Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World

There is nothing on this planet higher than a mountain. The world's highest mountains like Mount Everest or K2 are majestic monuments of nature. But even the highest mountains in the world do not come alone. They are usually part of the respective mountain ranges. The 10 tallest mountains in the world are all just part of the world's two tallest mountain ranges. Therefore, the following list will show you the world's highest mountain ranges sorted by their respective peak heights. Just a note: The Asian continent very clearly dominates this ranking.

Top 10 Highest Mountains in the World (summary)

1. Himalayas

Mountain peek: Everest (8.848 m / 29.029 feet)

2. Karakoram

Mountain peek: K2 (8.611 m / 28.251 feet)

3. Kush Hindu

Mountain peek: Tirich Mir (7.708 m / 25.289 foot)

4. Pamir

Mountain peek: Kongur Tagh (7.649 m / 25.095 feet)

5. Daxue

Mountain peek: Gongga (7,556 m / 24,790 feet)

6. Kakshaal Too

Mountain peek: Jengish Chokusu (7.439 m / 24.406 foot)

7. Kunlun

Mountain peek: Liushi Shan (7.167 m / 23.514 feet)

8. Nyenchen Tanglha

Mountain peek: Nyenchen Tanglha (7.162 m / 23.497 feet)

9. Andes

Mountain peek: Aconcagua (6.961 m / 22.837 feet)

10. Cordillera de la Ramada

Mountain peek: Mercedario (6.720 m / 22.050 feet)

1. Himalayas

Himalayas with Mount Everest in the center.

Location: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal & Pakistan

Peak: Mount Everest (8,848 meters / 29,029 feet) in Nepal / China

The Himalayas are of course known first and foremost for Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, located on the border of Nepal and China. But the range offers even more mountains, almost all of which belong to the world's tallest peaks. The Himalayas span across 5 countries (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal & Pakistan) and this range is also separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau in China. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words hea (“Snow”) and a-laya (“reservoir”) and thus the mountain range can be translated as “Snow” or alternatively as “Abode of snow.” .

2. Karakoram

Location: Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan & Tajikistan

Peak: K2 (8,611 meters / 28,251 feet) in China / Pakistan

Karakoram is the second highest mountain range in the world. It began in Afghanistan and spanned the territory of China, India, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The highest mountain of the range, K2, is the second highest mountain on Earth. The mountain also marks the border between China and Pakistan. The name "Karakoram" is of Turkish origin and can be translated as "Black Gravel".

3. Kush Hindu

Hindu Kush Mountains with Tirich Mir in the background

Location: Afghanistan, Pakistan & Tajikistan

Peak: Tirich Mir (7,708 meters / 25,289 feet) in Pakistan

Bordered by both the Himalayas and Karakoram, the Hindu Kush represents the third highest mountain range in the world. The Hindu Kush is located mainly in Afghanistan, but also extends into northern Pakistan and Tajikistan. However, its highest mountain, Tirich Mir, lies entirely in Pakistan. The origin of the name is not exactly clear. While "Hindu" clearly refers to the Hindus, the meaning of the word "Kush" is uncertain, but may be derived from Persian, where it means "to kill". The mountain range can thus be translated as "Hindu Killer" referring to the many Indians who died trying to climb or cross the mountain range in the past.

4. Pamir Mountains

Pamir Mountains with Kongur Tag . background

Location: Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyztan & Tajikistan

Peak: Kongur Tagh (7,649 meters / 25,095 feet) in China

The Pamir Mountains are collectively known as the fourth highest mountain range in the world. This range is a direct neighbor of the Himalayas, the Karakoram as well as the Hindu Kush. While most of the Pamir Mountains are located in Tajikistan, the peak of the range, Kongur Tagh, is located entirely in China. The range also extends into parts of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. There are many theories about the origin of the name, none of which can be confirmed with certainty to date. Historically, the mountain range has also been known as the "Roof of the World", a title it shares today with neighboring ranges.

5. Daxue Mountains

Location: China

Peak: Mount Gongga (7,556 meters / 24.790 feet)

The Daxue Mountains form the fifth highest mountain range in the world. It is located entirely inside China, to be exact, in the Sichuan province, Southwest China. Mount Gongga represents the highest mountain of the range. Therefore, the name is not surprising in terms of Chinese nature. It can be literally translated as "Great Snowy Mountains".