WILD TRAILS IN INDIA

H!"#$ H#%& A'(#()*! NP | J+K

Hemis High Altitude National
Park, located amidst the awesome
moonscapes of Ladakh, across
the craggy Markha and Rumbak
valleys, is the highest national
park in India (altitude ranging
from 3,140 m to 5,854 m) and the
second largest protected area in
India a!er Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve (over 600 sq km).
Notified in 1981, the park is
named a!er the remarkable
Hemis Gompa, the largest and
most well-known monastery in
Ladakh. It lies 40 kms south-west
of Leh and is also known as the
snow leopard capital of India,
inhabited as it is by the elusive
animal. If you are lucky you may

come across a herd of kiangs, the

largest of all wild asses, as they
trot across these high altitude
deserts. The streaked rose finch,
Tibetan snow finch, Himalayan
snowcock and the fork-tailed
swi! are a few bird species found
only in this high-altitude park.
The park has four entry points:
Martselang is 45 kms from
Leh, Chilling is 60 kms from
Leh, while Stok and Zingchan,
at a distance of 13 and 25 kms
respectively, are located in north
of the park.
BELOW: Black necked cranes are found
in remote parts of India and Bhutan,
and are the state birds of J&K

At a glance
District: Ladakh
Distance: 10 kms from Hemis
Nearest Airport: Leh
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Open all year round
Best time to visit : May-Sept
Entry fee: Rs 20 (Indians);
Rs 100 (Foreigners)
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18

Permit: Available at the Chief

Wildlife Warden or the Deputy
Conservator of Forests offices at
Leh (01982-252171, 09419049275)
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Major fauna: Snow leopard,
kiang, red fox, bharal, ibex,
Tibetan argali, Ladakh urial
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Where to stay: Homestays;
Hemis Gompa; Leh