WorldTouristPlace

Location: Western Himalayan Region
Capital: Shimla
Languages Spoken: Hindi & Pahari
Best Time To Visit: May to Mid-October

The Himalayas in India covers the entire northern part of the country. Covering five major states of the country. They are Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Uttaranchal, and the North Eastern States. It is also the home for major Hindu pilgrimages. And if you are an adventure sports buff then the Himalayas in India is the perfect destinations. It hosts some of the major adventure sports like trekking, river rafting, mountaineering and skiing. It is the perfect holiday destinations for different kinds of people. You can call it a spiritual center, a trekkers’ paradise or a perfect holiday home. The major peak of the Indian Himalaya is Kangchenjunga.

The major attraction of the Indian Himalayas is the Hindu pilgrimage center. The valleys, high ranges, turbulent rivers, dense forest areas, barren cold deserts and glaciers make Indian Himalayas an amazing destination. Due to its varied topography Indian Himalayas showcases a plethora of beautiful destinations.

Mountain Ranges of Himalayas:
Laurasia was in the Northern hemisphere, and Gondwanaland in the southern hemisphere. The landmass, which is now India separated from Gondwanaland and collided with Asia and thus created the highest mountain range in the world. The Himalayas are mainly young folded mountains. It extends from west to east for about 2,500 km in a curve. The main mountain range, which divides the subcontinent of Indian from Nanga Parbat in the west stretches till Sikkim and Bhutan in the east. In the west the part of this range divides Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh from Ladakh. The highest mountain ranges here are Nun and Kun. In Kashmir the subsidiary point of the Himalayas include the Kolahoi, Amarnath and North Sonarmarg ranges. If we go further east we will see that the Himalayas extends till the Baralacha range in Himachal Pradesh before it merges with the Parbati range to the east of the Kullu valley. It then further extends across kinnaur Kailas to the swargarohini and Bandarpunch ranges in Uttaranchal. The further east has distinct features of snow-capped range north of the Gangotri glacier and the huge peaks of Nanda Devi.


Climate of the Himalayas:
The Himalayan region covers an area of 2,250 km with an average width of 200 km. The forest belt of the Himalayan region consists of Oak, Rhododendron, Birch, Pine, Deodar, and Fir. And the monsoon season in this region lasts for mid June till the end of September. The Himalayas influences the meteorological conditions in the Indian subcontinent to the south and in the Central Asian highlands to the north to a great extent. It acts a climatic divider circulating the air and water system to a great extent. Because of its altitude and location it blocks the passage of the cold winds coming from the north to the Indian sub continent thereby making India’s climate much more moderate. It also influences the rainfall pattern in India. The combined effect of rainfall, latitude and altitude largely influences the forests belts in the Himalayan region. The rainfall is mostly recorded during the monsoon time of June to September but it decreases as you travel from east to west. The snow-capped ranges of the Himalayas stretch 2, 250 km from the Namcha Barwa to Nanga Parbat on the Indus. The range extends from east to west up to central-Nepal and then takes a southeast to northwest direction.

Climatic Variation         of    the Himalayas
The Himalayan region mainly experiences two season winter and summer. The average summer temperature in the southern foothills is about 30 degree Celsius and the average winter temperature is around 18 degree Celsius. In the middle Himalayan valleys the average summer temperature is around 25 degree Celsius while the winters are really cold. And on the higher region of the middle Himalayas the summer temperature is recorded at around 15 to 18 degree Celsius while the winters are below freezing point. The climatic condition at region above 4880 m is below freezing point and it is permanently covered with snow. During the winter the snowfall is really heavy while the summers are much more mild and soothing. The Himalayan Alpine climate varies according to the altitude. The more the height the more cooler the temperature gets here. The climatic condition changes very quickly in the Himalayan region due to change in the altitude. The climate here is very unpredictable and dangerous too.

The regions of Ladakh and Zanskar situated in the North of the main Himalayan range are unaware of the monsoon season as the average annual rainfall is only a few centimeters as a result the humidity level is very low in these regions. The region experiences one of the coldest temperatures in the world during winter.

Himalayas is known for its historical, religious, and geographical significance. Historically it has a lot of relevance it served as a guard from various invasions, a border and a meeting ground for different races, culture and religion. It formed a divide between India and Tibet. But that barrier didn’t stopped individuals from pursuing adventurous journeys to explore the unknown side of the mountains. People traveled for religious and trade purposes. The trans-Himalayan region was a key center for trade and commerce. With the famous Silk Route this region first gained importance during the early Han dynasty i.e. 206 BC to 8 AD. The route connected Central Asia with South Asia, and created a bridge between culturally and religiously diverse countries such as India, China, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Himalayas was also a witness to the Indus Valley Civilization, the oldest Indian Civilization. In 1856 in the foothills of the Himalayas the twin cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa was discovered. So Himalayas has a rich historical background to unfold. To explore the Himalayas innumerable attempts have been made as the Mount Everest has been opened for commercial mountaineering in the early 1920s. But Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary have made the first successful attempt to climb the Everest in May 1953. Since then many successful attempt have been made to climb the Mount Everest.

