Leh’d Back with Monks

It all started with a bet. “You won’t last three days without Wi-Fi,” said my very smug roommate, probably while syncing three devices to the same charger. Naturally, I took the challenge, and a flight to Leh.

Turns out, there’s something oddly comforting about trading Instagram likes for prayer flags and horns echoing across valleys. And when it comes to a Leh Ladakh monastery experience, trust me, your inner peace will be like, “Hello, we’ve been trying to reach you about your soul’s extended warranty.”

Welcome to the World’s Most Peaceful Plot Twist

You don’t come to Ladakh for luxury. You come for the kind of silence that feels louder than city traffic. For sunrises that smack you in the face with awe. For monks who side-eye your attempt at meditating in jeans.

Every Leh Ladakh monastery has its own vibe. Some are perched on cliffs like they’re casually waiting to star in a Marvel movie. Others are tucked in valleys, quiet, humble, echoing with chants and incense.

First up on my path to enlightenment (and altitude sickness): Thiksey Monastery.

Also Read: Chadar Trek in Ladakh: Cost, Route, and Best time to go

Thiksey Monastery: Where Insta-Peace Meets Real Peace

If Wes Anderson directed a monastery, it would probably be Thiksey. Twelve stories of red and white stacked buildings, prayer wheels that spin with secrets, and a view that’s basically the desktop wallpaper of your dreams.

Inside? A massive statue of Maitreya Buddha that made me audibly whisper “Whoa” before realizing monks don’t whisper, they float their words.

My first attempt at meditation lasted three minutes. I got distracted by the thought of lunch, then by a fly, then by the sheer fact that I was actually here. That counts for something, right?

Lamayuru Monastery: For Your Inner Galactic Explorer

Next on the tour de calm: Lamayuru Monastery. It appears like this place was developed in the moon. Majestic mountains, unreal sceneries, and buildings which appear that they have been staying in meditation more than any civilization has.

The legend has it that this land was once a lake when a great sage drained it out to construct the monastery. Wind still murmurs of the same history in these quarters,–or it is wind only.

Either way, it’s chill-inducing.

The monks? Chill. The tea? Hot. The feeling? Like your brain finally put its phone on Do Not Disturb.

Also Read: The Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh: A Seasonal Guide

Diskit Monastery: Giant Buddha Energy

Ah yes, Diskit Monastery, where your road trip playlist meets its spiritual climax. The drive through Nubra Valley is part mountain magic, part “Did that yak just wink at me?”

Diskit is famous for its massive 100+ foot statue of the Maitreya Buddha. It’s like the Hollywood sign of serenity.

There’s a calm here that’s hard to describe. Birds don’t just chirp—they narrate the soundtrack to your inner awakening. Even my perpetually antsy travel buddy stood still for a full five minutes. A record.

Alchi Monastery: Vintage Vibes and Murals

If monasteries had hipster cousins, Alchi Monastery would be it. Nestled near the Indus River, this one trades dramatic cliff vibes for lush surroundings and some of the oldest surviving paintings in the region.

The art here feels almost too good to be real—like someone painted them yesterday, but with 11th-century paintbrushes. You’ll want to stare at every mural until you accidentally get elbowed by another awe-struck tourist doing the same.

Bring a notebook. You’ll want to write down things like “I felt time stop” or “Should I become a monk?” (Spoiler: No. I like snacks too much.)

Likir Monastery: Monks, Mountains, and Moral Support

The road to Likir Monastery was bumpy enough to shake all the nonsense out of me. By the time we arrived, I felt like a human snow globe.
But the view? Worth every bump.

This monastery is peaceful in a way that makes you forget about everything annoying in the world—group chats, traffic, mosquitoes, TikTok trends. The monks here were in the middle of a debate session (yes, that’s a thing), and watching them passionately argue over philosophy was the most wholesome fight I’ve ever seen.

Also Read: Travel to Hemis National Park, which functions as Ladakh’s wildlife sanctuary

Hemis Monastery: The OG of Leh Ladakh Monasteries

You can’t talk about a Leh Ladakh monastery without mentioning the VIP of them all—Hemis Monastery. It’s the largest, oldest, and most festival-famous monastery around.

Timing is everything here. If you catch the Hemis Festival, expect mask dances, music, and an energy that feels both ancient and lit. Even on regular days, Hemis has this commanding aura. It’s the kind of place where even your noisy thoughts take off their shoes and whisper.

Also, fun fact: they discovered a hidden library here. Imagine finding ancient texts instead of that expired granola bar in your backpack.

Finding Yourself, One Chant at a Time

If you’re thinking about doing a monastery-hopping tour, here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an expert in Buddhism, or even fully understand what you’re chanting along to. Just bring curiosity, comfy shoes, and a respectful silence.

Also, snacks. Always snacks.

By the end of the trip, I’d seen six breathtaking monasteries, survived three nosebleeds (altitude is humbling), and had one tearful realization during a sunrise meditation.

You’ll leave changed. Not dramatically. Just enough that when you return home, loud places will seem louder, small problems will seem smaller, and Wi-Fi won’t feel like a lifeline.

Final Thoughts from a Not-So-Enlightened Traveler

So no, I didn’t achieve full monk status or renounce iced coffee. But my week hopping from Leh Ladakh monastery to monastery left me with clearer thoughts, fuller lungs, and about 257 photos of prayer flags.

The beauty of this journey isn’t just in the architecture or the scenery; it’s in the stillness it demands from you. A chance to stop doomscrolling and start soul-searching.

Whether it’s Diskit Monastery watching over Nubra Valley or the quiet wisdom tucked into Likir Monastery’s debates, each stop offers something profound. And honestly, having a crew like Travellers Choice Ladakh handling the details made it a lot easier to actually be present.

And if nothing else, you’ll at least return with the ultimate brag: “Oh, you found peace at a yoga retreat? Cute. I found mine with monks at 11,000 feet.”