Annapurna Himalaya Nepal

Annapurna is a section of the Nepal Himalayas containing 6 prominent peaks above 7,200 m and 15 peaks above 7,000 m, anchored by Annapurna I at 8,091 m — the 10th highest mountain on earth and the first 8,000 m peak ever climbed. The Annapurna massif stretches roughly 55 km across north-central Nepal in Gandaki Province, named after the Hindu goddess Annapurna, the deity of food and nourishment. It is also the deadliest 8,000 m peak in mountaineering history — Annapurna I has killed roughly 1 in every 7 climbers who attempted its summit, with a historical fatality rate that once reached 32%.

After 10+ years guiding international trekkers through the Annapurna region, Majestic Trails Nepal has watched the same paradox play out hundreds of times. The mountain is named after the goddess of nourishment — and yet it has killed more climbers than any other 8,000 m peak in the world. The Annapurna Sanctuary at the foot of the massif is one of the most beautiful trekking destinations on earth. The summit above it is one of the most lethal.

This complete 2026 guide explains everything about Annapurna in the Nepal Himalayas — its geography, the goddess behind the name, the peaks of the massif, the honest climbing death rate, and how ordinary trekkers can safely visit the base of the world's deadliest mountain.

Is Annapurna Part of the Himalayas?

Yes, Annapurna is part of the Himalayas. Specifically, Annapurna is a sub-range of the central Nepal Himalayas, located in north-central Nepal in Gandaki Province.

The Annapurna Massif sits within the broader Himalayan range that stretches 2,400 km across five countries from Pakistan to Bhutan. Annapurna is one of several major sub-ranges within the Nepal Himalayas, alongside the Khumbu (Everest region), Langtang, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri groups.

What makes Annapurna geographically distinctive:

• It sits south of the main Himalayan crest, on the southern face of the range
• The Kali Gandaki Gorge separates Annapurna from Dhaulagiri to the west
• It is the southernmost cluster of major 7,000 m+ peaks in Nepal
• It borders Pokhara to the south, making it the most visible Himalayan range from a major city anywhere in the world

Which Part of Nepal Is Annapurna In?

Annapurna is in north-central Nepal, inside Gandaki Province, specifically within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) — Nepal's largest protected area at 7,629 square kilometers.

The Annapurna region is the most accessible major mountain area in Nepal. Pokhara — Nepal's second-largest city and the gateway to the Annapurna region — is 25 minutes by plane from Kathmandu or 6 hours by drive. From Pokhara, trekkers reach the start of every major Annapurna trek (Birethanti, Nayapul, Besisahar) within a 1-3 hour drive.

What Is the Annapurna Mountain Range?

The Annapurna mountain range — also called the Annapurna Massif — is a tightly connected group of high peaks stretching approximately 55 km across north-central Nepal. Unlike isolated mountains, the Annapurna peaks share connecting ridges, glaciers, and a continuous geological structure.

Annapurna range — key facts:

• Length: ~55 km east to west
• Peaks above 8,000 m: 1 (Annapurna I Main)
• Peaks above 7,500 m: 5
• Peaks above 7,200 m: 6
• Peaks above 7,000 m: 15
• Peaks above 6,000 m: 30+
• Surrounding boundaries: Kali Gandaki Gorge (west), Marshyangdi Valley (north), Pokhara Valley (south), Madi River Valley (east)

The Annapurna range is older than several of Nepal's other major mountain groups, having formed approximately 50 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with Eurasia. Like the rest of the Himalayas, the Annapurna peaks continue to rise approximately 5 mm per year as the collision continues.

All Peaks in the Annapurna Range — Heights and Facts

The Annapurna Massif contains six prominent peaks over 7,200 m plus a wider range of summits stretching down to 6,000 m. Here is the complete list of all major Annapurna peaks ranked by elevation, including prominence data.

Quick observations from the complete list:

• The Annapurna Massif has 6 peaks over 7,200 m, 15 peaks over 7,000 m, and 20 named peaks over 6,000 m total
• Annapurna I Main has the highest prominence (2,984 m) — meaning it rises 2,984 m above the surrounding terrain
• Machapuchare (Fishtail) is the most prominent peak below 7,000 m and remains officially unclimbed
• Tilicho Peak sits above Tilicho Lake at 4,919 m — one of the highest lakes in the world

Note on Annapurna 1 and Annapurna 2 height search queries:

• Annapurna 1 height: 8,091 m (26,545 ft)
• Annapurna 2 height: 7,937 m (26,040 ft)

Annapurna II is often confused with Annapurna I because the names sound similar, but they are different mountains located on opposite ends of the massif. Annapurna II is 154 m shorter than Annapurna I.

