Monasteries in Ladakh: Thiksey, Hemis, Lamayuru, Alchi and More

Ladakh's Buddhist monasteries, or gompas, are among the most beautiful in the Himalaya. Many cling to hilltops above their villages, with whitewashed walls, prayer flags and views across the valleys, and inside they hold centuries-old wall paintings, statues and thangkas. Several still house large communities of monks.

Here are the monasteries most worth visiting, how to fit them into your trip, and how to behave when you visit.

About 19 km from Leh, Thiksey rises in tiers up a hill and is often compared to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Its highlight is a two-storey statue of the Maitreya (future) Buddha, about 15 metres tall. Arrive early to watch the monks' morning prayers, with chanting, horns and butter tea. Thiksey is easily visited on the way back from Pangong.

Hemis, about 45 km from Leh, is Ladakh's largest and wealthiest monastery, founded in the 17th century under royal patronage. It has a fine museum and is famous for the Hemis festival, held each year in June or July, with masked cham dances in the courtyard. Hemis is also the gateway to Hemis National Park, known for snow leopards.

On the Srinagar road about 125 km west of Leh, Lamayuru is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, set above an eerie landscape of eroded hills known as the 'moonland'. It is a highlight of any drive to Kargil or Srinagar, and can be visited on a long day trip from Leh.

Unusually, Alchi sits on flat ground by the Indus rather than on a hilltop. Its temples date to around the 11th century and contain some of the finest early Buddhist wall paintings in the Himalaya, influenced by Kashmiri art. Photography is not allowed inside. Alchi is about 65 km from Leh in Sham Valley.

• Diskit (Nubra): the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra, with a 32-metre Maitreya statue.
• Likir (Sham Valley): a hilltop monastery with a large golden Maitreya statue.
• Spituk: beside Leh airport, with views of the Indus valley.
• Shey: the old royal palace with a giant seated Buddha.
• Chemrey and Takthok: on the road to Pangong; Takthok is built around a cave.
• Phyang, Stakna and Matho: quieter gompas near Leh.
• Phuktal (Zanskar): a monastery built into a cliff cave, reached on foot. See our Zanskar guide.

Many monasteries hold annual festivals with masked dances, music and rituals, following the Tibetan lunar calendar, so dates change each year. The best known are Hemis (June or July), Spituk Gustor (winter), Thiksey Gustor (autumn) and the Lamayuru Yuru Kabgyat (summer). Read our Ladakhi food and festivals guide.

In one day you can visit Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Stakna along the Indus south-east of Leh, returning by evening. Another day takes you west to Spituk, Phyang, Likir and Alchi, and on a longer trip to Lamayuru. Start early to see the morning prayers at Thiksey, and plan for steps at most hilltop gompas.

Most monasteries have an assembly hall (dukhang) with statues and wall paintings, smaller chapels (lhakhang) dedicated to different deities, and rooftop views. Common figures include the Buddha, the future Buddha Maitreya, Guru Padmasambhava and protective deities. A local guide, available in Leh, can explain the art and rituals and greatly adds to the experience.

• Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; remove shoes and hats before entering prayer halls.
• Walk clockwise around stupas, mani walls and prayer wheels.
• Ask before photographing monks, and do not use flash; some halls do not allow photography.
• Do not touch statues or paintings, and keep your voice low during prayers.
• Pay the small entry fee and consider a donation.