Perched on a ridge above the Bhaga River, facing the town of Keylong, the Kardang Monastery is the largest and most important Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Lahaul. With its whitewashed walls, fluttering prayer flags, and backdrop of the Rangcha Peak (15,000 ft), this...

Clinging to the edge of a deep canyon at 4,520 meters (14,830 ft) above sea level, the Sakya Tangyud Monastery is one of the highest altitude gompas in India and a rare stronghold of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Located near Komic village, just 4 km from Kaza,...

Perched precariously on a 1,000-foot-high spur overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers, the Dhankar Monastery (also spelled Dankhar or Dhangkar) is a breathtaking blend of spirituality, history, and Himalayan resilience. Once the capital of the Spiti...

Cradled in the stark, high-altitude desert of Spiti Valley, the Tabo Monastery—founded in 996 CE—is one of the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas. Revered as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas” for its exquisite murals and frescoes, this...

Perched dramatically on a conical hill at 4,166 meters (13,668 ft) above sea level, overlooking the turquoise ribbon of the Spiti River, the Key Monastery (also spelled Ki, Kye, or Kee) is the largest and oldest monastery in Spiti Valley. A living center of Tibetan...