Mountain
Photo credit
Rohan Reddy
Annapurna Massif Range, Himalayas
,
Nepal

Mountain

1,000 Feet High or More

Inspiring you to tour the Mountain biome and embark on a journey of discovery through its breathtaking areas of natural beauty and diverse wildlife

Discover Tours

Rising hundreds of metres above the areas that surround them, mountains can loom over cities and countryside like ever-watchful guardians. With a quarter of the Earth’s surface covered by mountainous terrain, these habitats are an essential part of our planet’s ecosystem - providing water to more than half of all people alive today.

High in mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Himalayas, life abounds. From mountain goats and sheep to multiple species of bear and a wide variety of birds, these habitats might be tough, but the animals that live here have adapted to ensure their continued survival.

The sweeping valleys and high peaks of mountain ranges across the world serve as a stunning visual reminder of how these dramatic environments came into being: often formed over millennia from the clashing of tectonic plates, mountains provide habitats that are completely unique when compared to the landscapes that surround them.

Biome Map Image
Terpsichores, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / modified from original

Mountain characteristics

  • Steep inclines
  • Small summit areas
  • High altitude
  • Sharp ridges
  • Lower oxygen levels
  • Cool air temperature
  • Intense microclimates
  • Rivers and streams
Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen
Patrick Hodskins
Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen,
Switzerland

Mountain climate

Temperature High

10

°C

Temperature High (Avg)
Temperature Low

-12

°C

Temperature Low (Avg)
Precipitation

300

mm

Precipitation (Avg)

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Climate Change

Climate change can cause snow to melt, leading to increased instances of avalanches, glacial melting, and changes to rivers and streams. These changes can present clear danger to people and animals living on or near the mountains, as well as disrupting the ecosystem of the mountain itself.

Illegal hunting and unsustainable clearing of land can lead to the destruction of natural habitats in the mountains, pushing animals further towards extinction. Over-tourism can also erode natural habitats, and increase pollution in the area’s soil and water.

Top Mountain tours

Whether it’s winter or summer, mountains across the world offer up opportunities for adventure in abundance. From paragliding, hiking, white-water rafting, biking and paddle-boarding in mountain lakes in summer to skiing, snowboarding, ice-climbing and dog-sledding in the winter, adrenalin junkies can guarantee multiple activities to get their pulses racing. You could even start your day by hot air ballooning through the mountains - bringing to life a view that you’re unlikely to ever forget.

Lodges and cabins are available in many mountain ranges, but camping offers the chance to get even closer to nature. The sense of calm that comes with being at a high altitude, maybe without internet access or phone signal, can really remind us what’s important: reconnection with nature, and the chance to experience a morning sunrise without any distractions.

Patagonia
Dmitriy Suponnikov

Patagonia, 

Chile

Tours in the Mountain biome

Stok Kangri
Stok Kangri
Stok Kangri
Location Icon
India
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Stok Kangri

14 days from

TBC / person

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Gran Paradiso
Gran Paradiso
Gran Paradiso
Location Icon
Italy
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Gran Paradiso

5 days from

£1,250 / person

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Active West Coast Canada Discovery
Active West Coast Canada Discovery
Active West Coast Canada Discovery
Location Icon
Canada
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Active West Coast Canada Discovery

8 days from

£1,599 / person

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Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
Yellowstone Camping Explorer

6 days from

£1,479 / person

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The Mountains of Mourne and the Giant’s Causeway
The Mountains of Mourne and the Giant’s Causeway
The Mountains of Mourne and the Giant’s Causeway
Location Icon
United Kingdom & Ireland
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
The Mountains of Mourne and the Giant’s Causeway

6 days from

£829 / person

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New Zealand Journey
New
  Zealand Journey
New Zealand Journey
Location Icon
New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
New Zealand Journey

12 days from

£3,999 / person

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American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group

12 days from

£6,185 / person

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Spantik
Spantik
Spantik
Location Icon
Pakistan
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Spantik

30 days from

TBC / person

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Ultimate Active Alaska
Ultimate Active Alaska
Ultimate Active Alaska
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
Ultimate Active Alaska

14 days from

£3,699 / person

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Lakes 24
Lakes 24
Lakes 24
Location Icon
UK
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Lakes 24

2 days from

TBC / person

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Ireland Coast to Coast - 9 days
Ireland Coast to Coast - 9 days
Ireland Coast to Coast - 9 days
Location Icon
United Kingdom & Ireland
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Ireland Coast to Coast - 9 days

9 days from

£2,615 / person

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Tour du Mont Blanc
Tour du Mont Blanc
Tour du Mont Blanc
Location Icon
France, Switzerland, Italy
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Tour du Mont Blanc

8 days from

TBC / person

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Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc
Location Icon
France
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Mont Blanc

8 days from

£2,995 / person

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The Dales Way - 10 Days
The Dales Way - 10 Days
The Dales Way - 10 Days
Location Icon
United Kingdom
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
The Dales Way - 10 Days

10 days from

£1,020 / person

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Western Frontiers End Denver
Western Frontiers End Denver
Western Frontiers End Denver
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Western Frontiers End Denver

10 days from

£3,387 / person

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Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining

Mountain areas of natural beauty

You only have to look at a picture of Mount Fuji, often framed in cherry blossom or ringed with early morning mist, to get a sense of how naturally beautiful a mountain can be. From the Dolomites in Italy to the Valley of Flowers National Park in the Indian Himalayas, UNESCO has noted numerous mountainous areas for their natural beauty.

Wildlife

Mountain animals

Numerous different types of animal have made mountainous regions their home. The animals you’ll find at these altitudes vary depending on where you are in the world. In the Rocky Mountains you’ll find moose, elk, deer, black and grizzly bears, cougars, lynx and bobcats. In the Himalayas you might spot clouded leopards, antelopes and monkeys. In South America, the Andes are home to alpacas, llamas, tapir, and the majestic Andrean condor.

Mountain plants

In countries in the northern hemisphere the trees most often found in mountains are coniferous, built to withstand cold temperatures and harsh conditions. Coniferous forests found along mountain ranges are home to fir, spruce and pine trees. Aspens, willows and shrub plants are also likely to be found here. In mountains in Australia and New Zealand broad-leaf trees are more likely, whilst in Japan area of health and grassland can be found at higher altitude than the trees.

Mountain countries

Mountains can be found across the world, from Chile to Japan. Some of the planet’s most famous mountain ranges include the Andes (which covers a large swathe of South America), the Himalayas (home to Everest and spreading through India, Nepal, China and Bhutan), the Rockies (Canada and the United States.) Household names including Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are found on the African continent, in Tanzania and Kenya respectively. Bhutan and Nepal are the most mountainous countries in the world.

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