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Himalaya only · Saver trips from ₹7,500

Himalaya HivesKashmir to Arunachal

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Monasteries

Gompas, dzongs and the mornings they keep

Ladakh, Spiti, Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal and the Nepal Himalaya hold some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries still in use. We time visits to morning prayers and festival days, and explain the murals, masks and rules of each house.

Trips: 32
Places: 44
Stays: 52

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

A monastery visit is best at its own hours. Most gompas hold morning prayers between 6 and 8 am, when lamps are lit and the hall fills with chant. Arrive then and you see a working house rather than a museum.

Rules vary. Some halls allow no photographs, some ask you to walk clockwise only, and some close inner shrines to women or to visitors. Our guides know each one and keep the visit respectful.

Trips

Monasteries trips

Showing 32

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Comfort

Ladakh · 8 nights · sleeps to 4,250 m

Leh, Nubra and Pangong with a private car

Private Ladakh Taxi Union SUV with driver

From, per person₹68,000Jun – Sep

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Comfort

Ladakh · 10 nights · sleeps to 3,650 m

Leh to Zanskar and out to Srinagar by car

Private SUV with driver; local car in Padum where required

From, per person₹98,000Jul – Sep

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Saver

Ladakh · 8 nights · sleeps to 4,250 m

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

From, per person₹23,500Jun – Sep

Photo: Saurabh Lall · CC BY 2.0 · Commons Saver

Ladakh · 9 nights · sleeps to 3,510 m

Srinagar road to Leh and Turtuk on a budget

Shared Sumo taxis, state buses and local shared cars

From, per person₹24,500Jun – Sep

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Signature

Ladakh · 10 nights · sleeps to 4,522 m

Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri with a guide

Private SUV with driver and a private naturalist guide

From, per person₹2,10,000Jun – Sep

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Signature

Ladakh · 8 nights · sleeps to 3,500 m

Thiksey camp, Nimmu House and Nubra in style

Private SUV with driver and a private guide throughout

From, per person₹2,00,000Jun – Sep

Photo: Ms Sarah Welch · CC0 · Commons Comfort

Himachal · 7 nights · sleeps to 2,082 m

Chamba, McLeodganj and Bir by private car

Private car with driver

From, per person₹52,000Mar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Spiti & Lahaul · 9 nights · sleeps to 4,420 m

Spiti circuit: Kinnaur in, Kunzum La out

Private SUV with driver

From, per person₹72,000Jul · Sep

Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Spiti & Lahaul · 5 nights · sleeps to 4,250 m

Lahaul and Chandratal from Manali

Private SUV with driver

From, per person₹41,000Jul – Sep

Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Spiti & Lahaul · 7 nights · sleeps to 4,270 m

Spiti by HRTC bus, the slow Kinnaur way in

HRTC and local buses, with one shared taxi loop from Kaza

From, per person₹19,500Jun · Sep

Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Spiti & Lahaul · 9 nights · sleeps to 4,420 m

Spiti village homestays: Dhankar to Langza

Shared car to Kaza, then local buses and short taxi transfers

From, per person₹25,500Jun – Jul · Sep

Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Spiti & Lahaul · 8 nights · sleeps to 4,270 m

Gompas of Spiti, in and out by Kinnaur

Private SUV with driver, private guide

From, per person₹1,45,000May – Jun · Sep – Oct

Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Spiti & Lahaul · 11 nights · sleeps to 4,420 m

Slow Spiti and Lahaul with a private guide

Private SUV with driver, private guide

From, per person₹1,95,000Jul · Sep

Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Nepal · 8 nights · sleeps to 3,440 m

Everest view trek to Namche Bazaar

Domestic flights to Lukla, private car in Kathmandu, five days on foot

From, per person₹92,000Apr – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Nepal · 4 nights · sleeps to 2,175 m

Kathmandu valley heritage on a saver budget

Local buses, microbuses and shared taxis

From, per person₹12,500Oct – Mar

Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Nepal · 9 nights · sleeps to 3,440 m

Everest lodges trek with Dwarika's

Domestic flights to Lukla, private car in Kathmandu, six days on foot

From, per person₹2,30,000Apr – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Darjeeling & Kalimpong · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,590 m

Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Lava by shared jeep

Shared jeeps, one short reserved car

From, per person₹17,500Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Darjeeling & Kalimpong · 3 nights · sleeps to 2,045 m

Darjeeling long weekend from Kolkata

Overnight train, shared jeeps, toy train joy ride

From, per person₹9,500Mar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Sikkim · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,150 m

Sikkim monasteries and ridges, 6 nights

Private car with driver

From, per person₹52,000Mar – May · Oct – Dec

Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Sikkim · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,150 m

Sikkim west by shared jeep, 6 nights

Shared jeeps and local taxis

From, per person₹17,500Mar – May · Oct – Dec

Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Sikkim · 6 nights · sleeps to 3,753 m

Sikkim heritage hotels, 6 nights

Private SUV with driver and local guide

From, per person₹1,45,000Mar – May · Oct – Dec

Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Comfort

Bhutan · 12 nights · sleeps to 3,000 m

Central Bhutan to Bumthang, 12 nights

Private car with driver

From, per person₹1,44,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Comfort

Bhutan · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,320 m

Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in comfort, 6 nights

Private car with driver

From, per person₹78,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Afifa Afrin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Saver

Bhutan · 7 nights · sleeps to 3,000 m

Bhutan saver with Phobjikha farmhouse, 7 nights

Shared jeep or bus to Jaigaon, then shared vehicle with licensed guide

From, per person₹40,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Afifa Afrin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Saver

Bhutan · 6 nights · sleeps to 2,320 m

Bhutan by road from Siliguri, 6 nights

Shared jeep or bus to Jaigaon, then shared vehicle with licensed guide

From, per person₹34,500Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Signature

Bhutan · 8 nights · sleeps to 3,000 m

Bhutan by Amankora lodges, 8 nights

Private car with driver

From, per person₹6,50,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Signature

Bhutan · 7 nights · sleeps to 2,700 m

Six Senses and COMO Uma Paro, 7 nights

Private car with driver

From, per person₹3,75,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Bhavikji · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Arunachal · 7 nights · sleeps to 1,829 m

The Siang valley and Mechuka

Private SUV with driver

From, per person₹50,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: KISHORETRIBALS · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Comfort

Arunachal · 7 nights · sleeps to 4,170 m

Tawang and Dirang by private car

Private SUV with driver

From, per person₹54,000Mar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Itrajib · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Saver

Arunachal · 6 nights · sleeps to 4,170 m

Tawang circuit by shared Sumo

Shared Sumos, with one shared taxi day in Tawang

From, per person₹18,500Mar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Itrajib · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Arunachal · 10 nights · sleeps to 4,170 m

Monpa and Apatani: Tawang to Ziro

Private SUV with driver and private guide

From, per person₹2,10,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: Itrajib · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Signature

Arunachal · 8 nights · sleeps to 4,170 m

Tawang and Dirang in comfort

Private SUV with driver and private guide

From, per person₹1,60,000Mar – May · Oct – Nov

44 places

Where to go

Alchi and the Sham Valley

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

3,100 m · Village · Ladakh

Alchi and the Sham Valley

Kashmiri-style murals and apricot orchards on the lower Indus

Best Apr – Oct

Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

3,600 m · Monastery · Ladakh

Hemis

Ladakh's great Drukpa monastery and the snow leopard national park

Best Feb · Jun – Sep

Kargil

Photo: Saurabh Lall · CC BY 2.0 · Commons

2,676 m · Town · Ladakh

Kargil

Purig's river town between Zoji La and Leh

Best May – Oct

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Commons

3,510 m · Monastery · Ladakh

Lamayuru

Ladakh's old gompa above the eroded moonland

Best May – Oct

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

3,500 m · Town · Ladakh

Leh

Old caravan town at 3,500 m, and where every Ladakh trip begins

Best May – Oct

Photo: Addy6697 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

3,144 m · Valley · Ladakh

Nubra Valley

The old caravan valley over Khardung La, with dunes and orchards

Best May – Sep

Zanskar (Padum)

Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

3,650 m · Valley · Ladakh

Zanskar (Padum)

