A low whitewashed doorway with an orange frame, a gold-and-yellow lintel cloth and two small signs on the wall

temple1 h 28 min from Leh

Alchi Monastery — the old temple complex of wall paintings

Alchi Monastery, the old temple complex west of Leh: its Kashmiri-style temples and early wall paintings, the Alchi group of villages and the drive from Leh.

What it is

Alchi Monastery, also called Alchi Chhoskhor, is a monastic complex of temples in Alchi village, administered by Likir Monastery, and the best known of the Alchi group of monuments, which also includes Mangyu and Sumda Chun. Wikipedia says it is 60 km west of Leh; our routing measures about 68 km and 88 minutes by road.

Photos: Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

The temples

The Dukhang, or assembly hall, and the three-storey Sumtseg temple are in the Kashmiri style, and there is a Manjushri temple. The wall paintings reflect the artistic and spiritual traditions of the Buddhist and Hindu kings of the time and are among the oldest surviving in Ladakh.

When it was built

Tradition credits the translator Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th and 11th centuries. Wikipedia says inscriptions suggest a later founding, by a patron's relative, no earlier than the 12th century.

Combine it with

The western day ends here, after Magnetic Hill and the confluence. Read things to do in Leh.

Plans that include this

All 1 plans that stop here →

The teal Zanskar river meeting the brown Indus between steep bare mountains near Nimmu

One day from Leh — Magnetic Hill, the confluence and Alchi

Day plan · road-trip lovers · nature

A one-day road trip west of Leh: Magnetic Hill, the Zanskar–Indus confluence near Nimmu and the old temples of Alchi, with measured drive times.

Best Jun–Oct

See the plan →

Nearby places

All of Leh →

Zanskar–Indus confluence — where two rivers meet near Nimmu

viewpoint · 16 km away

Magnetic Hill — the roadside illusion on the Leh–Srinagar highway

viewpoint · 17 km away

Spituk Monastery — the hilltop gompa near Leh's airport

temple · 34 km away

Shanti Stupa — the white stupa on the ridge above Leh

temple · 37 km away

Stok Palace — the royal summer home across the Indus

fort · 38 km away

Leh Palace — the nine-storey royal palace above the old town

fort · 38 km away

Shey Palace — the old royal hill complex and its great Buddha

fort · 45 km away

Thiksey Monastery — the hilltop Gelug monastery with the great Maitreya

temple · 49 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →

Pahalgam

172 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places

Sonamarg

173 km away · 1 itineraries · 2 places

Keylong

184 km away · 3 itineraries · 7 places

Bharmour

207 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places

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Questions people ask

What is Alchi Monastery?

A monastic complex of temples in Alchi village, administered by Likir Monastery, and the best known of the Alchi group of monuments with Mangyu and Sumda Chun. Wikipedia says it is 60 km west of Leh; our routing measures about 68 km and 88 minutes by road.

Why is it known?

Its Dukhang assembly hall and three-storey Sumtseg temple are in the Kashmiri style, and Wikipedia says the wall paintings are among the oldest surviving in Ladakh. Tradition credits the translator Rinchen Zangpo, but inscriptions suggest a later founding. We have no verified opening hours or rules, so ask locally.

Can you do it in a day from Leh?

Yes, as a long day: about 88 minutes each way on our routing, plus the Zanskar confluence and Magnetic Hill on the way. Start early and keep time for the return. Wikivoyage says local buses from Leh reach as far as Alchi, but we have no verified timetable.