A Word about Ordering Books

There are very useful books out there that I can recommend if you want to know more about an area. Instead of just listing the books names, I added a link to Amazon where you can order them online. This site's nature is strictly non-commercial, so the books mentioned are the ones I own myself and found helpful. And yes, I do get a commission from Amazon for every book sold via these links, but this does not influence my selection.

Many books can bought cheaper (esp. used paperback) in Kathmandu. Getting good books in Leh is difficult, in Sikkim impossible and all you get in Lhasa is Chinese propaganda. 

Bei Wohnsitz Deutschland, Schweiz oder Österreich ist es oft günstiger und schneller, die Bücher die Amazon.de zu bestellen (keine Verstandkosten ab EUR 20.--).

Himalaya General

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Michael Palin Himalaya DVD Not the most in-depth, but most varied documentary on the Himalayas - covers various countries and is a great introduction into the different cultures and landscapes.
H.W. Tilman My favourite book, both the routes and the witty sense of humour make this a pleasure to re-read over and over. Also a bit bulky, it's more suitable for rainy days at home than actually taking it with you on treks.
Eric Shipton Compilation of the best books of this early hero of mountaineering and trekking. Too heavy to take on a trek, read it at home.
Frank Smythe The third in the trilogy (other two see above), another great climber and fine writer.
Inside Himalaya, by Michael Palin 300 nice pictures taken during the journey that took the ex Monty Python to Pakistan, India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
Climbing the World's 14 Highest Mountains: The history of 8'000 meter peaks. Great picture and stories from the climbs.
Over the Himalaya Great aerial pictures of the major Himalayan peaks taken from airplanes.
Transhimalaya - Sven Hedin Teil 1: Manchmal etwas langatmig, aber trotzdem einer der grössten Reiseberichte Tibets.
Transhimalaya - Sven Hedin Teil 2: Manchmal etwas langatmig, aber trotzdem einer der grössten Reiseberichte Tibets.
The Great Game, Keay I wasn't convinced when I bought it, but it is one of the most entertaining books I've read in a long time. It's about Russia and England fighting for domination of Central Asia and Tibet, the book is not about abstract politics but about the explorers who discovered and mapped the areas, and their dramatic stories. Perfect reading during a trek.
When Men and Mountains Meet, J. Keay History of exploration in the (western) Himalayas, informative and funny though of little concrete value for today's travellers.

 

 

Nepal General

 

list not complete, still in progress

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Nepal Lonely Planet Good introduction.
Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya

 

 

Upper Mustang

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Mustang: A lost Tibetan Kingdom, M. Peissel Colourful and captivating account of one of the first Westerners in Mustang. Highly recommended. Mostly text, just a few pictures but they are very nice.
East of Lo Manthang, Matthiessen Great coffeetable book about Mustang by the author of Snow Leopard (which I didn't like that much but seem to be a minority).
Mustang - Das verborgene Königreich im Himalaya Guter Text und Bilder vom Münchner Tibet- und Himalaya-Kenner.
Himalayan Pilgrimage, Snellgrove an early Buddhist scholar who writes about his long journey from Dolpo to Kathmandu, covers also the Mustang area very briefly. Should be easy to find in Pilgrim bookshop in Kathmandu		nicht erhältlich in amazon.de, nur bei amazon.com
3 Years in Tibet, Ekai Kawaguchi Historic account of a Japanese monk sneaking and living in Tibet. Covers also his journey from Nepal to Tibet via Mustang.
Mustang, Henss für sehr Kulturinteressierte, war mich teilweise etwas akademisch

 

Upper Dolpo

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Caravans of the Himalaya, Eric Valli The most famous (and best?) coffeetable book about Dolpo. If you have to convince a friend to join you for the trek, give him this book as a present.
Tales of the Turquoise, C. Jest,  Various folk tales from Dolpo, easy and interesting reading.
The Snow Leopard, Matthiesen Maybe the most famous book about Dolpo. I didn't like it that much, too spiritual for my taste but judging by number and tone of emails I get many people disagree with me.
Stones of Silence, by George B. Schaller, a biologist who travelled with Matthiesen to Dolpo, this book contains accounts of several expeditions in various parts of the Himalayas and Karakorum, one of them about the snow leopard and blue sheep in Dolpo. Very refreshing after Matthiesen's account.
Himalayan Pilgrimage, Snellgrove,  an early Buddhist scholar who writes about his long journey from Dolpo to Kathmandu, covers also the Manaslu. Should be easy to find in Pilgrim bookshop in Kathmandu.		nicht erhältlich in amazon.de, nur bei amazon.com
Bön - Tibet's Ancient Religion Bon is an old religion still being practised in Dolpo. This books gives excellent information. Available in English and German. Beware: It covers Dolpo only very briefly.	;
Four Lamas of Dolpo, David Snellgrove interesting background information can be gathered when reading between the lines of four lamas' biographies.

