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.

Location: Located in the eastern part of Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir in north India.
Best Time To Visit: April to June.
Famous for: its snow leopards, it is believed to have the highest density of them in any protected area in the world.