Himalayan mountains world map. Nepal, Himalayas - the highest mountains on Earth

The Himalayas are the highest mountain system in the world.

"Only mountains can be better than mountains." Even from school, everyone knows that the highest mountains in the world, as well as the most picturesque and mysterious are the Himalayas.

The mythical Shambhala, the mysterious and formidable Bigfoot is only a small part of the myths and legends hidden from us by the eternal white ice of the mountain peaks.

Geographical location and characteristics

On the vast territory of Central Asia, the highest mountain system on the planet is spread - the Himalayas, which in Sanskrit means “the abode of snows”. They are located on the territory of the following states:

• People's Republic of China (Tibetan region);
• Nepal;
• India;
• Pakistan;
• Bangladesh (a small part of it).

The mountain range, stretching nearly 2,400 km in length, was formed about 50-70 million years ago as a result of the movement and collision of the Eurasian and Indo-American tectonic plates. But, in spite of such an ancient age on Earth, these mountains are still young by geological standards. The growth process of the Himalayas continues to this day, for example, the highest point of the planet - Mount Chomolungma (Everest) grows by about 6 cm per year.

Sharp as peaks mountain peaks of the Himalayas rise in the Indo-Gangetic valley and consist of three steps:

The Greater Himalayas are the highest part of the mountain range, rising above sea level by 4 km and higher. By the way, in the Himalayas there are 10 out of 14 "eight-thousanders" - mountain peaks, the height of which exceeds 8 km, as well as the highest point in the world - Mount Chomolungma, as the locals call it Everest, by the name of geodesist George Everest, who in the middle of the 19th century determined the exact height of the top. It amounted to as much as 8848 m.

Slightly lower, at an altitude of 2-4 km above sea level, there are fertile valleys, for example, Kathmandu and Kashmir, alternating with mountain ranges. These are the so-called Lesser Himalayas. Pre-Himalayas, the second name is Sivalik. These are the youngest and lowest elevations in the mountain system, their height does not exceed 2 km.

The area of ​​the ice sheet, located mainly on the slopes of high mountains, is 33 thousand square kilometers. The largest glacier is the Gangotri (26 km long), it gives rise to the Ganges - the sacred river of the Hindus. There are also many picturesque alpine lakes in the Himalayas, for example, Lake Tilicho is located at an altitude of 4919 meters!

Himalayas on the map

Rivers

Such largest rivers of the planet as the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra originate from the Himalayas and carry their stormy waters.

Climate

Monsoons carrying warm air from the Indian Ocean supply life-giving moisture to the southern slopes of the mountains for most of the year. The same cannot be said for the northern slopes of the Himalayas. Warm southern air is unable to overcome the mountain heights, so there is an arid continental climate.

The air temperature in the mountains reaches -40 degrees Celsius in winter, and the wind speed sometimes reaches as much as 150 km / h. The Himalayas have the third largest amount of snow and ice on the planet after the Arctic and Antarctic.

Flora and fauna of the Himalayas

The diversity of the Himalayan flora is directly proportional to the height. At the southern foothills of the mountains there is a real jungle, which here are called "terai", a little higher they are replaced by tropical forests, then mixed, coniferous, and finally - alpine meadows.

meadows in the himalayas photos

On drier and deserted northern slopes, semi-deserts, steppes and mixed forests replace each other. In the Himalayas, very valuable tree species grow, for example, dhak, fat tree. The boundaries of the ice sheet are approximately 6 km from the north and 4.5 km from the south. Above 4 km, vegetation of the tundra type is already found - mosses, dwarf shrubs, rhododendrons.

Sigarmatha National Park is located on the territory of Nepal, which is a UNESCO cultural heritage site. Here is the highest peak in the world, the well-known Mount Everest, and two eight-thousanders, as well as endemic species (rare and endangered species of animals and plants) such as (snow leopard), Tibetan fox, black fox and others.

himalayan sheep photos

On the south side rhinos, tigers, leopards live and feel very comfortable. The north is home to bears, antelopes, yaks, wild horses and ibex.

Population

It is worth saying a little about the population of this mountainous region, because it is quite diverse. Already 8000 years BC, these mountains were inhabited by tribes. In the south lived the ancient Aryans, in the west - the Persian and Turkic peoples, the Tibetan tribes - in the east. They lived in isolated valleys, where they created their own state formations and closed ethnic groups.

In the 19th century, the Himalayas were the possessions of the British Empire, and in 1947 - a zone of military conflict due to the division of India and Pakistan. The population is still engaged in subsistence farming. Grain crops are grown on the humid southern slopes, while distant pastures are used in drier and less fertile areas.

