LadakhTravel Guide

Alchi Gompa

The Alchi Gompa of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 67 km to the west of the town of Leh. Built by Translator, Rinchen Zangpo, it dates back to the year 1000 AD. Alchi Gompa in Ladakh comprises of a number of blessed temples, including the main one of Rinchen Lhakhang at Lotsa Lhakhang. The other temples are the Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple) and the Sumtsag Lhakhang. Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh reflects an Indian touch, especially in its paintings.

Infact, Rinchen Zangpo has even mentioned in his biographies that he brought thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir, for the purpose of this monastery. The main image inside the Alchi Monastery of Ladakh is that of Vairocana. Apart from that, the other images include those of the five Buddha Families, along with their attendant deities.
 

Gompa Soma (Jokhang), Leh

The Ladakh Buddhist Association in 1957 built the small Gompa opposite to SBI, in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for visitors. The Gompa contains a statue of Joyo Rinpochey (crowned Buddha).
 

Sankar Gompa

The Sankar Gompa is a couple of kilometers away from Leh town. It belongs to the Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gompa is a branch of the Spituk Monastery, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk).

Situated 2 Km North of the city center, the Sankar Gompa houses monks of the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat order. It has a grand image of Avalokiteshvara (The Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with 1,000 heads and 1,000 arms.

Phyang Monastery

Phyang Monastery, 17km. west of Leh is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa Order. It was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th Century A.D. It has about 50 monks in residence. Phyang also has a festival called 'Phyang Tseruk' on the 2nd & 3rd of the 6th month of Tibetan Calendar.

Shanti Stupa

(Entry Free. Timings: 5 a.m.-9 p.m.)
The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. The Shanti Stupa is an impressive white-domed structure in Chandspa that is beautifully illuminated at night.

It was built by a Japanese Buddhist organization to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote World Peace. The Shanti Stupa was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985. You can approach the monastery by a steep flight of steps or by a 3 Km route from the Fort Road. The views of the sunset and sunrise from the Shanti Stupa are spectacular.

Sumda Chung Monastery

Sumda Chon Monastery is around 65kms to the southwest of Leh, which is connected by a motorable road, upto Sumdo. The track starts ascending to the west, through a gorge from the left bank of the stream. At one point, the track crosses to the right bank and ascent becomes little more difficult. One or two houses come in the way before another gorge appears on the right which leads to the Sumda chon Monastery and towards the left leads to Sumda Chenmo. This track goes along the stream with plantations of Willow. After walking for an hour the monastery appears above the village houses. There is another short track from Alchi Village through Stakspila, the ascent from Alchi is more difficult and long compare to Sumda side. The pass is open only in summer. The Sumda Chon Monastery was probably founded during the period of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo with Alchi Choskor and Mangu Monastery. The monastery comprises of three temples. The assembly hall has the image of four headed Vairocana, as the central or main image which is nicely decorated probably better than the Alchi and the Mangu Monasteries. The wall has murals of four Buddhas i.e. Ratnasambhava, Akshokhya, Amitabha, Amogasiddhi and Vairocana.
 

Thiksey Monastery

Thiskey Gompa, 17kms. south of Leh the most beautiful of all the Monasteries in Ladakh, belongs to the Gelukspa order. The Gompa was first built at Stakmo by Sherab Zangpo. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiskey Gompa on a hilltop to the north of Indus River. The Thiskey festival (Thiskey Gustor) is held in the month of October- November. Around 80 Monks resides here at present. Dukhang Karmo is a huge long assembly hall, which consists of the image of Shakyamuni and Maitriya Buddha statues. Chamkhang at the top near the courtyard contains the three storey Maitriya Buddha's statue, constructed in recent years. Dukhang at the top, consists of thousand armed Avaloketesvara, Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattavas, Gonkhang contains the statues of Vajra Bhairava, Mahakala & Dharmakaya, the goddess Paldan Lhamo and Cham-sring

The Thiksey monastery located 17 Km from Leh is 12 storeys high and 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 vast collection of Buddhist art. Home to monks of the Gelukpa order the Thiksey monastery is known for its annual festival held from the 17th to 19th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar.

