Tour to Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas form the wide mountain system of central Asia. The Himalayan mountain range is the youngest and the highest of all on this planet. Himalayan mountains display an exciting range of mountain scenery from the high ranges of Great Himalayas to the foothills of Shivalik mountain peaks.

Himalayan mountains offer its visitors various snowcapped mountain peaks, evergreen alpine meadows, a number of beautiful lakes, several high glaciers and some of the sacred snow fed rivers.

Himalayan mountain range has ten of the world's highest mountain peaks, out of which eight are located in Nepal, which also include Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain peak.

Mount Everest, K2 (Austin Godwin), Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and Annapurna are the five main mountains which form the Himalayan mountain range.

Most of its lofty peaks remain covered with snow throughout the year. These are also a source of origin for a number of snow fed rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra, Satluj and Beas etc.

Majestic Mountains

There are a number of majestic mountains ranging above 7,300 meters above sea level. These include the highest mountain peak Mount Everest (8,864 m), Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) and Nanda Devi (7,817 m).

Himalayas in India are divided into three main categories i.e. Greater Himalayas, which have the highest Himalayan peaks, Middle Himalayas consisting of Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges and Lower Himalayas or Shivalik range.

Himalayan mountain range extends 1,500 miles in length and 250 miles in width. Most of the high Himalayan mountain ranges remain covered with snow throughout the year.

Birth of Himalayan Mountains

Himalayas now stand on the area which was once under a deep sea called as Tethys Sea. The rocks comprising of Mount Everest were once deposited on the floor of Tethys Sea. Himalayan mountain range was created due to the powerful earth movements, millions of years ago.

The Indian Tectonic plates pressed against the Eurasian continental plates and thus resulting in raising of deposits laid down under the Tethys Sea. Rising of the Himalayan mountains still continue today.

Flora and Fauna in Himalayan Mountains

Himalayas are covered with varied array of flora and fauna with its mesmerising natural beauty and exotic wildlife. Where the Western Himalayas boast of various varieties of trees like Deodars, Blue Pines, Silver Firs, Chirpines, Junipers and Spruce, Eastern Himalayas have abundance of Oaks, Birch, Maples, Rhododendrons and Dwarf Willows.

There are a number of natural parks in Himalayan mountain ranges which serve as a natural habitat for a vast variety of animal and bird species. Since the Himalayan ranges have a harsh climate, animals, birds and plants which can adjust them in such environment can only survive in the region.

Some of the main species found here include Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tiger, Deer, Chital, Wild Boar, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Monkey, Langur, Kashmir Stag and Black Bear.

Apart from this there are a number of bird species which are found in Himalayan mountains. Various migrated bird species also make Himalayas their home during winters, when there is very low temperature at their origin places.
Himalayan Climate

There are harsh climate conditions in most of the Himalayan regions. Variation in climate occurs according to the change in elevation of the region. With the increase in elevation of the region, temperature gets cold on the other hand it becomes warm and wet with the decrease in altitude.

There are mainly two seasons in Himalayan mountain ranges i.e. Summers and Winters. Though winters are extremely cold as the mountain peaks receive heavy snowfall but summers are quite mild and make the Himalayan destinations best summer holiday hideouts.

Summer season here expands from April to June. Monsoons arrive in Himalayan region in the months of July and August. Whereas, winters are witnessed from November to March.

When to Visit Himalayan Mountain Destinations
The best season to visit Himalayas is between April to June and from September to November. However, those who love to enjoy the winters and winter sports, the months from December to February are the best as winter sports events and winter carnivals are organised during this period in various Himalayan destinations.

Know more about the Himalayan Mountain Destinations : http://www.travel-himalayas.com/ and http://www.leh-ladakh.com/


By Sanjeev Verma