Mastering and Interesting Facts

Among all eight-thousanders, Chomolungma has always attracted special interest. Local tribes did not climb its peaks for a long time, considering the mountain sacred. Everest was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa (Sherpas - people living in Eastern Nepal) Tenzing Norgay.

The first Soviet expedition took place in 1982. Since 1953, Everest has been conquered more than 3700 times, however, there is another, more sad statistics - about 570 people died during the ascent. In addition to Everest, the most dangerous "eight-thousander" is the Annapurna mountain range, the mortality rate among climbers for the entire time since the first ascent is as much as 41%! True, according to statistics for 1990-2008, Kanchenjunga (8586 meters above sea level) was considered the most dangerous peak, the mortality rate over these years was 22%.

flora of the Himalayas photo

The Himalayas are becoming more and more "inhabited" regions of the planet every year. The flow of tourists from season to season increases, which entails the development of infrastructure and the entire tourism system as a whole. Not so long ago, the authorities of China and Nepal agreed to develop transport links between their countries through the construction of a railway tunnel. It is expected to pass under the planet's highest peak - Everest! Preparatory work is already underway on this project.

In 2011, a dinner party was held in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6805 meters! Climbers in the number of seven climbed to a record height, taking with them a table, chairs, appliances and food. Lunch took place in spite of the cold and strong wind. Initially, the climbing group wanted to dine at an altitude of 7045 meters, but the hurricane wind did not allow it.

Recognized as the highest mountain system in the world. It separates the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. In total, there are 109 peaks in the chain, most of which reach an altitude of 7300 m above sea level. The highest peak - Everest (in Nepali "Chomolungma", which means "the goddess of the mother of snow") - is recognized as one of the most beautiful mountains on our planet.

The length of the Himalayan mountain range along the northern border of Hindustan is more than 2,414 km. The Karakorum mountains entering it begin in the northwest of Pakistan and stretch to the southeast, passing through Kashmir to the northern region of India. And, turning to the east, they pass through the territories of several states (Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan), as well as through the territory of the province of Aru-started Pradesh, located in the northeastern part of the state of Assam. In the north of these regions lies a mountain watershed, beyond which the Chinese regions of the Tibetan mountains and Chinese Turkestan begin.

In 1856, interesting data were obtained in the department of land use of one of the countries located on the territory. Analysis of photographic documents taken in the years 1849-1850 showed that the height of the peak at number XV, located on the Tibet-Nepalese border, was 8840 m above sea level. Then the peak with the number XV was recognized as the highest and named after the chief surveyor of India, George Everest. Now there are very few people who have never heard of the highest peak on our planet and do not know the name Everest.

With the discovery of a new peak, climbers had a completely natural goal - the conquest of the highest mountain. In the 1920s, several successful attempts were made to conquer the approaches to Everest. Then the climbers came mainly from Tibet, since Nepal was at that time a closed state, and therefore did not accept tourists. After the Nepalese government opened its doors to tourists, numerous groups of climbers rushed to the southern slopes

The most majestic and mysterious mountain range on our planet is the Himalayas. This massif, whose name is translated as the abode of snow, conventionally divides Central and South Asia, and the height of its individual peaks reaches more than 8,000 meters. The Himalayas are rightfully considered the highest mountains in the world, consider the Himalayas on the map and find out why these mountains are so unusual.

The location of the Himalaya mountain system on the world map

“Where are the Himalayan mountains, in which country” - this question often arises among novice travelers who have heard about the beauty of the most inaccessible mountains of the planet and decided to go there in search of adventure. Looking at the world map, you can see that the Himalayas are located in the northern hemisphere between the Tibetan plateau and the Indo-Gangetic plain. India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh are the countries whose territories cover the Himalayas. The most visited country in the Himalayas is India. There are many attractions and resorts here. The massif is 2,900 km long and about 350 km wide. The mountain system has 83 peaks, the highest of which is Everest, the height of the mountain is 8848 m.

The Himalayan mountains on the map consist of three main stages:

• Sivalik ridge. This is the southernmost part of the mountain range. The ridge is located in Nepal and affects several states in India. Here the height of the Himalayan mountains does not exceed 2 km.
• Small Himalayas. This ridge stretches parallel to the Sivalik ridge. The average height here is 2.5 km.
• Greater Himalayas. This is the highest and oldest part of the mountain range. The height of the ridge exceeds 8 km, and it is here that the highest peaks of the planet are located.

