Nepal Travel Guide

5 Cheapest 8000m Peak to Climb in Nepal

The world has 14 glorious and mighty snow-capped wonders above 8,000 meters altitude. Nepal the country in the lap of the Himalayas, boasts 8 eight of them, and it is also an ideal destination to find the cheapest 8000m peak to climb.

Conquest of these tallest alluring natural structures is every mountaineering enthusiast’s dream. But, which is the easiest or cheapest 8000m peak to climb can put the passionate climbers who want to scale the tallest mountain in the world.

Here we have prepared a list of the easiest and cheapest 8000m peaks to climb that you can mark on your bucket list.

1. Cho Oyu

Mount Cho Oyu Climbing Experience

Altitude: 8,188 meters
Climbing Season: Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October)
Location: Solukhumbu District ( Border between Nepal and Tibet)
Accessible: From both Nepal and Tibet
Difficulty: Moderate technical difficulty
First Ascent: October 19, 1954, by an Austrian expedition Team
Part of the Himalayas: Mahalangur Himal subrange
General Cost: US$ 20,000 – US$ 45,000

Cho Oyu which can be translated to ‘Turquoise Goddess’ in the Tibetan language is the sixth tallest mountain in the world. Mt. Cho Oyu which stands at an elevation of 8,188 meters (26,864 feet) from the sea level and lies on the border between Nepal and Tibet, is one of the easiest and cheapest 8000m peak to climb.

This magnificent Cho Oyu expedition is considered to be one of the easiest climb in the 8000-ers category. But, it doesn’t mean the expedition on the sixth tallest mountain in the world will be like a walk in the part, it is relatively much easier than other massive snowy peaks on the planet. However, scaling the mountain still requires a few technical ascend with a low difficulty level, so it won’t be much of a big deal for climbers who are experienced in mountain ranges above 6,000 meters.

Cho Oyu’s long gradual slopes and stable weather make the expedition on the mountain relatively easier compared to other 8000-ers. In fact, the successful conquest of Mt Cho Oyu is seen as the stepping stone for the climbing of Mt. Everest.

2. Mt. Manaslu

The two different summit of Mt Manaslu taken from third summit
The two different summit of Mt Manaslu taken from third summit

Altitude: 8,163 meters (26,781 feet)
Climbing Season: Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October)
Location: Gorkha District, Nepal (Himalayas)
Accessibility: Accessed from Nepal
Difficulty: Challenging with technical sections
First Ascent: May 9, 1956, by a Japanese expedition Team
Part of the Himalayas: Mansiri Himal subrange
General Cost: US$ 12,000 – US$ 24,000

Standing at an altitude of 8,163 meters, Mt. Mansalu dominates the Masnsiri-Himal segment of the Himalayas. Known as the eighth tallest mountain in the world, the difficulty level of the massif is challenging due to its harsh weather conditions but, it is comparatively easier than other 8000-ers.

Manaslu which can be translated to ‘intellect’ or ‘soul’ in Sanskrit, this beautiful mountain lacks the technical sections that make other 8000-ers scaling vigorous. Nonetheless, climbing none of the 14 tallest mountain peaks in the world isn’t an easy task, it takes a great level of expertise to be able to reach the summit of those mountains. The expedition that leads to the ‘death zone’ certainly needs proper training, preparation, and guidance.

3. Mt. Makalu

Mount Makalu Climbing Routes

Altitude: 8,481 meters (27,825 feet)
Climbing Season:
Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October)
Location:
Sankhuwasabha District (Makalu Barun Valley)
Accessibility:
Accessed from Nepal
Difficulty:
Highly challenging with steep sections and technical climbing
First Ascent:
May 15, 1955, by a French Expedition team 
Part of the Himalayas:
Mahalangur subrange of the Himalayas
General Cost:
US$ 20,000 to US$ 47,000

As we discussed, climbing to the summit of none of the 8000-ers is not an easy feat, but, compared to the earlier two which are climbing routes for practicing the harsher expeditions. Mt. Makalu at an elevation of 8,481 meters is no practicing field to prepare for difficult mountains.

Mt. Makalu, the fifth tallest mountain in the world that borders between Khumbu and Tibet is in a near-perfect pyramid shape and has four sharp edges. Although it is known for its aesthetically pleasing magnificence, the expedition on this mountain is a different story. This mountain range is famous for its steep pitches and knife-edged ridges which can be even challenging for experienced climbers. Testing the mountaineer’s endurance and need for technical rock and ice climbing during the final push, Mt. Makalu isn’t a peak that you want to tackle unprepared.

4. Lhotse Peak

Altitude: 8,516 meters (27,940 feet)
Climbing Season:
Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October)
Location:
Solukhumbu District (Border of Nepal and Tibet)
Accessibility:
Accessed from Nepal
Difficulty:
Extremely challenging with technical sections, steep slopes
First Ascent:
May 18, 1956, by a Swiss Expedition team 
Part of the Himalayas:
Mahalangur subrange of the Himalayas
General Cost:
US$ 20,000 to US$ 30,000

The expedition of the Lhotse Peak is also considered a challenging alternative to Mt. Everest climbing. Known as the fourth-tallest mountain in the world, Lhotse Peak at an elevation of 8,516 meters from sea level is known for its steep faces and technical segments.

Although the Lhotse Peak is overshadowed by its neighboring more popular mountain peaks, it is a great alternative for passionate mountaineers who want to take the less crowded route. The expedition to Lhotse Peak is challenging due to the high-altitude and prolonged push in the ‘death zone’. The south face ascend of the mountain is most commonly used, it also follows the route of Everest summit to the South Col, as the West Ridge takes up more time and has a higher difficulty level.

5. Mt. Dhaulagiri

Altitude: 8,167 meters (26,795 feet)
Climbing Season:
Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October)
Location:
Myagdi District (Dhaulagiri Himalayas, western part of Nepal)
Accessibility: Accessed from Nepal
Difficulty: Highly challenging, technical climbing, unpredictable weather conditions
First Ascent:
May 13, 1960, by a Swiss/Austrian expedition Team
Part of the Himalayas: Dhaulagiri subrange of the Himalayas
General Cost: US$ 20,000 to US$ 34,000

The seventh-tallest mountain in the world, at an altitude of 8,167 meters, Mt. Dhaulagiri’s expedition isn’t for the faint-hearted. ‘Dhaulagiri’ can also be translated into ‘The Great White Mountain’, its original translation in Sanskrit is ‘white’ and ‘beautiful mountain’.

This dazzling 8000-er offers multiple potential routes to mountaineering enthusiasts and offers great adventures on its majestic and fascinating white slopes. Its dynamic weather, bulk stands, steep ice, and slopes are challenging to even experienced mountaineers. But, like we said earlier conquest to the 14 tallest snowy peaks of the world isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.

Southwest Ridge is the most popular route in the expedition to Mt. Dhalugairi with also other alternatives like Northeast Ridge and East Face, regardless, every route to the summit demand endurance and skills to overcome technical segments.

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Ashish

Traveller, Travel Blogger and SEO Expert who combines his love for exploration with his talent for writing and digital marketing.

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