Himalayas, satellite image. North is at top. The Himalaya mountain range along with several other subsidiary mountain ranges comprise the Greater Ranges of Asia. The Hindu Kush in Afghanistan are the most north westerly extension of the Himalayas. To the east in Pakistan is the Karakoram range and K2 (8,611 metres), the world's second highest mountain. Further east are the Himalayas and the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest (8,848). North of the Himalayas is the Tibetan Plateau (centre). The Takla Makan Desert is north of the Tibetan Plateau.