Highest peaks

The mountain range contains 9 of the 10 highest peaks in the world. Here are the tallest ones:

• Chomolungma - 8848 m.
• Kanchenjunga - 8586 m.
• Lhotse - 8516 m.
• Makalu - 8463 m.
• Cho-Oyu - 8201 m.

Most of them are located on the territory of Tibet, and it is here that mountain conquerors from all over the planet rush, because climbing the highest peaks is the work of a real climber's life.

Flora and fauna

The flora of the Himalayas changes with altitude. The natural features of the Himalayas at different levels amaze with the change of landscapes, flora and fauna. In the foothills of the small Himalayas, terai or swampy jungles prevail, above them are replaced by tropical forests, then mixed, coniferous, and finally, alpine meadows appear. Deserts and semi-deserts prevail on the northern slopes. The fauna of the Himalayas is as diverse as the flora. Here you can still see wild tigers, rhinos, elephants and monkeys, and when you climb higher, the risk of meeting a bear, mountain yak and snow leopard increases.

On the territory of the mountains, capturing Nepal, there is a unique nature reserve, where endangered species of animals are still preserved. The zone is under the protection of UNESCO. Mount Everest is located on the territory of this reserve.

Rivers and lakes

It is in the Himalayas that the three largest rivers of South Asia originate. These include the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus. Moreover, the mountain range has many beautiful and cleanest lakes. The highest mountain is Lake Tilicho, located at an altitude of 4919 m.

The special pride of the Himalayas is, of course, the glaciers. In terms of the amount of fresh water reserves, only the Arctic and Antarctic have bypassed the mountain range. The largest glacier here is the Gantotri layer, which reaches 26 km in length.

When is it good in the Himalayas?

According to travelers, it is always good in the Himalayas. Each season of the year gives the slopes of this ridge unique landscapes, the beauty of which is simply impossible to tell in words. In spring, the slopes are covered with beautiful flowers, the aroma of which spreads for many kilometers, in the summer, during the rainy season, lush greenery makes its way through the light fog and gives freshness and coolness, autumn riots with colors, and in winter, when snow falls, there is no place cleaner and whiter in the world.

The main tourist season is in the autumn months, but in winter there are many skiing enthusiasts, because in the Himalayas there are many ski resorts of world importance.

The Himalayas are considered to be the highest and most mysterious mountains of the planet Earth. The name of this array can be translated from Sanskrit as "land of snow". The Himalayas serve as a conditional separator between South and Central Asia. The Hindus consider their location to be sacred land. Numerous legends claim that the peaks of the Himalayan mountains were the habitat of the god Shiva, his wife Devi and their daughter Himavata. According to ancient beliefs, the dwelling of the gods gave rise to three great Asian rivers - the Indu, Ganges, Brahmaputra.

The origin of the Himalayas

It took several stages for the origin and development of the Himalayan mountains, which took a total of about 50,000,000 years. Many researchers believe that two colliding tectonic plates gave rise to the emergence of the Himalayas.

It is interesting that at present the mountain system continues its development, the formation of folding. The Indian plate is moving northeastward at a speed of 5 cm per year, while contracting by 4 mm. Scholars argue that such progress will lead to a further rapprochement between India and Tibet.

The speed of this process is comparable to the growth of human nails. In addition, intense geological activity in the form of earthquakes is periodically observed in the mountains.

An impressive fact - the Himalayas occupy a large part of the entire surface of the Earth (0.4%). This area is incomparably large in comparison with other mountain objects.

On which continent are the Himalayas: geographic information

Tourists preparing for the trip should find out where the Himalayas are. Their location is the continent of Eurasia (its Asian part). In the north, the neighboring massif is the Tibetan Plateau. In the southern direction, this role went to the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The Himalayan mountain system stretches for 2,500 km, and its width is at least 350 km. The total area of ​​the array is 650,000 m².

Many Himalayan ridges boast heights of up to 6 km. The highest point is presented, also called Chomolungma. Its absolute height is 8848 m, which is a record among other mountain peaks on the planet. Geographic coordinates - 27 ° 59'17 "north latitude, 86 ° 55'31" east longitude.

The Himalayas are spread over several countries. Not only the Chinese and Hindus, but also the peoples of Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan can be proud of the proximity to the majestic mountains. Sections of this mountain range are also present in the territories of some post-Soviet countries: Tajikistan includes the northern mountain range (Pamir).

