Quick Answer
Thiksey Monastery, 19 km from Leh: the 12-storey gompa likened to the Potala, its 15 m Maitreya Buddha, morning prayer at dawn, how to get there and what to wear.
Thiksey Monastery rises in white tiers over a rocky hill about 19 km south-east of Leh, on the road to Hemis. It belongs to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and is home to a large community of monks. Most visitors come for two things: the morning prayer, when horns and chanting fill the main hall at first light, and the two-storey statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, near the top of the complex.
Quick answer
Thiksey Monastery is about 19 km from Leh (30 to 40 minutes by car) at roughly 3,600 m. Arrive by 6 am to sit in on morning prayer, then climb to the Maitreya temple. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, and combine it with Shey Palace and Hemis on the same day.
What makes Thiksey special?
Thiksey is often compared to the Potala Palace in Lhasa because of the way its buildings climb the hill in white and red tiers, about twelve storeys from the base to the roof. The complex holds several temples, a library of old texts, a nunnery below and living quarters for the monks. From the roof terrace you look across the Indus valley to Stok Kangri and down on the fields of Shey and Thiksey village.
The Maitreya temple holds a seated statue of the future Buddha, about 15 m (49 ft) tall, made in the 1970s and so large that it rises through two floors. It is one of the most photographed images in Ladakh.
Thiksey morning prayer: what happens and how to attend
Most mornings the monks gather in the main assembly hall at dawn. Long horns are blown from the roof, then the monks chant for around an hour while butter tea and tsampa are passed along the rows. Visitors are welcome to sit quietly at the back.
- 1Leave Leh by about 5.15 am in summer; prayers start around 6 am (earlier in midsummer, later in winter). Ask your hotel or driver the evening before.
- 2Climb to the roof first to hear the horns, then go down to the assembly hall.
- 3Remove your shoes, sit at the back, and keep phones silent and cameras away during the chanting.
- 4Stay until the end if you go in. Afterwards, visit the Maitreya temple and the roof terrace in the morning light.
Timings, distance and how to get there
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance from Leh | About 19 km, 30 to 40 minutes by car |
| Altitude | About 3,600 m |
| Opening | Early morning to around sunset; morning prayer at dawn |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Best combined with | Shey Palace (on the way) and Hemis (further on) |
| Getting there | Leh taxi for the day, or self-drive; local buses are infrequent |
Ladakh's taxi rules generally require a Leh-registered taxi for local sightseeing. A one-day loop of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis is one of the standard Leh taxi routes.
Thiksey Gustor festival
Thiksey holds its annual Gustor festival in the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar, usually October or November. Monks perform masked cham dances in the courtyard over two days. Dates move each year with the lunar calendar; check our Ladakh festivals calendar before you plan around it.
How to visit a Ladakhi monastery respectfully
- Walk clockwise around stupas, prayer wheels and the inside of the prayer hall, as the monks do.
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered. Remove shoes and hats before entering a prayer hall.
- Ask before photographing monks, and do not use flash inside. Some halls do not allow photos at all; follow the signs.
- Do not touch statues, murals or offerings, and never point your feet at an altar when sitting.
- A small entry fee is charged at most monasteries and supports their upkeep. Carry cash; card machines are rare.
- Morning prayers are open to quiet visitors at many gompas. Sit at the back and stay until the end if you go in.
A half-day plan from Leh
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 5.15 am | Leave Leh |
| 6 to 7 am | Morning prayer at Thiksey |
| 7 to 8 am | Maitreya temple, roof terrace, small museum |
| 8.30 am | Breakfast in Thiksey village or back towards Shey |
| 9.30 am | Shey Palace and its Buddha statue |
| 11 am | Hemis, or back to Leh to rest |
Leh sits at about 3,500 m. Spend your first 36 to 48 hours resting in Leh before going higher, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should ask their doctor before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Thiksey Monastery from Leh?
About 19 km south-east of Leh on the Leh-Manali road, a 30 to 40 minute drive.
What time is the morning prayer at Thiksey?
At dawn, usually around 6 am in summer and a little later in winter. Confirm the time locally the evening before.
Can tourists attend the Thiksey morning prayer?
Yes. Visitors may sit quietly at the back of the assembly hall. Keep phones silent and do not photograph during the chanting.
How tall is the Maitreya Buddha at Thiksey?
About 15 m (49 ft). The seated statue rises through two floors of its temple.
Why is Thiksey called the mini Potala?
Because its white-and-red buildings climb a hill in tiers, about twelve storeys high, in a way that resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Is there an entry fee at Thiksey Monastery?
Yes, a small fee is charged at the gate and goes to the monastery's upkeep. Carry cash.
Can I visit Thiksey, Shey and Hemis in one day?
Yes. They lie on the same road south-east of Leh. Start with Thiksey prayers, stop at Shey, then go on to Hemis, about 45 km from Leh.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
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