Ladakh's remotest valley, reached over Pensi La

Best Jul – Sep

Bir and Billing

Photo: Fredi Bach from Switzerland · CC BY 2.0 · Commons

1,525 m · Village · Himachal

Bir and Billing

Paragliding over tea gardens and Tibetan monasteries in Kangra

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov

McLeodganj (Dharamshala)

Photo: Rignam Wangkhang · CC BY 2.0 · Commons

2,082 m · Town · Himachal

McLeodganj (Dharamshala)

Tibetan temples and the Dhauladhar wall above Dharamshala

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: John Hill · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

3,894 m · Village · Spiti & Lahaul

Dhankar

Spiti's old capital, a gompa on a cliff above two rivers

Best Jun – Jul · Sep – Oct

Kaza

Photo: Rodmantyler · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

3,650 m · Town · Spiti & Lahaul

Kaza

Spiti's only town, base camp for every village loop

Best Jun – Jul · Sep

Key Gompa and Kibber

Photo: Pranav perspective · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

4,270 m · Monastery · Spiti & Lahaul

Key Gompa and Kibber

Spiti's largest gompa and the village where snow leopards winter

Best Jan – Feb · Jun – Jul · Sep

KeylongSpiti & Lahaul · Lahaul's capital on the Bhaga, two hours from Manali3,080 m Langza, Hikkim and KomicSpiti & Lahaul · Fossil slopes, a high post office and a 4,587 m village4,420 m NakoSpiti & Lahaul · A lake village and 11th-century temples on the road to Spiti3,625 m Pin Valley and MudhSpiti & Lahaul · A national park of ibex, blue sheep and Nyingma villages3,800 m TaboSpiti & Lahaul · A working monastery founded in 996 CE, painted inside3,050 m KathmanduNepal · Stupas, a living goddess and the start of every trek1,400 m Lo ManthangNepal · The walled capital of the old Kingdom of Lo3,840 m Marpha and JomsomNepal · Apple orchards, Thakali houses and the windy Kali Gandaki2,670 m Namche BazaarNepal · The Sherpa capital and the Everest trail's acclimatisation stop3,440 m Patan (Lalitpur)Nepal · The city of bronze casters and Buddhist courtyards1,350 m DarjeelingDarjeeling & Kalimpong · The thunderbolt ridge, its tea and its two-foot railway2,045 m KalimpongDarjeeling & Kalimpong · Old wool-trade town of nurseries, monasteries and schools1,250 m LavaDarjeeling & Kalimpong · Misty forest village at the gate of Neora Valley2,195 m MirikDarjeeling & Kalimpong · A lake town among tea gardens on the Nepal border1,495 m GangtokSikkim · Sikkim's ridge-top capital and base for the north and east1,650 m LachenSikkim · The Lachenpa village on the road to Gurudongmar2,750 m LachungSikkim · A valley village of the Lachungpas, base for Yumthang2,700 m PellingSikkim · Kangchenjunga views, Pemayangtse and the ruins of Rabdentse2,150 m RavanglaSikkim · A ridge town with a giant Buddha and Sikkim's only tea garden2,100 m YuksomSikkim · Sikkim's first capital and the trailhead for Goecha La1,780 m Bumthang (Jakar)Bhutan · Four valleys of temples, buckwheat and yathra wool2,600 m HaaBhutan · Over Chele La to a quiet valley of white and black temples2,700 m ParoBhutan · Bhutan's front door, with the Tiger's Nest on its cliff2,250 m Phobjikha (Gangtey)Bhutan · A glacial bowl where black-necked cranes spend the winter3,000 m PhuentsholingBhutan · Bhutan's road door from India, a gate away from Jaigaon300 m PunakhaBhutan · The old capital where two rivers meet below the dzong1,200 m ThimphuBhutan · A capital without traffic lights, run from a dzong2,320 m TrongsaBhutan · The dzong that could shut its gates and split the country2,200 m BomdilaArunachal · West Kameng's hill town of gompas, orchards and birds2,415 m DirangArunachal · Orchards, hot springs and yaks on the road to Tawang1,620 m MechukaArunachal · A wide Memba valley on the Siyom, far up the Siang1,829 m TawangArunachal · India's largest monastery above a Monpa valley town2,669 m

