Offering the choice of climbing some of the highest peaks in the world, India is a preferred destination for adventure tourists. Scaling some of the tallest peaks in the world is a unique experience in itself as it also brings the opportunity of cultural learning and recreation. You get a chance to see some of the highest permanent settlements in the world and mysterious locales of spirituality. You don't get the thrill of standing on the pinnacle of a mountain, it gives more than that. The Himalayan peaks are widely perceived as unaccessible. Images of roaring winds, biting cold and horrible disasters haunt us, but all this doesn't apply to a few people. If you also are among these rare ones, mountaineering in India is for you. Mountaineering demands a high level of skills and fitness. Mountaineering can usually be taken up in two ways – trekking for a few years and then slowly graduating to climbing, or undergoing a course in mountaineering before trying mountaineering directly. Whatever way you choose, a variety of mountaineering locations are posing a challenge for you. Some of the major destinations are mentioned here.

Jammu and Kashmir
Located in the extreme northern India, the great Himalayas hold immense mountaineering charm in Jammu and Kashmir. This beautiful state has some of the most beautiful snow capped peaks‚ whereas Ladakh presents some of the high altitude peaks with their scenic zest. These valleys will encounter their visitors with lush green alpine vales, flower-strewn meadows, meandering tributaries, river streams and glacier-topped mountains while mountaineering.

Himachal and Uttranchal Ranges
Himachal Pradesh and Uttranchal are the two northern hilly states. Mountain valley of state Himachal Pradesh state towards the northeast captures a mountain kingdom of Lahaul‚ Spiti and the tribal belt of Kinnaur. Mountaineering on these peaks is really enthralling as these exquisite haunts are still unexplored. Another hilly state – Uttranchal - facilitates mountaineering opportunities with some of the best peaks regarded ideal for climbing. The state is also famous for a derivation of the Ganga, one of the holiest rivers of Hindus, a revered Hindu pilgrimage, a preferred destination for trekkers and rafters.
Kanchenjunga
Lying in India's eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is the abode of 5 peaks of Kanchenjunga Mountain, which is regarded as the third highest mountain in the world. These peaks are regarded ideal for climbing up the mountains. Even crossing the paths meandering through green forests, waterfalls, untamed streams rambling through meadows, pilgrim routes and finally reaching the sacred monasteries perched high in splendid isolation is a memorable experience in itself.

North Eastern India
North Eastern part of India is known as the abode of 7 sisters, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. These states are located in the eastern Himalayas and offer much of mountaineering scope. Inhabited by friendly tribal folks, mountain climbing in this region gives a captivating sight of high altitude rain forest dotted with spurs, pine trees and crest of the higher peaks of Himalayas. The hills in Assam are trimmed by widespread River Brahmaputra. Kaziranga National Park - the home of the one- horned Rhinoceros, lies in the northern edge.
Tips for Mountaineering
You should keep some guidelines in your mind during or before mountaineering. These are as follows:

• Evaluate the level of difficulty on the basis of your physical fitness. Participate in peak climbing or high-altitude trekking only if you are feeling comfortable.
• A thorough medical fitness check-up is a must before mountaineering.
• You should learn dealing with high-altitude sickness or high-altitude madness.
• Learn the proper handling of mountaineering equipment.
• Keep necessary medicines and first aid kit with you.
• Follow mountaineering guidelines, high-altitude survival techniques and first-aid techniques.
• Protect yourself anyhow from snow blindness, frostbiting and sun burn during the expedition.
• Plan your tour in such a way that you have ample time for altitude acclimatization.
• Prepare yourself gradually with each stage of altitude increase. Don't hurry up.