Ladakh's monasteries, called gompas, sit on hilltops above villages and rivers, and many of them are centuries old. These are the ones our Ladakh trips pass or visit, and what to know before you go in.
Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey climbs a hill in white tiers south-east of Leh and is often compared with the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Inside is a large statue of the Maitreya, the future Buddha. Our bike trip stops here on the way back from Pangong, and so does the Moon Land tour.
Hemis Monastery
The largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, in a side valley south of the Indus. Its masked-dance festival in summer draws visitors from across India; the date follows the Tibetan calendar, usually in June or July. The Moon Land tour visits Hemis on the return from Pangong.
Diskit Monastery
The oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra Valley, on a slope above Diskit village. A giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, about 32 m tall, looks out over the Shyok river. Our trips pass Diskit on the way to the Hunder dunes.
Lamayuru Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, dating to the 11th century, above the eroded Moon Land hills about 120 km west of Leh. The Moon Land tour includes it as a day trip.
Spituk, Shey and Shanti Stupa
Spituk Monastery stands on a hill beside Leh airport and is part of the Leh local day. Shey Palace, the old summer palace of Ladakh's kings, has a large seated Buddha and is on the return from Pangong. Shanti Stupa, the white stupa above Leh built in 1991, is the place to watch the sunset.
Visiting tips
- Dress modestly and remove shoes and caps where asked
- Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels
- Ask before taking photos inside prayer halls
- Visit early in the morning to hear the prayers, and keep your voice low
- Climbing to hilltop gompas is tiring at altitude, so go slowly
Questions
Which is the largest monastery in Ladakh?
Hemis Monastery, south-east of Leh, is the largest and best known for its summer festival.
Which monastery looks like the Potala Palace?
Thiksey Monastery, which rises up a hill in white tiers south-east of Leh.
When is the Hemis festival?
It follows the Tibetan calendar and is usually held in June or July.
Which monasteries does your Ladakh bike trip visit?
Spituk on the Leh day, Diskit on the way to Hunder, and Thiksey with Shey Palace on the way back from Pangong.
