The 7 Tallest Mountains Across the Seven Continents

Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895m and is located in Tanzania, making it the highest peak in Africa. It is a stratovolcano with three volcanic summits: Mawenzi (5,148m), Kibo (5,895m), and Shira (4,005m). All three have been inactive for centuries.

Despite being less than 300 km from the equator, the peaks of Kilimanjaro are covered in snow year-round, creating a striking contrast with the lush vegetation at the base. Because of this, Kilimanjaro is often called the "Snow-capped Mountain of the Equator." Climbers must prepare for the drastic temperature differences between the base and the summit.

As a dormant volcano, Kilimanjaro’s terrain is relatively flat with fewer ravines and valleys, making it one of the more accessible mountains to summit. There are seven main routes to the summit: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Mweka, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. Each route features rest stops for climbers along the way. Although the risks of summiting Kilimanjaro are low, visitors must be physically fit and experienced in mountaineering to handle the altitude and temperature shifts.

Notable milestones at Kilimanjaro:

• 6/10/1889: Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to reach the summit.
• 2008: Keats Boyd, at 7 years old, became the youngest climber to reach the summit.
• 2014: Angela Vorobeva, at 86, became the oldest person to summit.
• 2014: Karl Egloff completed the fastest ascent, reaching the summit in just 6 hours and 42 minutes.
• 2015: Anne Marie Flammersfeld set the fastest female record with an ascent time of 8 hours and 32 minutes.

Due to the well-established tourist routes and relatively safe terrain, the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro is fairly affordable, typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per person, including meals and accommodation.

Elbrus is a mountain in the Caucasus range, located in Russia, with a height of 5,642m, making it the highest peak in Europe. Like Kilimanjaro, Elbrus is also a dormant volcano. It has two summits: the Western summit at 5,642m and the Eastern summit at 5,621m, both of which are inactive.

The terrain of Elbrus is quite flat with few ravines, and the weather is not overly harsh, making it considered an easier climb. However, strong winds, temperature differences, altitude, and lack of oxygen at the summit present significant risks to climbers. Despite the mountain's accessibility, many fatalities occur each year due to lack of preparation and equipment, as well as underestimating the mountain's dangers.

Currently, a cable car system brings visitors up to 3,800m on Elbrus, where they can rest or continue to the summit via various climbing routes. The first successful ascent of Elbrus occurred in 1874 by a team of five climbers: Florence Crauford Grove, Frederick Gardner, Horace Walker, and Peter Knubel. In 1997, Russian climber Alexander Abramov drove a Land Rover Defender to the Eastern summit, a feat that entered the Guinness World Records. The cost of climbing Elbrus ranges from $900 to $1,000 per person.

Vinson Massif rises to an elevation of 4,897m, making it the highest peak in Antarctica, located in the Ellsworth Mountain Range. Discovered in 1958, it was named after Carl G. Vinson, a U.S. congressman who strongly supported scientific research in the region.

Given its location in the polar region, the weather at the summit of Vinson Massif is extremely cold and harsh. During the summer months, when the sun never sets, the average temperature at the summit is around -30°C. The area is prone to strong winds, snowdrifts, and frequent snowstorms.

In 1966, Nicholas Clinch was the first to summit Vinson Massif. Due to the extreme geographic and weather conditions, the majority of those attempting the climb are scientists, explorers, or military personnel. Currently, no professional organizations offer guided services for the ascent. However, since Vinson Massif was included in the list of the “Seven Summits,” more and more mountaineers are becoming interested in this peak, and guided climbing services are expected to grow in the near future. By 2010, 1,400 climbers had successfully reached the summit.

Oceania comprises Australia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and several islands scattered across the Australian seas. Puncak Jaya, standing at 4,884m, is the highest peak in the Carstensz Range, located in the western part of Papua, Indonesia. This area of Indonesia is considered part of Oceania, which is why Puncak Jaya has been selected as the representative peak for Oceania in the “Seven Summits” list, replacing Australia’s Kosciuszko (2,228m).

The name of the mountain in Indonesian means “Victory Peak.” Among the mountaineering community, it is often referred to as Carstensz, after Dutch explorer Jan Carstenszoon who discovered it in 1623. However, it wasn’t until 1962 that Puncak Jaya was first summited by a group of four climbers: Harrer, Temple, Kippax, and Huizenga.

