Hemis is located roughly 40 kilometers southeast of Leh, nestled in a steep, rocky gorge on the west bank of the Indus River. It lies within the Trans-Himalayan region, surrounded by the barren, rugged peaks of the Zanskar Range.
The geography is dramatically defined by the surrounding Hemis National Park, which spans over 4,400 square kilometers. The park incorporates parts of the Zanskar Range and the catchments of the Markha, Sumdah, and Rumbak rivers.
The terrain is characteristic of a high-altitude cold desert. Vegetation is sparse, largely confined to river valleys where meltwater sustains small patches of alpine shrubs, juniper, birch, and Himalayan willow. Despite the harsh geography, this ecosystem supports rare and resilient wildlife, including the snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Eurasian brown bear, bharal (blue sheep), and the Himalayan marmot.