Annapurna I Height — The 10th Highest Mountain on Earth

Annapurna I is 8,091 m (26,545 ft) tall — making it the 10th highest mountain on earth and the highest peak in the Annapurna Massif. It is one of only 14 mountains above 8,000 m on the planet.

Annapurna I quick facts:

• Height in meters: 8,091 m
• Height in feet: 26,545 ft
• World rank: 10th highest
• Nepal rank: 7th highest of Nepal's 8,000 m peaks
• First ascent: June 3, 1950 by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal (France)
• Climbing significance: First 8,000 m peak ever climbed
• Fatality rate: Approximately 13.42% (Guinness World Records) to 32% (historical)
• Easiest route: North Face (the original 1950 Herzog route)
• Climbing season: April-May (pre-monsoon) and October (post-monsoon)

Annapurna I is the third lowest 8,000 m peak in the world — only Gasherbrum I (8,080 m) and Shishapangma (8,027 m) are lower. Despite this modest height ranking among the 8,000ers, Annapurna I has the highest fatality rate of any 8,000 m peak in mountaineering history.

Is Annapurna Mount Everest?

No, Annapurna is not Mount Everest. They are completely different mountains in different parts of Nepal.

Everest is 757.86 m taller than Annapurna I. The two mountains belong to different sub-ranges of the Himalayas and cannot be visited on the same trek. Travelers wanting to see both must do two separate expeditions — typically one to the Annapurna region from Pokhara, and another to the Everest region via Lukla.

Why Is Annapurna So Famous?

Annapurna is famous for five distinct reasons that no other mountain combines. This is not just one mountain's story — it is the story of how mountaineering as a global pursuit began, how a Hindu goddess gave her name to a Himalayan range, and how a single mountain became the world's deadliest 8,000 m peak.

Five reasons Annapurna is famous:

• First 8,000 m peak ever climbed. On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna I — three years before Everest. This was the achievement that opened high-altitude mountaineering as a discipline.
• The deadliest 8,000 m peak in history. Annapurna I has the highest fatality-to-summit ratio of any 8,000 m peak. The historical death rate reached 32%, and even with modern improvements remains around 13% — significantly higher than Everest's 2-3%.
• Named after a Hindu goddess. The mountain takes its name from Annapurna, the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment — making it one of the few major mountains in the world named after a deity of abundance rather than power or destruction.
• The Annapurna Sanctuary. A natural glacial amphitheatre at 4,130 m surrounded on all sides by Himalayan giants. Eric Shipton popularized the Sanctuary in 1966, and it has since become one of the most photographed trekking destinations on earth.
• The Annapurna Circuit Trek. The 14-21 day trek that crosses Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m, passing through 7 ecological zones from subtropical forest to alpine desert. Widely considered one of the world's best long-distance treks.

Annapurna the Goddess — The Hindu Deity Behind the Name

The Annapurna mountains are named after Annapurna Devi, the Hindu goddess of food, nourishment, and abundance. The name comes from two Sanskrit words: anna meaning "food" or "grains," and purna meaning "full" or "complete." Together, Annapurna means "she who is full of food" or "the giver of food."

Goddess Annapurna — key facts:

• Identity: Hindu goddess of nourishment, food, and abundance
• Manifestation of: Parvati, consort of Shiva
• Sacred symbols: Golden ladle (held in right hand), pot full of food (held in left hand)
• Sacred day: Friday
• Mantra: Om Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara Prana Vallabhe Jnyana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhikśam Dehi Cha Parvati
• Worship purpose: Blessings for food, prosperity, family welfare, removal of hunger
• Annapurna Jayanti: Annual festival celebrating the goddess

The myth behind the goddess:

According to Hindu tradition, Shiva once told his consort Parvati that the world — including food — was just illusion (maya). To prove him wrong, Parvati disappeared, and with her, all food vanished from the earth. The world began to starve. People, gods, and Shiva himself eventually came to understand that food is not illusion but sacred sustenance. Parvati then returned as Annapurna, distributing food freely to all who came to her, including Shiva himself who came holding a begging bowl.

This story sits at the heart of why the mountain was named Annapurna. The peak rises above some of Nepal's most fertile agricultural valleys — fields fed by the glacial meltwater flowing from the massif itself. The mountain literally nourishes the land below it. The name is not symbolic. It is geographic truth.

