Mountains are large, looming and majestic in appearance. Some of us who have been trekking in hilly areas are aware of how these mountains are adventurous and perilous at the same time. Some of you might even have a mountain expedition on your bucket list. But have you ever wondered what these colossal peaks might appear from the top? We can’t help but guess that the experience cannot be confined to words. It is an experience that is sure to last a lifetime. In this article, we will talk about the highest mountain peaks in India, their locations and the people who have made the mountaineering expeditions a reality. Explore the list of the highest mountain peaks in India.
So, without any delay, let us start our reading adventure!
Highest Mountain Peaks in India
The list of the highest mountain peaks in India are:
Kanchenjunga
- Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain in the Himalayan range in India and the third-highest mountain in the world.
- This highest mountain is located on the Indo-Nepal border in the Himalayan region.
- It is at an altitude of 8586 m above sea level.
- Kanchenjunga was regarded as the highest mountain in the world until 1852. In that year, it was discovered that Mount Everest, previously known as Peak XV is the highest mountain peak in the world.
- Kanchenjunga has magnificent five snow-capped peaks.
- It is regarded as a sacred mountain in the northeastern state of Sikkim.
- It has an adjoining park known as the Khangchendzonga National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Kanchenjunga is home to flora like rhododendrons, orchids, and endangered fauna like snow leopard, red panda, Asiatic black bear, chestnut-breasted partridge and blood pheasant.
Nanda Devi
- Nanda Devi is the second-highest mountain peak in India and 23rd highest peak in the world.
- It is located in the Chamoli district in the Indian Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
- Nanda Devi peak has two summits, one at 7,816 m and another one (Nanda Devi East) at 7,434 m.
- Climbing the peaks of Nanda Devi is an extremely difficult feat, once achieved by its first climbers Eric Shipton and HW Tilman on August 29, 1936. These climbers were accompanied by Sherpas Angtharkay, Pasang, and Kusang.
- One can find beautiful flora and fauna at India’s Valley of Flowers National Park. There are alpine flowers and endangered species like brown bears, snow leopards, blue sheep, and Asiatic black bears.
Kamet
- Kamet is the third-highest mountain peak in India and the second-highest mountain in Uttarakhand after Nanda Devi.
- It is located in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
- The distance between Nanda Devi and Kamet is 55.7 km.
- Kamet is at a height of 7,756 m above sea level.
- The glaciers surrounding Kamet are the west Kamet glacier, East Kamet glacier, and the Raikana glacier systems.
- The first climbers of Kamet peak are Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton, R.L. Holdsworth and Lewa Sherpa. Their mountaineering expedition became successful in 1931.
- Kamet is nearly inaccessible because of being very remote.
Saltoro Kangri
- Saltoro Kangri is the highest mountain peak of the Saltoro Range and is a subrange of the Karakoram Range.
- It is also the 31st highest mountain peak in the world.
- Saltoro Kangri refers to the twin peak of Saltoro Kangri I (south) and Saltoro Kangri II.
- The mountain peak is at a height of 7742 metres (or 25400 ft).
- Saltoro Kangri is located close to the Siachen Glacier.
- The first attempt to reach the peak was a Japanese-Pakistani collaborative expedition manoeuvred by T.Shidei.
- The mountain peak is present at the actual ground control position of India and Pakistan which makes it impossible to carry out any expedition.
- The last attempt to scale the peak was made in 1981. No further expedition was carried out owing to military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Saser Kangri
- Saser Kangri is the topmost peak in the eastern subrange of the Karakoram range.
- It is located in the Ladakh region of India.
- It has 6 peaks, the highest of which is the Saser Kangri I, at a height of 7,672 m (or 25,171 ft.).
- The very first and most difficult route via upper Shyok valley and North Shukpa Kunchang Glacier in 1973 was made by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
- The second ascent was made via a less difficult route in 1987 from the western side (Nubra valley). This Saser Kangri IV expedition was carried out by an English-British team, led by V. Pandey and LS.
