Chemrey Monastery, also called Chemrey Gompa or Theksok Gompa, is a Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Chemrey village, Leh district, Ladakh, about 40 km east of Leh on the road toward Pangong and Nubra. It climbs in tiers up a steep hilltop above barley fields, and it is best known for a large Padmasambhava statue, old gold-and-silver scriptures and the autumn Chemrey Angchok festival of masked cham dances.
Chemrey Monastery is a hilltop Buddhist monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, founded in 1664 and dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal, according to Ladakh records and Wikipedia. It belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu order, holds a one-storey Padmasambhava statue and a 29-volume gold-and-silver scripture set, and is best visited in summer.
Key takeaways
- Chemrey Monastery is in Chemrey village, Leh district, Ladakh, roughly 40 km east of Leh on the Leh-Pangong road, reached by turning off near Karu.
- Wikipedia and the government Utsav portal date it to 1664 and credit Lama Tagsang Raschen, built as a memorial to King Sengge Namgyal; a scholarly source instead dates construction to 1644-1646, so treat the founding year as attributed.
- The gompa belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu order and rises in tiers up a hillock above barley fields, with a former royal fortress on the same hill.
- Highlights include a Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) statue described by Wikipedia as one storey high and a 29-volume scripture set written in silver and gold letters.
- The Chemrey Angchok (Wangchok) festival of cham dances falls on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th Tibetan month, usually around November; confirm the 2026 dates locally.
- Best season is summer, roughly June to September; the nearest airport is Leh, about 40 km away, and there is no railway in Ladakh. Entry and timings below are indicative, as of October 2026.
About Chemrey Monastery and quick facts
Chemrey Monastery is a Drukpa Kagyu gompa that rises in tiers up a steep hillock in Chemrey village, Leh district, in the Union Territory of Ladakh. It stands in the Indus valley on the road east of Leh that leads on toward Pangong Tso and, via other turnings, toward Nubra. Wikipedia places it at about 33°58′N 77°48′E, roughly 46 km southeast of Leh, 6 km north of Hemis and 24 km northwest of Upshi; most travel descriptions round the Leh distance to about 40-45 km.
What gives Chemrey its shape is the hill itself. According to Lonely Planet, the village is dominated by a monastery on a steep hillock, with barley fields and buckthorn bushes below, and a former royal fortress stands on the same height. The whitewashed prayer halls, monks’ quarters and shrines step up the slope in stages, so the climb to the top rewards you with a clear view back over the cultivated valley floor. It is a living monastery with a resident community of monks, not a museum, so plan your visit around morning or evening prayers where you can.
| Location | Chemrey village, Leh district, Ladakh (UT), India |
|---|---|
| Setting | Tiered buildings up a steep hillock above barley fields, Indus valley |
| Order | Drukpa Kagyu (Tibetan Buddhism) |
| Founded | 1664, dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal (attributed; a scholarly source gives 1644-1646) |
| Distance from Leh | About 40 km east (Wikipedia gives 46 km southeast) |
| Known for | Padmasambhava statue, 29-volume gold-and-silver scriptures, murals, Angchok cham festival |
| Nearest airport | Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (about 40 km) |
| Best season | Summer, roughly June to September |
| Entry / timings | Indicative: open roughly daylight hours; a small donation or ticket is usual (reconfirm locally) |
Who founded Chemrey, and when
Chemrey was founded in 1664 by Lama Tagsang Raschen and dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal, according to Wikipedia and the Government of India’s Utsav cultural portal. Both describe it as a memorial foundation: the lama is named as a pontiff or teacher linked to the king, and the monastery was raised in the king’s memory after his reign. Sengge Namgyal was a 17th-century ruler of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, remembered for building and endowing several gompas.
The date is not settled, so treat it as attributed rather than fixed. The scholarly Treasury of Lives instead records that the monastery, built by Taktsang Repa Ngawang Gyatso as a memorial following Sengge Namgyal’s death, was begun in March 1644 and completed in 1645 or 1646. Cornell University Library’s photo archive dates the site broadly to about 1625-1675 and likewise calls it an act of merit for the late king. The variant spellings of the founder’s name (Tagsang Raschen, Tagsang Ragspa, Taktsang Repa) point to the same figure. Whichever year you take, the sources agree on the essentials: a mid-17th-century Drukpa Kagyu foundation tied to King Sengge Namgyal.
