Things to see and do Ladakh

Located at an altitude of 4,625 metres, in the heights of the Chansgpa district, it is the first building to be seen from the airport. At the top of a small hill, it was built by the Japanese to symbolize peace (shanti) in the world. It is a high place of pilgrimage from where you can contemplate the city, the mountains and, in the distance, the Stok Kangri. The 15-minute ascent on very steep stairs is not recommended for travellers who have just arrived in Leh. It is better to go there at the end of the day, around 5pm, before sunset.

Built in the ^16th century, the Thiksey monastery marks the spirits by its remarkable architecture. Behind the entrance gate, there is a restaurant, a guesthouse and a souvenir store (on the left). Then, you will go up, by foot or by car, to the school and the various temples. The monastery shelters a community of a small hundred monks.

Chanpakhang Temple is open from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6:30pm. One can admire a superb statue of Buddha Maitreya (future Buddha) in sitting position. Blessed by the Dalai Lama in 1980, it is more than 12 m high. Its construction involved 30 people working continuously for 3 years. The statue is only 30 years old, but the murals are much older.

Gompa. At the top of the Gompa, you can visit a very old library filled with Buddhist manuscripts. In the courtyard, take time to observe the colorful murals depicting the deities.

Themuseum is open from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6:30pm, entrance fee: 30 Rs. It presents beautiful tantric objects.

And don't forget the Kutong Lhakang, which contains two silver stupas and sacred relics, the Dolma Lhakang, then the Dukhang Lhakang (or Assembly Hall) and finally, the Gonkhang (temple of the protectors). In the morning, the ceremony is open to the public wishing to meditate. In high season, tourists flock.

The festival of Gustor takes place every year in March. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Magnificent point of view to admire the valley of Indus.

This sumptuous monastery of the Drugpa sect dates from the beginning of the ^18th century. In the middle of bewitching rocky landscapes, it is majestically suspended with a hill. It shelters superb frescos illustrating the protective deities and those with the thousand Buddhas. Higher up is the lama-lakhang, and two stuffed goats hang to the right of the entrance. A small museum contains ancient artifacts, thangkas and photos of the history of the gompa.

Altitude : 3 500 m. Founded in the ^11th century, the monastery of Stongdey is the largest in Zanskar after that of Karsha. About sixty monks of Gelukpa obedience live there. Beautiful mural paintings decorate the interior walls of the gompa. It hosts the Gustor festival at the end of the ^11th month of the Tibetan calendar. On this occasion, the monks dance and celebrate the reincarnation of Nari Tulku, a local deity. From Padum, allow 4 good hours of walking to reach the village. The most tiring is the final climb to the monastery.

A 2 hour walk will take you to the Karsha Gompa, or Karsha Chamspalling, 7 km from Padum. An excellent opportunity to discover the surroundings and to warm up for a longer trek. This white monastery clinging to a steep mountain is the largest in Zanskar, it was built in the ^10th century and houses about 150 monks. Every day, a bus connects Karsha and Padum. It is possible to be accommodated in Karsha, the pensions propose rooms from 600 Rs the night. There are notably the guesthouses Thieur and Thinkuling. Do not be demanding on the comfort.