In Hindu households across Nepal and India, Annapurna's image is found in kitchens, granaries, and dining areas. Wasting food is considered an offense against her. Feeding others — especially the hungry — is considered the highest form of worship of the goddess.

For trekkers passing through villages on the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp Trek, this cultural layer is everywhere. The mountain is not just terrain. It is named after a goddess, and the people living below it treat both with daily respect.

Is Annapurna Deadlier Than Everest?

Yes, Annapurna is significantly deadlier than Everest. Annapurna I has a climbing fatality rate that is roughly 5 times higher than Everest's, depending on which statistical measure you use.

Honest fatality comparison:

Note on conflicting numbers: Different sources report different Annapurna death rates because they measure differently. Some sources use death-to-summit ratio (75 deaths / 559 summits = 13.42% per Guinness). Older sources used the historical death rate measured against attempts rather than summits, which gave the famous 32% figure. The mountain is statistically less deadly today than it was historically, but it remains the most reputationally deadly of the 8,000 m peaks.

Why Annapurna I is deadlier than Everest:

• Avalanche-prone routes. 53% of all Annapurna deaths are from avalanches. The climbing route has a single notorious avalanche zone at approximately 5,900 m between Camp II and Camp III.
• Unstable snow conditions. The southern aspect of Annapurna receives heavy monsoon snowfall that becomes loosely consolidated — a textbook avalanche-trigger condition.
• Technical climbing required. Unlike Everest's relatively long but technically simpler routes, Annapurna I requires steep ice climbing and exposed ridge traverses.
• Unpredictable weather. Storms develop within hours on Annapurna even during the "best" climbing seasons.
• Lower commercial expedition infrastructure. Far fewer climbers attempt Annapurna than Everest, so route fixing and weather forecasting is less developed.
• No second-chance escapes. On Everest a climber struggling can usually descend safely. On Annapurna the descent itself passes through the same avalanche zones that killed climbers on the way up.

Critical note for trekkers:

These fatality statistics apply only to mountaineers attempting to summit Annapurna I at 8,091 m. Trekkers reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m face dramatically lower risks. Majestic Trails Nepal has guided 135 ABC treks over 10+ years with a 95% completion rate and zero altitude sickness incidents. The "Annapurna death rate" refers to a different activity than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek that ordinary trekkers do.

Why Is Annapurna Called the Silent Killer?

Annapurna is called the silent killer because climbers are most often killed not by their own mistakes but by sudden avalanches that occur without warning. Unlike the more famous "Killer Mountain" (Nanga Parbat) or "Savage Mountain" (K2), Annapurna kills quietly — with no time to react, no chance to fight back, and often with no recoverable bodies.

Why Annapurna kills "silently":

• Avalanches with zero warning. 53% of all Annapurna deaths come from avalanches. These avalanches often release suddenly from seracs (overhanging ice cliffs) hundreds of meters above the climbing route. There is no audible warning before they reach climbers below.
• The 5,900 m avalanche zone. A specific section between Camp II and Camp III on the normal climbing route has produced the majority of Annapurna deaths. Climbers must traverse this zone twice — going up and coming down — meaning the risk is unavoidable.
• Sherpas die during route preparation. Of the historical deaths on Annapurna, a large portion were Sherpas killed while doing route preparation work before international climbers even arrived. The mountain kills the people who know it best.
• Bodies disappear into glaciers. Many Annapurna victims are never recovered. Avalanches carry climbers into glacial crevasses that close behind them. The mountain claims its dead without ceremony.

The contrast with other dangerous mountains:

• Mount Everest — climbers usually die from cumulative altitude exposure, slow exhaustion, or specific mistakes. They have time to call for help.
• K2 — kills through extreme technical difficulty. Climbers know exactly what makes K2 dangerous and choose to face it.
• Nanga Parbat — kills primarily through bad weather on the massive Rupal Face. The danger is somewhat predictable.
• Annapurna — kills suddenly, silently, with no warning, and often takes the bodies with it. This is the difference.

The Annapurna Sanctuary — The Beautiful Amphitheatre

The Annapurna Sanctuary is a natural glacial amphitheatre at 4,130 m, completely surrounded by Himalayan peaks above 6,000 m. It is the destination of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and one of the most photographed trekking locations in the world.