Characteristics of natural conditions

The natural conditions of the Himalayan mountains cannot be called soft and stable. The weather in this area is prone to frequent changes. Many areas have dangerous terrain and cold at high altitudes. Even in summer, frost remains down to -25 ° C, and in winter it increases to -40 ° C. On the territory of the mountains, hurricane winds are not uncommon, the gusts of which reach 150 km / h. In summer and spring, the average air temperature rises to +30 ° С.

In the Himalayas, it is customary to distinguish 4 climates. From April to June, the mountains are covered with wild herbs and flowers, and the air is cool and fresh. From July to August, rains dominate in the mountains, the largest amount of precipitation falls. During these summer months, the slopes of the mountain ranges are covered with lush vegetation, fog often appears. Warm and comfortable weather conditions remain until the arrival of November, after which a sunny frosty winter with heavy snowfalls sets in.

Description of the plant world

The Himalayan vegetation surprises with its diversity. On the southern slope, subject to frequent precipitation, high-altitude belts are clearly visible, and real jungles (terai) grow at the foot of the mountains. In these places, large thickets of trees and shrubs are found in abundance. In some places, dense vines, bamboo, numerous bananas, low-growing palms are found. Sometimes you can get to the areas intended for the cultivation of certain crops. These places are usually cleared and drained by humans.

Climbing a little higher along the slopes, you can alternately take refuge in tropical, coniferous, mixed forests, behind which, in turn, are picturesque alpine meadows. In the north of the mountain range and in drier areas, the territory is represented by steppe and semi-deserts.

In the Himalayas, there are trees that provide people with expensive timber and resin. Here you can get to the places where dhaka, fat trees grow. At an altitude of 4 km, tundra vegetation in the form of rhododendrons and mosses is found in abundance.

Local fauna

The Himalayan mountains have become a safe haven for many endangered animals. Here you can meet rare representatives of the local fauna - the snow leopard, black bear, Tibetan fox. In the southern region of the mountain range, there are all the necessary conditions for the residence of leopards, tigers and rhinos. The representatives of the north of the Himalayas include yaks, antelopes, mountain goats, wild horses.

In addition to the richest flora and fauna, the Himalayas abound in a variety of minerals. In these places, loose gold, copper and chrome ore, oil, rock salt, brown coal are actively mined.

Parks and valleys

In the Himalayas, you can visit parks and valleys, many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. Sagarmatha.
2. Flower Valley.

Sagarmatha National Park belongs to the territory of Nepal. The highest peak in the world, Everest, and other high mountains are considered its special property.

Nanda Devi Park is a natural treasure of India, located in the heart of the Himalayan mountains. This picturesque place is located at the foot of the hill of the same name, and has an area of ​​over 60,000 hectares. The height of the park above sea level is not less than 3500 m.

The most picturesque places of Nanda Devi are represented by grandiose glaciers, the Rishi Ganga River, the mystical Skeleton Lake, around which, according to legend, numerous human and animal remains were discovered. It is believed that the sudden fall of an unusually large hail led to mass deaths.

Flower Valley is located not far from Nanda Devi Park. Here, on an area of ​​about 9000 hectares, several hundred colorful plants grow. Over 30 species of flora that adorn the Indian valley are considered endangered, and about 50 species are used for medicinal purposes. A variety of birds also live in these places. Most of them can be seen in the Red Book.

Buddhist temples

The Himalayas are famous for their Buddhist monasteries, many of which are located in remote places, and are buildings carved out of the rock. Most of the temples have a long history of existence, up to 1000 years old, and lead a rather "closed" lifestyle. Some of the monasteries are open to everyone who wants to get acquainted with the way of life of monks, the interior decoration of holy places. You can make beautiful photos in them. Entry to the territory of other shrines for visitors is strictly prohibited.

The largest and most revered monasteries include:

• Drepung located in China.
  
  
  
  
• Temple complexes of Nepal - Bodnath, Budanilkantha, Swayambhunath.
  
  
  
• Jokhang, which is the pride of Tibet.
  
  
  

A carefully guarded religious shrine ubiquitous in the Himalayas is the Buddhist stupa. These religious monuments were erected by monks of the past in honor of any important event in Buddhism, as well as for the sake of prosperity and harmony throughout the world.

Tourists visiting the Himalayas

The most suitable time to travel to the Himalayas is considered to be the period from May to July and September to October. During these months, vacationers can count on sunny and warm weather, lack of heavy rainfall and strong winds. For lovers of adrenaline sports, there are few, but modern ski resorts.

