Hemis National Park Tour
Delhi - Leh - Phey - Hemis National Park - Zingchen - Leh - Delhi
Ladakh; The land of High Passes stands at a height 4,600 meters in the outer Himalayas with its peaks, ranging from 5,800 to 7,600 meters forming the most striking feature of the area.
The snow leopard, or ounce, is truly a predator of the heights, one can spot snow leopard from November - March at Hemis national Park. Hemis National Park is a high altitude protected area created in year 1981 in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area of 600 sq km in the Markha and Rumbak valleys.
The snow leopard is Ladakh's most rare animal. Another one that is unique is the kyang or the wild horse, while at lower altitudes the musk deer too is a rare sight, precious by virtue of its expensive musk. Visitors are likely to spot many marmots, mouse hares, stone martens, red foxes, wolves, ibex, Bharal and shapu during the course of their journey but the habitat of the nyan (big horned sheep), chim (Tibetan antelope famed for its fleece-Shahtoosh), Goa (Tibetan gazelle), lynx, pallas cat, kyamg (wild horse) and brong dong (wild yak) are still outside the tourists' sphere.
The Park is full of dry forests of juniper, birch and fir are found in the park area. Also present are the alpine grasslands and scrublands. Various rare and endangered animal species found in the cold desert area are also housed in the Hemis National Park. Amongst these are the snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope. Amongst the avi fauna population found in the Hemis national park are the snow, snow partridge and golden oriole.
Day 1: Delhi - Leh (11,500 ft)
In the morning catch a flight for Leh. On arrival at Leh met our representative and transfer to hotel for rest. This is necessary for the acclimatisation. In the evening our expert will brief about the whole trip followed by welcome dinner. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 02: Leh (the day is free to explore the local market)
Today we will explore the Leh local market. It is full of small lanes with hidden treasures - take the time to explore. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 03: Leh Local sight seeing
In the morning after breakfast we will take a guided walking tour of Leh Palace, Victory Peak, the old quarter and offices (a local conservation organization). Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 04: Leh - Phey - Hemis National Park (12400 ft)
In the morning after breakfast we will drive to Phey and from here our trek will start along the Indus River gorge, a dramatic entry to Hemis National Park. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay at the park. Dinner & overnight at tent.
Day 05: Hemis National Park
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to viewing wildlife with our expert. The Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see sign of snow leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Day 06 to 11: Wildlife Viewing, Visit Villages and Home stays
From day 07 to day 12 we will trek to nearby sites where snow leopard may have been sighted recently. Visit neighboring villages, and experience a home-stay. Home stay hosts have been trained in hospitality and are members of a community conservation effort to conserve the endangered snow leopard. At home stay you will feel the culture of the Ladakhi people.
Day 12: Trek to Zingchen - Leh
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to Zingchan and from here drive to Leh. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Leh - Delhi
Early in the morning transfer to airport and from here catch a flight for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel. The day is for relax or one can explore the near by are by your own.
Tour and Services Ends.
Animal Spotting Tips
If you're serious about observing wildlife there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience and bring you even closer to nature.
1) Once you've planned your trip, visit your local bookshop, library or go on the internet to find a wildlife guide for the area you intend visiting. This will give you the best idea of the kinds of plants and animals you can expect to see.
2) Always take services of a local and experienced naturalist/guide who knows the area better. There is nothing better than local knowledge when it comes to spotting wildlife.
3) Wild animals have their distinct daily and seasonal patterns of activities. a baisc knowledge of these patterns increases one's chances of seeing them. The frequency of wildlife sightings in national parks and reserves varies, depending on the time of year.In India the best times are from February to May,during these months the trees are often bare, so visibility is considerably improved. Since there is also a general scarcity of water, the animals concentrate near sources of water.
4) Many animals have an amazingly alert sense of sight which helps them survive in the wild. To get close takes a great degree of patience and time but you can increase your chances by wearing natural or neutral colours that blend into your surroundings. Keep your movements to a minimum and when you do move, do it slowly and quietly.
5) Animals are very wary of the human voice. So, in order to get close to them, absolute silence is essential. Walk softly and watch where you're placing your feet so as not to snap branches or twigs or create other noise as you make your approach. Even if you have to take a less direct route, avoid walking through dense undergrowth as the animal is more likely to hear you and run away. Avoid carrying any metal objects in your pockets which will make noise. This includes things like car keys and loose change.
6 ) A highly attuned sense of smell is one of the key aspects for many species of wildlife to detect where food is or, indeed, even prey. It is, for many, the most important of their senses in their battle for survival. Don't wear any aftershave or perfume and avoid scented soaps and deodorants. There are plenty of environmentally friendly non-scented soaps and toiletries on the market from specialist camping stores. Although you may baulk at this suggestion, wear your clothes for several days if you're really serious about wildlife spotting. The more you wear your clothes outdoors, the more the fabrics will absorb natural outdoors scents and smells. Always be aware of the wind direction and make sure that the direction in which you approach an animal is where the wind is blowing towards you. If it's blowing away from you, animals can detect your scent from many hundreds of yards away.
7) It shouldn't be important to get too close up to an animal to enjoy the experience and, in some instances, if you do get too near, it can even be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. Binoculars can keep you at a safe distance from your quarry and means they are less likely to run away. Also, binoculars are the only way to view nesting birds or other forms of young wildlife. You should never get too close to a burrow, a nest or animals out and about with their young.
A magnifying glass will also come in handy if you're interested in examining insects and smaller wildlife alongside plants, flowers etc.
Following these tips and advice will ensure that your experience will be heightened as you marvel at all the wildlife and nature you've witnessed.
Hemis National Park (Tour Highlight)
| City | Tour Highlight |
| Leh | City tour, Leh Palace, Victory Peak, the old quarter and offices (a local conservation organization). |
| Hemis National Park | Tibetan Wolf, blue sheep, Argali, Migratory Birds. |
| Villages & Home stay | Visit the neighboring Village, Home stay, and trek to Zingchen. |
Please provide us your contact number and convenient time, our expert will call back to you.
