Himalayas

The Indian Himalayas are a spectacular and remote region where Buddhism and Hinduism co-exist with world-class mountain scenery and lands of eternal snow-clad peaks. The region is made up of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, which have historically been troubled regions — seek advice before travel here — and Ladakh and Zanskar, with their strong Buddhist roots and Tibetan culture. In the attractive Kangra Valley is McLeod Ganj, the home of the Tibetan Government in exile. Visitors here busy themselves volunteering with refugees, learning about Buddhism and seeking an audience with his holiness, the Dalai Lama. The Kinnaur region holds ...

The Indian Himalayas are a spectacular and remote region where Buddhism and Hinduism co-exist with world-class mountain scenery and lands of eternal snow-clad peaks. The region is made up of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, which have historically been troubled regions — seek advice before travel here — and Ladakh and Zanskar, with their strong Buddhist roots and Tibetan culture. In the attractive Kangra Valley is McLeod Ganj, the home of the Tibetan Government in exile. Visitors here busy themselves volunteering with refugees, learning about Buddhism and seeking an audience with his holiness, the Dalai Lama. The Kinnaur region holds some of the most stunning and dramatic scenery in the Himalaya and Kalpa gives a good taste of the region's visual splendor. Trekking in Ladakh is wonderful but come prepared as its not for the faint-hearted, many of the mountain passes are in the 16,000-feet vicinity. Adrenaline junkies can raft paraglide, ski and hike to their heart's content, while other junkies should be wary of the local grass which although pretty easy to come by is also strictly illegal.

About the Expert

Alan Murphy is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Britain, Scotland, India and North India. He has been writing and updating travel guidebooks for the past eight years.