There's more to the Himalayas than just epic peaks.

Located in Asia, the Himalayan mountain range began to form about 50 million years ago, when the movement of tectonic plates caused large land masses in India and Eurasia to collide. Because the rock densities of the two land masses were similar, the crust was pushed upward, forming a winding backbone of towering mountains known as the Himalayas. They stretch for 2,400 kilometers and span five countries — Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan, and India — making the Himalayan peaks a stunning destination for trekking and mountaineering.

The highest point on Earth

The Sanskrit name Himalaya translates to "snow dwelling" (hema + alya), and with more than 110 peaks over 7,300 meters, the name fits. In fact, eight of the world's 14 highest peaks (those above 8,000 meters) are in the Himalayan range in Nepal, including the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest. The summit of Everest stands at 8,848.86 meters, the highest point on Earth, and its height increases by about 1 cm each year due to the constant movement of the tectonic plates. Within the Himalayas, the snow line — the permanent snow zone marking the boundary between snow-covered and snow-free terrain — lies at roughly 5,700 meters. It is in these high, remote elevations that you may encounter snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, and brown bears, as well as the Tibetan yak, which is used as a beast of burden in Ladakh. With 3,411 named peaks in the Himalayas, many above the snow line, everyone who has trekked or climbed here will have their own favorite ascent.

Bhutan - Gangkhar Puensum

There are many unclimbed mountains, sometimes called virgin peaks, around the world. This is usually due to their remote locations, political instability, or a country's religious beliefs. Gangkhar Puensum, whose name means "Three Brothers of the Mountains," is the highest mountain in Bhutan and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, with its peak at 7,570 meters. In Bhutan, climbing peaks above 6,000 meters has been banned since 1994 out of respect for spiritual beliefs. Before that ban, four attempts on Gangkhar Puensum in 1985 and 1986 failed. Although climbing Gangkhar Puensum is not possible, the Snowman trek to the remote Lunana region — considered the most difficult in Bhutan — lets you experience the pristine beauty of this country, known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon." Immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture for three days, visiting the National Library, which houses ancient books and manuscripts dating back hundreds of years, and the Zorig Chusum Institute, which offers a six-year course in 13 traditional arts and crafts, among other sights.

India - Kang Yatse II

Kang Yatse (sometimes spelled Kang Yatze) sits at the head of the Marka Valley in the Ladakh region of India. The mountain has two peaks: Kang Yatse II, the lower western peak, is 6,200 meters high and is more accessible than Kang Yatse I, since technical mountaineering skills are not required to reach the lower summit. The eastern peak, Kang Yatse I, at 6,400 meters, demands a high level of experience and technical ability. Considered by some to be one of the easier 6,000-meter peaks, Kang Yatse II is ideal for hikers who want to gain experience at higher altitudes. Because it is also less crowded than Stok Kangri and other nearby peaks, you can really immerse yourself in the beauty and power of the surrounding landscape. A trip to the Marka Valley and Kang Yatse II is a great way not only to reach a high summit but also to explore the remote, stunning Marka Valley itself.

Nepal - Everest

On the border between Nepal and Tibet, Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma, is the highest mountain in the Himalayas at 8,848.86 meters. Climbing Everest typically takes about six to nine weeks because of the need to acclimatize to high altitude and low oxygen levels; actual summit windows last roughly seven to ten days, depending on the weather. The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) classifies "trekking peaks" as those between 5,000 and 7,000 meters. Since Everest exceeds 8,000 meters, it is considered mountaineering rather than trekking. If you want to experience Everest without attempting the technical summit, a trip to Everest Base Camp may be perfect. The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, landing on a steep mountain runway. From there you head into the Dudh Koshi Valley, crossing several suspension bridges as you follow the river and enter Sagarmatha National Park. Next comes a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, with a glimpse of Everest along the way if the weather allows.

On the fourth day you move to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880 meters, with views toward Ama Dablam and Everest. As you continue, you'll enjoy vistas of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. After several ascents and descents, the seventh day ends with a view of the Imja Valley and the striking southern face of Lhotse, an unforgettable sight. On day eight you climb steeply toward the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, passing stone memorials built for Sherpa climbers who lost their lives on Everest. After crossing moraines and weaving between ice peaks and crevasses, the trek reaches Base Camp at 5,364 meters. The final ascent to Kala Patthar, at about 5,554 meters, rewards you with one of the best panoramic views of Everest and the Khumbu Glacier. From there you'll slowly descend over the next three days before flying from Lukla to Kathmandu on day 13, leaving time to explore the vibrant city before returning home after this memorable 15-day journey.