Spiritual · Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Diskit Monastery and its giant Maitreya
The oldest and largest monastery in Nubra, founded in the 14th century on a ridge above the Shyok, and the 32 m Maitreya statue below it. Visit the prayer hall first, then walk down to the statue as the light softens.
Photo: KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsDiskit Monastery was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, and belongs to the Gelug school. Since the mid-18th century it has been a sub-monastery of Thiksey. A flight of stone steps climbs to the prayer hall, which holds a crowned Buddha, a huge drum and fierce guardian deities on the upper floor.
From the upper terraces you see the whole western arm of Nubra: the braided Shyok, the dunes towards Hunder and the Karakoram beyond. Monks run a school here, and in February the monastery hosts Dosmoche, the festival of the scapegoat, when people from across the valley gather because the pass to Leh is often snowbound.
Below the monastery, on its own hill, sits a 32 m seated Maitreya Buddha, begun in 2006 and consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2010, largely paid for by local donations. It faces down the Shyok valley. Walk around it clockwise and stay for the late afternoon when the statue and the valley turn gold.
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Photo: Christian Ursilva from Copenhagen, Denmark · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
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Crossing Khardung La from Leh to Nubra
The road from Leh climbs to 5,359 m at Khardung La before dropping 2,200 m into Nubra. Done after two nights in Leh, it…
Trips through Nubra Valley
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Each of these trips stops in Nubra Valley. Tell us and we keep a slot for this day.
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Comfort
Leh, Nubra and Pangong with a private car
Private Ladakh Taxi Union SUV with driver
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Saver
Leh, Nubra and Pangong by bus and shared jeep
State bus over Khardung La, shared taxis to Nubra and Pangong, local buses in the Indus valley
Photo: Saurabh Lall · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Srinagar road to Leh and Turtuk on a budget
Shared Sumo taxis, state buses and local shared cars
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Signature
Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri with a guide
Private SUV with driver and a private naturalist guide
Sleep nearby
Stays in Nubra Valley
Questions
Before you book
How far is Diskit Monastery from Hunder?
About 7–10 km, a 15–20 minute drive along the Shyok. Most visitors combine the monastery in the morning with the Hunder dunes in the late afternoon. Local taxis in Diskit charge roughly ₹600–1,000 for the short return trip, or you can walk part of the way on the flat road.
What is the entry fee at Diskit Monastery?
There is a small entry fee, usually ₹30–50, paid at the monastery. The Maitreya statue below is free to visit. Fees change from time to time, so carry small notes. Dress modestly, remove shoes where asked and do not use flash inside the halls.
When is the Dosmoche festival at Diskit?
Dosmoche is held on the 28th and 29th days of the 12th Tibetan month, usually in February. Monks perform masked cham dances in the monastery courtyard. Getting to Nubra in February depends on Khardung La being open, so check current status before you travel and keep spare days.