Now coming to the origin of Himalayas it can be said that millions of years ago, a collision between Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate resulted in the formation of the world’s highest mountain Himalayas. There were several steps in the formation of the Himalayas. The first step was the collision of the Gondwana plate and Angara plate. The seabed raised into longitudinal ridges and valleys. In the second step the collision was very effective and powerful. The Tethys bed rose to a great extent to cause the final retreat of the sea. During this the Great Himalayas and the Tibetan Himalayas were formed. In the third step the Lower Himalayas were formed. During the fourth step the Himalayas ranges elevated and the Sub Himalayas were raised. The last step was the final phase, which determines the present structure of the Himalayas.

The panoramic view of the mountain ranges attracts traveler across the world. The early Aryans use to consider Himalayas as the adobe of Gods and Goddess. In 1852 the highest mountain in the world was named after Sir George Everest as Mount Everest. Some facts about the Himalayas expeditions are: As Nepal opened its frontiers in 1949 to the outside world people explored ten of the fourteen 8000m peaks. Some of the major among them are
Annapurna (8091m) was the first peak to be climbed in 1950, and then in 1953 it was Mount Everest (8848m) and Nanga Parbat (8125m). From that time onwards many expeditions have been made and by 1964 all the Himalayan peaks had been climbed.

The Main Himalayan Ranges are:

Pir Panjal Range
Dhaula Dhar Range
Zanskar Range
Ladakh Range
East Korakoram Range

Pir Panjal Range: To the south of the main Himalayas lies the Pir Panjal Range at an average height of 5,000m. From Gulmarg in the Northwest it follows the southern rim of the Kashmir valley to the Banihal pass. Here the Pir Panjal meets the ridgeline, which separates the Kashmir valley from the Warvan valley. The major passes here in Pir Panjal are the pir panjal pass due west of Srinagar, the Banihal pass which lies at the top of the Jhelum River at the southern end of the Kashmir valley, and the sythen pass linking Kashmir with Kishtwar.

Dhaula Dhar Range: To the south of the Pir Panjal lies the Dhaula Dhar range. It is easily visible because of its distinct feature of the snow-capped ridge, which forms the division between the Ravi and the Beas valleys. In the west it divides the Chenab valley and the Tawi valley. Towards the east it extends across Himachal Pradesh forming the high ridges of the Largi gorge and extending towards the south of the Pin Parvati valley before it forms the ridgeline east of the Sutlej River.

Zanskar Range: It lies to the north of the main Himalaya. It acts as a backbone of Ladakh south of the Indus River, extending from the ridges beyond Lamayuru in the west across the Zanskar region; there it is divided from the main Himalaya by the Stod and Tsarap valleys, the Zanskar valley. On the east of the Zanskar region the range continues through Lahaul and Spiti. While on the North it continues across the Kinnaur before extending towards west across Uttaranchal. Some of the main passes are the Fatu La, on the Leh-Srinagar road, while the main trekking passes into the Zanskar valley are Singge La, the Cha Cha La and the Rubrang La are.

Ladakh Range: To the north of the Leh lies the ladakh range and it is an important part of the Trans-Himalayan range that merges with the Kailash range in Tibet. Here the important passes are the famous Kardung La, and Digar La, which lie to the north east of Leh.

East Korakoram Range: It is a giant range, which geographically divides India and Central Asia. The range consists of high mountain peaks like Saltoro Kangri, Rimo and Teram Kargri. The Korakoram Pass acts as the main connector between the markets of Yarkand, Leh and Kashgar.

Siwalik Hills: It lies to the south of the Dhaula Dhar, with an average height of 1,500 to 2,000m.It includes the Jammu hills and Vaishno Devi, and extends to Kangra and if you move further east to the range south of Mandi. In Uttaranchal side it stretches from Dehra Dun to Almora before it heads across the southern borders of Nepal.

Major Hill Stations of the Himalayas:
Some of the main hill stations of the Himalayas are as follows:

Gulmarg and Sonamarg
The location of Gulmarg is 56 km from Srinagar and Sonamarg is 84 km from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The main attraction here is trekking and river rafting. Gulmarg is one of India’s premier hill stations. It is famous world wide for its highest green golf course and ski resort in winter. The hill station offers some breathtaking views like the ridges and forests that lead to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg and the majestic Nanga Parbat peak over 100 km away. On the other hand Sonamarg, which is about 84 km from Srinagar lies at the head of the Sindh valley. It showcases a spectacular facet of the countryside. The place is totally surrounded by mountains and pine forests. It also serves the base for the Amarnath Yatra from the Baltal route. It is also famous for trekking to Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier.

Srinagar
Srinagar is the picturesque capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known world wide for its houseboats, canals, Mughal Gardens, the most popular being Shalimar and Nishat. The city mainly looks like any other Indian city but it has a charm of its own. Among the lakes Dal Lake is the most famous. The Dal Lake is divided in four parts by causeways - Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, Gagribal Dal and Nagin. The lake is the lifeline of Srinagar, with a variety of marine life such as fish, lotus, roots and floating gardens, thriving on it. Among the other famous places to visit are Shankaracharya Hill, Hazaratbal Mosque, Hari Parbat Fort, etc. Srinagar is regarded as the crown of all hill stations in the Himalayan region.