Experiences

Days that fit the style

Every experience

Photo: Prof Ranga Sai · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Alchi and the Sham Valley · 2 hours

Alchi's painted temples with a local guide

Visit the Dukhang and Sumtsek at Alchi, whose paintings in a Kashmiri style are among the oldest surviving in Ladakh. W…

Entry ₹50–100; local guide ₹500–1,000

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Alchi and the Sham Valley · Half day

Apricot blossom walk in the Sham valley

In spring, walk between Saspol, Alchi and nearby villages while apricot orchards bloom white and pink against brown cli…

Free; taxi from Leh ₹3,500–4,500 a car for the day

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Alchi and the Sham Valley · 5 hours

Likir Monastery and Basgo's royal ruins

Two stops on the way between Leh and Alchi: Likir Monastery, which administers Alchi, with its large outdoor Maitreya, …

Entries ₹30–50 each; taxi ₹3,500–4,500 a car for the day

Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Hemis · 2 hours plus drive

Hemis Monastery courtyard and museum

Ladakh's richest monastery, hidden in a gorge above the Indus. See the courtyard where the festival is danced, the pain…

Entry ₹100–150; union taxi ₹3,000–4,000 for a monastery day

Photo: Sundeep bhardwaj · CC BY 3.0 · Commons

Hemis · 5–8 days

Snow leopard tracking in Hemis National Park

In late winter, snow leopards follow their prey lower into the valleys of Hemis National Park. Guided trips with local …

₹6,000–15,000 per person a day with spotters and homestay

Photo: Stanzin1945 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Hemis · 2 days

Rumbak village walk and homestay night

A short trek into Hemis National Park from the Zingchen road head to Rumbak village, with a night in a family homestay.…

Homestay ₹1,500–2,000 with meals; guide ₹2,000–3,000 a day

Photo: Jparande · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Kargil · Half day

Mulbekh's Maitreya and the Shergol cliff gompa

Drive east from Kargil into Buddhist Purig to see the 9 m rock-cut Maitreya at Mulbekh, the cliff-top Mulbekh gompa and…

Small donations; taxi ₹2,500–3,500 a car

Photo: Narender9 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Kargil · Full day

The Suru valley to Panikhar and Nun Kun

Follow the Suru river south from Kargil past Sankoo to Panikhar, where meadows and willow groves face the snow and ice …

Taxi ₹4,500–6,000 a car

Where to sleep

Stays in these places

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Budget

Zostel Leh

Zostel's Leh hostel offers dorm beds and private rooms within walking distance of Main Bazaar, with a common area …

₹700–1,500 for a dorm bed; ₹2,500–4,500 a night for a priva…

Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Mid

Heritage hotel · Leh

Stok Palace Heritage Hotel

Rooms inside part of Stok Palace, the home of Ladakh's former royal family since the 19th century, and in the orch…

₹10,000–25,000 a night for a double (indicative)

Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons Mid

Guesthouse · Leh

Hotel Omasila, Leh

A long-running family hotel in Changspa, the quiet green lane below Shanti Stupa, with garden seating and a short …

₹5,000–9,000 a night for a double (indicative)

Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons Luxury

Boutique hotel · Leh

The Grand Dragon Ladakh

Leh's largest full-service hotel, open all year, with heated rooms, a restaurant serving Ladakhi and international…

₹15,000–30,000 a night for a double (indicative)

Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons Luxury

Tented camp · Leh

Chamba Camp Thiksey

The Ultimate Travelling Camp's summer camp near Thiksey Monastery, about 19 km up the Indus from Leh. Large furnis…

₹40,000–75,000 a night for a double, usually with meals (in…

Photo: Unbiased Contributors · CC BY 4.0 · Commons Luxury

Heritage hotel · Alchi and the Sham Valley

Nimmu House

A restored early 20th-century manor in Nimmoo village, about 35 km west of Leh near the Indus–Zanskar confluence, …

₹18,000–35,000 a night for a double, usually with meals (in…

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Monasteries in each valley

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