Hemis Travel Essentials
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Ideal duration: 1 day
Best Time: April to June Read More
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Also Refered As:HAMIS
"Home to the Snow Leopard Capital of India"
Hemis Tourism
Hemis or Hamis is a quaint village in Leh district, located 40 km southeast of Leh on banks of the Indus River. Enveloped with a serene landscape, it is known for the Hemis Monastery. Built by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal, it is ranked as one of the wealthiest monasteries in India.
Hemis Monastery houses a spectacular copper statue of Lord Buddha along with stupas made of gold and silver, thangkas (a painting on cotton or silk, depicting Buddhist deity) and murals. All four sides of the monastery are decorated with the colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and sends out prayers to Lord Buddha. Hemis is most visited during the annual Hemis Festival held here each year in June.
Hemis is also home to the Hemis National Park. With a variety of langurs, wolves, marmots, deers and red foxes, the national park houses the rare and endangered snow leopard. With pristine and scenic surroundings, the hamlet has everything to experience, from a national park, museum to a Buddhist complex.
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Things to do in Hemis
1. Hemis Festival
The Hemis Festival, a two-day festival hosted at the Hemis Gompa Monastery celebrates the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan Lunar month (Read More), the main highlight of Hemis festival is the gathering of the lamas around the central flagpole of monastery, where they perform the mystic mask dances (Chams) and sacred plays.
2. Hemis National Park
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 large (Read More)st park in South Asia as well.
3. Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located 45 kms south of Leh. Built by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal, it is ranked as one of the wealthiest monasteries in India. Hemis Monastery is most visit (Read More)ed during the annual Hemis Festival, held every year in early June.
4. Gotsang Gompa
A 45-minute walk away from the world, is a retreat centre above Hemis Gompa is a retreat centre called Gotsang Gompa.
5. Stakna Gompa
A small shaky bridge over the Indus, leads one to the Stakna Gompa, on the banks of the river and looking out onto perhaps some of the most panoramic and beautiful views of Hemis.
6. Shang Gompa
In midst the snow peaked mountains and wrinkled terrains of Leh and Ladakh, Shang Gompa is a symbol of composure, tranquility, placidity and spending. The chanting of the monks is almost hypnotizing.
7. Shopping in Hemis
While at the Hemis Gompa, one might spot the Hemis Museum Shop. Be tempted to go inside and get your hands on the painting, wooden dragon statues, Curios, postcards and much more.
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Snow Leopard Capital of India
Nicknamed so for being host to an exclusive wildlife reserve for the rare breed of snow leopard, Hemis is reclusive but beautiful town, situated in the Leh-Ladakh region of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. However, snow leopards aren't the only thing in Hemis. Besides the wide range of fauna present in the Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary, the Hemis town is also famous for its serene Buddhist Gompas [monasteries]. So, if you want a slice of both adventure and spiritualism on the same platter, go beyond Leh & Ladakh, and try Hemis.
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Nearby Places
How to Reach Hemis
How to Reach Overview
Hemis is well connected to the rest of India by road through Leh. There are two routes of reaching Hemis - via Srinagar Leh highway or the Leh Manali highway. Both these roads close from October/November to May. Regular bus services also ply to and from Hemis connecting it to Leh and further. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity to Hemis.
How to reach Hemis by flight
There is no direct flight connectivity to Hemis. The nearest airport is in Leh, i.e. The Leh Rimpochee Airport, around 42 away from Hemis. You can get a bus or taxi from Leh to reach Hemis.
How to reach Hemis by road
Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Hemis. They operate on a daily basis, whether day or night, from places like Srinagar, Leh, Jammu Tawi etc. You can also take shared taxis or cabs for the same route.
How to reach Hemis by train
There is no direct rail connectivity to Hemis. Katra railway station is the nearest railway station to the site, 227 km away from the same.
Local transport in Hemis
Being a small village, it is mostly travelled on foot. You can even hire taxis on hourly or daily basis.
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Hemis Photos
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FAQs on Hemis
What is famous about Hemis?
A beautiful confluence of nature and Buddhist culture.
What is not so good about Hemis?
Hostile in winters. Not easily accessible.
Who should visit Hemis?
Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. Suitable for backpackers from nearby places like Leh, Ladakh, Srinagar etc.
What is the best time to visit Hemis?
Summer season is the best season for a visit to Hemis. The months when Hemis is ideal for a trip is for the months of April - June. Monsoon is also a good time to visit, while winter season, with freezing cold climate, is seriously the best time for a visit.
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What is the local food in Hemis?
Hemis shares cuisine with Leh and is dominated by the same elements amd influences. Hence the essentials of the cuisine here are thukpa (thick soup with vegetables), Pava (made of sattu) ,khambir (local bread), sandwiches made with apricot jam, steamed dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables with chili sauce , Skieu (made with veggies, mutton and flour).
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What is the best way to reach Hemis?
Hemis is well connected to the rest of India by road. Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Hemis; buses being operated both by private and government owners, especially the Jammu & Kashmir Road Transport Corporation. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity, however, to Hemis. Some 42 away is the Leh Rimpochee airport, which is the nearest airport that connects Hemis to the rest of India. The nearest railway station to Hemis is in Katra, which is 277 km away.
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What are the things to do in Hemis?
The top things to do in Hemis are Hemis High Altitude Wildlife Sanctuary, Hemis Monastery, Gotsang Gompa, Stakna Gompa, Shang Gompa, Shopping in Hemis. You can see all the places to visit in Hemis here
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Popular Questions And Answers on Hemis
Q. Wen is d best time to visit leh ladakh...is it fine in July?
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Hemis Reviews
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Devyani Chandra
7 years ago
- Housing monks, when in Hemis, try to be at your peaceful best. The locals are helpful and speak their local dialect( Try not to get quirky about it!)