Mamostang Kangri
- Mamostang Kangri is a subrange of the Karakoram Range, Rimo Muztagh, which is also the highest mountain peak of the region.
- It is located in Ladakh, the Union Territory of India.
- The height of Mamostang Kangri is 7,516 m (or 24,659 ft.).
- It is the 48th highest independent mountain peak all over the world.
- A legend says that a group of traders who were trying to find an alternative route to Sasser la pass lost their way and have never been heard from since then. This is why the mountain peak because of its treacherous routes came to be known as the “Mountain of the Thousand Devils”.
- The first ascent to the peak was made by an Indo-Japanese expedition in 1984. The team was led by Col. B.S Sandhu.
- A women’s team known as Women’s Pre Everest, led by Bachendri Pal planted the Indian flag at the peak of Mamostang Kangri in the year 1992.
Rimo
- Similar to Mamostang Kangri, Rimo is a part of the Karakoram subrange, Rimo Muztagh.
- It is the 71st-highest mountain peak in the world.
- The remote region is inaccessible because of geographical location and political and military reasons.
- The mountaineers who first explored the region include Filippo De Filippi, Philip and Jenny Visser.
- There are 6 peaks in a Rimo massif. The highest peak, Rimo I, is at a height of 7,385 m.
- In 1988, the first successful climbers to the Rimo I peak were made by an Indo-Japanese team whose leaders were Hukam Singh and Yoshio Ogata.
Hardeol
- Hardeol is one of the highest mountain peaks of the Kumaon Himalaya that guards the Nanda Devi sanctuary.
- It is at an altitude of 7,151 m above sea level.
- It lies at the end of the Milam Valley which is situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
- The mountain peak is also known as the “Temple of the God” and “Trishuli South”.
- The first climbers to scale the Hardeol peak were a team of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, manoeuvred by S.P. Mulasi. The expedition became successful on May 31, 1978.
- The closest motorable road to Hardeol is Munsiyari which is well-connected to other important towns and cities in Uttarakhand.
Chaukhamba
- Chaukhamba is a mountain massif that is part of the Garhwal Himalayas.
- It is situated at the head of the Gangotri glacier.
- The highest mountain peak of the Chaukhamba massif measuring 7,138 m (or 23,419 m) above sea level, is Chaukhamba I.
- The first climb of the Chaukhamba mountain peak was made by a French expedition by Swiss members, Lucien George, Victor Russenberger, Marie-Louise Plovier Chapelle and Edouard Frendo.
- The trek route to Chaukhamba starts from Badrinath, a pilgrimage site that is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Badrinath is well-connected to major cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun.
Final Thought!
Scaling the mountains of India or the highest mountain peaks in India is certainly not an easy affair. It takes more than determination to scale those heights as such an adventure is full of serious setbacks like unpredictable weather conditions, avalanches, lack of visibility, injury etc. However, the fact that those mountain peaks are conquerable is proved by many. So, if you are looking for some adventure, you may give the idea of ascending the lofty peaks some thought. You’ll discover that the view atop is breath-taking and the victory of conquering the heights is unmatchable.
Do you enjoy mountaineering and have any experience telling us? Are you planning any expedition to scale any of these highest peaks in India? Share with us in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the 1st highest peak in India?
The highest mountain peak in India is Kanchenjunga which lies at a height of 8586 m above sea level.
Which is the second-highest peak in India?
The second highest peak in India is Nanda Devi which has an altitude of 7,816 m above sea level.
Why K2 is not the highest peak in India?
The location of K2 mountain peak falls in the LAC region of Pakistan. LAC is the shared boundary between India, Pakistan and China. That is the reason that Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain peak in India and K2 is not.
Which is the highest mountain peak in the world?
Mount Everest with an altitude of 29,029 feet (8,848 m) above sea level is the highest mountain peak in the world.
How many mountain peaks are there in the world?
The mountains in the world total 1,187,049 (according to PeakVisor).