In the Himalayan mountains, you can find hotels and inns of various price categories. In religious quarters, there are special houses for pilgrims and worshipers of the local religion - ashrams, which have ascetic living conditions. Accommodation in such premises is quite cheap, and sometimes it can be completely free. Instead of a fixed amount, the guest may offer a voluntary donation or help with the household.

Almost the entire northeast of India is occupied by the vast mountain range of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. There are many Buddhist monasteries and communities, many of which settled here more than one millennium ago. The Himalayas are the most famous Indian natural attraction, and the Chomolungma Peak, or Everest - the highest peak - claims to be one of the seven new wonders of the world. Not only climbers and other lovers of extreme recreation come here, but also pilgrims - followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, esotericism.

The Himalayas are part of five countries at once. The mountain system is located on the territory of India, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bhutan, and the Asian rivers Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra, around which the world's most important cultures were created, are fed from the Himalayan glaciers.

Despite the abundance of mountain slopes, ski resorts in the Himalayas are extremely few, and those that exist are not very developed. This is due not so much to the reluctance of Indians to invest in sports tourism, but rather to the lack of good skiing spots. The most popular of the available are Gulmarg in the Indian part of Kashmir, Auli in Uttarakhand and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

How to get to the Himalayas

The closest to the Indian Himalayas is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. First you need to fly here, and then by domestic flights, by train or a rented car, you will already reach your destination.

There is no railway network in the mountains, but you can get to the foot by train. The only railway in the Himalayas is more entertainment than convenient transportation, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is called a "toy train" here. It departs from Siligiri Station and climbs up to Gkhum, located at an altitude of 2,257 m, past tea plantations, valleys and other scenic landscapes.

The easiest way to get to the Gulmarg ski resort is by plane: the city of Shrinagore, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has its own airport. The Auli resort is close to several airports, the closest in the city of Dehradun.

The main means of transportation between cities and towns in the Himalayas is shared jeep, they run between all settlements. Indians are used to taking up a minimum of space on the road, therefore, in order to travel with comfort, it makes sense to buy 1-2 additional seats.

Search for flights to Delhi (closest airport to the Himalayas)

Weather in Himalayas

The weather in the Himalayas depends on the height of the mountain ranges - the higher, the colder. At an altitude of 2000-2300 m above sea level in winter, the air temperature ranges from -4 to +8 ° С, in summer - on average +18 ... + 24 ° С, sometimes it is hot, up to +23 ... + 30 ° С ...

The best time to travel is from May to July and September to October. At this time, the weather is dry, sunny, warm enough and comfortable for walking. In July and August, it is also warm, but at this time rains and fogs, high clouds come here, so it is unlikely that you will be able to admire the mountain landscapes. In winter, it is cold and windy in the Himalayas, snow covers all roads, and travel becomes problematic.

Himalayas Hotels

There are hotels in the Himalayas of different price categories. There is a large selection of hotels from 2 * to 5 * in Darjeeling and in popular ski resorts. A small house without amenities, with a fan instead of an air conditioner will cost from 1100 INR per day for two. "Treshka" will cost about 3500-4200 INR per day for a double room, and 5 * hotels - from 7000 INR per day. Prices on the page are for March 2019.

Ashrams are popular in the Himalayas, especially in its religious quarters. These are pilgrim shelters, similar to very austere hostels. The conditions there are quite spartan, often in a room for several people there are only beds and one shower for all (if you are lucky, there will be a fan). Accommodation is very cheap, and sometimes you can live in the ashram for free for help with the housework or a voluntary donation.

Skiing

There are several ski resorts in the Himalayas. In terms of service level, they cannot be compared with European ones, but the most important thing is that there is a necessary minimum of services and gorgeous mountain landscapes. There are equipment rental points almost everywhere, a full set will cost about INR 1400-1750 per day.

The most popular ski resort in the Himalayas - Gulmarg... It meets European standards more than anyone else, and outwardly resembles a Swiss village of the middle of the last century. There are equipment rental points, several lifts, about 15 km of trails and an excellent forest freeride.

Auli is another popular Himalayan ski resort. Local tracks are considered the best in the region (only about 10 km). There are snow cannons, ski schools for beginners and gentle slopes for them. The resort as a whole is more focused on beginner athletes, it will be rather boring for experienced ones.

Solang- a ski resort 22 km from the city of Manali. There are trails for both beginners and extreme lovers (one "black trail"), tourists note the high professionalism of the instructors.

Narkanda- a very picturesque resort surrounded by a coniferous forest, located not far from Shimla, the only drawback is that there is very little space.

