Hemis National Park , Leh
About Hemis National Park
Located on the west bank of the Indus, in beautiful eastern Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir State, Hemis National Park is the largest national park in India. This 'high altitude' park is named after 400-year-old Hemis Gompa, a well-known Buddhist monastery situated 40 km. southeast of Leh.
Established in 1981, the Hemis National Park’s most striking feature is the snow leopard. An estimated 200 snow leopards inhabit the Hemis National park. Other mammals found in the park include Asiatic Ibex, shapu, Eurasian brown bear, and Tibetan wolf. Hemis National park is also home to Himalayan and Trans Himalayan preying birds like Lammergeier vultures and Himalayan Griffon vulture.
Park falls in high altitude desert comprising of rugged valleys, surrounded by peaks exceeding 5000m. The Stok Kangri peak is situated within Hemis National Park. The climate her is one of extremes, with substantial fluctuations. There are no motorable roads in the park. The park is a great place for trekking from mid-June to mid-October; however the best season to spot snow leopards is late winter.