The Himalaya is one of the youngest and highest mountain systems of the world. The name comes from Sanskrit Hima-snow and Alaya-home. It extends over 2,400km (1800miles) from the Indus in Pakistan to Brahmaputra Rivers in Assam, India. The central sections of the Himalaya traverses through Nepal for about 800km from Mahakali to Kanchenjunga and is known as Nepal Himalaya. According to estimation, there are 1310 peaks that exceed 6,000 meters in height.

Out of the world’s 14 highest peaks, there are eight in Nepal. These are:

1. Mount Everest 8848 m

2. Kanchenjunga 8598 m

3. Lhotse 8511 m

4. Makalu 8481 m

5. Cho-Oyu 8201 m

6. Dhaulagiri 8167 m

7. Manaslu 8156 m

8. Annapurna 8091 m

Much of the country above 5,000 meters is under permanent snow cover. The snow line varies. Winter snowfall occurs upto an elevation of 2,000 meters. According to an unpublished project report submitted by the central department of geography, T.U. to industrial branch, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (2001), there are nine additional peaks exceeding 8000 meters, four in Kanchenjunga range, three in the vicinity of Lhotse and two in the vicinity of Cho Oyu.

There are as many as 27 ranges in Nepal Himalaya, but we can recognize 13 major Himalayan ranges in Nepal.

The Kanchenjunga Himal: Constitute the eastern most limits of Nepal Himalaya and the range stands on the boarder between Nepal and Sikkim of India. The third highest peak of the world, Kanchenjunga lies in this Himal.

The Kumbakarna Himal: Stretching from Barun Glacier to the upper reaches of the Arun River is the Kumbhakarna Himal dominated by Makalu.

The Khumbu Himal: Also known as Mahalangur Himal- Stretches from Barun River to the Dudh Kosi is the largest, most rugged and varied in the whole of the Himalayan Chain. It is dominated by Mt.Everest. The other important peaks are Lhotse, Cho-Oyu and Ama dablam.

The Rolwaling Himal: Lies between the Dudh Kosi and Choba Bhamare. The range culminated in Mt. Gaurishanker (7145m).

The Jugal Himal: Lies between the Bhote Kosi (Sunkosi) and Langtang Himal. The main peaks are Phubi Chyachu (6722m) and Dorje Lakpa (6799m).

The Langtang Himal: Stretches from the Jugal Himal in the East to Rasuwa Garhi in the west. The highest peak is Langtang Lirung (7246m).

The Ganesh Himal: Extends from Chilime Khola in the east to the upper basin of Budhi Gandaki river in the west. This group culminates in Ganesh peak 1 (7406m)

The Gorkha Himal: Stretches from the Budhi Gandaki River in the east to the Marsyangdi River in the west. The main peaks are Baudha Himal (6742m). Dakura (7514m), Himalchuli East (7892m) and Manaslu (8156m).

The Annapurna Himal: Stretches between the Marsyangdi River in the east and Kali Gandaki in the west. The principle peaks are Annpurna I (8091m), II, III, IV and Machhepuchhare (7059m).

The Dhaulagiri Himal: Extends from the Kali Gandaki River valley in the east to the Thuli Bheri in the west. The range is dominated by Dhaulagiri I (8137m)

The Kanjiroba Himal: Lies between Barbung khola in the east and the Karnali River in the west.

The Saipal Himal: Lies between the Karnali River in the east and the Seti River in the west.

The Byas Rishi Himal: Lies between the Seti River and the Mahakali River and this River and this range constitute the Western limit of Nepal Himalaya.