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Monastries

Ladakh is home to many a historic ‘Gompa’ or monastery - the seat of ancient Buddhist learning and a living heritage in art, architecture and culture. Most of them are open to visitors during certain hours every day. You must visit them to see the rich collections of Buddhist Thangka paintings, art and artifacts.
Or just to soak in the sense of peace and positivity that surrounds these buildings.

While in a monastery, do remember to:
  • Take off your shoes before entering a prayer area.
  • Observe local dress codes, such as wearing clothing that covers your limbs.
  • Respect monks and do not disturb them.
  • Always ask permission before taking photographs.
  • Avoid touching religious artifacts.
  • Avoid drinking, smoking or spitting within the premises.
  • Avoid talking loudly or disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.
  • Leave a nominal donation for the maintenance of the monastery, if an entry fee is not charged.
  • Observe the 'walking' rules; in many Gompas, you are expected to walk around the premises only in a clockwise direction.
  • Some of the best-known Gompas in Ladakh are:

Hemis Gompa

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

The biggest monastery in Ladakh, it is located 45 km to the south of Leh. It was built in 1630 for the monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect and is famous for the annual Tse Chu festival it hosts in June-July to mark the anniversary of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. During the celebrations, dancers in brightly colored masks represent the good and evil characters of Mahayana Buddhism and enact an age-old saga of the victory of good over evil.

It is also the time when the local craftsmen gather to sell their handcrafted wares in a makeshift local bazaar. The monastery also makes a delightful destination even on regular days. You will be enchanted to see the beautiful frescoes on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh that is over 12 m in length!

Shanti Stupa

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

A white-domed structure in Chandspa, it is a sight to see at night. We also recommend the rather spectacular sunrise and sunset views from here. Shanti Stupa was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985 after a Japanese Buddhist organization built it to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace.

Sankar Gompa

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

This is the home of the monks of the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat order and is about 2 km north of the city center. It houses the grand image of Avalokiteshvara (the Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with 1000 heads and 1000 arms.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

Visitors flock here to see the 3 stories high image of Buddha and a rich collection of Buddhist art and manuscripts. From the ruined fort ahead of this monastery built in 1430, you can also photograph panoramic views of Leh.

Lamayuru Monastery

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

Perched on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the village of Lamayuru, this is also called the Yung Drung or the Swastika monastery. You will see many Thangka paintings in its main hall and every summer on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd month of the Tibetan-Buddhist calendar, it welcomes visitors to celebrate it annual festival.

Shey Monastery

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

Previously the summer palace of the Ladakhi kings, this Gompa has the 12 m tall gold-plated copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha placed by a prince of Ladakh.

Alchi Gompa

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

This Gompa lies on the bank of river Indus and is the only Gompa in Ladakh on flat ground. It shows a distinct Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture and houses many beautiful images of Buddha.

Likir Monastery

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

Interestingly, this monastery is also called the Klu-Kkhjil or the "water spirits" Gompa. It houses the monks of the Gyalukpa sect and is actually an 18th century construction built over a Gompa that burnt down in the 15th century. It has a rich collection of paintings, robes and artifacts.

Spituk Monastery

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

The Spituk (meaning exemplary) Gompa overlooks river Indus from atop a hill and is known for the Spituk festival. Walk further uphill from here and you will reach a Mahakal temple, where a fearsome image of Vajrabhairava is unveiled once a year at an annual festival.

Thiksey Monastery

• Entry Free
• Timings: 5 am - 9 pm

12 storeys high, this monastery has many statues of Buddha, a pillar inscribed with Buddhist teachings, a 15 m high seated Maitreya Buddha in the main prayer hall, and a huge collection of Buddhist art. It is home to monks of the Gelukpa order and is famous for its annual festival.

What Our Client Says

  • "As tour manager of Joe Far Tours I want to thank you for the great services my group received during Oracle-festivals from March 11 - 20, 2011. We stayed in the best hotel of town with good central heating and excellent food and service, had new cars with friendly and helpful drivers and a very experienced local guide Tashi. Besides that you personally came to check everything! Your service even included a reserved area with chairs during festival, lunch and hot tea.

    Thanks again and I am looking forward to your services in Changthang in July 2011."

    Prof. Hans Först
    Executive Director-Tours
    Joe Far Tours/Vienna/Austria

  • "I arrived in Ladakh with only six precious days and no semblance of a plan. Odpal George and his team at Himalayan Safaris worked with me on short notice to set up a fantastic tour, including a 3-day trek from Likir to Lamayuru. Their service and local knowledge were top notch, and I assumed that their prices would be high -- but after checking around town with other tour operators, I realized they were right in line. I highly recommend working with Himalayan Safaris."

    Dan Fineman

  • Himalayan Safaris and Odpal George are excellent. They handled our Leh experience comprehensively, taking care of our every need, while remaining very flexible in ensuring we got the best experiences in spite of weather changes (it rained in Leh). Peter, the trek guide, was fantastic along the trek, chatty, knowledgeable about the trek area, the flora and fauna. He made good decisions on how to keep the trek experience high as the weather changed. Stenzin, our main guide at the gompas, was a fountain of knowledge. Even the drivers Egbol and Naxir, where efficient and courteous.

    Vincent Fabella

  • I wanted to take this opportunity to thanks you, your brother Peter and your staff for a delightful stay in Ladakh. It was a pleasure to get to know Tashi and we all enjoyed seeing the scenery, temples and towns of the region. I especially appreciated you and your company's flexibility in helping us with our changing plans.

    Finally, we so enjoyed our stay at your hotel in Sabu. The rooms were great and well designed. The food was wonderful and the staff was friendly and experienced. You and Peter have clearly put a lot of thought into it.

    We had a wonderful experience with you and would recommend it to anyone.

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    Real Estate Development