Wondering what the most beautiful peaks are in the Himalayas? Here is a quick look at what I think might be the top 14. I had to skip a few peaks like Mt. Siniolchu & Pandimin Sikkim and Changabang & Bhagirathi II in the Garwhal Himalayas since I didn’t have any photos on hand to do them justice. If I didn’t include your favorite in the list please leave a comment and when it comes time to update this post I’ll look to include it. This list is in no particular order.
#1: Machapuchare 6,993 m (22,943 ft) which means “fish tail” in Nepali lies in the Annapurna Himal of Nepal. If your trekking to Annapurna Base Camp this impressive peak towers above you as you make your way up to the Annapurna Sanctuary. The peak itself is considered sacred and has never been climbed. Although several British climbers came close in the 1950’s they stopped short of the peak in respect to the mountain. The peak is visible on clear days from Pokara.
Country: Nepal
Best treks to see this peak: Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal
#2: Shivling 6,543 m (21,467 ft) is a spectacular peak lying in the Garhwal section of the Himalayas in India. It has long been a pilgrimage site for Hindus and westerners may have seen glimpses of the peak in the recent movie Meru which documents the climb of the adjacent peak by the same name. The name refers to the sacred Hindu of Shiva Linga. It was first climbed in 1974 and continues to be popular with climbers due to its steep rock faces.
Country: India
Best trek to see this peak: Source of Ganges
#3: Dhaulagiri 8,167 m (26,795 ft) is the world’s 7th tallest peak and in Sanskrit it means dazzling white. It was so named as it is often visible at great distances from the Indian plains far below. IT is separated from Annapurna I by the Kali Gandaki River Gorge which is often called the world’s deepest canyon. Trekkers occasionally do an 18 day circuit on the southeastern flank of the that starts in Beni and ends in Jomosom going over the dramatic French Pass.
Country: Nepal
Best trek to see this peak: Poon Hill, French Pass Trek
#4: Thalay Sagar 6,904 m (22,651 ft) is another beautiful peak in Garhwal Himalayas and is quite close to Shivling which was designated as number 2 pm this list. Kerdatal lake lies at the base of this rocky cliffs leading up to this peak. The nearly vertical slopes make is a notable prize for mountaineers. It was not climbed until 1979 due to the technical difficulty of the route.
Country: India
Best trek to see this peak: Source of Ganges
#5: Nanda Devi 7,816 m (25,643 ft) is the highest peak in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and for a number of years during the early surveying of the Himalayas it was considered the world’s tallest peak. The peaks name means Bliss-Giving Goddess and the peak and surrounding area have been placed off limits to travelers since 1983 both out of respect and to protect the ecological diversity of the area.
Country: India
#6: Kailash 6,638 m (21,778 ft) is a beautiful peak and a sacred mountain for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. According to Hindus it’s summit is the home of Lord Shiva and considered the center of the world. Thousands of Pilgrims from India make the long journey to take a circuit around the mountain every year which for most is three day journey. The mountain also lies near the source of the Indus and Brahmaputra Rivers.
Country: Tibet
Best trek to see this peak: Kailash Trek
#7: Ama Dablam 6,812 m (22,349 ft) is a popular Himalayan peak for climbing expeditions and is a prominent peak that is frequently visible on the trek up to Everest Base Camp. Ama Dablam means “Mothers’ Necklace” in Nepali and is in reference to the hanging glaciers that fall off the peaks icy ledges. It has also been referred to as a “Matterhorn” of the Himalayas. It first comes into view on the Everest Trek as you leave Namche.
Country: Nepal
Best trek to see this peak: Everest Base Camp
#8: Pumori 7,161 m (23,494 ft) is an inspiring peak just 8km to the west of Mount Everest. It forms a beautiful back drop behind Kala Patthar whose small summit is for many the highlight of the Everest Base Camp Trek. The avalanche that swept Everest Base Camp in 2015 after the earthquake originated from one of the ridges extending off Pumori. It’s a popular peak for climbers.
Country: Nepal
Best trek to see this peak: Everest Base Camp
#9: Kanchenjunga 8,586 m (28,169 ft) is the world’s third tallest peak and tallest peak in the Indian Himalayas. Trekkers can reach the base of the mountain on the Goecha La Pass and Green Lake Treks in Sikkim or can take the more arduous journey from Nepal to the north and south base camps.
Country: Nepal/India ( since the summit straddles the border and its approachable from either country. )
Best trek to see this peak: Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Goecha La Pass
Related Blog Post: Approaching Kanchenjunga: Nepal or India?
#10: Langshisa Ri (6427m) raises almost vertically from near the head of the upper Langtang Valley. Trekkers wishing to see the peak need to spend an extra day and hiking up the Langtang Valley from Kyanjin Gompa. It was first climbed in 1982 and now is climbed on a more regular basis although still considered quite difficult.
Country: Nepal
Best trek to see this peak: Langtang Trek
Image credit: Keith Nurney
#11: Twin peaks of Nun & Kun (7135m 23410 ft) the twin peaks of Nun and Kun raise dramatically from the Suru Valley in far eastern Zanskar. They are also the highest peaks in the Zanskar Himalaya. Many climbers seeking their first 7000m+ peak look towards climbing one of these peaks which takes about 4 weeks and is organized from Leh, India.
Country: India
Image credit: Sandeepa Chetan
#12: Trishul 7,120 m (23,360 ft) is actually a group of three summits which combined are said to look like a trident. Trisul is the highest peak in the Kumaun region of the Himalayas within the in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Notably this was the first 7000m peak ever to be climbed and was summited in 1907. It is still one of the most popular 7000m peaks to climb in India.
Country: India
#13: Neelkanth 6,596 m (21,640 ft) towers over the sacred pilgrimage site of Badrinath in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The peak was described by Frank Smythe as the “second most beautiful peak in the Himalays”. The Satopanth and Panpatia glaciers descend from the flanks of the peak and feed the Khirao Ganga.
Country: India
#14: Mount Everest 8,848 m (29,029 ft) is of course the tallest of the world’s peaks and is also probably one of the most inspiring. It lies somewhat hidden from view during the trek to Base Camp but its triangular top jutting above the clouds can often be seen and reminds us how small we are.
