The 10 Highest Peaks in the World

What are the 10 highest peaks in the world?

"Having vertigo," an overused expression? Impossible with the top 10 highest peaks on our planet:

1. Everest

If "the sky is the limit," Everest is then very close to it. It indeed holds the record for the highest peak on Earth with its 8,848 meters of altitude, not to say 9,000.

Born from a spectacular collision between the Indian and Asian continents, Everest is an immense pyramid with three faces and three ridges that was discovered in the mid-19th century. Its name was given in honor of George Everest, the first chief of the topographical mission that mapped the Himalayas.

Since its first successful ascent in 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay, many mountaineers have tried to measure themselves against it over time. A little over 14,000 to be precise have tackled the world's highest mountain. Only 4,000 of them have succeeded and more than 200 have lost their lives there.

Very, even too famous now, the "Roof of the World" becomes more fragile each day under the weight of mass tourism present in Central Asia.

• Location: On the border between China and Nepal
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,848 m

2. K2

Although relegated to second place on the podium, regarding its altitude of 8,611 meters, K2 remains the peak most feared. Its very steep slopes, formidable glaciers and highly unstable ice pillars are the nightmare of mountaineers. Even the most experienced!

On average, for every 5 people who manage to climb it, not without difficulty, there is one death. In 2020 alone, 86 people lost their lives during its ascent. It's evident that K2 has well earned its nicknames of "savage mountain" and "mountain without mercy."

Despite all aspects of the ultimate challenge that this mythical place implies, some brave souls have managed to plant their flag there. In 1954, Italian mountaineers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli opened the way after 70 days of assault. And in 2021, almost yesterday, a Nepalese team repeated the feat. But this time in winter season at -45°C in certain places.

• Location: On the border between China and Pakistan
• Mountain range: Karakoram
• Altitude: 8,611 m

3. Kangchenjunga

And the bronze medal of this ranking goes to the peak... Kangchenjunga!

Not easy to pronounce this one! That's normal, it's Tibetan meaning "the five treasures of the snows." This way, we refer to the 5 peaks that the natural site encompasses. According to ancient myths, each of them would have divine meanings. We speak of God's 5 relics which are gold, silver, precious stones, grain and holy books.

From the world's highest peak, before the discovery of Everest in 1852, it dropped two ranks lower with an altitude of 8,586 meters. A not negligible score when we learn that it took 56 years of intense efforts for men to access its summit. These were two British mountaineers M. Joe Brown and George Band who achieved this particular performance in 1955.

While mortality has generally dropped for all the planet's greatest peaks, Kangchenjunga is the exception to the rule. In its case, it has increased by 22% in recent years. The culprit? An avalanche risk that significantly increases the danger of its ascent.

• Location: On the border between Nepal and India
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,586 m

4. Lhotse

Both by its altitude of 8,516 meters and by its geographical position, Lhotse can easily pass for Everest's little brother. It's quite simple, they are connected. But being the "satellite peak" of the globe's highest peak doesn't only generate flattering comparisons. Lhotse is very often neglected and left behind, in the shadow of its neighbor. Wrongly!

The fourth place in this ranking, Lhotse didn't steal it. The first mountaineers to reach its summit were two Swiss, unknown at the time: Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss. The date of success was May 18, 1956, after two months of relentless effort. And 40 years later, French woman Chantal Mauduit would become the first woman to climb the peak.

With Lhotse, expect three ascent routes for the price of one. This is simply due to the three secondary summits that share its eastern ridge: Lhotse Central I (8,414 m), Lhotse Central II (8,372 m) and Lhotse Shar (8,382 m). All have been climbed except the second on the list which remains insurmountable to this day.

• Location: On the border between Nepal and China
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,516 m

5. Makalu

Besides being a trendy brand in the skiing domain, Makalu is also the name of the 5th highest peak in the world. Moreover, it's proudly integrated into the Qomolangma Nature Reserve and Makalu Barun National Park.

Like the other mountains listed in this ranking, Makalu is among the "eight-thousanders." This is a well-known list in mountaineering that catalogs the 14 peaks over 8,000 meters on our planet. Climbing these rock monsters means facing particular difficulties such as very high altitude, harsh weather conditions, a feeling of isolation and dangerous terrain.

Discovered late, it was only climbed from 1954. First as reconnaissance expeditions by Americans, British and French. Then more seriously in 1955 when Frenchmen Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy achieved the first ascent of what is locally nicknamed Kumba karna, meaning "the giant."

• Location: On the border between Nepal and China
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,485 m

6. Cho Oyu

Easier all-terrain vehicle access, more moderate technical passages and a faster ascent, here's everything that makes Cho Oyu the least difficult "eight-thousander" to reach. Nevertheless, excellent physical condition and regular mountaineering practice are essential to meet at 8,188 m altitude.

