In the early 15th Century, a group of Gelug Tibetan monks were searching for the perfect place to build a monastery. The monks had decided to perform a sacred ritual to help them locate the right site, when suddenly two crows swooped down and carried away their ceremonial offerings.
The monks hastily followed the crows and found that they had left the ceremonial offers untouched on a distant hillside. Taking this to be a divine sign, the monks chose to build the Thiksey Monastery on that exact spot, at an altitude of 3,600 meters in the plateau of Ladakh, in northernmost India.
Perched high on the hillside overlooking the Indus River Valley, Thiksey Monastery was founded around 1430 CE, and is one of the region’s most important religious centers. Located 20 km from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, the monastery is a major highlight for all visitors to the area. Built by the Gelug, or ‘Yellow Hat’ sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Thiske Monastery is a vast 12 storey complex, filled with shrines, temples, scroll paintings, and a 15 meter statue of Maitreya Buddha that spans two entire floors of the complex.
High in the Trans-Himalayan desert, Ladakh’s grand monasteries, traditional villages, and the occasional city, such as Leh, stand watch over an ancient landscape. Visiting this timeless landscape, you’ll be swept away by the rugged beauty and spectacular panoramas, as well as the unmatched friendliness and hospitality of its people.
Ladakh is an incredible corner of the world that attracts trekking enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, photographers, and the adventurous, Thiksey Monastery and the city of Leh hold an enchanting blend of ancient culture, history, and profound natural beauty.
How To Get To Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
The easiest way for international travelers to reach the Thikse Monastery is to fly into one of India’s major transport hubs, such as Delhi, Mumbai, or Srinagar. Flights to India take between 8 to 10 hours from London, 3 to 5 hours from Dubai, and 5 to 7 hours from Singapore. Once you land in India, you need to catch an onward flight to the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) outside Leh, in Ladakh.
The flight to Ladakh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) takes around 1.5 hours from Delhi, 1.5 hours from Srinagar, and around 3 hours on a direct flight from Mumbai, or between 5 to 7 hours if you need to change flights en route. The flight to Ladakh is short and comfortable, but it’s also famous in the region for the amazing views as you come in to land – so try to book a window seat if you can!
After you arrive in Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), it’s a short taxi ride into Leh. The bustling city provides the ideal base from which to visit Thisksey Monastery, as well as set out on further explorations of the area. After settling into your hotel, you can easily visit Thiksey Monastery on a day trip, or as part of a longer tour of the local sites. Thiksey Monastery is around 20 km from the center of Leh, and the drive out to the monastery is about 30 to 40 minutes. The scenery is astounding, and there’ll be endless opportunities to snap some seriously impressive photos at every turn.
What’s the Best Time To Visit Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh?
Thiksey Monastery, in Ladakh, is located in a high-altitude cold desert climate. The region is characterised by long harsh winters, and warm, but short, summers. During the winter, between November and March, temperatures often fall to as low as -15 Degrees Celsius. These conditions can be very difficult for visitors to tolerate, particularly if you’re not already used to the extreme cold.
Meanwhile, the summer months in Ladakh, from May to September, experience daytime temperatures that range from 15 to 25 Degrees Celsius, with bright sunny days and clear blue skies. This makes the summer the best time of year to visit Thiksey Monastery and Ladakh in general. During the summer months, Ladakh’s landscape is easier to access and bursts of wild flowers emerge amongst the rugged scenery. What’s more, Thiksey Monastery, Leh, and other monasteries in the region are alive with cultural activity, visitors, and special events.
One of the annual highlights in Leh is the Gustor Festival, which is usually held in October or November, just after the summer has ended. The event includes masked dances, public Buddhist rituals, and beautiful ceremonies performed by the monks in and around Thiksey Monastery. This gives visitors a rare opportunity to glimpse some of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions that play such a central role in the community’s life.
For an especially memorable experience, it’s worth visiting Thiksey Monastery in the early morning so you can witness the monks’ daily prayer services. Watching the sunrise over the Indus River Valley while listening to the monks in prayer is a moment in time that you’ll never forget.
Things to Do at Thikse Monastery and Leh, Ladakh
Stay at the Grand Dragon Hotel, Leh
The Grand Dragon Hotel is widely considered to be among the finest accommodations in Ladakh. Set against spectacular mountain views, and just a short walk from the city center’s markets and shops, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring Thiksey Monastery and other attractions in the region.
The hotel tastefully combines traditional Ladakhi design features with all the mod cons, offering up-market amenities including an on-site restaurant, a tea and coffee lounge, a spa and wellness center, yoga facilities, and exquisitely landscaped outdoor areas for bonfires and BBQs in the evenings.
All of the rooms are well-appointed and spacious, with a good selection ranging from luxury suites to deluxe doubles and singles. The rooms feature central heating, WiFi, satellite TV, a minibar, elegant furnishings, and jaw-dropping mountain views. Rooms have an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower and bath, as well as complimentary toiletries.
