Sir Sidney Burrard divided the entire length of the Himalayas into the following four divisions on the basis of the river valleys:

1. The Punjab Himalayas:

The Punjab Himalayas cover a 560-kilometer length of the Himalayas between the Indus and Satluj rivers. As a result of the fact that a substantial amount of this sector is located in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, it is also known as the Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya. The primary ranges in this part include the Karakoram, Ladakh, Pir Panjal, Zaskar, and Dhaola Dhar. The 3,444-meter-high Zoji La pass makes for an easy journey. Valleys, dunes, and lakes lie between the main mountains. The overall elevation decreases to the west.

2. The Kumaon Himalayas:

The 320-kilometer-long Kumaon Himalayas run between the Satluj and Kali rivers. The western portion is known as the Garhwal Himalaya, while the eastern portion is known as the Kumaon Himalaya. In comparison to the Punjab Himalayas, the overall elevation is higher. Important peaks include Nanda Devi (7,817 m), Kamet (7,756 m), Trisul (7,140 m), Badrinath (7,138 m), Kedarnath (6,968 m), and Gangotri (6,510 m). The Kumaon Himalayas are home to the headwaters of sacred rivers such as the Ganga and the Yamuna. Between the Middle Himalayas and the Shiwalik Hills, there are many duns. The lakes of Nainital and Bhimatal are significant.

3. The Nepal Himalayas:

Between the Kali and Tista rivers, this area of the Himalayas runs over 800 kilometres. The Nepal Himalayas are named for the fact that the majority of them is located in Nepal. This is the highest part of the Himalayas, with several peaks that are always covered in snow. Mount Everest (8,850 metres) is the world's highest summit. Kanchenjunga (8,598 m), Lhotse I (8,850 m), Makalu (8,481 m), Dhaula Giri (8,172 m), Cho Oyu (8,153 m), and Annapuran (8,078 m) are the other notable peaks. Kathmandu is a well-known valley in this region.

4. The Assam Himalayas:

The Assam Himalayas are a 750-kilometer-long Himalayan range that runs from the Tista to the Brahmaputra Rivers. This section of the Himalayas, which spans significant swaths of Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, is substantially lower in elevation than the Nepal Himalayas. The southern slopes are extremely steep, while the northern slopes are relatively gentle. The Lesser Himalayas are quite near to the Great Himalayas and are relatively narrow. Namcha Barwa (7,756 m), Kula Kangri (7,7554 m), and Chomo Lhari are three of the region's most notable peaks (7,327 m)

Other researchers, in addition to Sir Sydney Burrard, have divided the Himalayas in their own unique method. Prof. S.P. Chatterjee (1,964), for example, classified the Himalayan region into three meso physiographic zones. Apart from the Purvanchal ranges in the north-east, they are known as (1) Western Himalayas (Kashmir, Punjab, and Kumaon Himalayas), (2) Central Himalayas (Nepal Himalayas), and (3) Eastern Himalayas. R.L. Singh (1971) divided the Himalayas into three sections.

From the above discussion, it sounds more logical to divide the Himalayas into the following three broad divisions:

1. The Western Himalayas:

The Western Himalayas, which stretch for 880 kilometres between the Indus River in the west and the Kali River in the east, are divided into three states: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Kashmir Himalaya, Himachal Himalaya, and Kumaon Himalaya are the three physiographic provinces that make up the Himalaya.

The Kashmir Himalaya is almost fully within Jammu and Kashmir's borders. This region has an average elevation of about 3,000 metres above sea level. A number of glaciated troughs run through this province. The Indus is the most important river, running diagonally through the region for around 650 kilometres. The majestic Karakoram range sits to the north of this river. This range contains high peaks and numerous enormous glaciers. This range contains the world's second highest peak, Godwin Austin or K2 (8611 m). The Ladakh plateau and the Kashmir valley are two of the region's most important areas. High snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, interlocking spurs, and High Mountain passes are the main features of the Kashmir Himalaya.

Himachal Pradesh is the home of the Himachal Himalayas. All the three ranges of the Himalaya are represented in this area. The Zaskar range represents the Greater Himalaya, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges symbolise the smaller Himalaya, and the Shiwalik range represents the Outer Himalaya. Some of the peaks in the main range soar beyond 6,000 metres. The southern slopes are rocky and forested, whereas the northern slopes are sparsely vegetated and feature lakes and plains. Important passes include Zoji La, Rohtang, Bara Lacha La, and Shipki La. Kullu, Kangra, Lahul, and Spiti are all stunning valleys in this area.

The Kumaon Himalayas run from the Satluj River to the Kali River in Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi (7817 m), Kamet (7,756), Mana (7,273 m), Trisul (7,140 m), Badrinath (7,138 m), Kedarnath (6,968 m), Jauli or Shiving (6,638 m), and Gayatri (6,638 m) are the most prominent summits (6,515m). The Gangotri glacier is where the sacred Ganga originates. Around 36 lakes dot the landscape. The Mussoorie and Nag Tiba ranges in Kumaon Himalaya constitute the Lesser Himalayas. The famed Nainital Lake is located in this area. The Shiwalik, which is around 900-1000 metres high in this region and runs for about 75 kilometres between the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers, is located south of the Mussoori range. The flat valleys between the Lesser Himalaya and the Shiwalik range are known as "Doons" or "Duns," the most notable of which is Dehra Dun. A number of mountain passes connect the Kumaon Himalaya to Tibet, including Thaya La, Muling La (5,669 m), Mana (5,611 m), Niti (5,068), Marhi La (4,953 m), Kungribingri, Darma, and Lipin Laot.

2. The Central Himalayas:

Between the rivers Kali in the west and Tista in the east, the Central Himalayas span for about 800 kilometres. The Himalayas' three ranges are all visible here. This is where the Great Himalaya range reaches its highest point. Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Annapurna, Gosainthan, and Dhaulagiri are among the world's most famous summits. This region is known as Mahabharat Lekh, or the Lesser Himalaya. Rivers such as the Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi run through the mountain. The Kathmandu and Pokhra valleys, which are lacustrine deposits, lie between the Great and Lesser Himalayas. To the east, the Shiwalik range is quite close to the smaller Himalaya, and beyond Narayani, it is almost non-existent (Gandak).

3. The Eastern Himalayas:

This section of the Himalayas runs for around 720 kilometres between the Tista River in the west and the massive Brahmaputra River in the east. The Eastern Himalayas, also known as the Assam Himalayas, are primarily found in Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. This region of the Himalayas is known by a variety of names based on the names of indigenous people who live in various locations. Namcha Barwa (7,756m), Kula Kangri (7,554m), Chamo Lhari (7,327m), Hozin Kang Sa (7,252m), Gyalaperi (7,151m), and Kangto (7,151m) are the most prominent peaks in this area (7,090). The Eastern Himalayas have a number of mountain passes. Jalep La (4,535m), Bum La (4,331m), Tse La (4,740m), Tunga (5,044nm), Yonggyap (3,962), and Kangri Karpo La are the most important passes (5,636m). The Tibetan capital Lhasa is accessible via the Jelep La in Sikkim's Chumbi valley and the Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh. Fluvial erosion is particularly prominent in the Assam Himalayas, owing to intense rainfall.

After the Dihang gorge, the Himalayas abruptly swing south, and the Purvanchal Hill ranges, which run roughly north-south along India's Myanmar border, are collectively known as the Purvanchal. Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, Kohima Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo Hills (formerly known as the Lushai Hills), Tripura Hills, and Barail Range are some of the native names for these hills. The Purvanchal Himalaya extends southwards across the Myanmar range to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and even to the Indonesian archipelago.