What to see at Chemrey Monastery
The main things to see at Chemrey are its Padmasambhava statue, its old scriptures and its murals, set within prayer halls that climb the hill. Wikipedia lists several shrines, two assembly halls (du-khang) and a lama temple (lha-khang) in the complex. Give yourself about an hour to an hour and a half to walk up, see the halls and take in the view.
The Padmasambhava statue is the centrepiece. Wikipedia describes the image of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, the 8th-century master credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet) as a high statue one storey tall. Heights quoted elsewhere vary widely, so the “one storey” description is the safest, and the figure is large enough to dominate its shrine.
The scripture collection is the other treasure. Wikipedia records a 29-volume set of texts written in silver and gold letters, the kind of illuminated manuscript Ladakhi monasteries guard carefully. The murals add to the walls: Lonely Planet notes partly restored ancient wall paintings in the Lama Lhakhang, and other guides date Chemrey’s wall paintings to the 17th century. These are devotional images in a living shrine, so view them quietly and follow any instruction from the monks about which rooms are open.
| Feature | What it is | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Padmasambhava statue | Large image of Guru Rinpoche | Wikipedia describes it as one storey high; quoted heights vary |
| Gold-and-silver scriptures | 29-volume text set in silver and gold lettering | Per Wikipedia; a guarded collection |
| Murals | Wall paintings, partly restored | In the Lama Lhakhang; dated to the 17th century by some guides |
| Assembly halls (du-khang) | Two prayer halls | Best seen around prayer times |
| Hilltop setting | Tiered buildings, former fort, valley view | Barley fields and buckthorn below |
The Chemrey Angchok festival
The Chemrey Angchok festival of sacred cham dances falls on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th month of the Tibetan calendar, which usually places it in November. Wikipedia and the government Utsav portal both give these lunar dates and call the event the Angchok (also spelled Wangchok). Because the Tibetan calendar shifts against the Gregorian one each year, the exact November dates change annually; a 2024 Utsav listing, for example, placed the dances on 28-29 November, but you should confirm the 2026 dates locally before planning around them.
During the festival, monks of Chemrey perform cham (masked ritual dances) that enact the triumph of good over harmful forces, a tradition shared across Ladakh’s gompas. Reports describe a preparatory period of meditation before the public dances on both festival days. If you want to see cham at Chemrey, arrive early, keep a respectful distance from the dance ground, and remember this is a religious rite, not a staged show. The nearby Takthok and Hemis monasteries hold their own famous festivals, so it is worth checking all three dates when you plan an autumn trip.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Chemrey Monastery is summer, roughly June to September, when Ladakh’s main highways are open and daytime weather in the Leh area is mild. Travel guides describe Leh daytime highs of about 20-25°C in June to August, with cold nights even in peak summer. This is also when road access toward Chemrey, Pangong and Nubra is most reliable.
Shoulder season has its own appeal. September into early October can be clear and quieter as summer crowds thin, though nights turn colder. Winter, roughly November to March, brings heavy cold and snow that can disrupt road access across Ladakh, so a winter visit needs local checks on conditions. If you specifically want the Angchok cham dances, you will be travelling in late autumn and must prepare for genuine cold.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (best) | June-September | Highways open, mild days around 20-25°C, cold nights; busiest in July-August |
| Autumn | Late September-October | Clear, quieter, colder nights; late autumn brings the Angchok festival window |
| Winter | November-March | Severe cold and snow; road access unreliable, check locally |
| Spring | April-May | Thawing; high passes may still be closed early in the window |
How to reach Chemrey Monastery
You reach Chemrey by road from Leh, driving east about 40 km toward Karu and then on along the Pangong road. The usual route follows the Indus valley to Karu, from where the Pangong-bound road continues past the Chemrey turn-off; Lonely Planet notes the access lane near the 7 km mark on the Karu-Pangong road, with a roughly 2 km spiral lane climbing to the monastery entrance. A taxi from Leh is the simplest option, often combined with Hemis, Thiksey and Takthok on a day loop.
