Many mountains in Nepal are popular worldwide. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Annapurna are popular not only for their height but also for their adventure.
Nepal has eight of the ten highest mountains in the world. From the highest to the third-highest mountains, mountain climbing and peak climbing are significant attractions for people worldwide who visit Nepal. In this guide, we will discuss the five famous mountains in Nepal.
This guide will discuss 5 famous mountains in Nepal: Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho-Oyu. It will also discuss their significance in tourism, biodiversity, and cultural impact on society.
Nepal is a trekkers’ paradise. Some of the trendy trekking spots in the world, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Base Camp Trek, and Manaslu Circuit Trek, are situated in Nepal. These spots are trendy and commercialized all over the world.
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Furthermore, if you are not into trekking or peak climbing, the jeep, motorcycle, or private car tours of the mountain base camp are also available in Nepal.
So, let’s get into a detailed discussion about 5 Famous Mountains in Nepal.
Detailed Discussion about 5 Famous Mountains in Nepal
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in Nepal and in the world. In Nepal, Mount Everest is Elevated at an altitude of 8848m. Mount Everest is among the most significant attractions that attracts people from all over the world either to climb the mountain or to trek around Everest Base Camp;
Climbing History
The first two people to climb Mount Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay from Nepal. In 1953, they climbed the mountain together and made history.
Even before this faithful day, a group of British peak climbers scaled the northern part of Mount Everest and even provided a brief prototype of their height.
During this excursion, the British peak climbers and surveyors also recorded Mt. Everest as Nepal’s highest peak.
Challenges and Risks
There are several challenges and risks of climbing Mount Everest. Since Everest is the highest peak in the world, with an elevation of over 8800m, the altitude creates considerable challenges and risks.
As you climb over 8000, the risk of altitude sickness is the highest. The symptoms include Severe Khumbu cough, headache, nausea, and dizziness.
Other challenges and risks you will face during Mt. Everest are harsh cold temperatures and dynamic weather. Within a few hours, the weather can change from a bright sunny day to a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere, so be prepared for dynamic weather conditions when you climb Sagarmatha.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is an exciting adventure combining accessibility and breathtaking natural beauty. Tucked away in the heart of the Himalayas, the Everest region boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and a welcoming, hospitable community of Sherpa people. It is the most common and commercialized trek in Nepal.
This trek presents an incredible opportunity to immerse oneself in Nepal’s vibrant culture and traditions while also experiencing the world-renowned pinnacle of Mount Everest, which is visible from the base camp.
Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjunga Trek is among Nepal’s most challenging mountains to climb. It is located in an isolated, remote settlement, so reaching its peak is challenging.
Kanchenjunga, the highest mountain in the world, is located in the eastern part of Nepal, near the border with India. It is a massive mountain range with five prominent peaks: Kanchenjunga Main, West, Central, South, and Khangbachen.
It is indisputable that this mountain is the second-highest peak in Nepal and the third-highest in the world. Its sheer magnitude and grandeur demand the unwavering admiration and respect of those who have witnessed its awe-inspiring presence.
Climbing History
Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, is one of the most challenging peaks to climb and conquer. Two Englishmen, George Brown and Joe Band, first climbed it in 1955.
They were successful in their expedition after 50 years of unsuccessful attempts, including one by another group of mountain climbers in 1905. Kanchenjunga is also the mountain where many have reported seeing a stranger creature named Yeti. Some foreign people believe the beast to be Yeti is a mythical creature, Bigfoot.
Local people in the Indian and Nepal regions have reported seeing a strange creature wandering around Kanchenjunga’s slopes. In 1925, a British expedition team spotted a two-legged figure the locals called the mountain’s demon. According to the locals, the hill is a sacred place where gods reside.
Due to the mysticism of this unknown creature, people of local villages near Kanchenjunga worship it as the god of the Himalayas. Another enjoyable mystical folktale arose during the early climbing history of Kanchenjunga. Some trekkers and expedition believe there is a hidden valley somewhere in the mountains where people are immortal.
Kanchenjunga’s Ecosystem
Kanchenjunga Mountain, also known as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, is in Kanchenjunga National Park. The people and government of Nepal have been making tremendous efforts to develop and preserve the region’s ecosystem.
The Kanchenjunga area extends from the lower Terai to the higher mountains across eastern Nepal. Its ecosystem is renowned for its diverse plants and animals, unique cultural experiences, and stunning mountain ranges.
The Kanchenjunga region’s ecosystem comprises subtropical plants and forests at lower altitudes and permanent snow and ice at higher altitudes, where alpine plants and forests thrive.