Even though it remains a good test to tackle worse later, Cho Oyu reserves two route difficulties. A serac zone (ice block surrounded by crevasses, in a glacier) to cross at 6,600 m altitude and a long summit plateau even higher up. Austrian mountaineers Joseph Jochler and Herbert Tichy, along with Nepalese Pasang Dawa Lama were the first to overcome these obstacles in 1954.

Cho Oyu, meaning "turquoise goddess" in Tibetan, has its south and north slopes included in the Qomolangma Nature Reserve (declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2004) and in Sagarmatha National Park (inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979).

• Location: On the border between Nepal and China
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,188 m

7. Dhaulagiri

Yes, Dhaulagiri is also part of the Himalayas... But it's one of the only peaks on this list that can boast a 100% Nepalese identity.

Its Sanskrit name derives from the words dhawala and giri which together give "The white, dazzling mountain." That says a lot about what is considered one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. For something more concrete, Google Images will be your best friend.

Discovered in 1808 by Europeans, Dhaulagiri occupied the position of the world's highest peak for 30 years. We can guess the rest, 6 other companions gradually reshuffled the cards with Everest as the headliner. One thing that cannot be taken away from it is its unique position on the deepest gorge ever recorded: the Kali Gandaki gorge.

Over the decades, many mountaineers and climbers have traveled to the region to experience its ascent and admire the breathtaking landscapes of the surroundings. The first to open the way were a group of Austrians, half-aviators, half-mountaineers, who made history in 1960.

• Location: In Nepal
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,167 m

8. Manaslu

8 as eighth in this ranking, but also 8 as 8,163 m altitude. Here's how we briefly summarize the kind of peak that Manaslu is.

For many adventurers, seeking a first ascent to prove themselves, Manaslu stands as an obvious choice. However, paradoxically, its expedition is judged more technical and daring than that of Cho Oyu (two ranks higher in the ranking as a reminder). The culprits? Heavy snow that increases fatigue and the presence of numerous crevasses that raise the difficulty level of the route.

If we like to say that Everest is the British mountain, then Manaslu is by definition the Japanese one. One of them, Toshio Imanishi, was the first to climb to the summit of the "mountain of the Spirit" in 1956.

To promote ecotourism, a hiking circuit 177 kilometers long has been developed around the peak. A way to enjoy Tibetan hospitality and appreciate the surreal Himalayan landscapes at the same time without taking too much risk.

• Location: In Nepal
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,163 m

9. Nanga Parbat

Warning, with Nanga Parbat, it's essential not to confuse decrease in altitude with decrease in difficulty/risk level. The 9th highest peak in the world is evaluated as one of the most complicated on the "eight-thousanders" list to conquer. To put it into perspective, even Everest's most frequented and "accessible" route doesn't present as many dangers (steep slopes, avalanche corridors, high risk of rockfall...) as its own.

Its "treacherous" side literally gives no mercy to all those who set out to assault it. In 2009, it's estimated that 322 mountaineers reached the end of their mission for 68 deaths. And in March 2019 alone, 74 people saw their dream brutally end. A macabre count that, already vivid in the first half of the 19th century, forever stuck the label of "killer mountain" to Nanga Parbat.

In the collective imagination, we all remember a Brad Pitt trying in vain to climb Nanga Parbat in the film "Seven Years in Tibet." But in real life, without any acting, there is indeed a man who managed to achieve this technical and physical feat in 1953. It's Austrian Hermann Buhl. A champion whose name we should definitely remember.

• Location: In Pakistan
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,126 m

10. Annapurna I

Just because it closes this ranking of peaks doesn't mean Annapurna I is immediately less impressive or interesting. Not at all! It's the first peak over 8,000 meters to have been climbed in the world. So yes, we see you coming with your "someone had to be first..." But ones like it where the first attempt was successful, honestly you can search, it's extremely rare.

Mountaineers, adventure enthusiasts, everyone crowds to tame the "hostile beast" that is Annapurna I. Only, between launching into its ascent and returning from it, there's a whole world. Vast, veeery vast! To give you an idea, the mortality rate is estimated at 1 death for every 2 successful attempts. Since its first ascent in 1950 by the illustrious French duo Herzog-Lachenal which generated much ink in numerous press articles, at least 298 others have been undertaken. We'll let you calculate the number of people who went up and never came back down.

Annapurna I, because there are others? Yes, to be fair we must at least multiply by seven. In reality, Annapurna is a chain of spectacular peaks whose entirety easily exceeds 7,000 meters altitude. The great diversity of terrain from green rice fields to lunar passes means there isn't just one single Annapurna trek but indeed several.

• Location: In Nepal
• Mountain range: Himalayas
• Altitude: 8,091 m