The Himalayas stand as the highest mountain system on Earth, shaping the geography and culture of several Asian nations. This quiz examines the peaks, the people, and the legends surrounding this mighty range.
You will find questions about tectonic history, notable summits, and regional traditions. We look at everything from the formation of the range to the specific skills of Himalayan climbers and local lore.
Think you know the mountains well? See how you do here, then try our natural wonders, world capitals, or sacred architecture quizzes.
Which of these countries contains a portion of the Himalayan mountain range?
South Africa
South Africa
India
India
Australia
Australia
Brazil
Brazil
What is the primary geological process that formed the Himalayas?
Volcanic activity
Volcanic activity
Meteorite impact
Meteorite impact
Tectonic plate collision
Tectonic plate collision
Glacial erosion
Glacial erosion
Which mountain is the second-highest peak in the world, located in the Karakoram range?
Lhotse
Lhotse
Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga
Annapurna
Annapurna
K2
K2
Which ethnic group, native to the most mountainous regions of Nepal, has gained international fame for their mountaineering expertise?
Lepcha
Lepcha
Gurkha
Gurkha
Sherpa
Sherpa
Ladakhi
Ladakhi
Which of these is the name of the iconic Buddhist monastery in Bhutan famously perched on a cliffside?
Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery
Potala Palace
Potala Palace
Paro Taktsang
Paro Taktsang
Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery
The Yeti is widely known in folklore as the “Abominable…” what?
Yowie
Yowie
Wendigo
Wendigo
Kraken
Kraken
Snowman
Snowman
The Indian plate, which collided with the Eurasian plate, was once part of which southern supercontinent?
Pangea
Pangea
Gondwana
Gondwana
Rodinia
Rodinia
Laurasia
Laurasia
Which of these is the ninth-highest mountain in the world and is nicknamed the “Killer Mountain”?
Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu
K2
K2
Makalu
Makalu
Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat
Who was the first person, along with Edmund Hillary, to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953?
Ang Rita Sherpa
Ang Rita Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay
Tenzing Norgay
Kami Rita Sherpa
Kami Rita Sherpa
Apa Sherpa
Apa Sherpa
Which branch of Buddhism is most prevalent in the monasteries of the high Himalayas?
Pure Land
Pure Land
Vajrayana
Vajrayana
Theravada
Theravada
Zen
Zen
The Western craze for the Yeti legend was heavily popularized by stories from which period?
Traditional folk songs
Traditional folk songs
1920s expedition reports
1920s expedition reports
Scientific biological studies
Scientific biological studies
Archeological excavations
Archeological excavations
What is the capital city of Bhutan?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Lhasa
Lhasa
Thimphu
Thimphu
Gangtok
Gangtok
Before the formation of the Himalayas, what body of water existed between the Indian and Eurasian plates?
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
Panthalassa Ocean
Panthalassa Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Tethys Ocean
Tethys Ocean
Which mountain was the first 8,000-meter peak to be successfully summited in 1950?
Manaslu
Manaslu
Annapurna I
Annapurna I
Dhaulagiri
Dhaulagiri
Lhotse
Lhotse
What are the cylindrical, spinning religious objects commonly found in Himalayan Buddhist sites?
Butter lamps
Butter lamps
Incense burners
Incense burners
Prayer wheels
Prayer wheels
Hand bells
Hand bells
Which biological trait makes Sherpas particularly suited for operating at extreme altitudes?
Desert navigation
Desert navigation
Underwater swimming
Underwater swimming
Vertical wall climbing
Vertical wall climbing
High-altitude physiology adaptation
High-altitude physiology adaptation
In which specific mountain range is the peak K2 located?
Pamir
Pamir
Karakoram
Karakoram
Tian Shan
Tian Shan
Himalaya
Himalaya
What are the colorful, rectangular cloths inscribed with prayers, commonly seen draped across Himalayan mountain passes?
Stupas
Stupas
Incense burners
Incense burners
Prayer flags
Prayer flags
Mani stones
Mani stones
According to popular legend, which term best describes the classification of the Yeti?
Unidentified primate
Unidentified primate
Glacier frost formation
Glacier frost formation
Prehistoric human
Prehistoric human
Large bear
Large bear
In which city is the Potala Palace, once the winter home of the Dalai Lama, located?
Srinagar
Srinagar
Shimla
Shimla
Gangtok
Gangtok
Lhasa
Lhasa
What is the current status of the height of the Himalayas due to tectonic plate movement?
Tectonic activity has ceased
Tectonic activity has ceased
The mountains are slowly sinking
The mountains are slowly sinking
The mountains are still growing
The mountains are still growing
Volcanic eruptions are the primary driver of growth
Volcanic eruptions are the primary driver of growth
As of early 2024, how many times has Kami Rita Sherpa successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest?
33 times
33 times
35 times
35 times
29 times
29 times
31 times
31 times
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Not bad
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If you enjoyed learning about these peaks, check out these related topics: our mountains and landscapes page, castles and palaces list, or historic places guide.