While not as tall as other peaks in the Seven Summits, Puncak Jaya is notoriously difficult to climb due to its sheer cliffs and limited flat areas for setting up camp. Conquering this peak requires not only substantial experience but also excellent physical condition. Although there is no official record of successful climbs or fatalities, professional mountaineers report that accidents still occur annually, mainly due to the lack of medical support or rescue facilities in the region. The cost to summit Puncak Jaya ranges from $12,000 to $18,000 per person, primarily due to the high costs of porters and guides.

Everest is the tallest mountain in Asia and the world, reaching an elevation of 8,848m. Situated in the Himalayas, it lies on the border between Tibet and Nepal. In Nepal, it’s called Sagarmatha, meaning "Where the Sky Meets the Earth," while in Tibet, it’s known as Chomolungma, which translates to "Mother Goddess of the World." For the people of both countries, Everest symbolizes not only awe-inspiring grandeur but also a sacred place. Many significant religious centers in Nepal and Tibet are located on its slopes.

Not only is Everest the highest peak on Earth, but it’s also the youngest, having formed only about four million years ago and continuing to rise—albeit at a very slow pace. The summit is notorious for its harsh climate, with average temperatures of -40°C year-round, frequent snowstorms, and avalanches. The ascent is incredibly dangerous, with deep crevices and glaciers that can crack without warning. However, it’s precisely this challenging nature that has made Everest the ultimate goal for mountaineers worldwide. As of 2012, 5,656 climbers had successfully reached the summit, but 223 lives have been lost in the attempt.

Notable milestones in Everest’s history:

• May 19, 1953: Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary became the first to reach the summit of Everest.
• 1975: Junko Tabei, a 35-year-old Japanese woman, became the first woman to summit Everest.
• 1978: Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler summited without supplemental oxygen.
• 2001: Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind climber to reach Everest's peak.
• 2010: Jordan Romero, at 13 years old, became the youngest to summit Everest.

On May 22, 2008, a team of three Vietnamese climbers reached the world’s highest peak. The cost to conquer Everest can exceed $100,000 per person, covering expenses for guides, travel, meals, and climbing gear.

Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America, reaching an elevation of 6,962m and located in Argentina. The summit is part of the Andes mountain range, the longest in the world, stretching over 7,000 km. Due to its towering height and year-round snow-capped peak, locals often refer to it as the "White Guardian" or the "Protective Mountain".

The terrain of Aconcagua varies greatly between its two sides. The southern slope is steep, with glaciers and rugged terrain, while the northern slope is gentler and flatter, making it the most common route for climbers. Although it’s considered an easier peak to conquer due to its relatively gentle terrain and milder weather, the altitude of over 6,000m and freezing temperatures at the summit present significant risks. By 2015, Aconcagua had claimed over 100 lives, most of whom underestimated the dangers of the mountain.

Notable records at Aconcagua:

• 1897: Edward Fitz Gerald, a member of an English expedition, became the first to summit Aconcagua.
• 2007: Scott Lewis, at 87, became the oldest person to reach the summit of Aconcagua.
• 2013: Tyler Armstrong, at just 9 years old, became the youngest to conquer Aconcagua.
• 2014: Kilian Jornet set the record for the fastest ascent of Aconcagua, completing it in just 12 hours and 49 minutes.

The cost of climbing Aconcagua ranges from $500 to $3,000 per person, depending on whether climbers opt for guided tours or attempt the climb independently.

Denali stands at an impressive height of 6,194m and is located in the Rocky Mountains in Alaska. It is the highest peak in North America and the tallest in the United States. The name "Denali" is derived from the local indigenous language, meaning "The High One". Previously known as Mount McKinley, named after the 25th President of the United States, the U.S. government officially adopted the native name Denali in 2015.

The terrain of Denali is rugged, featuring cliffs, glaciers, and extreme weather conditions. These challenges make it a formidable goal, best suited for experienced climbers. There are several routes to the summit, but the western slope is the most commonly used due to its relatively less difficult terrain. The best time to climb Denali is typically between late April and early May.

Notable records set at Denali:

• 6/7/1913: The first successful ascent of Denali was made by Hudson Stuck, Harry Karstens, Walter Harper, and Robert Tatum.
• 1947: Barbara Washburn became the first woman to summit Denali.
• 1970: Naomi Uemura was the first to climb Denali solo, without a guide.

The cost of climbing Denali with a guide typically ranges around $7,000 per person. Due to the difficulty of the climb, self-guided attempts are strongly discouraged.