ABOUT HEMIS NATIONAL PARK

Hemis National Park is a high -altitude park situated in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Established in 1981, it derives its name from Hemis Gompa monastery. Situated at a height of 3300-6000 metres, it is the largest high altitude protected reserve of India. The park is bounded in the north by Indus River, and includes the catchments of Markha, Sumdah and Rumbak and parts of Zanskar Range. The park houses numerous Tibetan gompas and holy chortens. Historically, it was a destination and via point on the silk routes of Tibet.
The park lies within Karakoram West Tibetan plateau alpine steppe eco-region and contains pine forests, alpine shrublands and meadows and alpine Tundra. The vegetation of the park consist of sparse grasslands containing poplar, juniper and birch trees.Mammals found here include Snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow, Tibetan antelope, Palla’s cat, srapu, bharal, red fox, rhesus macaque, Hanuman languor, wolf, marmot, Tibetan argali and Ladakh urial. The region also shelters birds like brown accentor, robin accentor, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Streaked rosefinch, Tibetan snowfinch, chukar, Fork-tailed Swift, Red-billed chough, Himalayan snowcock, and the Fire-fronted serin.

WHEN TO GO ?

The best time to visit the park is from May to September. In winters, snowfall can make traversing in the park difficult.