Nestled deep in a narrow valley, the Hemis monastery is the largest and the most important monastic institution in Ladakh. Hemis has more than 200 branch monasteries around the Himalayas and over 1000 monks under its care. It is an important living monument to the heritage of the Himalayas and its people.

The monastery belongs to the Drukpa lineage or the Dragon Order of Mahayana Buddhism. The main driving... (more)

Located 15km to the south of Leh on the Leh-Manali highway is the Shey Palace. The 3 storey palace is perched on a hillock overlooking the beautiful Shey village. 'Shey' loosely translated into Ladakhi means mirror (or maybe reflection) and it is the reflection of the palace on the still waters of the lake below which gave origins to its name.

Shey used to be the capital and the home for... (more)