Nepal is home to some of the most extreme elevations on Earth. The country contains eight of the world’s fourteen mountains above 8,000 meters — a concentration unmatched anywhere else on the planet.
These peaks are not just geographical features. They are the source of Nepal’s rivers, the foundation of its tourism industry, and the backdrop to the lives of millions of people.
The Eight-Thousanders of Nepal
The term “eight-thousander” refers to mountains that rise above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level. Globally, there are 14 such peaks. Nepal contains eight of them, either wholly or shared with China (Tibet).
| Mountain | Height (m) | Location | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) | 8,848.86 | Solukhumbu | 1st |
| Kanchenjunga | 8,586 | Taplejung | 3rd |
| Lhotse | 8,516 | Khumbu (Solukhumbu) | 4th |
| Makalu | 8,463 | Sankhuwasabha | 5th |
| Cho Oyu | 8,201 | Khumbu (Solukhumbu) | 6th |
| Dhaulagiri I | 8,167 | Myagdi | 7th |
| Manaslu | 8,163 | Gorkha | 8th |
| Annapurna I | 8,091 | Kaski/Myagdi | 10th |
Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal
Mount Everest: The Highest Point on Earth
Mount Everest (known in Nepali as Sagarmatha and in Tibetan as Chomolungma) is the world’s highest mountain at 8,848.86 meters above sea level.
How Everest Got Its Height
Everest is still growing. According to GPS measurements, the mountain rises about 2 millimeters per year — double the rate scientists previously expected.
Recent research suggests that a dramatic geological event contributed to Everest’s unusual height: around 89,000 years ago, a river in the Himalayas “captured” another river, carving away huge amounts of rock. This removed weight from the Earth’s crust, causing the land beneath Everest to slowly “bounce back” upward — a process called isostatic rebound. Scientists estimate this may have added 15 to 50 meters to Everest’s height.
Why Everest Matters to Nepal
Everest is the centerpiece of Nepal’s tourism industry. Each year, thousands of trekkers and climbers visit the Solukhumbu region to see the mountain or attempt its summit. The climbing season runs from late April to May, when weather conditions are most favorable.
The Other 8,000ers
Kanchenjunga (8,586m) — The Five Treasuries
Located in far-eastern Nepal (Taplejung district), Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain. Its name means “Five Treasuries of the Great Snow” in the local Sikkimese language, referring to its five distinct summits.
Lhotse (8,516m) — Everest’s Neighbor
Lhotse lies immediately south of Everest and shares the same massif. It is the fourth-highest mountain in the world.
Makalu (8,463m) — The Pyramid
Makalu, in Sankhuwasabha district, is the fifth-highest mountain in the world. It is known for its striking pyramid shape and is considered one of the most difficult 8,000ers to climb.
Cho Oyu (8,201m) — The Turquoise Goddess
Cho Oyu, on the Nepal-Tibet border in the Khumbu region, is the sixth-highest mountain in the world. Its name means “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan. It is considered the easiest 8,000er to climb, making it popular with mountaineers seeking their first eight-thousander.
Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) — The White Mountain
Dhaulagiri I, in the Myagdi district, is the seventh-highest mountain in the world. Its name means “White Mountain” in Sanskrit. It was first climbed in 1960.
Manaslu (8,163m) — The Mountain of the Spirit
Manaslu, in Gorkha district, is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning “intellect” or “spirit.”
Annapurna I (8,091m) — The Goddess of Harvest
Annapurna I, in the Kaski/Myagdi region, is the tenth-highest mountain in the world. It was the first 8,000er ever climbed, summited by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal in 1950.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many 8,000-meter mountains are in Nepal? Nepal officially recognizes 14 peaks above 8,000 meters as of 2025, though the international climbing community (UIAA) recognizes eight as distinct mountains.
Q: Is Mount Everest growing taller? Yes. Everest is growing about 2 millimeters per year due to tectonic uplift and isostatic rebound.
Q: What is the tallest mountain in Nepal? Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 8,848.86 meters is the tallest in Nepal and the world.
Q: Which district is Mount Everest in? Mount Everest is located in Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province.
Q: Can you see Everest without climbing it? Yes. Many trekkers see Everest from Kala Patthar (5,545m) or Gokyo Ri (5,357m), both accessible via the Everest Base Camp trek.