Hemis National Park, Ladakh - Safari, Timings, Entry Fees

Hemis National Park, Hemis Overview

The Hemis National Park is located at an altitude ranging between 3,300 and 6,000 metres above sea level. Home to rare snow leopards, this park is known to be the highest in the world. It is the largest park in South Asia as well.

Founded in 1981, the Hemis National Park is also a site to six villages, housing over 1600 residents. Some of which are great camping sites. The park also sites the four-hundred-year-old Hemis Monastery. This national park is also well-known for trekking and hiking options.

Flora and Fauna in Hemis National Park

Fauna at Hemis National Park
Besides being one of the significant shelters for nearly 200 snow leopards, Hemis National Park also houses many other animals such as the Ibex, shapu and bharal.

There are sixteen other mammal species that have inhabited this park. Some of them are the Tibetan wolf, red foxes, the endangered species of the Eurasian brown bears, Himalayan marmots and mountain (pale) weasels. This park also shelters over 73 species of birds including different birds of prey such as the bearded vultures, the golden eagles and the Himalayan vultures.

Flora at Hemis National Park
The Hemis National Park falls on the shadowed region of the Himalayas. Thus, being a relatively drier area. Apart from several steppe and alpine trees, there are also layers of dry fauna towards the lower levels of the park. However, the upper mountainous regions are abundant in alpine trees. Besides, the Hemis National Park is also home to over fifteen endangered species of medicinal plants.

How to Reach Hemis National Park

There are a couple of public road transport modes covering between Leh and Hemis National Park. Travellers could also take up a trek from the Spituk Village in Leh to the park. The Kushak Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the nearest airport to Hemis National Park.

Best Time to Visit Hemis National Park

May to September is the best time to visit the Hemis National Park. However, the best time to spot snow leopards is towards the end of the winter season.

Although it's a great time for sighting some majestic animals, winters here can be harsh for tourism. If you're trekking to Hemis National park, then the best time to do so would be between mid-June and mid-October. But, you may not come across many bigger animals during this time.

Hemis National Park Safari

The roads leading and traversing through the Hemis National Park are not conducive for vehicles. Thus, vehicular movements here are completely banned. However, trekking is the most convenient way to go around the park.

There are plenty of well-marked trails moving throughout this national park. One significant route is the two-day Markha Valley trek, stretching between the Skiu and the Rumbak valleys. Some of the other starting points include Jingchau.