# The 8,000-Metre Peaks of Nepal: All Eight Giants

_Published 22 September 2026_

Only fourteen mountains on Earth rise above 8,000 m, and eight of them stand in Nepal or on its borders with China and India. Seeing them, whether from a trekking trail, a viewpoint or a mountain flight, is one of the great experiences of a trip to Nepal.

**Quick answer:** Nepal's eight 8,000 m peaks are **Everest** (8,848.86 m), **Kangchenjunga** (8,586 m), **Lhotse** (8,516 m), **Makalu** (8,485 m), **Cho Oyu** (8,188 m), **Dhaulagiri I** (8,167 m), **Manaslu** (8,163 m) and **Annapurna I** (8,091 m).

## The eight giants

PeakHeightWorld rankFirst ascentSee it onEverest8,848.86 m11953[Everest Base Camp](/everest-base-camp-trek-helicopter-return), Kala Patthar, Everest flightKangchenjunga8,586 m31955[Kangchenjunga Base Camp trek](/kanchenjunga-base-camp-trek)Lhotse8,516 m41956Everest region, DingbocheMakalu8,485 m51955[Makalu Base Camp trek](/makalu-base-camp-trek)Cho Oyu8,188 m61954[Gokyo Lakes](/gokyo-lakes-trek)Dhaulagiri I8,167 m71960Poon Hill, Kali Gandaki, [Dhaulagiri Circuit](/dhaulagiri-circuit-trek)Manaslu8,163 m81956[Manaslu Circuit](/manaslu-circuit-trek)Annapurna I8,091 m101950[Annapurna Base Camp](/annapurna-base-camp-trek)Annapurna I was the first 8,000 m peak ever climbed, by a French team in 1950. Everest was first climbed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953.

## Seeing several at once

From Gokyo Ri you can see four 8,000 m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. From Poon Hill, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I dominate the skyline. An [Everest mountain flight](/everest-mountain-flight) passes several giants in an hour.

## Climbing them

All eight are climbed on full expeditions lasting six to nine weeks. See our [expeditions](/category/expeditions-in-nepal). For a first taste of Himalayan climbing, try a trekking peak such as [Island Peak](/island-peak-climbing).

## The first ascents

PeakDateFirst summitersExpeditionAnnapurna I3 June 1950Maurice Herzog, Louis LachenalFrenchEverest29 May 1953Edmund Hillary, Tenzing NorgayBritishCho Oyu19 October 1954Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler, Pasang Dawa LamaAustrianMakalu15 May 1955Lionel Terray, Jean CouzyFrenchKangchenjunga25 May 1955Joe Brown, George BandBritishManaslu9 May 1956Toshio Imanishi, Gyalzen NorbuJapaneseLhotse18 May 1956Ernst Reiss, Fritz LuchsingerSwissDhaulagiri I13 May 1960Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nawang Dorje, Nima DorjeSwissThe first ascent of Annapurna in 1950 was the first time anyone had climbed a mountain over 8,000 m. On Kangchenjunga in 1955, Brown and Band stopped a few metres short of the true summit, respecting a promise to the Maharaja of Sikkim that the sacred top would remain untouched, a tradition many climbers still follow.

## Each peak in brief

### Everest (8,848.86 m)

The highest mountain on Earth, on the border with Tibet. Known in Nepal as Sagarmatha and in Tibet as Chomolungma. See [Everest facts](/blog/mount-everest-facts).

### Kangchenjunga (8,586 m)

The third-highest mountain in the world, on Nepal's eastern border with Sikkim, India. Its name means "five treasures of the snow", after its five summits. The remote [Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek](/blog/kanchenjunga-base-camp-trek-guide) visits both its northern base camp at [Pangpema](/places/kanchenjunga-base-camp) and the southern base camp at Oktang.

### Lhotse (8,516 m)

Everest's neighbour, joined to it by the South Col. Its huge south face is one of the great walls of the Himalaya, seen clearly from Chhukung and Dingboche. Climbers share the Everest route as far as the Lhotse Face.

### Makalu (8,485 m)

A striking four-sided pyramid, east of Everest, in the wild Makalu Barun National Park. The [Makalu Base Camp trek](/blog/makalu-base-camp-trek-guide) leads to its foot at about 4,870 m.

### Cho Oyu (8,188 m)

On the border with Tibet, west of Everest. Often called the most accessible 8,000 m peak to climb, usually from the Tibetan side. From [Gokyo Ri](/places/gokyo-ri), its great south face rises at the head of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

### Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m)

The "white mountain", wholly in Nepal, rising directly above the Kali Gandaki gorge. It is seen at its best from Poon Hill and Khopra Danda, and the demanding [Dhaulagiri Circuit](/blog/dhaulagiri-circuit-trek-guide) goes right round it via [Dhaulagiri Base Camp](/places/dhaulagiri-base-camp).

### Manaslu (8,163 m)

The "mountain of the spirit", wholly in Nepal, above the village of [Samagaun](/places/samagaun). Seen at close range on the [Manaslu Circuit](/blog/manaslu-circuit-trek-guide), it has become one of the most popular 8,000 m peaks for autumn expeditions.

### Annapurna I (8,091 m)

The tenth-highest mountain, wholly in Nepal, and historically one of the most dangerous to climb. Trekkers reach its south face at [Annapurna Base Camp](/places/annapurna-base-camp) at 4,130 m. See [ABC trek](/blog/annapurna-base-camp-trek-guide).

