Himalayan peaks, cool colonial hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, breathtaking summer treks in Zanskar and Ladakh, and opportunities to explore the mountains of Buddhist Sikkim – the Indian Himalaya really does have lots to offer the keen adventure traveller.

Sikkim
Capital: Gangtok
Population: 619,000 (2012 census)
Size of region: 7,298 sq km
Currency: Indian Rupee
Power supply: 220v/240v
Sockets: two pin sockets or Indian three-round pin variety
Language: Nepali is the most commonly spoken language
Time difference: GMT +5.5 hours
Visas: British Nationals require an Indian visa and this must be obtained in advance
Popular dishes: Momos - steamed or fried dumplings stuffed with vegetables or meat
Popular drinks: Tongba, a Himalayan millet beer
Did you know: Sikkim is home to around 5,000 species of flowering plants, 515 of which are rare orchids
FCDO advice: FCDO advice for India
Ladakh
Capital city: Leh
Population: 274,289 (2011)
Size of region: 45,100 sq km
Currency: Indian Rupee
Power supply: 230-240v
Sockets: two pin sockets or Indian three-round pin variety
Language: Ladakhi
Time difference: GMT +5.5 hours
Visas: British Nationals require an Indian visa and this must be obtained in advance
Religion: 50% Buddhist 45% Muslim
Popular dishes: local breads with apricot jam and Thukpa - thick vegetable soup
Popular drinks: Gurgur (butter) tea and chang
Did you know: As Ladakh is situated in the Himalayan rain shadow it is protected from the monsoon rains and can therefore be trekked in the summer months – one of the few areas of the Himalaya where this is recommended.
FCDO advice (India): FCDO advice for India

Indian Himalaya