The highest plateau in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, much of it over 3000m. The Great Himalayas in the south, the Karakoram in the north and Tibet in the East. Thousands of square kilometres of high altitude desert with snow capped mountains and deep turquoise lakes, lush green valleys where the rivers run. The largest concentration of high peaks on the planet.

A roundup of our all-time favourite novels to inspire your travels.