Thiksey Monastery
Ladakhmonastery Popular

Thiksey Monastery

Mini Potala Overlooking the Indus Valley

Best TimeMay to September
Ideal DurationHalf day
Altitude3,600 m
Distance17 km from Leh
Best TimeMay to September
DurationHalf day
Altitude3,600 m
Distance17 km from Leh
Things to Do6 activities
Regionladakh · monastery

About Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey Monastery, 17 km from Leh, is perhaps the most visually arresting of Ladakh's gompas - a 12-tiered complex of white and ochre buildings cascading down a hillside in uncanny resemblance to Lhasa's Potala Palace. Founded in the 15th century and home to about 60 monks of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect, Thiksey houses a stunning two-storey, 15-metre-tall Maitreya (future Buddha) statue, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1980, and an exquisite collection of thangkas, murals and Buddhist art. Early morning prayers (around 7am) offer an opportunity to witness the deep, hypnotic chanting and the daily life of a living monastery.

Photo Gallery

Things To Do

  • View the 15m Maitreya Buddha
  • Attend early morning prayers (~7am)
  • Photograph the Potala-like facade
  • Visit the Tara temple
  • Combine with Shey & Hemis monasteries
  • Festival photography (Thiksey Gustor, Oct-Nov)

How To Reach

Drive from Leh (17 km) - easy taxi ride. Combine with Shey Palace, Hemis and Stakna on a monastery circuit.

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Packages covering Thiksey Monastery

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