By air, the nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh, about 40 km away, with flights to Delhi and other Indian cities. There is no railway anywhere in Ladakh, so rail travellers reach Ladakh by air into Leh or overland on the Srinagar-Leh or Manali-Leh highways in season, then continue by road. For context on routes, acclimatisation and the wider region, see our broader Ladakh travel guide, and if you are continuing east, our Pangong Lake travel guide covers the onward road.
| Mode | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road from Leh | Leh to Karu, then Pangong road to Chemrey turn-off | About 40 km; taxi usual; access lane near Km 7 on Karu-Pangong road |
| Air | Fly into Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh | About 40 km from Chemrey; then taxi |
| Rail | No railway in Ladakh | Reach Leh by air or seasonal highway, then road |
| On the hill | Drive up the spiral lane, then walk the tiers | Roughly 2 km lane per Lonely Planet; allow a short climb |
Where to stay and what it costs
Most visitors stay in Leh and make Chemrey a half-day or day trip, since Leh has the widest choice of hotels, guesthouses and homestays. Leh accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses to a few higher-end hotels, and prices swing sharply between the summer peak and the off-season. Book well ahead for July and August, when demand is highest.
Closer to the monastery, the Shakti and Chemrey area has small homestays and a scatter of boutique stays set among the villages east of Leh, which suit travellers who want an early start for Pangong or a quieter base near the gompa. The figures below are indicative planning bands only and should be reconfirmed when you book.
| Type | Where | Indicative per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse / homestay | Leh town; some Shakti/Chemrey village homestays | ₹800-2,000 (planning estimate) |
| Mid-range hotel | Leh town | ₹2,500-6,000 (planning estimate) |
| Boutique / luxury | Leh and the Shakti area east of Leh | ₹8,000 and up (planning estimate) |
Budget for a Chemrey visit
A visit to Chemrey itself costs very little; the real spend is the taxi from Leh and your overall Ladakh trip. Entry to Ladakhi monasteries is typically a small ticket or donation, and Chemrey is a modest add-on to a day that usually also takes in Hemis and Thiksey. The table below is a planning estimate for one day trip from Leh for one person, not a quoted tariff, and should be reconfirmed locally.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Shared taxi / car hire (shared) | ₹600-1,500 | Day loop Leh-Hemis-Chemrey-Thiksey, shared |
| Monastery donation / ticket | ₹20-100 | Small entry or donation, reconfirm on site |
| Lunch and tea | ₹200-400 | Simple cafe or village meal |
| Water, snacks, extras | ₹100-200 | Carry a refillable bottle |
| Rough day-trip total | ₹920-2,200 | Excludes Leh stay and the environment/permit fee |
Food on the route is simple. In Leh and the villages you will find Ladakhi and Tibetan staples such as thukpa (noodle soup), momos (steamed or fried dumplings), skyu (a kneaded pasta stew) and butter tea, alongside standard Indian dishes. Carry cash, as small village eateries and the monastery may not take cards or UPI reliably.
Altitude, etiquette and rules
Chemrey sits at Ladakhi altitude, so acclimatise in Leh for a day or two before active sightseeing. Travel-health guidance for Ladakh consistently warns that acute mountain sickness (AMS) can come on at these heights and can worsen quickly, so climb gently, drink water, and descend and seek help if symptoms are severe. The walk up Chemrey’s tiers is short but steep enough to leave you breathless if you have just arrived.
As a living Drukpa Kagyu monastery, Chemrey asks for ordinary temple respect. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes where asked, walk clockwise around shrines and chortens, speak quietly, and do not touch statues, scriptures or murals. Photography rules vary by shrine: outdoor and courtyard photos are usually fine, but inside the prayer halls you should always ask a monk first and never use flash near old paintings or manuscripts. Do not photograph people or rituals without consent.