There are also considerable variations in animals and their habitat in the Kanchenjunga National Park. In the Kanchenjunga Ecosystem, you can find many common plants such as rhododendrons, firs, birches, maples, and oaks. Various animals live in the ecosystem, including snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and many bird species.
Lhotse
Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain on Earth, lying at an elevation of 8,516 m. Among other mountains of Nepal, it is known as the South Peak because the name Lhotse translates to South Peak in the Tibetan language. Lhotse is located at the border of the Khumbu region of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Lhotse is famous for being one of the most challenging peaks to climb and for its proximity to Mount Everest. It is located just south of Mount Everest, and they are connected by a single ride at an elevation of 7600m.
Climbing History
Mount Lhotse’s climbing history started in 1955 with the International Himalayan Expedition, led by Norman Dyhrenfurth and mountain climbers from different countries. Many mountain climbers from the USA, UK, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, and Nepal joined forces to conquer this problematic mountain peak.
The first successful hike of Mt Lhotse took place a year later, in 1956. Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger achieved this remarkable feat, encouraging other mountain and peak climbers worldwide.
Climbers from different countries have been attracted to Lhotse for many years. In 1970, an Austrian expedition led by Sepp Mayerl and Rolf Walter reached the top of Lhotse Shar for the first time. In 1979, Andrzej Czok and Jerzy Kukuczka accomplished the climb to the main summit without using additional oxygen.
Mountaineers are attracted to Lhotse due to its unique geography and challenging terrain. Located in the Himalayas, it features the Lhotse Face, the Lhotse Couloir, and the South Face, which provide treacherous and formidable routes that make it a high-altitude challenge.
Mount Makalu
Makalu Himal is the world’s fifth-highest mountain and Nepal’s fourth-highest mountain. It is located at the border of Nepal and Tibet. Its perfect four-sided pyramid shape makes Makalu unique among other Nepal mountains.
Combining it with the utmost challenge and difficulty in conquering this mountain has created different levels of attraction for mountain and peak lovers all over the world,
Makalu Peak is a beautiful mountain with a unique four-sided pyramid shape and a sharp summit ridge. It stands alone near the Arun River and is surrounded by other towering peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, and Kangchenjunga. However, despite its stunning appearance, Makalu Peak has a dangerous reputation that should not be overlooked.
Climbing history
One of Nepal’s most challenging hikes or treks is climbing Mount Makalu. For hundreds of years, Makalu maintained its mystery as no one could or even dared to conquer it. In 1850, it was first recorded as the world’s fifth-highest mountain.
Despite discovering Mt Makalu in the 1800s, mountain climbers took a century more to go on an expedition and climb the mountain. The French expedition team climbed this mountain in 1954, which was unsuccessful, but they returned the following year, a successful attempt two years after climbing Mount Everest’s tallest peak in the world.
Mount Makalu is complicated and requires extensive technical ability, so trekking to its peak was tough early on.
Before starting the Makalu climb, you need to obtain a permit. This is a necessary step for mountaineers embarking on this challenging expedition.
The Nepalese government issues the permit and ensures that climbers comply with regulations that aim to preserve the environment and promote responsible mountaineering.
Cho Oyu
Cho-Oyu is Nepal’s sixth-highest mountain range and lies on the border of Nepal and China. In Tibet, Cho-Oyu means Turquoise Goddess. It is 20km west of Mount Everest and on the western side of the Mahalangur Himalayan ranges.
While trekking near Cho-Oyu, many trekkers come across Nangpa La, which was previously a trading post between the people of Tibet and Nepal.
The first climbing expedition of Cho-Oyu was in 1952. The Joint Himalayan Committee of Great Britain financed the event. Eric Shipton led the expedition, including other peak climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary and George Lowe.
However, due to technical difficulties, this expedition was not successful. The first successful attempt began two years later, in 1954, with the help of Sherpa Dawa Lama, Herbert Tichy, and Joseph Jochler.
Cho-Oyu is popular among new climbers simply because it is the easiest mountain. Some common difficulties, like altitude, terrain, and distance, exist, but Cho-Oyu is the best for beginners’ practice among the over eight thousand mountains.
Conclusion
Hence, Nepal is blessed with mountains and peaks. The eight highest peaks and mountains in the world are located in Nepal. The hills are not only a source of adventure for the people of Nepal and foreigners but also a source of income from the tourism industry.
Different mountains in Nepal provide various types of adventure, as some excursions are challenging while others are suitable for beginners. Not only do the mountains in Nepal help to recognize Nepal all over the world, but they also significantly help preserve the culture and traditions of local people. So, if you want to explore famous mountains more, feel free to contact Hillary Step Treks.
