Hemis Monastery

45 km from Leh on the west bank of the Indus River in the monastery belongs to the Drugpa Order built on a green hillside, surrounded by a spectacular mountainous landscape. Hemis Monastery is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh and is a must visit for visitors. The monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630 AD, who was invited to Ladakh by King Namgyal Singay and was offered a religious ground throughout the region.