Ladakh
Ladakh is considered to be the land of poetry. The vastness and sternness of this region makes you understand the power of nature. It is located at an altitude of 2,500 to 4,500m. This place is famous for trekking, mountaineering, camping, water rafting, and Buddhist monasteries. Ladakh straddles four main ranges the Zanskar, Ladakh, great Himalayan, and the Karakoram. This is the highest inhabited region in India and the River Indus with its tributaries, cut their way through the ranges.

Shimla
The beauty of Shimla is really difficult to describe in words. It is one of God’s gifted lands, which is blessed with the nature’s gift, one can imagine. The hill station is known for its panoramic beauty. The green pastures surround the town and snow-capped mountain peaks. It is located 90 km from Kalka, Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 2, 159m. It is one of the most popular hill stations in northern India. The main places of attractions here are the Mall, Christ church, Kufri, Narkanda, etc.

Kullu
Earlier Kullu was known by the name of Kulanthpitha, meaning the end of the habitable world. It is situated on the banks of river Beas and beyond the beautiful valley of Kullu is the mighty Greater Himalayas. Some of the places to visit in Kullu are the Kali Bari temple dedicated to goddess Shayamla, Raghunath temple, which is dedicated to Lord Ram and is the seat of the valley’s presiding deity and then there is Bijli Mahadev temple. It is also famous for shopping, where in Akhara Bazar you can pick up locally made woolens. Then there is Bhutti Weavers Colony.

Manali
Manali is famous for its proximity to the snowline. It is a popular honeymoon destination. Majestic peaks on every side surround the valley. It has a flourishing orchard industry and it is well known for trekking. Offering pictorial view of great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.

Dharamsala
Dharamsala is 185 km from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It is known world wide for its picturesque beauty. Dense pine trees and deodar forests surround it. It reflects the mix culture of India and Tibet. The colorful temples and Gompas is the main attraction of the place. Some of the places of interest are
Kangra Art Museum: this museum in Dharamsala showcases kangra valley miniatures, pottery, sculptures and old carved doors.

War Memorial: this memorial in Dharamshala commemorates the sacrifice of Himachali war heroes.

St John’s Church: Nestled amidst a stretch of woods, this church in Mcleodganj is dedicated to the memory of Lord Elgin who passed away in Dharamshala in 1863. There are other places also to visit also.

Dalhousie
It is located 92 km from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. This hill station spread over five hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, east of the river Ravi. The town has a colonial touch in its buildings. The architecture of the place reflects the colonial era. The slopes are covered with pine forest. The British governor-general Lord Dalhousie established the colonial town of Dalhousie in 1854. It covers an area of 14 sq km, which is surrounded by alpine vegetation.

Main attractions of Dalhousie are

Bakrota Hills: It is the perfect place for the nature lovers. They are sure to enjoy the beauty and serenity of this place.

A three-day walk from Dalhousie to Kalatop, Khajjiar and back to Dalhousie. Then there is St. Francis’ Church, St John’s Church, Subhash Baoli, Satdhara, etc.

Nainital
Nainital is located 67 km from Almors, at an altitude of 1,938m in the hills of Kumaon in Uttaranchal. It is a beautiful hill station surrounded by mountains on three sides. Earlier this place was called Chakta or the City of 60 lakes since this place had many lakes. Some of the places of attraction are

Naina Peak: It is the most famous picnic spot in Kumaon, it gives a panoramic view of Naini Tal and the snow capped Himalayas. It’s a 5.6 km journey from the town and one of the most beautiful places for trekking. Then there is Raj Bhawan and Kilbury, etc. You can also go to nearby places like Bhowali, Armgarh and Mukteshwar from Nainital.

Mussoorie
Mussoorie is located 34 km from Dehradun in the Garhwal hills in Uttaranchal. It is situated at a height of 2,500 m. It is famous for its immense natural beauty and so it is called the queen of hill stations. Its natural beauty is a visual treat for nature lovers. The contemporary bungalows, beautiful gardens and malls, which are located on the small hills, are the main reason for tourist attraction. Main tourist attractions are Lal Tibba, Municipal Gardens, Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, etc. Nearby attraction from Mussoorie are Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Sahastra Dhara, etc.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is located 43 km from Dehradun and 24 km from Haridwar. It is situated in the lower Himalayan region. Rishikesh is the connecter or access point to important pilgrim places of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and these four places together forms Chardham. Main tourist attraction here is Lakshman Jhula, Swarga Ashram, river rafting, Triveni Ghat and Gita Bhavan.

Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is located at an altitude of 1, 870 m. It looks like a fairytale land with its flowing rivers, snow capped hills, and lush rice terraces. The population here is now around 50,000. The main places of attraction are Tsuk-La-Khang monastery, Lal bazaar, Dul-Dul Chorten and Jhang Club Chortan, Institute of Tibetology, etc. Among the nearby places there is Rumtek Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery,Yuksom, Mangan to name a few.

