The Hemis National Park is located in the Ladakh division of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Situated at a distance of around 40 km southeast of Leh, it takes its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa situated here. The National Park is situated at the bank of river Indus and includes the catchments areas of Markha, Sumdah, and Rumbak streams. The park extends from the latitude 33º38'-34º11' in the North to longitude 77º00'-77º44' in the East.

Hemis high altitude National Park is the largest high Altitude Park of India. This magnificent park comprises of hard lime stone mountains. All around the place one can see enormous white colored rocks. The peaks range from about 3300 m to 6420 m. These rocky cliffs provide a unique view with captivating beauty.

The park was named after Hemi Gompa a Buddhist monastery while is situated inside the park. It is a wonderful piece of architecture and provides a soothing environment. The monks chant their prayers here, making it a wonderful place to meditate and grow spiritually. This Gompa lies in the eastern part of the Hemis National Park, and it is the most important monastery in the entire ladakh. This place is very important to the Buddhists.

The park came up in 1981. It is situated close to Leh in the Ladakh district. The place is scantly vegetated and has its whole some share of fauna. It lies on the banks of the Indus River. The blue waters of the river and the white lime stone hills provide the most mystifying scenery. The Buddhists and the army troops mostly visit this place. Camping is the most exciting part of the whole trip. Unlike other high altitude parks, camping is allowed here provided that there are sufficient provisions.

Tourist infrastructure is on its way and is being developed. However tented accommodation is provided here which gives the feeling of being close to nature and to enjoy what it offers.

The hilly tracks of Hemis Park are sparsely vegetated which comprises mainly of Alpine forests. Some herbaceous flora that can be found here is the Junipers, Salix, poplar trees, birch, Myricaria, Taraxacum, Leortopodim, Astragalus spp. and Ephedra sps. Besides these herbaceous plants and grass cover the area but most of it is composed of rocks.

The special feature of the park beside its picturesque scenery is its fauna. The park’s fauna is endangered and strict conservative measures are best implemented here. The park is home to various species of mountain animals like the snow leopard. The snow leopard is a highly endangered member of the cat family and it is on the brink of extinction. This park is an effort of rejuvenating the leopard population. It is a very important leopard reserve of India. In addition to leopards we find the endangered wolf dog, Tibetan wild Ass, small animals like the wooly hare, Bharal is uniformly spread here. Urial is concentrated in the northern region of the park. The Ibex is found in the Sundah and the Shun – Shadi valley. Some 15 species of mammals are found here alone. The Hemis national park is a tribute to the wild life heritage of India. Not many places have such diverse wild life.

Further, the reserve also has more than 70 species of birds to be found. An amazing fact is that around 20 of the species are migratory and come to this place. Beautiful birds such as the Great Nose Finch, and Red Mantled Rose Finch are most commonly found here. These birds are common in Leh whole Ladakh region. Other birds, which come here mainly through migration in winters, are the Black Throated Thruh, Robin Accentor, Great Grey shrike, Spotted flycatcher Red Flanked Blue Tail, Migratory Teal etc. The birds do not breed here, they just pause here for some time while flying over this region.

This unique park attracts many tourists’ partly due to its diversified flora and fauna and partly due to its scenic beauty encapturing within it the Buddhist monastery, the Hemis Gompa.

Recommended time to visit the place is in summers i.e. between May to September. At this time of the year the weather is cold but pleasant unlike winters. When the temperature remains near freezing point even at day time where as at night it goes to as low as –20⁰C. Although the park only provides the visitors with temporary infrastructure like tents, it is highly preferred and is quite accessible.

One can reach the place via Leh because Leh is the nearest town only 30 Km. away and the airport is at Leh.

By train Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station from where some other means of transport will have to be used. However, private transport is widely used. The most popular route to reach the place is Markeha – Shang – Rambath valley, which gives a preview of the park.