Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world, with a summit elevation of 8,516 meters (27,940 feet) above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur Himalaya range on the border of Nepal and Tibet, just south of Mount Everest.

The name "Lhotse" means "South Peak" in the local language, referring to its position south of Mount Everest. Lhotse has three main summits, with the highest peak known as Lhotse Main.

Lhotse is known for its steep, technical terrain, with several challenging routes leading to the summit. The mountain is often climbed by experienced mountaineers as part of an Everest-Lhotse expedition, as the two mountains share a base camp and many of the same logistical challenges.

The first successful ascent of Lhotse was made in 1956 by a Swiss team led by Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger. Since then, the mountain has been climbed by a number of elite mountaineers, including Reinhold Messner, who made the first solo ascent in 1986.

The area surrounding Lhotse is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including the Sherpa people, who have a rich cultural heritage and are renowned for their mountaineering skills. The region is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan black bear.