Darjeeling
Among the hill stations in the east Darjeeling is the dream destination. From the time of the British period Darjeeling has been the most popular and major hill station. It has been a very important hill station because of its close proximity with three international borders. It is located 90 km from from Siliguri, in West Bengal. It is located at an altitude of 2,200 m. The major attraction of Darjeeling is toy train, tea garden and the malls.

Himalayan Beauty Of Himachal Pradesh:
For sheer geographical diversity, few places in the world are as richly endowed as Himachal Pradesh. Low rolling bills, just a couple of hundred metres above sea level, climb on to touch the core of the Himalaya mountains. Here lie peaks that are several thousand metres high and never lose their perennial snows. Then, past these forbidding heights, lie the visually stunning cold deserts of the Trans Himalaya.

There are several destinations in India which are known for superb natural beauty such as Kashmir, Kerala, Goa, Uttarakhand, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Ooty, etc but Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh is unique and has its own unique charm. Situated in northern part of India, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most captivating and charming states of India. It is a very charming region of the Indian Himalayas offering tourists splendid views of superb nature and exhilarating adventure and sport opportunities. The beautiful state of Himachal is often referred to as the “Supernatural Showcase of Nature’s Magnificence”. It is an ideal destination in India for the travellers and vacationers to travel, tour, enjoy and relax.

Snow capped mountain peaks, verdant valleys, blooming meadows, plush green grassland, crystal clear lovely lakes, talkative rivers, gushing waterfalls, spurting streams, ancient temples, fruit laden orchards, soft terraces of corn and tea, etc are characteristic of Himachal Pradesh – one of the most beautiful states of India. Truly a beautiful state is it and a perfect destination for perfect vacation in India. It is the ultimate travel and tourism destination of India where tourists and vacationers can enjoy sightseeing, trekking, adventure activities, ayurvedic treatments, and relax. Due to superb natural beauty the beautiful state of Himachal is very popular among honeymooners or newly wedded couples. For couples Himachal is like a paradise where everything seems to be in favor of honeymooners and couples. Shimla, the capital city of Himachal, is a favored destination of honeymoon couples. Couples from all over the world embark on Shimla tour to enjoy their much awaited honeymoon vacation.

Manali is another popular travel and tourism destination in Himachal Pradesh. The magnetic city of Manali deserves the attentions of tourists from all over the world quite in good increasing number. Snow clad mountain peaks of mighty Himalayas, fruit laden apple orchards, forests of Cedar & Pine, scenic landscapes, lively valleys, verdant meadows, etc team up together and make it very famous among tourists, travellers and vacationers. The hill town of Manali also provides wonderful opportunities to enjoy Himalayan adventure and sport activities such mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing, snow skiing, ice skating, heli skiing, rock climbing, trekking, etc. Due to superb nature beauty and agreeable climate Manali is also referred as the Switzerland of India. Manali is very popular among honeymoon couples. If you think cherishable honeymoon packages Manali can be right answer for you.

Today, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most important travel and tourism destinations in India offering amazing charm of Himalayan tourism, hill station tourism, and nature tourism. Plenty of hill resorts, pilgrimage sites, adventure & sport activities and wildlife attract a wide range of tourist traffic.

Well, if you too want to enjoy Himalayan charm, visit to Himachal Pradesh. Choose a Himachal tour package from any one of reputed travel agencies or tour operators and savor the unparalleled beauty of the state. Explore Himachal and experience for yourself.
Climate Of Himachal Pradesh:
The State can be divided into two regions: the Southern part, which is almost as hot as the plains and the northern region having a temperate summer and a winter with extreme cold and heavy snowfall. The rainfall is around 180 cms. Best time to visit Himachal is during the months Mid-May to Mid-October.

Hill Resorts Of Himachal Pradesh:
Himachal also store numerous wonderful hill stations, which are particularly cool in summers. Shimla, Dalhousie, Kullu, Manali and Kufri are a few of the hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh which offer breathtaking scenery and countless options of adventure sports. Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama lives, is another important centre on the tourist map.

Shimla - The Capital of Himachal Pradesh:
Built in the mid-eighteenth century, Shimla was highly popular among the British royalty after it was named the ‘Summer Capital of India’. The Parliament used to move up to the hills to get a break from the hot Indian summers. The town is a picturesque place dotted with charming bungalows and shops made of stone. A perfect setting for romance or to go on a idle holiday. The best way to see Shimla is to pick up a tour book, which tells a small history of the buildings and churches.

People & Culture Of Himachal Pardesh:
Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. The population is composed of a variety of distinctive hill tribes: Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, Pangwalis, and Rajputs. Hindi - the official state language and Pahari are the principal languages.

Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. The population is composed of a variety of distinctive hill tribes: Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, Pangwalis, and Rajputs. Hindi - the official state language and Pahari are the principal languages.

Adventure Sports In Himachal Pradesh:
Rivers in deep gorges and placid mountain lakes, thick forests and acres of scree, mountainsides draped with snow, and green Alpine meadows, all form a part of this immense spectrum. And the possibilities for a whole range of adventure activities is also enormous. There are day-bikes by the thousand, and the trek routes follow trails that last a couple of days - or can extend over a few weeks. These vary from gentle walks over easy terrain, to grueling expeditions.