Tsemo in Leh

King Gragspa Bum-Lde built the "Red Gompa" known as Tsemo Gompa in 1430 AD. The monument has three-storied Maitriya Buddha's statue and a one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri. The Tsemo Sungbum Chenmo (sacred text) was written in gold and silver, Tisuru Stupa consist of 108 temples, which were remarkable work completed in the reign of king Graspa-Bum-Lde.

The Namgyal Tsemo (victory Peak) was built by King Tashi Namgyal after the reunification of upper and lower Ladakh and victory over Hor. Their (Hor) bodies are placed under the image of Mahakala, the guardian deity to stop further invasion of Hor. The Leh palace known as 'Lechen Palkhar' was built by Singay Namgyal in the beginning of 17th Century A.D. The nine-storied palace is now deserted, and the ASI (Archeological Survey Of India) has taken up the renovation work.

Spituk Monastery

The Spituk Gompa "Exemplary"; 7km. to southwest of Leh, was founded by Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD; when the monastic community was introduced. Meanwhile, Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo (the great translator) visited this monastery. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the reign of king Dragspa Bum-Lde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery. The "Spituk Gustor" takes place in the courtyard of the monastery, on the 18th and 19th of the 11th month of Tibetan Calendar.

The Spituk Gompa is perched on a high hill overlooking the Indus river about 18 Km from Leh. Rinchen Zangpo the Great Translator who helped spread Buddhism in Ladakh named the monastery. (Spituk means exemplary). The Spituk monastery is known for its collection of Buddhist artifacts and for the Spituk festival held from the 17th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar. Further up the hill is a Mahakal Temple, where a fearsome image of Vajrabhairava is unveiled once a year at its annual festival.

Stakna Monastery

Stakna (Tiger's nose); 25km. south of Leh, is a small monastery comprising of few Dukhangs, which was founded during the reign of king Jamyang Namgyal, in 1580, by saint Chosje Jamyang Palkhar. The most important statue in the monastery is said to be of Arya Avaloketesvara. The monasteries like the one in Sani, Bardan and Stakrimo, in Zanskar are branches of this monastery.

Stok Gompa and Palace

Stok, 14 kms southeast of Leh, is a place, where the present day royal family resides. The three days trek from Stok to Spituk and the 8 days trek of Markha Valley starts from here. King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace & Museum in the year 1825, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh. At present the palace has a collection of royal dresses, old Thankas, King's crown etc. that is open for visitors. Gurphuk Gompa, a branch of Spituk Monastery is a little away from the palace, which is famous for its festival "Guru Tsechu" held on the 9th and 10th of the 1st month of Tibetan Calendar.

The Stok Palace is located on a glacial deposit of pebbles and overlooks fields of barley grown on terraces on the mountains. Standing four storeys tall, the Stok Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Ladakh and was constructed in 1814 by Ladakh's last ruler. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry and artifacts, including thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks' of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral and gold, making them an exotic sight.

Leh Palace

Leh Palace is situated on the edge of a hill overseeing the town below. It is said to be a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa. Known as Lhachen Palkhar, the Leh Palace was built in the 17th century by Dharmaraja Singey Namgial. This nine-storied palace took three years to complete. It served as the royal residence until the royal family was exiled to Stok in the 1830s. Now, it houses the Ladakhi branch of the Indian Government's archaeological conservation organization. Leh Palace also houses a museum displaying some exquisite tangkhas (painted or embroidered scrolls) and paintings.

There is a Victory Tower above the palace, on the Namgyal hill. It was built to commemorate the victory of Ladakh over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century. There is also a monastery above the Leh Palace known as Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. The monastery boasts of some beautiful frescos, Buddhist scriptures & idols and a huge statue of the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha).

