The Himalayan Mountain ranges, where heaven and earth are locked in a timeless embrace on the snow capped peaks, stretch for 2500 Km. across five Indian states, the Kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan and reaching into the heavenly abodes of the Tibetan monasteries. No words can adequately capture the pristine beauty and ferociousness of nature untamed and in all its glory on these mountain peaks.

While these mountains provide the means to sustain life on the plains below, the Himalayas are also one of the world’s foremost adventure tourism locations. A fingertip count of the attractions include the challenges of scaling the heights of Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga, white water rafting on the rushing rivers, frozen lakes and hot water springs, winter sports, nature exploration with the dense flora and vegetation on the foothills, tea and apple estates on the lower slopes, hill station holiday resorts like Darjeeling, the many ancient Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries and the art and artifacts from the tribes in this area, including magnificent carpets, shawls and sweaters.

Tourist Hot Spots: The foremost attraction that the Himalayas offer is the challenge to face the terrifying heights and reach the summits of Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. You can sign up with mountain climbing teams led by professional mountaineers, ably supported by well stocked base camps at various levels on the steep slopes and accompanied by skilled sherpas and who know every inch of the terrain and will lead you up the slopes and bring you back down safe and sound.

This summer hill station resort towns, surrounded by snowy peaks and lush green rolling valleys, was a hot favorite with the officers of the imperial British occupation of India in the previous century, which is still reflected in the colonial architecture. Connected by air and road to New Delhi, Shimla is a popular base camp for tourists on their way to, or coming back from, a rendezvous with the Himalayan mountain peaks. Attractions in Shimla include hand woven woolen clothing and artifacts, and peaceful and relaxed holidays in the many guesthouses and inns.

In decades gone past, Jammu & Kashmir was one of most famous summer tourist destinations in India. With lazy houseboat holidays, floating and gliding on the calm waters of the Dal Lake, the hill resort of Pahalgam, the grassy plains of Sonmarg & Gulmarg, and the flow of devotees on their way to Anantnag, Kashmir was a perfect base to start off an exploration of the Himalayas. These days, due to the internecine conflict, the Govt. of India limits access to the frozen heights. Travel advisory warnings apply.

Accessible by road, rail and air, Darjeeling is incomparable in the magnificent beauty, serenity and service it offers to its visitors. With an economy dependant on tea gardens and tourists, the locals here have spent lifetimes taking care of visitors, and you are accorded royal treatment, even for budget accommodation.

Nestled in a valley on the foothills of the Himalayas, with a backdrop of the mountains rising into the distant mist, Manali is a popular attraction for couples and families who want to let go of urban grind and relax in an exotic embrace of natural beauty, outdoor and adventure sports. The many attractions within Manali include a natural hot sulphur spring, temples, river rafting and skiing on the slopes and snow covered mountain passes leading on to the Himalayan ranges.