What makes the Sanctuary unique:

• 360-degree mountain views. Trekkers stand in a flat basin surrounded by peaks rising 3,000+ m above them on every side
• Annapurna South (7,219 m) directly above — fills the southern view from base camp
• Annapurna I (8,091 m) visible across the glacier — the deadliest 8,000 m peak in mountaineering history
• Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993 m) — the sacred unclimbed mountain visible from base camp
• Hiunchuli (6,441 m) — completes the amphitheatre wall
• Annapurna Fang (7,647 m) — sharp triangular peak visible above the glacier
• Sunrise at the Sanctuary — sun rises behind Fishtail and hits Annapurna South directly, the most powerful single moment on the entire trek

The Annapurna Sanctuary sits inside a glacial cirque — a bowl carved by retreating glaciers over thousands of years. The only entrance is through a narrow gorge between Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. Once inside, trekkers are surrounded by mountains on all sides with no visible exit to the outside world. This geographic isolation is what gives the Sanctuary its name.

Annapurna Base Camp — How to Visit Annapurna

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the most accessible way to visit the Annapurna mountains. The standard 14-day trek reaches Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, placing trekkers directly below Annapurna South and Annapurna I.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek — key facts:

• Duration: 14 days (or 6-7 days short version)
• Maximum altitude: 4,130 m
• Difficulty: Moderate (stairs are the main challenge, not altitude)
• Best season: October-November, March-April
• Permits required: ACAP only (NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals)
• Starting point: Birethanti (1,030 m) — accessible by 1.5 hour drive from Pokhara
• Ending point: Jhinu Danda (1,780 m) with natural hot springs

Majestic Trails Nepal ABC Trek package:

• Starting price: USD 940
• What is included: All meals, tea house accommodation, licensed guide, porter, all permits, transport from Kathmandu
• Our completion rate: 95% across 35 trips guided over 10+ years
• Altitude sickness incidents: Zero serious cases in 10+ years

→ View our complete 14-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek package

For trekkers with limited time, Majestic Trails Nepal also offers a 6-7 day Short ABC Trek that skips the Ghorepani section but still reaches base camp. This is the fastest way to stand at the foot of Annapurna I.

The Annapurna Circuit — The Classic Long Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a 10-21 day expedition that circles the entire Annapurna massif, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m as its highest point. Many trekkers consider it the best long-distance trek on earth because of the dramatic landscape diversity within a single route.

Annapurna Circuit Trek — key facts:

• Duration: 14-21 days depending on side trips
• Maximum altitude: 5,416 m at Thorong La Pass
• Direction: Counterclockwise (Besisahar to Pokhara) is standard
• Ecological zones crossed: 7 — from subtropical forest at 800 m to alpine desert above 4,000 m
• Cultural diversity: Hindu villages in the lower elevations, Tibetan Buddhist Mustang in the rain shadow
• Permits required: ACAP only (NPR 3,000)
• Checkpoints: 11 across the full route

The Annapurna Circuit was historically considered the gold standard of Nepal trekking before the Manaslu Circuit and Three Passes treks rose in popularity. As of 2026, it remains one of the best routes for trekkers who want maximum landscape variety within a single trek.

→ Read our complete Annapurna Circuit Permit 2026 Guide — all 11 checkpoints explained

Best Time to Visit Annapurna in Nepal

The best time to visit the Annapurna region depends on whether you are climbing or trekking. Here is the honest seasonal breakdown based on 10+ years of operator experience.

Operator recommendations for specific Annapurna activities:

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Late October (post-monsoon clarity) is the strongest single window
• Annapurna Circuit Trek: October-November or late March-early April. Avoid winter — Thorong La is closed by snow.
• Climbing Annapurna I: April-May only (pre-monsoon) — climbing in any other season is suicidal given the avalanche risk
• Photography of Annapurna from Pokhara: December-January (sharpest skies)

How to See Annapurna Without Trekking

You do not need to trek to see the Annapurna mountains. The range is visible from multiple road-accessible locations near Pokhara — making the Annapurna massif the most photographable Himalayan range in Nepal.

Where you can see Annapurna without trekking:

• Pokhara lakeside (820 m) — Annapurna II and Annapurna IV visible on clear mornings directly across Phewa Lake
• Sarangkot (1,592 m) — sunrise viewpoint accessible by 30-minute drive from Pokhara, offering panoramic views of Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre
• Australian Camp (2,065 m) — 2-hour drive plus 1-hour walk from Pokhara, fewer crowds than Sarangkot
• Dhampus (1,750 m) — village viewpoint accessible by drive
• Mountain flights from Pokhara — 30-45 minute flights that fly close to Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre

For travelers with limited time in Nepal who still want to see the Annapurna Himalayas, a 2-night Pokhara stay with a Sarangkot sunrise visit captures the same iconic Annapurna view that most trekkers wait 5-7 days to reach.

