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A basic understanding of the geography, natural history, politics, culture and religion of the Himalaya is helpful when trying to choose where and when to go. Once you have decided on a general area, researching the topography and weather of your specific destination will help you to be better prepared. On the trail, this background knowledge will further help you appreciate the countryside.

The Himalaya is the most significant mountain chain on earth. It features the highest summits in the world, divides continents and dramatically affects the earth's weather patterns. The name comes from the Sanskrit word hima (snow) and alaya (abode). The word Himalaya is often spoken and spelt as Himalayas. Himalaya is plural and the "s" at the end of the word is therefore incorrect.

Though interpretations of boundaries vary, in it's broadest sense the Himalaya stretches 2,500 km (1553 miles) across Asia, from west of the Indus river in the west to the Brahmaputra river in the south east. From south to north, the Himalaya varies in width from 160 km (99 miles) to 320 km (199 miles).

For much of its length, the crest of the Himalaya forms the border between China and Tibet to the north and Bhutan, Nepal, India and Pakistan to the south. The western end of the greater Himalaya particularly the Karokoram butts up against Xinjiang (Sinkiang) province in China. The remainder of the northern extent lies wholly within Tibet. The Himalaya is the reason for vast areas of desert in the north. Most of the windswept Tibetan Plateau is above 4500 m ( 14760 ft).