Hemis National Park is a famous wildlife park and tourist destination in the UT of Ladakh. Perched at an altitude of 3300 m to 6000 m above sea level, it is India’s second largest continuous protected area after the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
The park has gained more popularity among tourists due to the presence of a huge number of snow leopards. Hemis National Park was established in the year 1981 and is flanked by five villages including Shingo, Yurutse, Chillinga, Sku-Kaya, and Rumbak.
It is spread over an area of 3,350 square kilometers and is the largest national park in India and the entire South Asia region. Hemis National Park is a haven for photography lovers and trekkers as the park offers various trekking and hiking trails. Also, it is a perfect destination for nature lovers and wildlife freaks because the park has a large population of snow leopards and exotic birds.
Summer is the best time to visit this national park when tourists can witness here lush greenery, outdoor activities, and wildlife safari
Flora of Hemis National Park Leh
Due to its location in the rain shadow region of the Himalayas, Hemis National Park receives very little rainfall. So, the park is covered with dry forests or barren land with mostly fir trees present at lower altitudes. The two most extensively found trees present in lower areas of this national park are alpine and Steppe. Some other plant species grow in this area such as Juniper and Dry birch. The upper area consists of Kobresia, Veronica, Gentiana, Carex, and others.
The region of the Steppe contains Ephedra, Artemisia, Stachys, and many more. There are also some endangered medicinal plants found here which are Hyoscyamus niger, Artemisia maritima, Bergenia stracheyi, and others.
Fauna of Hemis National Park Ladakh
Hemis National Park is home to rich fauna which includes diverse wildlife such as many endangered and rare species. The park has a variety of 16 mammals and 7 bird species. More than 200 snow leopards reside in this national park which are present in the Rumbak catchment area.
Some of the other attractions of this park are Blue Sheep or Bharal, Great Tibetan Sheep, Shapu (Ladaki Urial), Himalayan Mouse Hare, and Himalayan marmot. Other popular animals that one can spot in Hemis National Park are Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Eurasian Brown Bear, Mountain weasel, and others.
There are also 73 species of birds among which notable ones include the golden eagle, lammergeier vulture, fire-fronted serin, robin accentor, streaked rosefinch, red-billed chough, black-winged snowfinch, Himalayan snowcock and others.
The climate of Hemis National Park
The park receives a good amount of sunlight and warmth in the summer months. The days are quite warm and nights a little cold in the summer. The best time to visit this park is the summer season from May to September when you can enjoy some scenic views and camping, photography, hiking, and bird watching. However, if you want to enjoy trekking, then you should visit the park from the middle of June to the middle of October.
If you visit the park in March, you can witness the Hemis festival which is celebrated annually in the Hemis monastery. Winter season is extremely harsh with heavy snowfall in the region. Winter begins in October and ends in early March. It is the ideal time to spot snow leopards here.
The best time to visit Hemis National Park
The best time to visit Hemis National Park is the summer season when the weather is favorable for traveling.
Summer (May to September ): The period between May to September is the best season to visit Hemis National Park as the weather is warm and comfortable. During the summer season, you can enjoy various outdoor activities here such as hiking, bird watching, photography, camping, and sightseeing tours. From June to July, tourists can also enjoy the Hemis festival and explore the culture of Ladakh.
Winter ( October to April): Ladakh receives a good amount of snowfall from November and it becomes inaccessible to reach here. The roads get closed and trekking routes also become difficult to access.
How to reach Hemis National Park
The park can be reached via air or road. First, you have to reach Leh and then to Hemis National Park.
Via flight: Tourists can book their flight from Delhi, Jammu, Chandigarh, or Srinagar to Leh airport. After reaching the airport, you can board a bus or cab to reach Hemis National Park.
Via road/ trek: You can also reach Leh via a cab or taxi and reach your destination. However, if you love adventure, then you can start trekking from Spituk village and travel through Zingchen and Markha Valley to reach the park.
Nearby travel attractions
Hemis Monastery
It is the most popular Hemis monastery of Ladakh which is located about 45 kilometers from the capital city Leh. This monastery hosts a 2 day annual Hemis festival in which Thangka (Buddhist paintings) are unfurled and chhams (masked dances performed by monks).
Thiksey Monastery
You can also visit Thiksey Monastery on your trip to Hemis National Park. It is a beautiful monastery which is located in the serene Indus valley about 19 km from Ladakh. The monastery features the Maitreya temple which was constructed here to commemorate the visit of Dalai Lama to Thiksey monastery in the year 1970.
Shey Palace
Also known as Shey Monastery or Shey Gompa, it is located near Leh. The palace was once the residence of the royal family of Ladakh and was built in the 17th century by King Deldan Namgyal. The palace lies on a hillock with stunning views of surrounding landscapes and its architecture resembles Tibetan and Indian styles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the entry fees for visiting Hemis National Park?
There is an entrance fee for visiting Hemis National Park. Indian tourists have to pay 20 INR and 200 INR for international travelers.
What are the times to visit Hemis National Park?
Tourists can visit the park from 9:00 AM in the morning to 5:00 PM in the evening.
Are there any trekking opportunities in Hemis National Park?
Yes, the park offers several trekking trails such as Ganda La which is located inside the premises of the park.
Is camping allowed in Hemis National Park?
Yes, camping is allowed in some designated areas of the park and tourists should follow some rules and regulations to avoid polluting the environment.