Annapurna Conservation Area — The Largest Protected Area in Nepal

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) is Nepal's largest protected area at 7,629 square kilometers — covering the entire Annapurna region plus surrounding mountains, valleys, and villages. Established in 1985 and managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), it is one of the most successful conservation programs in South Asia.

Annapurna Conservation Area — key facts:

• Area: 7,629 km² — larger than the entire state of Delaware (USA)
• Established: 1985
• Managed by: National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)
• Districts covered: Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi
• Maximum altitude: Annapurna I summit at 8,091 m
• Minimum altitude: ~790 m at the southern boundary
• Climate zones: 7 — from subtropical to alpine desert
• Plant species recorded: 1,226
• Mammal species recorded: 102
• Bird species recorded: 474
• Notable wildlife: Snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, red panda

The ACA is genuinely different from a traditional national park. Approximately 100,000 people live inside the conservation area — Gurung, Magar, Thakali, Manangi, and Mustangi communities — and conservation work explicitly includes supporting local livelihoods. Trekking permits and entry fees fund both environmental protection and community development projects.

Annapurna I First Ascent — The Heroic Climb of 1950

The first successful climb of Annapurna I — on June 3, 1950 by French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal — was the first successful ascent of any mountain above 8,000 m in human history. The climb came three years before Everest was summited.

The 1950 Annapurna expedition — key facts:

• Expedition leader: Maurice Herzog (France)
• Summit climbers: Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal
• Date of summit: June 3, 1950
• Route used: North Face — never previously attempted
• Oxygen used: None (no supplemental oxygen)
• Original objective: Dhaulagiri I (the team only switched to Annapurna after failing to find a route on Dhaulagiri)
• Time spent searching for the mountain: Several weeks (no maps existed)
• Time from base camp to summit (first attempt): Days of route-finding in unknown terrain

The cost of the climb:

Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal both survived the summit but suffered catastrophic frostbite during the descent. Herzog lost all of his fingers and toes to amputation. Lachenal lost all of his toes. Both men were carried down the mountain by their teammates, including Sherpa Ang Tharkay who served as expedition sirdar.

Herzog later wrote a book titled simply Annapurna: First Conquest of an 8,000-Meter Peak (1951). It became one of the best-selling mountaineering books in history and was named by National Geographic Adventure as "the most influential mountaineering book of all time."

Why this climb matters:

Before June 3, 1950, no human had stood on top of any mountain above 8,000 m. The Annapurna climb proved that the death zone was survivable. Everest was successfully climbed three years later in 1953. K2 was summited in 1954. The entire era of high-altitude mountaineering — and the modern trekking economy that followed — began with the moment Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna I.

How the Annapurna Range Was Formed

The Annapurna mountains formed approximately 50 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian plate. The same collision created the entire Himalayan range, of which Annapurna is one section.

The 4-stage formation of Annapurna:

• Stage 1 — The Tethys Ocean (200 million years ago): Annapurna's location was underwater. Marine sediment accumulated, forming the limestone that today caps several Annapurna peaks.
• Stage 2 — India drifts north (180-50 million years ago): The Indian plate moved north at approximately 15 cm per year — extraordinarily fast in geological terms.
• Stage 3 — The collision (50 million years ago): India crashed into Asia. The Tethys seafloor was crushed upward, forming the Himalayan range including Annapurna.
• Stage 4 — Continuing growth (today): India still pushes into Asia at approximately 5 cm per year. The Annapurna mountains continue rising by approximately 5 mm per year.

Geological note for trekkers:

The top sections of several Annapurna peaks contain marine limestone — rock that was once at the bottom of an ocean. Climbers and trekkers walking the high routes are literally crossing fossilized seafloor that was lifted 8,000 m into the sky over 50 million years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapurna part of the Himalayas?

Yes, Annapurna is part of the Himalayas. The Annapurna Massif is a sub-range of the central Nepal Himalayas, located in north-central Nepal in Gandaki Province. It stretches approximately 55 km and contains six prominent peaks above 7,200 m including Annapurna I at 8,091 m — the 10th highest mountain on earth.

Why is Annapurna so famous?

Annapurna is famous for five reasons: it contains the first 8,000 m peak ever climbed (Annapurna I, summited June 3, 1950), it is the deadliest 8,000 m peak in mountaineering history, it is named after the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment, the Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful trekking destinations on earth, and the Annapurna Circuit is widely considered one of the world's best long-distance treks.