 

Manaslu

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Manaslu - A Trekker's Guide Compact booklet about the area. Useful.
Himalayan Pilgrimage by Snellgrove, an early Buddhist scholar who writes about his long journey from Dolpo to Kathmandu, covers also the Manaslu. Should be easy to find in Pilgrim bookshop in Kathmandu.		nicht erhältlich in amazon.de, nur bei amazon.com

 

Kangchenjunga

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
The Kangchenjunga Adventure A hero of early mountaineering describes one of the early expeditions. They attempted Kangchenjunga itself, when defeated climbed lesser peaks. Covers both Nepal and Sikkimese area.
Round Kangchenjunga A great description of the first trek around the Kangchenjunga massif, starting in Darjeeling then going to North Sikkim and into Nepal (Pangpema), from there over Kang La back to Sikkim, up the Goecha La and then to Yugsom. Essential.
Himalayan Journals Only for afecionados. The first Westerner to travel this corner of the Himalayas was a British botanist. His journals are also available online, so unless you're a very serious collector of books, better have a look at the online version that you can either read: http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=10918 or download:  http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/6478

 

Sikkim

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
The Kangchenjunga Adventure A hero of early mountaineering describes one of the early expeditions. They attempted Kangchenjunga itself, when defeated climbed lesser peaks. Covers both Nepal and Sikkimese area. You can get it much cheaper in Kathmandu.
Round Kangchenjunga A great description of the first trek around the Kangchenjunga massif, starting in Darjeeling then going to North Sikkim and into Nepal (Pangpema), from there over Kang La back to Sikkim, up the Goecha La and then to Yugsom. Essential. You can get it much cheaper in Kathmandu.
In the Shadows of the Himalayas Historic photographs by Jean Claude White, the British "consular" in Sikkim.
Himalayan Journals Only for afecionados. The first Westerner to travel this corner of the Himalayas was a British botanist. His journals are also available online, so unless you're a very serious collector of books, better have a look at the online version that you can either read: http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=10918 or download:  http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/6478
Trekking in Sikkim and Darjeeling Interesting booklet about a 4 week trek in the area.
Among the Himalayas Interesting description by Waddell, one of the first western travellers in Sikkim. I can't believe how expensive it is, better look for it in Kathmandu (Pilgrims in Thamel might have it) for maybe 10 dollars.
Maps: There are no good maps available in online shops. Buy them at home or in Kathmandu. You cannot get any maps in Sikkim itself.

 

 

Tibet

 

list not complete, still in progress

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
7 Years in Tibet A great and short read, captivating and adventurous description of the flight from India to Lhasa.
Sacred Landsacpe and Pilgrimage in Tibet: In Search of the Lost Kingdom of Bon I have just ordered this book that comes with DVD, so if you're not sure if it's worth its price just wait some weeks and see if Istill have it on my list.
3 Years in Tibet, Ekai Kawaguchi Historic account of a Japanese monk sneaking and living in Tibet. Covers also his journey from Nepal to Tibet.

 

 

Ladakh 

 

Title / Description	Amazon.com	Amazon.de if you live in Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Trekking in Ladakh, Trailblazer Best guide-book with many routes and background information about Ladakh.
Ladakh und Zanskar, Mattausch Sehr guter Führer auf Deutsch.
Ancient Futures, Norberg Insights into Ladakhi culture and how modernization impacts the life. Insightful.
Ladakh - Crossroads of High Asia, Rivzi Great introduction into Ladakh, does not contain concrete travel hints but an interesting look into its history and selected aspects of its culture.
Trans-Himalayan Caravans, In-depth description of Ladakh's past as a trading hub. Fascinating for those interested in this aspect.
Servant of Sahibs, Rassul Galwan Superb. Rassul was working in the crew of the earliest western explorers. His funny and witty descriptions and loyalty make it an outstanding book.
Zanskar im Himalaya, Franz Aberham Schöne Photos und sorgfältige Texte, welche sich auch um das Zurechtfinden der abgelegenen Region in einer sich ändernden Welt drehen. Sehr schön.
Where Heaven and Mountains Meet, Föllmi
Travels in the Himalayan Provinces of Hindustan and the Panjab by William Moorcroft, again an historic account		nicht erhältlich
Being a Buddhist Nun, K. Gutschow Anthropologist who has lived in the area for 14 years.