## Base camp treks to the 8,000 m peaks

PeakTrekDaysHighest pointEverest and Lhotse[Everest Base Camp](/blog/everest-base-camp-trek-guide)12–14About 5,545 m (Kala Patthar)Cho Oyu (views)[Gokyo Lakes](/blog/gokyo-lakes-trek-guide)11–13About 5,357 m (Gokyo Ri)KangchenjungaKanchenjunga Base Camp20–25About 5,140 mMakaluMakalu Base Camp18–21About 4,870 mManasluManaslu Circuit (with base camp side trip)14–16About 5,106 m (Larkya La)DhaulagiriDhaulagiri Circuit16–20About 5,360 m (French Pass)Annapurna IAnnapurna Base Camp7–114,130 mSeeing all eight would take several trips. In one longer journey, the Everest Three Passes trek shows you Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. See [Three Passes](/blog/everest-three-passes-trek-guide).

## Climbing records on the 8,000 m peaks

- Reinhold Messner became the first person to climb all fourteen 8,000 m peaks, in 1986.
- Nirmal "Nims" Purja, a former Gurkha, climbed all fourteen in about six months and six days in 2019.
- In 2023, Kristin Harila and Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa climbed all fourteen in 92 days.
- In 2024, Nima Rinji Sherpa became the youngest person to climb all fourteen, at 18.
- Sherpa climbers hold many records, including the most summits of Everest.

## Rules for climbing in Nepal

All 8,000 m peaks in Nepal require an expedition permit from the Department of Tourism, arranged by a registered expedition company, along with a liaison officer and a garbage deposit. The Everest royalty is US$15,000 per climber in spring and US$7,500 in autumn; royalties for the other 8,000 m peaks are lower. Since September 2025, solo expeditions above 8,000 m are not allowed: every climber must be accompanied by a guide. Most climbers use supplementary oxygen above about 7,000–7,500 m, and expeditions last from about five weeks for Cho Oyu or Manaslu to eight or nine weeks for Everest. See [cost of climbing Everest](/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-climb-everest).

## Preparing for an 8,000 m peak

An 8,000 m expedition is a serious undertaking. Most climbers build experience over several years: trekking peaks such as [Island Peak](/blog/island-peak-climbing-guide) or [Mera Peak](/blog/mera-peak-climbing-guide), then a 6,000–7,000 m peak such as Ama Dablam or Himlung, before attempting Manaslu or Cho Oyu as a first 8,000 m peak. Good expedition companies ask for a climbing CV and may refuse climbers without enough experience. Expect a long period of physical training, careful acclimatisation on the mountain, and real risks from avalanches, crevasses, weather and altitude.

## The world's other 8,000 m peaks

The six 8,000 m peaks that are not in Nepal lie in the Karakoram of Pakistan and in Tibet. They are K2 (8,611 m), the second-highest mountain on Earth, and Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m), all in Pakistan, and Shishapangma (8,027 m), wholly in Tibet. Shishapangma is the lowest of the fourteen. Nepal's share, eight of fourteen, is the largest of any country, which is why so many mountaineers come here. See [Everest vs K2](/blog/everest-vs-k2).

## Seeing the giants from the air

If you want to see as many 8,000 m peaks as possible in a short time, fly. The Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu shows Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, and on clear days Kangchenjunga far to the east. Flights between Pokhara and Jomsom pass between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, two 8,000 m peaks only about 35 km apart, through the deep Kali Gandaki gorge. And on a clear day, passengers on flights between Kathmandu and Delhi, or Kathmandu and Pokhara, can see the whole range from the window. Sit on the right-hand side flying west and the left-hand side flying east.

## Names and meanings

PeakMeaningSagarmatha (Everest)"Forehead of the sky" (Nepali)Kangchenjunga"Five treasures of the snow" (Tibetan)Lhotse"South peak" (Tibetan), south of EverestMakaluOften linked to Maha Kala, a form of ShivaCho OyuUsually translated as "turquoise goddess"Dhaulagiri"White mountain" (Sanskrit)Manaslu"Mountain of the spirit", from the Sanskrit "manasa"Annapurna"Full of food", the goddess of harvests

## Frequently asked questions
### How many 8,000 m peaks are in Nepal?
**Eight** of the world's fourteen.

### What is the highest mountain in Nepal?
**Everest**, at 8,848.86 m.

### Which was the first 8,000 m peak climbed?
**Annapurna I**, in 1950.

### Where can I see four 8,000 m peaks at once?
From **Gokyo Ri**.

### Can I climb an 8,000 m peak?
Yes, on a full expedition with previous high-altitude experience.

### Which 8,000 m peaks are wholly in Nepal?
Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu and Annapurna I; the others are on Nepal's borders with Tibet or Sikkim.

### Who first climbed all fourteen 8,000 m peaks?
Reinhold Messner, in 1986.

### What is the easiest 8,000 m peak?
Cho Oyu and Manaslu are often considered the most accessible, though no 8,000 m peak is easy.

### Can I trek to the base camp of an 8,000 m peak?
Yes, to Everest, Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna base camps.

### Why did the first Kangchenjunga climbers stop below the summit?
They promised to leave the sacred summit untouched, a tradition many climbers still follow.

### Which is the lowest of the fourteen 8,000 m peaks?
Shishapangma, at 8,027 m, in Tibet.

### What does Annapurna mean?
"Full of food". Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of harvests.

### Which viewpoint shows the most 8,000 m peaks?
Gokyo Ri, with Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu; Kala Patthar and the Everest mountain flight are also excellent.

### Is a solo climb of an 8,000 m peak allowed in Nepal?
No. Since September 2025, solo expeditions above 8,000 m are not allowed, and every climber must be accompanied by a guide.

### How long does an 8,000 m expedition take?
From about five weeks for Cho Oyu or Manaslu to eight or nine weeks for Everest.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/eight-thousand-metre-peaks-in-nepal