Himalaya means Abode of Snow in Sanskrit. It covers an area of 612021 sq km. Himalayan range passes through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. In India it covers states of Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal (Garhwal and Kumaun) and Himachal Pradesh.
Himalayas was formed when the crust of the earth folded against the northward moving Indian Subcontinent.

The principal mountain range dividing the Indian subcontinent from Nanga Parbat in the west stretches over 2000 km bordering Sikim and Bhutan in the east.
Out of 14 peaks above the mark of 8000 meters, nine are in Himalayas and one lies in India which is Kanchenjunga having an elevation of 8598m and is third highest in world. Nanda Devi, Kamet, Pir Panjal ranges are some of the other important peaks of Indian Himalayas.

Main Himalayan Range stretches in east across central Sikkim from the massive Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the world. Eastern Himalayas are broken by the headwaters of Teesta River. It forms a geographical division between the abundant alpine in the south and more dry regions extend towards Tibet in the North.
There are several passes in every stretch of the Himalayan Range.

Some prominent passes in Himalayas are:
Zoji La situated in Sindh valley, Boktol pass in Warvan valley, Umasi La in Kishtwar region, Khardung La, Shingo La and Khyup La in Ladakh and Zanskar region, Pin Parbati pass is placed in between Spiti and Kullu Valley, Charang La in Kinnaur close to Kinnaur Kailash Range.

Higher Regions of Himalayas remain snow bound throughout the year and embrace a large number of glaciers. Himalayan Glaciers are often called Temperate valley glaciers as they are smaller in size when compared to Polar Regions.

These frozen delights are an integrated part of the landscape and interests a great number of mountaineers as they provide easy approach to the peaks.
Famous Siachen Glacier at Indo-Tibet border is the biggest glacier outside Polar region.