There is skiing, helisking and ice-skating. There is the thrill of paragliding and the test of stamina with mountain cycling. You can go camping and fishing and play golf - or take a safari by car, jeep or on motorcycle. Then there is mountaineering and rock climbing. All you have to do is make up your mind and select your own activity. No special training is required for most things, age is no consideration and all you need is a reasonable level of fitness. Equipment, training and instructors are available. And then all this comes at a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere in the world. Sedentary or strenuous, for the expert or beginner, Himachal has a niche of adventure for everyone.

Wildlife Tour in Himalayas:
The Himalayas offers an exotic range of wildlife tour. The region has such diverse topography and such rich flora and fauna that it’s a paradise for nature lovers. The snow-swathed mountains and variety of forests offers a wide range of wildlife activity. The different wild life sanctuaries and national park is the home for rare species. The types of flora, which are common in the Himlayan region, are Oak, Pine, Fir, Rhododendron, Birch, Juniper and Deodar. And among the forests Shisham, Teak and Sal are mostly seen here. Common fauna, which are seen mostly in the different parts of the Himalayas, are snow leopard, blue sheep, musk deer, tigers, elephants, wild boar, and crocodiles. Even endangered species of animals and plants are also available. In the northern range of the Himalayas where the temperature falls below freezing point and its terribly cold it is difficult for animals to survive but those who have adjusted to this harsh climate, poor vegetation, shelter and rocky terrain can only survive. During the cold winters most of the animals migrate to the lower regions of the Himalayas while others like marmots and brown bear choose to hibernate. Yak is mostly seen in the cold desert. They are like wild ox and they are the largest animals in this region. In regions of Ladakh animals like Nyan, the wild and the most largest sheep and urial are found. As you rise in altitude vegetation becomes more sparse and stunted.

The wildlife in the Himalayas is truly exotic. Nowhere in the world you will have such varied wildlife. Because of its climatic condition, altitude and latitude, the Himalayas showcases a variety of wildlife species and vegetation. Rare medicinal herbs are also found here. In the Terai region there are abundant tropical forests of Sal, Teak And Shisham. As the height increases you can experience different varieties of forest belts like Pine, Oak, Fir, Deodar, Rhododendron, and Juniper. The Himalayan forests are not so lush and green but they have a different charm. In the Terai region variety of wildlife can be seen like elephants, tiger, deer python and wild boar, etc. Whereas in the higher altitudes animals like musk deer, blue sheep and snow leopard can be seen. Different kinds of birds like the Monal Pheasant are also seen in areas of eastern, central, and the western region of the Himalayas. Even rare species are also found here.

Some of the major places for wildlife attractions in the Himalayas are as follows:
Jim Corbett National Park
Namdhpha National Park
The Royal Chitwan Park
Kaziranga National Park
Royal Bardia National Park
Great Himalayan National Park

Trekking in Himalayas-kailash travel in Himachal Pradesh-India:
The initial feeling of regret gave way to stunning, spell-bound reaction as the day opened up because of splendid raw Himalayan beauty of the place.We were walking for the last one & half hour & the trek was devoid of hustle and bustle. I was trying to imbibe the beauty of this place deep in my existence and enjoying the stillness, silence of this place. Only noise I could hear was of mighty river “Ravi”.

We kept moving and come across a beautiful waterfall named Dhanchoe. The variety of wildlife was immense and I would hear persistent chirping of birds. The entire trek was criss-crossing the mighty turbulent River Ravi.. The journey took us through tight treks, green valleys & provided wonderful experience.I was told by my friend that river Ravi originates from these snow covered mountains.

The last part of journey was quite difficult and persistent encouragement of my friend was the great motivation to keep me moving. We were walking for last 6 hours & finally on the top. The saying that weather on high mountains is highly unpredictable proved itself within 10 minutes of reaching at ManiMahesh lake, heavy fog & mist covered the whole area. It started raining. We were very lucky as we found a tent near the Manimahesh lake & unfortunately confined there for at least hour.

At 2.30 P.M. rain stopped, sensing the possibility of opening up of weather remote, we decided to climb-down with heavy heart. Lord Shiva did not oblige us & heavy fog covered sacred mountain.The down-hill walk in continuous heavy rainfall on a muddy, non-existent trail was serious, unromantic and never ending. After continuous walk, we reached Hadsar at about 7 P.M.& rushed towards Barmour. When we reached at our night shelter I felt relieved. Despite all, it was an amazing, memorable and wonderful religious journey.
Title:-Trekking in Himalayas-kailash travel in Himachal Pradesh-India.

The major Indian Himalayan regions are:

Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three regions the foothill plains of Jammu, the valleys and lakes of Kashmir and the high altitude plains and mountains of Ladakh, which lies beyond those passes. Srinagar is the picturesque capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. It also offers some wonderful adventure options like mountaineering trekking and Trans Himalayan jeep safari. The glaciers of Ladakh and Kashmir are another attraction of this region. Siachen glacier is the largest glacier among all outside the polar region.

Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a retreat for those who need their soul soothed and their hearts warmed. It is the ‘Land of Eternal Snow Peaks’, which in ancient times was criss-cross with trades routes between Tibet and Central Asia has long since metamorphosed into a hill station, where beauty and pleasure, and not business is top priority. With its pure air, snow capped, glistening mountain peaks, turbulent rivers and rolling hills, Himachal Pradesh is definitely a priority destination on any adventure sports fan’s list. Shimla being the capital of Himachal Pradesh still portrays the colonial British Raj in its architecture and atmosphere. Some of the popular destinations in Himachal Pradesh are Dalhousie, Kullu, Manali, Shimla, and Kufri to name a few.

Uttaranchal
Uttaranchal has attracted tourists and pilgrims from around the world f0or centuries. It lies in the northern part of India. It comprises of eight hill districts, which is equal to the area and population of Himachal Pardesh. In one word it is truly awesome in all senses. It is an expression of beauty and divinity. You can experience variety of adventure sports like trekking, skiing, mountaineering, skating, water sports to aero sports like hang gliding, paragliding.

Sikkim
Sikkim is the 22nd state of India. It is India’s one of the smallest states. You can see the mighty Kangchenjunga, which protects the inhabitants of the kingdom of Sikkim. The world’s third highest peak at 8,590m or 28,199ft can be seen here in its awesome beauty. The name signifies ‘house of five treasures’, which represents the five towering summits.

The North Eastern States
There is so much to see and so much to experience here that it is not possible to write in words. It has everything to offer to people from different backgrounds right from a tourist to traveler to pilgrims to adventure sports lover to just a nature lover. The beauty of the place needs to be experienced by you then only you can feel for the place. It is also called seven sisters because it comprises of seven different places right from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam to Nagaland to Manipur to Tripura to Meghalaya and to Mizoram. The place has abundant opportunity for angling, boating, rafting, trekking and hiking. You can also experience different kinds of national parks and wild life sanctuaries, which are home for some endangered animals, birds and plants.

Travelling Tips on Himalayas:
Traveling to the Himalayas requires a lot of preparation and thorough understanding of the place. You should be well informed from before about the place you are visiting. The Himalayas is the ultimate for adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. Places like Himachal Pradesh offers such varied options for adventure sports lover like andling to skiing to mountaineering and hang-gliding. Even Manali, Dharamshala and their adjoining areas, beckon professional climbers from all over the world to take up some of the toughest, and most exciting, rock climbing options in the world. You can also indulge in heli-skiing in places like Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass if you want to add some spice and excitement to your holiday. But the most important is to plan your holiday or adventure trip before hand so that there is no problem in your trip.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Himalayas is between mid April to May-June and also between September to November. It is the best time to plan your trip to the Himalayas. And if you are going for trekking than all through out the year you can go depending on your preference of places. Because of such varied topography of the Himalayas and vastness of the terrain and difference in altitude of the places trekking tips can be planned depending on the place. Trekking of low altitude places is preferred during winter while crossing of high passes is preferred in summer because the snow line recedes during that time. You can also combine your adventure trip like river rafting, trekking and mountaineering together. You should avoid traveling during the monsoon because of the rains. So you should always plan your trip before and after the monsoon.

Travel Guide
The trekking group should be small it should not exceed eight to ten people. Your group should be small because larger group pollutes the hillside and create administrative problems. Before going for the trip you should have medical tests to check that you are physically fit and to avoid height sickness. You should always maintain a first aid box, which should include basic medicines like fever, headache, nausea, constipation, burns, diarrhea, sore throat, cough and cold, and cuts along with bandages and eye lotion and Diuretics. Cold cream should be applied liberally before the day’s walk. It also protects from dryness of skin in winter. Running stream water should be used for washing. Above all you should be familiar with the place you are visiting and prior reading about that place and thorough research on the Internet can give a detailed understanding of the place.

What to Carry
Some of the necessary items you should carry during the trip are a good quality rucksack, which has broad straps to hold, foam mattress, a Swiss knife, sleeping bag, good quality and comfortable walking shoes, trekking shoes, rain coat because rains are really unpredictable in the mountains, matchboxes, umbrella, camera film according to the duration of the trip, water bottle, disposable bags to collect and carry garbage and torch are some of the essential items to carry for the trip.

What Kinds of Cloth to Carry
Whichever season you go your bag should have warm clothes, as you can never be sure with the weather. Preferably you should have warm jacket, woolen shirts, full selves T-shirts, pullovers, and warm inner to wear inside the cloth. Shorts, long johns, socks, leather jacket, personal toilet items are the important items to carry.

You can also go for insurance through the standard insurance companies. It is important to inform the Air force, the IMF, and the local authorities so that in case of accidents they can send rescue as early as possible. You should keep them informed of the route of your journey.

What to Avoid
As per the rule you should avoid firewood, including driftwood in the interest of preserving the thin mountain topsoil. Kerosene should be brought from the point of origin only. Food should be purchased from places, which are close to the mountain districts where goods have to be hauled by road over long difficult terrain.

