Leh Ladakh remains on the bucket list of all travelers, mine too. If you are planning a trip to Ladakh this year, July is the best time to explore. The city turns into a celebration hub, and you can join the Hemis Festival to explore the culture and ancient traditions. A two-day festivity from July 5th to 6th, 2025, is a must-see to rejuvenate your soul. Whether you are a photographer, adventure lover, cultural enthusiast, or nature lover, the Hemis Festival, Ladakh has it all in its bucket.
What is the Hemis Festival 2025?
The Hemis Festival is celebrated every year in Ladakh at the Hemis Monastery. The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), venerated as the representative reincarnation of the Buddha, and is celebrated through dance performances at Hemis Monastery. He is believed to have been born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission was, and remains, to improve the spiritual conditions of all living beings. And so on this day, Hemis observes a major extravaganza in his memory. The observance of these sacred rituals is believed to give spiritual strength and good health.
The Ladakh Hemis Festival is one of the popular monastic celebrations, and as a tourist, you can experience:
- Cham Dances,performed by the Monks, who wore vibrant costumes and used face masks.
- Ancient Buddhist rituals and thangka displays
- Traditional Tibetan music with longhorns and cymbals
- A colorful crowd of locals and tourists in traditional attire
The festival takes place in a rectangular courtyard in front of the main door of the Hemis Monastery. The largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, and the space is wide and open, save two raised square platforms, three feet high, with a sacred pole in the centre. At the festival, a huge Buddhist painting, also known as a Thangka, was displayed to the devotees and tourists. The painting is displayed once every 12 years, and we can expect the next display in 2034. Several musicians play traditional music with four pairs of cymbals, large pan drums, small trumpets, and large wind instruments. Next to them, a small space is assigned for the lamas to sit.
2025 Dates for Hemis Festival
The famous festival of Ladakh, Hemis Festival, will be celebrated on July 5th and 6th, 2025. A two-day festival brings culture and beauty together. To experience the Hemis Festival, huge crowds gather, so book your tickets in advance and arrive at least 2 days before the festival.
How to Reach Hemis Monastery
The Hemis Festival is celebrated at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, located about 45 km from Leh. There are two ways to reach the Monastery, i.e; Air and Road.
By Air: The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. There are some direct flights from Delhi, Srinagar, and Chandigarh. Once you arrive at Leh Airport, hire a taxi to reach Hemis Monastery, which is around 45 km away and takes a 1.5-hour drive to reach the destination.
By Road:
- From Manali: If you have a long leave, then only take the Manali route, as it is a long way with scenic views. The Manali-Leh Highway is 475 km from the destination, and a 2-day overnight halt is required.
- From Srinagar: The other route is via the Srinagar-Leh Highway. The distance is around 420 km and requires 2 days to reach the venue.
- Roads are only open from late May to October.
Where to Stay for Hemis Festival
The Hemis Festival in Ladakh is very popular among tourists, thus, requires 2-3 months advance booking.
Near Hemis: Hemis doesn’t have major hotels, but you’ll find homestays and guesthouses in Karju, Martselang, and Stakna villages. These villages are not far from the town, Hemis.
In Leh:
- Budget: Zostel Leh, Shaolin Guest House, Tukchu Homestay
- Mid-Range: The Grand Dragon, Hotel Glacier View, Sangto Villa
- Luxury: The Indus Valley, Chamba Camp Thiksey (glamping experience)
Attraction Points near Hemis
You can explore some of the destinations mentioned below, apart from the Hemis Festival celebrations:
- Thiksey Monastery
- Shey Palace
- Shanti Stupa
- Tso Moriri or Pangong Lake
- Stok Palace Museum
Tips for Tourists
- Ladakh is at a high altitude, and to avoid altitude sickness, take a rest on the first day of your journey.
- Carry water, glucose, and take small sips to stay hydrated.
- The weather in Ladakh is difficult to predict, and in the evenings, you may experience the cold. Bring winter clothes, and layering is a good option.
- The mornings are sunny, and the intense, dry air damages your skin. Carry sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm for your skin.
- In some parts of Ladakh, you may face network issues, and not all areas accept cards or digital payment. To avoid any chaos, carry cash.
Travel Essentials – Hemis Festival
- An Inner Line Permit (ILP)is required for some areas in Ladakh. You can apply online or at the Leh DC Office for the ILP.
- Don’t forget to take medicines, especially for motion sickness, and a camphor. Apart from this, you can add daily medicines suggested by your doctor.
- Electricity may not be consistent in remote areas. Do carry Camera & Power Bank.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post, I have explained a tour of the Hemis Festival in Ladakh. I will create a separate blog for the Ladakh Tour for 10-15 days. But for the Hemis Festival 2025, you need only 4-5 days and would advise reaching either on July 3rd or 4th, 2025.
The Hemis Festival is more than an event; it’s a journey to the land where normal people need extra effort to survive. Join the event to experience sacred dance, culture, heritage, and tradition.
Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema……
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