Travel The Himalayas – The Abode of Snow

Experience an amazing and incredible adventure on the top of the world

The Himalayas is the highest and one of the most popular mountain ranges in the world. With over 100 mountains that have over 7,000 m in height, the Himalayan chain is certainly breathtaking. The range crosses five countries: India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and China, and it is bordered by the Tibetan Plateau on the north, Indo - Gangetic Plain on the south and the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges on the northwest.

A majestic view of the Himalayas, one of the most popular mountain ranges in the world and a supreme travel destination for adventure travelers.

In Sanskrit, the word ‘himalaya’ is translated ‘the abode of snow’. Everywhere you look, you’ll see glaciers, snow and beautiful white scenery. The Himalayas are encircled by some of the greatest rivers in the world, namely Ganges, Tsangpo-Brahmaputra and Indus. The beauty of these mountains is breathtaking: clear mountain streams, blue skies, green valleys and mountain tops covered in snow are only some of the features that turn the Himalayas into a supreme travel destination.

However, besides mountains covered with snow, the Himalayas feature several hill stations where you can find accommodation and a wide range of activities including mountain biking, river rafting and treks to various scenic roads and high-mountain passes. Perhaps the most amazing tourist attraction is Ladakh: one of the oldest remote Buddhist kingdoms that are explored by Western tourists since 1974.

Hill Stations – enjoy a cultural adventure

The colonial Brits weren’t used to the heat specific to Indian summers, so they built several hill stations in Himalayas and retired there whenever the heat became unbearable. These hill stations are quite popular today, taking into account that a large number of people choose to spend their holidays in the Himalayas.

The Himalayas hill stations are usually set in most amazingly beautiful and natural sceneries, making them memorable holiday spots.

One of the most popular hill stations is Shimla, which was once used as the British colonial administration’s summer capital. Shimla is located in Himachal Pradesh and it is very appreciated by Indian tourists, especially by couples who want to send their honeymoon here. The hill station can be reached by train, which travels slowly, giving you the chance to admire some of the most amazing sceneries you’ll ever see in your life.

Other hill stations are McLeod Ganj and Dharamsala, which host one of the largest Tibetan communities of refugees. McLeod Ganj is a very important location, being the home of the Dalai Lama headquarters. This area is crowded with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, temples, cultural centers, museums, shops and restaurants. As far as Dharamsala is concerned, this area is very appreciated by foreign tourists who want to learn more details about the Tibetan Buddhism trek or simply sit back and admire the beautiful sceneries.

Manali is another hill station which was once considered a perfect destination for budget travelers and backpackers. Nowadays, this area is very popular among holidaymakers, being located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters. Manali is very close to the Parvati and Kullu valleys, where you can admire several mountain streams and villages surrounded by apple orchards and meadows.

Everywhere you turn in the Himalayas on your travel, you will be met with spectacular sights

Ladakh – bond with the Buddhist religion

Ladakh is a very old Buddhist Kingdom located exactly in the middle of some of the highest mountains. The capital of Ladakh, Leh, can be reached by plane but this way you won’t get the chance to experience one of the most amazing road trips you’ll ever have in your life. If you travel from Manali to Leh, the journey will last around three days by motorbike, by jeep taxi or bus. Although it may seem a scary road, the experience will leave you speechless; on your way, you’ll stumble upon glacier streams, mountain passes, some bad roads and the risk of snowstorms or landslides. However, the views provided by this long road are totally worth the effort.

Leh is located at an altitude of around 3500 meters and comprises many Buddhist monasteries that are always crowded with tourists. However, the road to Leh is inaccessible in the winter. Leh is also provided with high-end hotels and cozy guesthouses, Tibetan refugee markets, coffee shops and restaurants.

Bear in mind that a trip to the Himalayas implies several risks that should never be overlooked. You should also start looking for a place to stay if you haven’t already. Even without the obvious risks, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to book a room, only to find that there are none available. Play it safe and spend a few minutes online before your trip finding the best deals on hotels in the area.

There are plenty of plenty of great hotels in Shimla, as well as other areas near the Himalayas. A few minutes spent looking for a room online will provide some much needed peace of mind for your action packed trip. However, if you’re properly geared-up you shouldn’t have any problems. Get ready for an amazing adventure, admire the incredible panorama from the top, and you’ll be able to enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

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