Ladakh is in northern India, bordering on Tibet. Its people, culture, architecture and Buddhism are very similar to Tibet. Ladakh is filled with gorgeous Tibetan-style gompas (monasteries), palaces and fortresses perched high up on cliffs and mountains throughout the region.
Below is a collection of pictures from our favourite sites in the area. For the full story on each of these sites go to our Destinations page or click on the link in the text below. We hope these pictures inspire you to travel to the magical land of Ladakh.
Phuktal Gompa
Phuktal Gompa was built into a cave which was used for meditation and teaching as much as 2500 years ago. The rest of the monastery buildings are all precariously hanging on the limestone cliffs below. It is a very impressive site. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Thiksey Gompa
Thiksey Gompa, is one of this area’s largest and most impressive monasteries. The well-kept white monastery buildings and colourful temples are spread out on a steep hill above green barley and buckwheat fields. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ancient sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Lamayuru Gompa
We reached Lamayuru Gompa on foot by hiking the Hidden Valleys Trek. The monastery is an impressive site as it straddles a narrow ridge on the cliffs. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Diskit Gompa
The white monastery buildings of Diskit are set on a rocky outcrop, nestled between two vertical cliffs making a dramatic scene. To read more about this monastery visit our post Ancient Sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Thekchhok Gompa
Thekchhok Gompa’s white-washed buildings crowd together on a rocky hillock above small farms and green barley and buckwheat fields. To read more about this monastery visit our post Ancient Sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Karsha Gompa
Built in the 10th century, Karsha Gompa has a remarkable setting with many whitewashed buildings high up on the red rock above the small town. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Likir Gompa
In Likir, the 11th century Gompa is a small but impressive collection of buildings in remarkably good shape. As with many gompas, the buildings are grouped together on a hill above green barley and buckwheat fields. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys
Basgo Gompa and Fortress Ruins
On an eroding hillock above Basgo are the incredible remains of the 15th century Gompa and castle. The ruins of the citadel wall, castle and gompa with 2 temples are all that remains of its time as Ladakh’s capital. You can read more about Basgo in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Wanla Gompa
The 11th century white buildings of Wanla Gompa look down on the village of Wanla below. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Tsemo Fort
Standing high above Leh, the white Tsemo Fort and its two red temples can be seen from almost anywhere in Leh. You can read more about the fort in our post Ancient Sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Stakna Gompa
Similar to other Tibetan style gompas, Stakna is a group of white-washed mud buildings set on a small hill along the Indus River. You can read more about the monastery in our post Ladakh’s Incredible Hidden and Zanskar Valleys.
Naropa Royal Palace and Fortress ruins
The 17th century summer palace of Naropa Palace stands high above the village of Shey. You can read more about this and other palaces in our post Ancient Sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Leh Palace
On the hill above Old Town is Leh Palace which was built in the 16th century when Ladakh was a kingdom. You can read more about this and other palaces in our post Ancient Sites in the Indus and Nubra Valleys.
Hemis Gompa
We reached Hemis Gompa at the end of our Markha Valley hike. It is one of the most important monasteries in Ladakh. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Colourful Markha Valley.
Spitok Gompa
Spitok Gompa is located at the start of the Markha Valley Trek, but can also be easily visited on a day trip from Leh. You can read more about this monastery in our post Ladakh’s Colourful Markha Valley.
Techa Gompa
We could see Tacha Gompa precariously perched on a cliff high above during our Markha Valley Trek. You can read more about the monasteries on the trek in our post Ladakh’s Colourful Markha Valley.
Coming up next: Glittering Temples and Spicy Food in Punjab
For extra pics from this trip go to Gallery/Northern India. For extra pictures from other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca
To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.
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