Home • Ladakh • Hemis National Park (Hemis High Altitude National Park)
Hemis National Park Ladakh — India's Largest NP & Snow Leopard Capital
India's largest national park spanning 4,400 square kilometres, globally celebrated as the premier sanctuary of the elusive wild snow leopard.
Area: 4,400 sq km (Largest in India)Designated: 1981Flagship Species: Snow Leopard (*Panthera uncia*)Valleys: Rumbak, Markha, SkiuPermit: Wildlife Department Entry Permit
Hemis National Park, spanning 4,400 square kilometres, the largest national park in India and the world's premier snow leopard habitat.Quick Orientation
Total Area
4,400 sq km (1,700 sq miles)
Elevation Range
3,300 m to 6,000 m
Year Established
1981 (Expanded 1988 & 1990)
Key Predator
Snow Leopard (Est. 200+ individuals)
Key Trekking Routes
Markha Valley Trek & Stok Kangri Climb
Chapter I — India's Colossal High-Altitude Reserve
The 4,400-Square-Kilometre Wilderness
Hemis National Park (formally known as Hemis High Altitude National Park) is an immense trans-Himalayan protected wilderness situated south of the Indus River in Ladakh. Covering an astonishing area of approximately 4,400 square kilometres, it is officially the **largest notified national park in the Republic of India** and the only national park in the country located north of the Great Himalayan Range.
Encompassing the rugged mountain catchments of the Markha, Rumbak, and Sumdah rivers, the park's topography spans altitudes from 3,300 metres along the Indus gorge up to the glaciated 6,153-metre summit of Stok Kangri. The landscape is quintessential high-altitude cold desert: stark, scree-covered ridges, alpine meadows (*bugyals*), deep gorges lined with juniper and sea buckthorn, and hanging glaciers.
Chapter II — Snow Leopard Stronghold
The World Capital of the 'Ghost of the Mountains'
Hemis National Park is globally renowned among wildlife biologists and conservationists for possessing the **highest density of wild snow leopards (*Panthera uncia*) in any protected reserve on Earth**. Scientists estimate that between 150 and 200 snow leopards inhabit the park's formidable mountain labyrinth.
During the winter months from December to March, heavy snow forces prey animals and snow leopards down into the lower valleys of Rumbak, Zingchen, and Husing. Wildlife documentary crews from National Geographic, the BBC, and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe converge here on guided winter tracking expeditions to photograph this elusive apex predator in its native habitat.
Chapter III — Biodiversity & Avifauna
Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep, and Golden Eagles
Beyond the snow leopard, Hemis supports an extraordinary community of high-altitude trans-Himalayan mammals. The primary prey species sustaining the leopards are the **Bharal or Blue Sheep** (*Pseudois nayaur*) and the magnificent **Himalayan Ibex** (*Capra sibirica*), which navigate vertical cliffs with astonishing agility. The park also protects healthy populations of the rare Ladakh Urial or Shapo (*Ovis vignei vignei*), Tibetan wolf, red fox, mountain weasel, and the dense colonies of Himalayan marmots.
Avian diversity is equally impressive: Hemis is home to majestic raptors including Golden eagles, Bearded vultures (Lammergeier), and Himalayan griffons soaring on thermal updrafts, alongside Himalayan snowcock, chukar partridge, and wallcreepers nesting in sheer rock fissures.
Logistics & Practical Advice
How to Reach, Permits & Travel Rules
Critical Information for Visitors
Entry Points: The primary western gateway is Zingchen village (approx. 45 minutes drive from Leh). The southern and eastern gateways connect near Chilling (Zanskar River) and Martselang (near Hemis Monastery).
Entry Permits: A Wildlife Department entry permit is required for trekking and wildlife spotting inside the park, obtainable from the Wildlife Protection Department office in Leh (approx. ₹100/day for Indians, ₹500/day for foreign nationals).
Trekking Season: June to October for the famous Markha Valley Trek. January to March for winter snow leopard tracking expeditions.
Eco-Homestays: The park pioneers community-based conservation through certified village homestays in Rumbak, Yurutse, Skiu, and Markha, ensuring tourist revenue directly supports local villagers.
Hemis National Park is famous for being the largest national park in India (4,400 sq km) and for having the highest density of wild snow leopards in any protected area in the world.
How do I visit Hemis National Park from Leh?
The main gateway is Zingchen, located about 20 km southwest of Leh. From Zingchen, you enter the park on foot or on pony into the Rumbak and Husing valleys.
When is the best time to see snow leopards in Hemis?
The best time for snow leopard spotting is during the winter months (January through March) when heavy snow drives snow leopards into the lower valley bottoms in search of blue sheep.
Can I trek through Hemis National Park in summer?
Yes. The world-famous Markha Valley Trek (5 to 7 days) traverses the heart of Hemis National Park, crossing high passes like Kongmaru La (5,260 m) between June and September.
Are there hotels inside Hemis National Park?
No commercial hotels are permitted inside the park. Visitors stay in certified eco-homestays run by local villagers in hamlets like Rumbak, Skiu, and Markha, or camp in designated wilderness campsites.