On permits, Chemrey itself needs none, as it lies on the main valley road before the restricted zones. For areas further east and north, such as Pangong Tso and Nubra, Indian and foreign visitors have faced different permit and fee rules over the years, and these change often. As of October 2026, confirm the current Inner Line Permit, Protected Area Permit and environment-fee requirements for your wider route through the official Leh administration permit portal before you travel, rather than relying on older blog figures.
Nearby places worth adding
Chemrey pairs naturally with the cluster of monasteries east of Leh, so most visitors see it on a loop rather than alone. The best-known neighbour is Hemis, about 6 km away per Wikipedia and the largest and wealthiest Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Ladakh, famous for its summer Hemis festival. Thiksey, a photogenic Gelugpa monastery on the way back toward Leh, and Takthok, Ladakh’s main Nyingma cave monastery further along the Pangong road, round out an excellent day.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Hemis Monastery | About 6 km | Largest Drukpa Kagyu gompa in Ladakh; famous summer festival |
| Takthok Monastery | Short drive east | Ladakh’s main Nyingma cave monastery, on the Pangong road |
| Shakti village | Nearby | Quiet village stays east of Leh, handy for an early Pangong start |
| Thiksey Monastery | On the way to Leh | Striking tiered Gelugpa monastery with a large Maitreya |
| Leh town | About 40 km | Main base: market, palace, hospital, airport |
If you are heading on toward the lake afterwards, our Pangong Lake travel guide explains the road, permits and stays beyond Chemrey, while the Ladakh travel guide helps you fit the eastern monasteries into a longer itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chemrey Monastery located?
Chemrey Monastery is in Chemrey village, Leh district, in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It stands on a steep hillock in the Indus valley, about 40 km east of Leh on the road toward Pangong, reached by turning off near Karu. Wikipedia places it about 46 km southeast of Leh and 6 km north of Hemis Monastery.
When was Chemrey Monastery founded and by whom?
Chemrey Monastery was founded in 1664 by Lama Tagsang Raschen and dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal, according to Wikipedia and the government Utsav portal. The date is attributed, not certain: the scholarly Treasury of Lives instead dates construction to 1644-1646 and names the founder as Taktsang Repa Ngawang Gyatso, built as a memorial to the king.
What is special about Chemrey Monastery?
Chemrey is a Drukpa Kagyu monastery that rises in tiers up a hilltop above barley fields. Its highlights are a large Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) statue, described by Wikipedia as one storey high, a 29-volume scripture set written in silver and gold letters, and old wall murals. It also hosts the autumn Angchok festival of masked cham dances.
When is the Chemrey festival held?
The Chemrey Angchok (Wangchok) festival falls on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th month of the Tibetan calendar, usually in November, per Wikipedia and the Utsav portal. Monks perform cham (masked ritual dances) on both days. Because the Tibetan calendar shifts yearly, confirm the exact 2026 Gregorian dates locally before planning your trip.
How do I reach Chemrey Monastery from Leh?
Drive about 40 km east from Leh along the Indus valley to Karu, then follow the Pangong road to the Chemrey turn-off, where a spiral lane climbs to the monastery. A taxi is the usual choice, often on a loop with Hemis and Thiksey. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh; there is no railway in Ladakh.
Do I need a permit to visit Chemrey Monastery?
No special permit is needed for Chemrey itself, which lies on the main valley road before Ladakh’s restricted zones. However, areas further east and north, such as Pangong and Nubra, require permits and an environment fee whose rules change often. As of October 2026, confirm current Inner Line Permit and Protected Area Permit requirements through the official Leh administration portal.
Last updated and sources
Chemrey suits travellers who want a quieter, living monastery to pair with Hemis and Thiksey on a day out from Leh, or a stop on the way to Pangong. Visit in summer, climb gently, and treat the gompa as the working religious place it is.
Last updated: 20 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia, Chemrey Monastery; Government of India Utsav portal, Chemrey Wangchok festival; Treasury of Lives, Chemrey; Cornell University Library Digital Collections; Lonely Planet, Chemrey Monastery; Leh administration permit portal (lahdclehpermit.in). Accessed September 2026.
