meters above sea level. One of the invaluable treasures of eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga is located at the Kanchenjunga Conservation area between Nepal and Sikkim, India.

3. Mt. Lhotse

Mt.Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world elevated 8,516 meters above sea level. It is the part of Everest massif and both share the same base camp. Lhotse means “South face” in Tibetan.

4. Mt. Makalu

Mt. Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,485 meters above sea level. Situated 19 km southwest of Mt. Everest on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China, Mt. Makalu is one of the most difficult mountains to climb due to its topographical features.

5. Mt. Cho Oyu

Mt. Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8,201 meters above sea level which is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China. It is the westernmost major peak of the Khumbu sub-section of the Mahalangur Himalaya, 20 km west of Mount Everest. Cho Oyu means “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan.

6. Dhaulagiri

Elevated at an altitude of 8,167 meters above sea level, Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest peak in the world. The Dhaulagiri massif in Nepal extends 120 km from the Kaligandaki River up to the Bheri. It is one of the most adventurous mountain in Nepal for expedition.

7. Mt. Manaslu

Mt. Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,163 meters above sea level. Located in the Mansiri Himal sub-range of Himalayas in the west-central part of Nepal, Manaslu is popularly known as “Mountain of spirit” of “Killer Mountain”. Mt. Manaslu expedition is by far one of the most difficult and challenging expeditions in Nepal but the experience you will get after reaching there is unforgettable.

8. Mt. Annapurna I

Mt. Annapurna I is the tallest mountain of Annapurna massif just 34 km east of Dhaulagiri and tenth highest in the world with an altitude of 8,091 meters above sea level. It was the first peak to be climbed successfully. It is one of the most difficult, challenging and risk-oriented mountains for expeditions in Nepal.

9. Gyachung Kang

Gyachung Kang is the highest peak in the Mahalangur Himal section of the Himalaya between Cho Oyu and Mount Everest with an altitude of 7,952 meters above sea level. It is the fifteenth highest peak in the world which lies on the border between Nepal and China. Since it is below 8,000 meters, it is lesser-known among the people.

10. Annapurna II

Mt. Annapurna II is the second highest mountain of the Annapurna massif and 16th highest in the world with an altitude of 7,937 meters above sea level in the eastern anchor of the Annapurna range.