India is known for its diversity in landscapes and is also home to the world’s highest and most beautiful mountains. The Indian Himalayas are in the north of India and contain some of the highest snow capped mountains and deepest valleys. The breathtaking beauty showcases the grandeur of nature, the high mountain regions have not only attracted and captivated adventurous mountaineers but also hold sacred and biological significance. Here is the list of the top 10 highest mountains in India, with each mountain offering its own tale of awe and challenge, combined with an element of mix of beauty and nature.
Highest Mountains in India
Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) – Sikkim
Kangchenjunga (8586 m) is the highest peak that is within the boundaries of India, and is the third highest mountain in the world. Kangchenjunga Located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal, with major emphasis on its Sikkimese origins; Kangchenjunga is revered by the Sikkimese people as a sacred mountain. The term Kangchenjunga, which means “The Five Treasures of the Snow” references the renditions of the five-peaked mountains. In regards to its spiritual significance, mountaineers show their respect of local customs by vowing to not step atop the higher summit.
Popular Base: Yuksom, Sikkim
Nanda Devi (7,816 m) – Uttarakhand
Nanda Devi is the second highest peak in India and is located in the state of Uttarakhand and in the Garhwal Himalayas. This majestic peak, which is ensconced in the Nanda Devi National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—serves to protect rare flora and fauna of the Himalayan region. The name translates to “Goddess of Bliss,” and the mountain is considered sacred in local folklore.
Popular Base: Joshimath, Uttarakhand
Kamet (7,756 m) – Uttarakhand
Kamet is the third highest mountain in India, and it is located in the Chamoli district in the state or Uttarakhand near the Tibetan Plateau. It is found near the Indo-Tibetan border and was the first Indian peak above 7,500 meters to be successfully climbed in 1931. It is also located in a remote area, making Kamet a more raw and solitude climbing experience.
Popular Base: Joshimath and Mana Village
Saltoro Kangri (7,742 m) – Jammu and Kashmir
Saltoro Kangri is part of the Saltoro Range, itself a sub-range of the Karakoram, adjacent to the Siachen Glacier in the contested area of Jammu and Kashmir. Saltoro Kangri qualifies as and remains one of the least climbed yet most stunning peaks in India, simply because it is located in a military-sensitive area and civilian access is entirely limit on its lies.
Restricted Area – Permission required
Saser Kangri (7,672 m) – Ladakh
Situated in the Eastern Karakoram Range in Ladakh, Saser Kangri is a group of peaks known for their steep ascents and remote location. The Saser Kangri I is the highest in this group and poses technical challenges for climbers. The region’s isolation and stark beauty make it a favorite for extreme mountaineers.
Popular Base: Nubra Valley
Mamostong Kangri (7,516 m) – Ladakh
Mamostong Kangri one of the unleast known, yet highest peaks outlying in Ladakh, in the Rimo Muztagh sub-range of the Karakoram. The glaciated surface and proximity to the Siachen Glacier mean that Mamostong Kangri is a formidable challenge even for experienced mountaineers. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1984 by an Indo-Japanese team.
Restricted Area – Special permits needed
Rimo I (7,385 m) – Ladakh
Rimo I, one of the remote peaks of the Rimo Muztagh in the Karakoram Range, is technically challenging and well removed from other mountains. Rimo means “striped mountain” in Tibetan. Access to Rimo I is very limited as it is sheltered by the Siachen Glacier. In addition to the precarious terrain and limited weather window, Rimo I is one of the most challenging peaks in India.
Restricted Area – Military permissions required
Hardeol (7,151 m) – Uttarakhand
The “Temple of God” also called Hardeol, is also located in the northern Kumaon Himalayas. It is one of the most prominent peaks in the Milam Valley and of religious importance to local communities. It doesn’t not rise like some of the taller Himalayan giants but offers a spectacular alpine setting and trekking options that will challenge even the strongest trekkers.
Popular Base: Munsiyari
Chaukamba I (7,138 m) – Uttarakhand
Chaukamba I is part of the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalayas. It is the tallest of the Chaukamba massif’s four peaks, which include Chaukamba II, Chaukamba III, and Chaukamba IV. Chaukamba I is located northwest of the Gangotri Glacier and presents excellent views of the entire range. The peak is important to trekkers and spiritual seekers.
Trisul I (7,120 m) – Uttarakhand
Trisul, which takes its name from Lord Shiva’s trident, is a group of three peaks, Trisul I, II, & III, of which Trisul I is the highest. Located in the Kumaon region it was one of the first high Himalayan peaks to be climbed in 1907. It presents stunning views and can often be seen from the Roopkund trek route.
Popular Base: Munsiyari
Final Thoughts
The top mountains of India are more than just geographical realities and challenges; they are cultural, spiritual, and natural heritage features. From pacing the mystical Kangchenjunga to hiking the remote Mamostong Kangri, these mountains are spaces where mountain climbers, trekkers, and explorationists around the world gather for a variety of reasons. Many of these areas are also protected areas that require special permissions (likely further complicated) and are sacred, cherished, and acknowledged by locals due to their historical and cultural significance.
Whether you have planned the trek of a lifetime into the Himalaya region, or are going on a photography adventure or a spiritual journey, the following 10 highest mountains in India convey more than mass, height, or sheer rock. All we express is wonderment, quest, and piety.