Rules and Regulations
Trekking up to the height of 4,900 m can be done with prior permission from the IMF provided no peak is attempted. Taking permission to carry the camera is also necessary. Taking permission of the local district magistrate or the Central Home Ministry is necessary to take for four routes inside the inner line. Foreigners cannot cross the inner line.

General Information
For anyone with good physical condition can go for an excursion on low altitude ranges with or without trekking.

For trekking to higher altitudes like above 5, 250 m you need greater physical stamina and for first timers it is not recommended. You should have past trekking experience.

For any trekking or excursion good physical condition and knowledge of basic mountaineering skills are essential.

About Tibet & The Trans-Himalayas:

Location: 470-kms From Bhutan
Average Altitude: 4,000m
Capital: Lhasa
Best Time To Visit: April To November

Tibet, one of the extra ordinary destinations where indeed adventure lurks around every corner. Its name the “Roof of the world” is not a mere statement. The valley bottoms of tibet are highter than the highest mountains elsewhere.

Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-Himalaya drive of over 970-kms, through four mountain passes, promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. The Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest; the Jokhang- a spirtual centre, and the awesome palaces of the dalai lama. Norbulingka or the Summer Palace and the Potala - the Traditional Seat are some of the highlights of visit.

Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-Himalayan drive of over 970-kms, through four mountain passes, promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. The Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest; the Jokhang- a spirtual centre, and the awesome palaces of the dalai lama. Norbulingka or the Summer Palace and the Potala - the Traditional Seat are some of the highlights of visit.

More Info on Trekking in Tibet

Climate In Tibet
Tibet has got the harshest climate in the world. It is cool in summer but freezingly cold in winter. The average temperature in north Tibet is subzero and winter hits in October till the coming May or June, July and August are the best time to visit the area, enjoying warm temperature, intense sunshine, beautiful scene and festive events.

How to reach Tibet
To get to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, foreign travelers usually start from Chengdu in Sichuan, Xining in Qinghai or Kathmandu in Nepal:

Air:
1) Chengdu, Sichuan to Lhasa Direct daily flights are available between Chengdu, Sichuan, and Lhasa. You can easily get a ticket through a travel agency in Chengdu. There is also a comfortable 2-hour flight twice weekly between Chongqing and Lhasa.

2) Kathmandu to Lhasa From April to November there are 2 flights a week available between the Nepalese capital and Lhasa. Schedule air services fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and back every Tuesday and Saturdays with additional flights on Thursdays from July. This flight last a little over one hour and gives you a panoramic view of the Himalayas. However, individual travelers can get neither a visa nor an air ticket, which are only available to members of an organized group.

Road:
1) Xining, Qinghai via Golmud to Lhasa, this bus trip is tough going and takes a minimum of 2 nights and 3 days along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Although uncomfortable this is still the most popular route for travelers sticking to land transportation.

2) Kathmandu via Dram (Khasa) to Lhasa As with the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, the China-Nepal Friendship Highway is a popular route for travelers. This route brings you close to a number of famous sights, such as Shigatse, Gyantse, and the Everest Base Camp. It takes 5-7 days of traveling over the Tibetan Highlands to get to Lhasa via this route. This overland trip also subjects individual travelers to the same restrictions as access by air from Nepal.

Nepal Himalaya Region:

Location: 5-km From Bhairawa, Gorakpur, India-Nepal Border
Capital: Kathmandu
Altitude: 4,877m-8,848m
Best Time To Visit: Throughout The Year

Nepal - a country of amazing extremes, is the home of the World’s highest mountains, historic cities and the forested plains where the lordly tigers and the great one-horned Rhinoceros trundle at ease. in fact enchantment is everywhere for anyone in search of Shangrila!

Nepal, a sovereign independent Kingdom, is bounded on the North by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, the East-south and West by India. The length of the kingdom is 885-kms East-West and it’s breadth varies from 145-241-kms North-South. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions:
The altitude of this region ranges between 4877-m.- 8848 m. it includes 8 of the highest 14 summits in the world, which exceed altitude of 8,000m including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.

Nepal Mountain Region:
This region accounts for about 64% of total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4,877m and the lower Churia range.

Nepal Terai Region:
The low-land Terai occupies about 17% of the total land area of the country.

History Of Nepal
Nepal - a country with a long historical tradition is an amalgamation of a number of medieval principalities. Before the campaign of national integration launched by King Prithivi Narayan Shah the Kathmandu valley was ruled by the Malla kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 A.D. the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His majesty king Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, was tenth king in the Shah dynasty.

The new democratic constitution of the kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC, of which the third summit was held in Kathmandu in November 1987

Nepalese People
Nepal has a population of more than 18 million people made of different races living in different regions with diverse culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are spread generally over all parts of the kingdom.

Religion And Culture of Nepal
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal. A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity what exists, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious group.

The exquisite medieval art & architecture of the Kathmandu valley vividly reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people.

Climate Of Nepal
Nepal has four climatic seasons
(a) Spring : March-May
(b) Sumer: June-August
(c) Autumn: September-November
(d) Winter: December-February.

There is no seasonal constraint on travelling in and through Nepal. Even in December and January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensating bright sun and brilliant views.

