KATHMANDU: Nepal is renowned for its world-famous mountains, which draw thousands of tourists from across the globe.

Often, Nepal and its mountains are presented as synonymous on the international stage. Among the world’s tallest peaks, 14 rise over 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) high, collectively known as the ‘eight-thousanders.’

These towering mountains are spread across the Himalayan and Karakoram regions, with significant portions located in Nepal, Tibet (China), and Pakistan.

Nepal hosts the majority of the Himalayas, including eight of the fourteen eight-thousanders, one of which is Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth.

The eight-thousanders are found in regions where oxygen levels are extremely low, in areas known as the ‘death zone.’

The harsh climates and subzero temperatures make these peaks some of the most difficult and perilous to scale. As of now, fewer than 50 climbers have managed to summit all 14 peaks.

Climbing all 14 of these mountains is an arduous, time-consuming, and resource-intensive pursuit, but for many climbers, it remains a lifelong dream. Let’s take a closer look at the ‘eight-thousanders.’

Mt. Everest
Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, is located in Nepal and Tibet (China). The mountain was named after the famous surveyor George Everest. In Tibet, it is called Chomolungma, meaning “Mother Goddess of the World,” while in Nepal, it is known as Sagarmatha.

Everest lies in the Khumbu region of Nepal, home to the renowned Sherpa people. It was first summited in 1953 by Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, a Nepalese.

Since then, over 7,269 climbers have reached the summit. On average, 800 people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year, and more than 10,000 trekkers visit Everest Base Camp annually for trekking and other activities.

K2
K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second-highest mountain on Earth. It is located in the northwestern Karakoram Range, spanning the Baltistan region of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China.

Considered one of the toughest mountains to climb, K2 is known for its frequent, severe storms, earning it the nickname “Savage Mountain.”

Its fatality rate exceeds 20%, making it one of the most dangerous peaks to conquer. K2 was first summited in 1954 by Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.

Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga, the second-highest mountain in Nepal and the third-highest in the world, is known as Gangchendzonga in Tibet and Kumbhkaran Lungu in Nepal.

It lies on the border of Phaktanglung and Sirijanga rural municipalities in Nepal’s Taplejung district.

Kangchenjunga is often called the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow,” symbolizing gold, silver, precious stones, grain, and holy scriptures.

Once believed to be the highest mountain in the world, it was recognized as the third-highest in 1856. Kangchenjunga was first summited on May 25, 1955, by Joe Brown and George Band as part of the British Kangchenjunga Expedition.

Lhotse
Mount Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world, is located just south of Mount Everest, connected by the South Col. Its name, meaning “South Peak” in Tibetan, straddles the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and the Khumbu region of Nepal.

Lhotse is a key part of Everest expeditions and was first climbed on May 18, 1956, by Swiss climbers Fritz Luchsinger and Ernest Reiss.

Makalu
Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain on Earth, is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas of Nepal, southeast of Mount Everest, along the China–Nepal border.

The mountain has two notable subsidiary peaks, Makalu I and Makalu II, and lies in the Sankhuwasabha District of Nepal’s Koshi Zone.

Makalu was first summited on May 15, 1955, by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy as part of a French expedition. Its remote location and challenging terrain make it one of the most difficult mountains to climb.

Cho Oyu
Mount Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, is known as “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan. It is the westernmost major peak in the Khumbu subregion along the Mahalangur range, straddling the border between Nepal and China.

Considered one of the more “accessible” of the 14 peaks, Cho Oyu’s moderate slopes and proximity to the Nangpa La pass make it a popular preparatory climb for Everest.

Cho Oyu was first summited on October 19, 1954, by Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler, and Pasang Dawa Lama as part of an Austrian expedition.

Dhaulagiri I
Dhaulagiri, located in Nepal, is the seventh-highest mountain in the world. Its name, meaning “white mountain” in Sanskrit, refers to its prominent snow-covered summit.

Dhaulagiri I lies along the border of the Dhaulagiri and Raghuganga rural municipalities in the Myagdi District of Gandaki Province.

The region surrounding Dhaulagiri is rich in biodiversity and home to various ethnic groups. Dhaulagiri was first summited on May 13, 1960, by a Swiss-Austrian-Nepali expedition.

Manaslu
Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, is located in west-central Nepal. Its name originates from the Sanskrit word “manasa,” meaning “intellect” or “soul.” Manaslu is located approximately 64 km (40 mi) east of Annapurna, the tenth-highest mountain.

Manaslu was first summited on May 9, 1956, by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu from a Japanese expedition. The mountain is often referred to as the “Japanese mountain,” symbolizing its importance to Japanese climbers.

Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world, derives its name from the Sanskrit words “nagna” (naked) and “parvata” (mountain). It is also known locally as Diamer.

Nanga Parbat is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, southeast of the northernmost bend of the Indus River.

Renowned for its challenging climbs and high fatality rates, Nanga Parbat was first summited on July 3, 1953, by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl during a German-Austrian expedition.

Annapurna I
Annapurna I, the tenth-highest mountain globally, is the highest peak in the Annapurna range. Named after the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment, “Annapurna” combines the Sanskrit words “anna” (food) and “purna” (filled).

The Annapurna range spans 55 km and contains several peaks over 7,000 meters.

Annapurna I is part of Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area, the country’s first and largest conservation area. It was first summited on June 3, 1950, by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal during a French expedition.

Gasherbrum I
Gasherbrum I, also known as the “Beautiful Mountain,” is the 11th-highest peak in the world. It is situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and Tashkurgan in Xinjiang, China, as part of the Karakoram range.

Gasherbrum I was first summited on July 5, 1958, by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman during an American expedition led by Nicholas B. Clinch.

Broad Peak
Broad Peak, the 12th-highest mountain on Earth, is the third-highest peak in the Karakoram range. It spans Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and Xinjiang, China. Broad Peak’s name reflects its wide summit.

The first ascent was completed in June 1957 by Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger, and Hermann Buhl as part of an Austrian expedition.

Gasherbrum II
Gasherbrum II, the 13th-highest mountain in the world, is the third-highest peak in the Gasherbrum massif.

Located on the border of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and Xinjiang, China, Gasherbrum II was first summited on July 7, 1956, by an Austrian expedition led by Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch, and Hans Willenpart.

Shishapangma
Shishapangma, the shortest and youngest of the 8,000-meter peaks, is the 14th-highest mountain in the world. Located entirely in Tibet, its name means “grassy plain.”

Positioned in south-central Tibet, about five kilometers from the Nepal border, Shishapangma is considered one of the easiest 8,000-meter peaks to climb due to its less dramatic vertical relief. It was first ascended in 1964 by Hsu Ching and a Chinese team.