The Grand Dragon Hotel also has a 24 hour front desk where staff are always on hand to help you make arrangements for day trips and your onward travel. Overall, the Grand Dragon Hotel is a great choice for couples, families with children, small group tours, and solo travelers who want to explore the wilds of Ladakh while still enjoying the comforts of home.
You can find out more about the Grand Dragon Hotel, and reserve your rooms on the official hotel website, here.
Take an Two Day Tour to Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, and Pangong Lake
This two day overnight tour begins with a hotel pickup at around 9am, before you drive out towards the stunning Pangong Lake. Your journey starts by traversing the Changla Pass, one of the highest motorable roadways on the planet, with an elevation of 17,590 feet.
The journey continues to Pangong Lake, as you wind through the mineral coloured valleys towards the deep azure waters of the lake. After arriving at about 2pm, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the lake shores, have a leisurely lunch, and watch the sun set before having dinner and bedding down for the night under a canopy of stars.
The next morning, after a good breakfast, you’ll visit the Shey Monastery and Palace, once the summer capital of Lakakh’s royal family. The next stop is Thiksey Monastery, where your guide will show you around the multi-tiered 12 storey complex. You’ll see the giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, a Buddhist symbol of hope, renewal and compassion, and learn about the shrines and temples of the monastery. As you delve into the otherworldly atmosphere of the temples, hand-painted murals and statues, all lit with traditional Tibetan yak butter lamps, you’ll discover a long-lost world of ancient customs and traditions. And reaching the summit of the monastery, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Indus Valley below.
The final stop is Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. Local folklore claims that Jesus once visited the monastery as a young man and met with the Buddhist monks to learn about their religious beliefs. According to local legends, this took place during Jesus’ ‘lost years’, although these claims are by no means confirmed.
Finally, after exploring the Hemis monastery, you’ll be driven back to Leh and dropped off at your hotel.
You can find out more about the overnight trip to Pangong Lake and Thiksey Monastery, and book your tickets, here.
5 Day All Inclusive Markha Valley Trek, Private Group Tour
The Markha Valley Trek is an extraordinary 5 day exploration of the Himalayan landscape, stopping at remote villages, shrines, and spectacular beauty spots along the way. After meeting your guide at the Leh central bus stand, the trek begins at the village of Chilling, where you’ll follow the route of the Markha River through the ever-changing scenery of narrow gorges, wide open valleys, willow-lined streams, and dramatic mountain passes. In the distance you’ll see the snow covered peaks of Kang Yatse, towering over the valleys below.
The days are spent trekking through some of the most untamed and remote scenery in Ladakh, and during the evening you’ll sit by the camp fire as your guides prepare the food. Some of the highlights of the trek include walking beside the roaring Zanskar River, hiking up through the Markha Valley, crossing the high-altitude grazing fields of Nimaling, and the ascent of the Kangmaru La, before descending again through Chakdo back towards the city of Leh.
This is a rare opportunity to explore the rugged wilderness of Ladakh on foot – the only way to truly experience the timeless essence of the landscape. You’ll need to be physically fit to handle the trekking on this 5 day adventure, as the route is fairly demanding and the high altitude puts an extra strain on your body. You will however, be very well looked after by your guides, who prepare a freshly made breakfast, a packed lunch, and a generous dinner each day.
You can find out more about the trek and its itinerary, and book your place, here.
Eat at the Bon Appetit in Leh
Bon Appetit is a calming haven where you can relax over a fine meal after a long day of site seeing. Set back from the main road, the restaurant has a warm indoor dining area and a lovely outdoor terrace with spectacular mountain views. Blending traditional rustic charm with stylish contemporary furnishings, Bon Appetit is the perfect place to celebrate an evening with friends or family in Leh.
Catering to all tastes, there’s a great menu offering both international and Ladakhi dishes. Among the international cuisine, you can enjoy favourites such as freshly prepared pasta, wood-fired pizza, lasagne, and homemade desserts. Famous for its generous portions, there’s also creative dishes such as cashew-crusted chicken and more traditional curries, as well as a seasonal range of vegetable side dishes.
The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, but you can also drop by for coffee, tea, and pastries, as well as mocktails in the evening.
You can find out more about Bon Appetit and the menu, here.
Visit the Hall of Fame, Leh
Widely regarded as one of the region’s most important museums, the Hall of Fame was built by the Indian Army to commemorate the soldiers who fought in the Indo-Pak wars, particularly the Kargil and Siachen Glacier conflicts. The exhibits feature war memorabilia, captured weaponry, dramatic battlefield photographs, and moving personal letters from soldiers. There are also interesting displays that show how the soldiers faced the extreme conditions at more than 20,000 feet above sea level.
Beyond the war memorial side of the museum, there’s also fascinating displays and galleries dedicated to Ladakhi culture and history, as well the native flora and fauna of the area. More than just a military memorial, the Hall of Fame provides visitors with a wide ranging snap shot of all aspects of life in the remote Himalayan plateau.
Both educational and moving, the Hall of Fame should certainly be on every visitor’s itinerary – particularly if you’re interested in the cultural heritage and history of the region.
You can find out more about the Hall of Fame here.
