Letstravail
Travel planning content.
Buddhist
monastery
3,505 m
Open now
Hemis Monastery
Drukpa Lineage (Tibetan Buddhism)
Location
Hemis, Ladakh
Darshan
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (summer)
Best time
June, July, August
Difficulty
moderate
Est. cost / person
₹16,000
About Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is the largest and richest gompa in Ladakh, belonging to the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Established in the 17th century, it is renowned for the annual Hemis Festival celebrating Guru Padmasambhava with spectacular masked Cham dances. The monastery museum holds a giant thangka, gold statues and ancient relics.
Re-established in 1672 under King Sengge Namgyal; the giant thangka is unfurled once every 12 years.
Darshan & Aarti
Darshan timings
- · 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (summer)
- · Reduced hours in winter
Aarti schedule
- Morning Puja — 7:00 AM (Monks' chanting)
- Evening Puja — 5:00 PM
🚌 How to reach
By Air
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (40 km)
Direct flights from Delhi; acclimatise in Leh before travel.
By Road
On the Leh–Manali highway corridor.
- Leh: 45 km · ~1.5h · via Karu on NH-3
Last mile: Taxi or bike from Leh; monastery is a short uphill drive from the highway.
Estimated expense (per person)
| Delhi–Leh flight (return) | ₹9,000 |
| Stay in Leh (3 nights) | ₹5,000 |
| Local taxi & entry | ₹2,000 |
| Total | ₹16,000 |
Part of a wider Ladakh itinerary. Acclimatisation day recommended.
Gallery
📍 Nearby attractions
Thiksey Monastery
Miniature Potala Palace
Leh Palace
17th-century royal palace