Kufri is the oldest ski resort in India. In winter there is a center for skiing, in summer - trekking and hiking, as there are two national parks not far from Kufri: the Himalayan Nature Park and the Indira Tourist Park.

Himalayan cuisine and restaurants

Tibetan cuisine is widespread in the Himalayas. It is much less spicy than in southern India and has more meat, although vegetarian options are also present. The most popular dishes that can be found in almost every cafe and restaurant are chouman (pasta with vegetables and meat), momo (steamed dumplings with various meat and vegetable fillings) and tuhpa (lamb broth soup with pasta, vegetables and meat). Here a lot is cooked in tandoor - an earthen oven without a lid. Basically, this is a simple peasant food: meat or poultry is fried on a spit, and then baked in tandoor in special bread cakes, which are covered with tandoor from the inside.

The season is important. In the Himalayas, this seasonality is special and is associated with religion and other ancient traditions. In the rainy season, you cannot find dishes with nuts here, after a hearty lunch you need to eat mangoes, and in summer they do not eat meat and fish here. However, the latter is easy to explain: there are still not refrigerators in every home, and meat spoils very quickly in the heat.

In the Himalayas, the cult of wholesome food. For example, it is believed that mango soup not only improves blood circulation, but also increases sexual desire, halva is almost a blessing of the gods, and a drink made from rhodo flowers (Himalayan rhododendrons) brings harmony to the body and soul.

The best photos of the Himalayas

Entertainment and attractions

In the Himalayas, first of all, ancient temples and natural attractions are interesting. The most famous are Ladakh, the city of the ashrams of Rishikesh and Haridwar, one of the seven sacred cities. High-altitude temples of Shiva and Vishnu in Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Kashmirov valley and, of course, Shambhala with Tibetan monasteries are worth noticing.

Also popular are excursions to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, surrounded by the "reservoir of immortality", trips to the state of Sikkim to the foot of the sacred Annapurna and to other Buddhist shrines.

Acquaintance with the Himalayas often begins with the capital of the state of Himchal Pradesh - a town Shimla... It is called "the most fashionable village in the Himalayas": it is worth visiting the palace of the Viceroy of Britain (today there is a museum), the central square with the Cathedral of Christ and the main shopping street, where you can buy scarves and shawls made of fine wool, saris and other national clothes and sequins to decorate the forehead.

One of the most mysterious places in the Himalayas - Srinagar... All his secrets are associated with the tomb of Rosbal - according to historical research (mostly doubtful), the body of Jesus lies there, and many locals sincerely believe in this. In addition, the city is famous for doiks - boats on Lake Dal, the proximity of the Gulmarg ski resort and very high quality woolen products in local shops and markets.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most interesting attractions in the Himalayas. It is better known here as the Toy Train. The road was built in 1881, and since then a small train has been running along a narrow 60-centimeter track to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. The final station is Gkhum (height 2257 m), the path runs past tea plantations and other local beauties. From the railway ring of the terminal station, a gorgeous view of the surroundings opens.

The road to the Himalayas

Natural attractions

In the Himalayas, there are very interesting national parks - Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers in the Western Himalayas, which are protected by UNESCO. These two parks are located side by side and are considered one of the most picturesque in the Himalayas. The landscapes here are really impressive: glaciers on mountain peaks, alpine meadows, the source of the Ganges River, which flows through the entire Nanda Devi reserve, and a diverse flora and fauna. It is home to rare animals such as the snow leopard and blue sheep.

The most famous attraction of the National Park is Rooklund Lake, also known as Skeleton Lake. It got its ominous name after many human skeletons were found at the bottom of the lake. It is believed that these people were killed by hail while climbing to the top.

Himalayas and Roerich

The Himalayas have inspired and continue to inspire artists, filmmakers, musicians and simply creative people. The great Russian artist and mystic Nicholas Roerich on his expedition in the 30s of the 20th century. not only visited the Indian Himalayas and depicted what he saw in paintings, but even founded the Institute of Himalayan Studies in America. Moreover, the last years of the artist's life were spent in the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Now there, in Nagar (a suburb of the city of Manali), there is a house-museum of the painter. The atmosphere in which the Roerich family lived for 20 years, the personal car of Nicholas Roerich and some of his paintings have been preserved there.

The Kullu Valley is famous not only for Roerich's estate. This region is called Indian Switzerland: coniferous forests grow here, and the Tibetan Medicine Center is located in Manali, where you can get diagnostics from the best local doctors and improve your health.