Namgyal Tsemo Monastery crowns the ridge directly above Leh Palace, its red and white towers visible from almost everywhere in the Indus Valley. Founded by King Tashi Namgyal in the 15th century, the gompa houses a three-storey gilded statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, along with ancient manuscript collections and vivid frescoes that have survived centuries of mountain winters.
The walk up from Leh Palace is steep and takes about 20 minutes over loose scree — go slowly, the altitude at 3,500 m is unforgiving. The monastery is small and the monastic community tiny, so visit early in the morning when it is most likely to be open. The views from the ridge over the old town, the Indus Valley, and the jagged peaks of the Stok Kangri massif across the valley are reward enough even if the gates are closed.
story: > Tashi Namgyal built this monastery to atone for ordering the execution of his brother. The monks say the enormous Maitreya statue was commissioned as an act of merit to offset the bad karma — a kingdom's guilt cast in gilded clay.