Trans Himalaya Region

The Transhimalaya (also spelt as Trans-Himalaya) is a 1600 km long (900 mi) mountain range in China, extending in a west-East direction parallel to the main  Himalaya range. The name Transhimalaya was introduced by the Swedish Geographer Sven Hedin in the early 20th century. Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer stated the “Trans- Himalaya” as an “ ill-defined mountain area” with “no marked crest line or central alignment and no division by rivers”.

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What is the Trans Himalayan Range?

The Trans Himalayan Region is an ill-defined mountain region. It covers an area of about 1,000 km and has a width ranging from 225 km to about 32 km. The Trans Himalayan Region is also known as Tibetan Himalaya Region. In contrast to the main Himalayas, the Trans Himalayan mountains are not split by deep river gorges. Swedish explorer Sven Hedin first recorded the European journey of the Trans Himalaya. 

The Trans Himalayan range was first recorded by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin. Sven Hedin extensively explored Tibet and the Xinjiang (Sinkiang) region. He identified the sources of the rivers, namely Brahmaputra, Indus, and Sutlej rivers, and, in 1906, he explored and named the Kailash Range.

The Southernmost side of Tibet falls within the Himalayas region. Some of the highest mountains that define the Southern border of Tibet include Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the World, Namcha Barwa, the Mountain peak that lies in Tibet, and Gurla Mandhata, the highest peak of the Nalakankar Himal. The Kailas Range running to the north of the main Himalayan range was named by Hedin.

Between two ranges lies the river valley region extending from West to East of about 1000 km. The Brahmaputra river (also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet) flows from west to east through most of this region. The Tibetan plateau is the main source of some of the biggest rivers in the Himalayas. The three Himalayan rivers, namely Brahmaputra, Indus, and Satluj, originate in Tibet. The rivers cut across the main Himalayas, making daunting gorges, and then flow towards the plains.

Highest Peak of Trans Himalaya

Mount Kailash is the highest peak of Trans Himalaya. Mount Kailash Range, also known as Gangdise range, is one of the most rugged portions of the Himalayas. The Mount Kailash range has a roughly northwest and southeast axis. It is located to the north of the trough evacuated in the west by the Langqên (Xiangquan) River, also known as the Sutlej River in India. And in the east by the Damqog (Maquan) River. It is the headwater of the Brahmaputra River.

Trans Himalayan Region

The Indian Trans-Himalaya region comprises the cold desert namely Ladakh and Kargil in Jammu & Kashmir and Lahaul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh.

How are Trans Himalayan Zone Created?

The Trans Himalayan Zone was created due to the collision with the Eurasian Plate. The zone is created in the northernmost area in the country in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The Transhimalya zone is an extension of the Tibetan Plateaus around the Himalayas.  

Following are the main Himalayan ranges:

• Zanskar Range

• Ladakh Range

• East Karakoram Range

• Mahabharata Range (Middle Himalayas In Nepal)

• Dhauladhar Range  Madya Himalayas

• Pir Panjal Range (Part of Middle Himalayas).

What are the Main Ranges of the Trans Himalayan Range?

The main ranges of the Trans Himalayan ranges are:

• Zaskar Range

• Ladakh Range

• The Kailash Range

• The Karakoram Range

Description of Main Ranges of the Trans Himalaya Range

• The Zaskar Range: The Zaskar Range spelled as Zanskar, is a  group of Mountains in the Himalayas, south-central Asia, of Northern India and the Western Tibet Autonomous region. The Zaskar range extends southeastward for some 400 miles (640 km) from the Karcha (Suru) river to the upper Karnali River. Kamet Peak ( 25, 446 feet, and 7756 meters) is the highest peak of Zanskar Range, and the most important passes of this range are Shipki, Lipu Lekh (Lipulieke), and Mana.

• The Ladakh Range: Ladakh range lies to the north of Leh is an important part of the Trans Himalaya Range that merges with the Kailash Range in Tibet. The popular Khardung La and Dirgun La, which lie to the northeast of Leh, are the important passes of Ladakh Range.

• The Kailash Range: The Kailash Range, also known as the Gangdisê Range, is one of the most rugged parts of the Himalayas. It is located in the southwestern part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, southwestern China. The range retains roughly Northwest- Southeast axis and lies to the north of trough drained in the west by the Langqên (Xiangquan) River- which is known as the Sutlej river in India and the eastside by the  Dampog (Maquan) River, the fountainhead of the Brahmaputra River. Mount Kailash lies to the north of the Kailash range, with an elevation of 22,028 feet (6,714 meters). It is the highest peak in the range and is known as the “Gang Tise” in Tibetan.

• Karakoram Range: The largest mountain range, Karakoram Range, spans the International border of India, China, and Pakistan, with the northwest end of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The Karakoram range is part of the longer Himalaya Mountain Range, which is the home to the highest mountain on the Earth, Mount Everest. Mount K2 is the highest peak in the Karakoram range, and it is the world’s second-highest mountain range.

Interesting Facts Related to the Trans Himalaya Region

• The Himalaya region lies to the north side of the Great Himalaya region is known as Trans Himalaya.

• The Trans Himalaya is an area of vast glaciers and lofty mountains.

• Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar and the Kailash are the main ranges of the Trans Himalaya region.

• Mount K2 comes under the Karakoram range.

• Karakoram's range in length is approximately 500 km. It is the most heavily glaciated part of the world outside the polar region.

• There are several gorges and mountains in the Trans Himalayas. It retains an average height of above 6000 m.

• The Zaskar range extends towards the western side of the Greater Himalayas.

• Nanga Parbat lies in the Zaskar range and is the second highest peak of the Himalayas range.

• There are no major peaks found in the Ladakh region.