How to Reach Nepal

Air:
There are 15 International carriers operating to and out of Kathmandu International airport. There are ten passenger airlines operating to almost 30 destination in nearly all parts of Nepal - remote airfields to major hub cities. Today it is possible to reach most of the tourist destinations by air. Some of the major tourist destinations in Nepal operated by domestic airlines are:
POKHARA - 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu: The lake town and the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
JOMSOM - 20 minutes flight from Pokhara: The remote village of the Serchans and gateway to remote Mustang.
BHARATPUR - 20 minutes flight from Kathmandu: Located in the Royal Chitwan National Park, the reserve of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Great One Horned Rhinoceros.
LUKLA - 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu: Gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park, Mount Everest, and many of the other famous Himalayan peaks.
NEPALGUNJ - 65 minutes flight from Kathmandu: Gateway and hub airport to west Nepal and route to the Bardia National Park and Dolpo / Phuksundo National Park.

Helicopter Services:
Nepal with its high mountains and beautiful scenic countryside is known as “Helicopter Country.” The helicopter services industry in Nepal is now well established with many types and categories of helicopters. The pilots are very experienced professionals with thousands of flying hours experience in Nepal.

Rail:
Nepal-Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway (NJJR) operates a freight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.

Roads:
Buses, mini-buses and three-wheeler tempos ply on fixed routes at regular intervals. The services, are fairly frequent. The last city buses stop running around 8 pm. City buses that ply within Kathmandu and go to Patan as well as those going to Kirtipur, Banepa, Dhulikhel and Thankot, leave from the City Bus Park located at the eastern side of Tundikhel parade ground. Trolley buses to Bhaktapur leave from Tripureswor near the football stadium. Their are no international Car Rental agencies in Nepal and even the locals usually have a driver assigned to their personal car rather than deal with the terrible traffic conditions around the city.

General Info on Nepal

Language:
Nepali, serves the purpose of the Kingdom’s Lingua-Franca in Nepal. The educated people speak and understand English as well.

Clothing:
Clothing depends on place and time, however, it is recommended to have both light and warm clothing. In the mountain areas warm clothes are generally a must.

Travel to Bhutan Himalayas:

Location: 150-km From Siliguri To Phuntsholing, Bhutan Border
Average Altitude: 7,554m
Capital: Thimphu
Best Time To Visit: March To August

Bhutan often reversed as the ‘Land of the peaceful Dragon’ is still regarded as one of the last “Shangri-La” in the Himalayan region because of its remoteness, it’s spectacular mountain terrain, varied flora and fauna and it’s unique ancient Buddhist monasteries. It is relatively unexplored pockets of Asia, which allows only limited number of discerning travelers to enter the country with special travel visa permits.

Bhutan’s isolation has resulted its culture and traditions remaining much the same for many hundreds of years. Our weekly departure allows you to experience the stunning beautiful alpine valley flanked by step slopes and terraced pastures dotted with temple.

Festival (Tsechus ) are held in Bhutan through out the year at difffrent locations. These festivals are celebrations of faith, legends, mythsand history of Bhutan in ancient rituals of colorful dance and music. To coincide a visit to Bhutan during the festive season will be even better way to observe the uniqude culture.
Bhutan : ( Druk yul )

Population : 6,00,000 ( 1995 )

Capital : Thimpu

Location : Bhutan lies between 89o and 92o E and 27o and 28o N.

Time : 30 minutes ahead of Indian Standard time.

Language : Dzongkha

People : There are two main population groups in Bhutan: the Dukpa ( 67 % ) of Tibetan and Monpa origin and Lhotsampa ( 30 % of Nepalese origin ). The rest 3% comprise of indigenous tribal groups such as Toktop, Doya and Lepcha of SW Bhutan.

Religion : Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is the state religion but also Nyingma school is also well represented in the central and eastern districts.

Climate : The monsoon starts in mid June and lasts untill end of September. The climate within the mountain varies greatly according to precipitations and wind conditions. In the Duars Plain and upto 1500m. The climate is sub-tropical with high humidity and heavy rain fall. The climate of mid- mountain belt varies, such that low- lying parts of Punakha, Mongar, Tashigang, and Lhuntse have cool winter and hot summer, where as the higher valleys of Ha, Paro, Thimpu, Tongsa and Bhumthang ranging from 3,000 - 4,000m endure a temperate climate with cold snowy winter and some - what cooler summers.

Clothing : Cotton and light woolen in summer ( June - Sept ). Heavy wollens and jackets the rest of the year. Take an umbrella and comfortable shoes for the monsoon.

Economy : In 1995, the per capita income was estimated as US 500 with the annual growth at 5%. Although these figures places Bhutan among the least developed nations, the country is unlike others within that category as no faine, little malnutrition, food housing, exists. Over 91% of the population depends on agriculture and livestock rearing which together account for some 50% of GDP, despite the fact that only 2% of the land is arable.

Money : The National currency is Ngultrum ( Nu ) 100 Chetrum = 1 Nu. Exchange rate is approximately US $ 1 - Nu 35. Indian ruees circulate at par.