Himalayas

The majestic Himalayas, the abode of snow ('hima' means cold or snow and 'alaya' means dwelling place in Sanskrit) marks the northern boundary of this exotic, mysterious land called India. At once the source of pride, awe, and beauty for all the countries, the Himalayas passes through, it is in India that is achieves the status of god.

The Himalayas so high up, away from common reach, shrouded in larger that life mystery were easily associated to Hindu mythology according to which, Himalaya is the father of Uma, the consort of Lord Shiva. The Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is again, considered the abode of Lord Shiva.

For the record, together, the Himalaya mountain system is the highest in the world and is home to the world's highest peaks: the Eight-thousanders, including Mount Everest. The Aconcagua, in the Andes, at a mere 6,962 m, is the highest peak outside the Himalaya, while the Himalayan system has over 100 separate mountains exceeding 7,200 meters.

The source on numerous rivers, home to mind-blowingly diverse topography ranging from vast glaciers to arid cold deserts, the Himalayas offer extraordinary tourism opportunities. For all those adrenalin freaks there, the Himalayas offer heavy duty treks, rock climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking, paragliding for all your muscles are worth. The wildlife and nature freaks can obviously bank on the lakes, swift rivers, flowered meadows, Rhododendron sanctuaries, and the list goes on.

Be it a quiet sober family holiday you are looking forward to, or a rough bumpy one- the Himalayas is the only destination you can and should think of. In India, the Himalayas spread along the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern states.