Hemis National Park is one of the most significant parks, which is situated in the northern region. The snowy mountain ranges, shallow rivers meandering through chasms and ridges creates an ecological balance, remaining undisturbed by the influx of modern trends.

In fact, it is named after a Buddhist monastery, the Hemis Gompa, which is located near the park. The area of Hemis covers more than 4,100 sq km in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir, covering the Markha and Rumbak Valleys. It also encompasses Zanskar River, which creates a vivid gorge here. It has an altitude ranging from 3,300 to 6,000 m. This is a cold desert hosting a wide variety of wildlife. The rarified air and cold temperature are the region`s specialty, and this rugged terrain is a marvelous example of nature`s bounty.

Hemis National Park is a wild abode of animals, the most important being Snow Leopard. It is one of the rare species on Earth, mesmerizing the tourists with their beauty and glory. The thick gray colored coating, slightly fading to whitish tinges in the lower portion of the body and pale markings nicely juxtaposes with the white and barrenness of the territory. A recent survey has brought out that the total population of this rare specie ranges approximately from thirty to fifty.

Other wild ferocious animals too are abundant in the rugged terrain of Hemis National Park. In the 1980s, a group of four Wild Dogs was discovered in the Markha Valley. Among the mammals, Wolf, Red Fox, MAMMALS Snow Leopard (Ounce)(above), Wolf, Wild Dog (Dliole), PallaS`s Cat, Red Fox, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Ibex, Ladakh Urial (Shapu), Tibetan Argali, Long-tailed Marmot, Himalayan Mouse-hare are famous.

Besides there are almost fifty categories of birds found who used to fly at high altitudes. Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeie, Little Owl, Common Kestrel are noteworthy among them.

Also the region is enthralled with the sweet tunes of birds like Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, Chukar, Horned Lark, Snow Pigeon, Hill Pigeon, Red-billed Chough, Yellow-billed Chough, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, White-tailed Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Mountain Cliiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Robin Accentor, Alpine Accentor, Tibetan Snowfmch, Rock Bunting etc.

On the side of the river beautiful birds like Merganser, Brown-headed Gull, Brown Dipper, White-throated Dipper, White- winged Redstart are found.

Among other endangered species that are found in the region the Bharal, or Blue Sheep, grazes on the rich grasses of the higher levels of Hemis National Park during summer. Its population in the park is about four thousand. There are quite a few numbers of Ibex, able-bodied goats with long horns. Two sheep, namely, the small Ladakh Urial with heavily wrinkled horns and the Tibetan Argali, also belong to the categories of endangered species in India. Ladakh Urial has huge curved horns and it has a total population of three hundred. Quite a few types of mammals such as mice and voles, and other small animals, such as tailless mouse-hares are found here. The park offers spectacular trekking routes, making it ideal for the skaters to visit here from almost everywhere from the world.