Trekking

Trekking options in Ladakh are generally of two types, one consisting of short, daylong walks and the other, long treks lasting from a few days to a few weeks. The short ones are generally undertaken to see various monuments, monastic settlements, etc or across a ridge to enjoy the picturesque locales. While, the long ones are generally trans-mountain treks. Some of the famous routes for trekking in Ladakh, India are:

• Lamayuru (in Indus Valley) to Darcha (in Lahoul) - takes nearly three weeks
• Markha Valley trek - takes nearly ten days
• Lamayuru-Padum trek - takes nearly eleven days
• Stok-Khangri round trek - takes nearly four to five days
• Parts of the Ladakh range, lying between the Indus and Shayok valleys

Normally, the season for trekking tourism in Leh Ladakh is from early June to mid-October. However, the short treks within the central Indus valley can be undertaken in May also.

River Rafting

River rafting in Ladakh takes you through its picturesque landscape, consisting of deep canyons, soaring snow-covered peaks, hilltop monasteries, hillside villages, and unique wildlife. The best time for river rafting tourism in Ladakh is from June to October. Amongst the numerous options for white water rafting in Leh Ladakh, the main ones are

Indus River

Indus River as well as its major tributaries in Ladakh offer a wide range of river rafting options. One of the best stretches on the Indus River is the one between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol. However, those new to river rafting must go for the easiest stretch upstream from Spituk up to Karu.
 

Zanskar River

Zanskar River in Ladakh has on offer some of the most difficult, but exciting, rafting options. One of these stretches is the one between Padum and Nimu, through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains. However, this trek will take upto a week.

Mountaineering in Ladakh

One of the major attractions of Ladakh is its mountain climbing tourism. The major destinations for mountaineering in Leh Ladakh include:

Nun-Kun Massif

One of the most patronized destinations for mountaineering tourism in Ladakh, Nun-Kun massif is easily accessible from the Kargil-Padum road. Of its six peaks, the highest ones are:

• Nun (7,135 m)
• Kun (7,087 m)

Stok-Khangri Massif (South of Leh)
Situated in the Zanskar Mountains, this massif provides some of the most spectacular views of the Indus River. The most popular peaks of Stok-Khangri are:

• Stok Khangri (6,150 m)
• Gulap Khangri (5,900 m)
• Matho West (5,950 m)
• Kantaka (5,275 m)

Karakoram Range (North of Leh)
The Karakoram Range lies across the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley. The major peaks of this range are:

• Saser-I (7,415 m)
• Saser-II (7,513 m)
• Saser-III (7,495 m)

Other

To the southwest of Leh lies the Konglacha Peak (at a height of 6,700 m).

In case of foreign climbing expeditions, permission is required to be obtained from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. It takes atleast six months to process such applications.

Cycling

Cycling is also one of the popular adventure sports in Ladakh, India. A visit to the spectacular Buddhist Gompas, through the fascinating local villages, with the Himalayas forming the background, is enjoyed best with a cycle. However, one needs to be a technically perfect biker to cycle on the zigzag roads in Ladakh. The best time for cycling is from mid June to end of September. Some famous cycling routes in Ladakh are the 64 km Leh-Alchi Road, 45 km Leh-Hemis road, Jispa-Gondla, Marhi-Manali, etc.
 

Camel Safaris

Camel safaris in Ladakh have the specialty of Bactrian camels, having 2 humps. These safaris are one of its kind in India and are organized across the sand dunes around Hunder in Ladakh

Polo

Polo is a very popular sport in Ladakh. It is usually played in summers at the Leh polo ground on every Tuesday and Saturday. The Ladakh Festival, held in the first half of September, includes a number of Polo tournaments.
 

Archery

Archery is a traditional sport of Ladakh. Villages and the National Archery stadium in Leh regularly serve as venues for Archery contests in Ladakh.

Leh Mosque
Leh Mosque, in the main Bazaar, is an architectural beauty. A Sunni Muslim Mosque, the Leh Mosque is believed to be built on the land granted by King Deldan Namgial, the grandson of the Muslim Queen of Ladakh.