Which part of Nepal is Annapurna in?

Annapurna is in north-central Nepal, inside Gandaki Province, within the Annapurna Conservation Area. The range covers five districts: Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, and Myagdi. The closest major city is Pokhara, approximately 40 km south of the main peaks.

Is Annapurna Mount Everest?

No, Annapurna and Mount Everest are completely different mountains. Annapurna I is 8,091 m (10th highest in the world), located in Gandaki Province in central Nepal. Mount Everest is 8,848.86 m (highest in the world), located in Province No. 1 in eastern Nepal on the border with Tibet. The two mountains are approximately 240 km apart and cannot be visited on the same trek.

Is Annapurna deadlier than Everest?

Yes, Annapurna is significantly deadlier than Everest for climbers. Annapurna I has a fatality-to-summit ratio of approximately 13.42% per Guinness World Records (75 deaths from 559 climbs), while Mount Everest's ratio is approximately 5.7%. Historically, Annapurna I had a fatality rate of approximately 32% — the highest of any 8,000 m peak ever recorded. For trekkers visiting Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, the risks are dramatically lower than for climbers attempting the summit.

Why is Annapurna called a silent killer?

Annapurna is called the silent killer because most deaths on the mountain come from avalanches that release without warning. 53% of all Annapurna deaths are from avalanches, with a single notorious avalanche zone at 5,900 m between Camp II and Camp III producing the majority of casualties. Climbers cannot hear or see these avalanches before they arrive, and many victims are buried in glacial crevasses and never recovered.

What is the height of Annapurna 1?

Annapurna I is 8,091 m (26,545 ft) tall. It is the 10th highest mountain on earth and the highest peak in the Annapurna Massif. It is also the third lowest of the 14 mountains above 8,000 m — only Gasherbrum I and Shishapangma are shorter among the 8,000ers.

What is the height of Annapurna 2?

Annapurna II is 7,937 m (26,040 ft) tall. It is the 16th highest mountain in the world and 154 m shorter than Annapurna I. Despite the similar name, Annapurna II is a different mountain located on the eastern end of the Annapurna massif, separated from Annapurna I by approximately 29 km.

What is the Annapurna goddess?

Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of food, nourishment, and abundance. Her name combines two Sanskrit words: anna (food) and purna (full or complete), translating to "she who is full of food." She is a manifestation of Parvati, consort of Shiva, and is worshipped throughout Nepal and India as the deity who ensures no one goes hungry. The Annapurna mountains were named after her because the glacial meltwater from the massif feeds the agricultural valleys below.

Where is Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp is at 4,130 m in the Annapurna Sanctuary — a natural glacial amphitheatre surrounded by Himalayan peaks. The base camp sits directly below Annapurna South (7,219 m) with Annapurna I (8,091 m) visible across the glacier. It is reached by a 14-day trek (or 6-7 day short version) starting from Birethanti, accessed by a 1.5-hour drive from Pokhara.

Can you climb Annapurna I?

Yes, but Annapurna I is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb in the world. Only approximately 559 people have successfully summited as of early 2026, while roughly 75 have died on the attempt. Climbing Annapurna I requires expert-level mountaineering experience, technical ice climbing skills, and acceptance of one of the highest fatality rates in mountaineering. Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is the safer way to visit the mountain.

Conclusion — The Goddess Mountain of the Nepal Himalayas

Annapurna is the Nepal Himalayan paradox made geographic. The mountain is named after the goddess of nourishment — and it has killed more climbers than any other 8,000 m peak. The base camp below it is one of the most beautiful trekking destinations on earth — and the summit above is one of the most lethal. The valley villages live in its agricultural shadow — fed by its glacial meltwater — while the summit kills the climbers who reach it.

After 10+ years guiding the Annapurna region for international trekkers, what Majestic Trails Nepal has learned is that the mountain demands two completely different relationships. For climbers, Annapurna is the silent killer — the deadliest of the 8,000 m peaks. For trekkers reaching base camp at 4,130 m, Annapurna is the goddess of nourishment — a natural amphitheatre of beauty that gives more than it takes.

The Annapurna mountains in the Nepal Himalayas remain the most accessible major Himalayan range on earth. You can be in Pokhara today and standing below Annapurna I in 8 days. No other 8,000 m mountain in the world can be visited that quickly, that safely, or that affordably.

→ View our 14-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek— stand below the world's deadliest 8,000 m mountain
→ Contact our trek planning team — we respond within 2-4 hours