| Buddhist Monasteries are the key attractions to the | | | | - Shanti Stupa |
| tourists visiting the beautiful valley of Ladakh. | | | | - Likir |
| Monasteries or Gompas are ancient structures, where | | | | - Spituk |
| Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice their | | | | - Cave Monastery |
| religion. Almost all of these historic monasteries are | | | | - Thiksey |
| situated in scenic locations, on hills and mountains. | | | | - Stok Palace |
| Tourists visit these places very frequently and admire | | | | - Shey |
| the architecture and art collection here. The greatest | | | | - Lamayuru |
| concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or | | | | - Phugtal |
| gompas can be found in the central Ladakh. | | | | - Leh Palace |
| These main centers for worship, isolated meditation | | | | - Zongkhul |
| and religion teaching belong to either the Red Hat sect | | | | Apart from that, Phiyang, Hemis and Chemrey are a |
| or the Yellow-Hat sect of Tibetan monasticism. Over | | | | few other ancient monasteries that were founded |
| twelve monasteries are situated near the Indus, out of | | | | under the patronage of members of the ruling |
| which the Lamayuru is considered the oldest | | | | Namgyal dynasty. It is suggested to cover your limbs |
| monastery. It has been a sacred site for the | | | | and take off the shoes while entering the monasteries. |
| pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. These Gompas | | | | Prior permission should be taken for photography inside |
| are undoubtedly beautiful and splendorous, but are | | | | the monasteries and drinking or smoking is stricly |
| perched dangerously on the edge of craggy mountain | | | | prohibited. A head is appointed in every monastery, |
| faces or rocks. A few popular monasteries/gompas in | | | | who is called the 'Kushak', which literally means a |
| Ladakh are: | | | | 'Reincarnation'. Your tour to Ladakh monasteries |
| - Alchi | | | | showcases the rarest collection of Buddhist relics like |
| - Namgyal Tsemo | | | | thankas, murals, sculptures, scriptures, etc. |
| - Sankar | | | | |