Perched on a hilltop 19 km from Leh, Thiksey Monastery is a stunning 12-story Tibetan Buddhist complex that resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Home to around 100 monks of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect, this 15th-century gompa contains a remarkable 15-meter-tall seated Maitreya Buddha statue — the largest in Ladakh — along with ancient murals, thangka paintings, and a collection of swords and Tibetan artifacts. The morning prayer ceremony at 6 AM, when monks chant in the dim, incense-filled prayer hall, is one of Ladakh's most moving spiritual experiences. From the rooftop, views stretch across the Indus Valley to the Stok Range.

What makes this place special

A magnificent 15-meter-tall (49-foot) seated Buddha statue spanning two floors — the largest such statue in Ladakh, covered in gold leaf and visible from the Indus Valley below.

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At 6 AM, monks gather in the dimly lit prayer hall for chanting accompanied by horns, drums, and cymbals — the sound reverberating through the ancient stone walls is profoundly moving.

From the monastery's highest terrace, unobstructed views stretch across the green Indus Valley floor to the snow-capped Stok Kangri range — among Ladakh's most photographed vistas.